Kansas Cyclist Podcast

This is episode 21 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and in this episode we interview Andy Clarke of the League of American Bicyclists, catch up with a few Biking Across Kansas riders on tour, and talk with the folks at Road ID about their personal identification products for cyclists. Andy Clarke Andy Clarke has more than 25 years of experience in cycling advocacy. He is currently the president of the League of American Bicyclists, whose mission is to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. His past experience includes stints at the Rails to Trails Conservancy, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, the Bicycle Federation of America (now the National Center for Bicycling and Walking), and as a consultant to the Federal Highway Administration. Andy’s passion for cycling started when he was growing up in England, and has stayed with him through hundreds of thousands of miles of cycling on four continents. He is recognized as a policy expert on almost every aspect of bicycling, and still enjoys a tough climb on his Trek touring bike better than anything else. After the Bike League released their recent Bicycle Friendly State rankings, in which Kansas made a huge leap, from the 33rd most bike-friendly state, to the 13th. Although this was great news for bicycling in Kansas, we were frankly a bit puzzled by the big jump. Andy fills us in on how the Bicycle Friendly State program works, as well as the related programs such as Bicycle Friendly Communities and Bicycle Friendly Businesses. We also discuss the League Cycling Instructor (LCI) program, which offers instructors and classes to help people ride their bikes safely and confidently on our roadways. This is a fascinating discussion, and not just the details about how the programs work, but the larger picture, of how America as a whole is moving toward becoming a much better place to ride our bikes. This is an exciting time! Road ID We’d like to welcome Road ID aboard as the latest sponsor of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. In this episode we talk with Road ID co-founder Edward Wimmer (shown on the right) and Director of Marketing P.J. Rabice (left) about the Road ID product line, how the company was started, and how their products benefit cyclists, runners, and other athletes. Road ID is an innovative personal identification product that you wear around your wrist, around your neck, or attached to a shoe. In the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will. It contains all the information first responders, such as police and EMS, need to get you the medical attention you need, and to contact your loved ones. Road ID has kindly provided gift certificates, which we’ll be passing along to podcast listeners in the coming months. We’re still working out the details, so stay tuned to upcoming episodes. In the meantime, check out the Road ID product line, which includes not just the wearable identification, but safety accessories such as lighting and reflective products, as well as Road ID apparel. Both Randy and Ed, co-hosts of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, have been Road ID customers for a long time, and neither of us will go for a ride without this critical piece of safety equipment. We think it’s that important. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: The Biking Across Kansas tour wrapped up their week-long ride across the Sunflower state last weekend, and the podcast team got the chance to ride along for part of one day. In our “On The Scene” segment, we check in with BAK riders Mark and David Rainey, Robert Garcia, and Tim Oberle and let them share a bit about their experiences on the tour. L-to-R: Robert Garcia, Tim Oberle, Randy Rasa, Mark Rainey, David Rainey, Edward Eroe The Race Across America is currently in progress, and, as we record this, passing through Kansas. The Race Across America (or “RAAM”) is an annual endurance cycling event in which folks ride their bikes from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland, a distance of over 300 miles. In Kansas, the route passes through Ulysses, Montezuma, Greensburg, Pratt, Maize, El Dorado, Yates Center, and Fort Scott. From Colorado comes news of a troubling development: the town of Black Hawk, just west of Denver, has banned bicycles from most of the streets in town, claiming that they’re doing so in the name of “safety”. Why would a city, particularly one that depends on tourism as much a Black Hawk does, deliberately shut out visitors? Doesn’t make much sense. Bicyclists and Tourist Boycott Black Hawk Colorado Wichita Updates Their Bicycling Laws The Wichita City Council has unanimously approved an updated version of bicycling ordinances to bring the city code in line with state statutes related to lane positioning and sidepath requirements. Also, bicycle licenses are no longer required! The Border Raiders tour has been canceled for 2010. They promise to return for 2011. Upcoming single-day events include the Life Support Rally, the City of Fountains Ride, the Denver Century, the Historic Gravel Road Ride, the Amelia Earhart Century, the Firecracker 100, the Freedom From Cancer Ride, and the Tornado Alley Bike Tour. Lots of great rides to choose from! Bicycle tours that are launching soon include the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, the Tour de Nebraska, and the Katy Trail Ride in Missouri. It’s too late to join those tours this year, but mark them on your calendar for 2011! The Tour of Lawrence returns to Lawrence, Kansas over the July 4th weekend with three days of racing featuring events with professional, amateur, and youth divisions racing on the streets of Lawrence. Exciting! Plus, trail news from Kansas, and a bicycle safety discussion of riding two-abreast: what is the law, what is courteous, and what is safe? The topic of riding side by side is not as simple as it seems at first glance, and it’s not helped by a patchwork quilt of different laws in different states: You can learn more from Bicycling.com’s “Road Rights” column: Two by Two. And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

This is episode 20 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and in this episode we interview David Williams who is the sponsor & faculty adviser for the Newton High School Student and Faculty Bike Club and who uses cycling as a means to better health and well being. We will also be checking in with Brent Hugh, the Executive Director of Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation regarding the efforts to have the State of Missouri continue to fund the Tour of Missouri Professional Bicycle Race. Newton High School Bike Club David “Mr. Bill” Williams is a speech and debate teacher at Newton High School in Newton, Kansas. David has a really interesting and compelling personal story — he had been morbidly obese since elementary school, maxing out at weighing 370 pounds, and eventually it began to catch up with him — diabetes, alcoholism, liver disease — and he faced some difficult decisions and an uncertain future. At this point, David made a decision to take control of his life. He stopped drinking and began to watch what he ate, the pounds began to come off, and when he added cycling on a stationary bike, he began to see real improvements. When he got bored with pedaling indoors, David took to his son’s mountain bike and began riding outdoors, and found he loved it. Eventually, David dropped more than 130 pounds and greatly improved his health. In September of 2008 he started the Newton High School Student and Faculty Bike Club, which is the only high school cycling club in the state. David teaches his students about bicycle safety and bicycle maintenance, and leads group rides on trails and streets in Newton. The bike club only officially meets once a month for rides during the last hour of the day, but there are many more rides that take place outside of school among students and faculty. It’s great to see a program like this launch in Kansas, and we’re hoping it proves to be a model for other schools — getting kids out on their bikes and promoting a safe, healthy, and active lifestyle. You can follow David on his blog, Cycling & CX, or contact him on Facebook or Twitter. Tour of Missouri News In the “On The Scene” segment of the podcast, we get an update on the Tour of Missouri from Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh. Brent’s been part of the Tour since the beginning, and no one is more knowledgeable about the race, or is a bigger fan. You can show your support for the Tour of Missouri by following it on Facebook, signing the petition, or, especially, by contacting Governor Nixon at 573-751-3222 or http://governor.mo.gov/contact, and the Division of Tourism at 573-751-4133 or tourism@ded.mo.gov . Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Tour of Missouri Troubles: Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has refused to authorize the Division of Tourism to spend the money that the state General Assembly appropriated for the tour. He wants to kill it, but it’s not quite dead yet. Please voice your support by contacting the Governor’s Office and the Division of Tourism. Learn more from MoBikeFed. Oblivious in Olathe: An Olathe city councilman, in speaking up against proposed bike lanes, said he hadn’t seen anyone in Olathe riding to work on a bicycle. Is he blind? Or just clueless? Contact councilman John Bacon at jbacon@olatheks.org or 913-269-6305 and let him know that lots of people ride their bikes to work, and that Olathe needs more bike lanes. Bike Month 2010 Celebrations in Kansas: Festivities in Hutchinson, Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan, and Wichita. Bike Week and the Kansas City Car-Free Challenge. Are you logging your miles? Ride of Silence: May 19th, events in cities throughout the region. The Cottonwood 200 is a three-day, 200-mile tour through the Flint Hills of Kansas, starting and ending in Topeka, and overnighting in Council Grove, May 29-31. This year’s ride is being held in honor of former Kansas University athletic director Bob Frederick, who was a longtime participant in the tour, and who died in a bicycling accident last summer. Pedaler’s Jamboree is a two-day bicycle tour and music festival that takes place on Missouri’s Katy Trail. The ride begins and ends in Columbia, and overnights in Boonville. May 29-30. The Biking Across Kansas kicks off on June 5th, covering 475 miles from Goodland, near the Colorado border, to Leavenworth on the Missouri River. Overnight stops include Colby, Hill City, Osborne, Minneapolis, Herington, Osage City, and Eudora. This is the 36th year for the event. June 5th is also the date for the Dirty Kanza 200, a 200-mile gravel road race through the Flint Hills of east-central Kansas, starting and ending in Emporia. This is one of the premier gravel grinders in the country, and they’re expecting over 200 riders this year, their biggest year yet. Plus, trail news from Kansas, and a bicycle safety discussion of lane position: where’s the safest place to ride? And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

This is episode 19 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and this time out we talk with attorney Alvin Wolff, Jr., who’s written a book called The Total Guide for Motorcycle & Bicycle Accident Victims in Missouri (and the Seven Mistakes that Can Sink Your Claim). His law firm, Alvin Wolff Jr., & Associates, specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and work related injuries, but Wolff, who is an avid cyclist and former motorcyclist, has a special interest in cases involving bicycles. When someone is injured in an accident, she or he usually doesn’t have any previous experience on which to draw, to understand how to talk to insurance adjusters, whether to sign insurance company forms, or when to hire a lawyer. Every cyclist should have some familiarity with bicycle laws, and some sense of what they should do in case an accident does happen, and this is what’s covered in Wolff’s book, and what we discuss in this fascinating podcast interview. You can learn more at his web site, stlouismissouriaccidentlawyer.com, and be sure to check out his blog for frequent news and tips. You can request a free copy of The Total Guide for Motorcycle and Bicycle Accident Victims in Missouri from Wolff’s web site, or order the book on Amazon.com. If you’re involved in an accident on your bicycle, and you’ve been injured, you need to be aware of your rights and responsibilities. If you’re in doubt, get legal council, and if you’re not sure who to contact, Wolff can provide referrals to attorneys in your area with knowledge of bicycle law. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Tour of Missouri News: How the Tour of Missouri passed the Missouri General Assembly with bipartisan support–and how bicycling came of age in Missouri More news from Missouri: Bicycle/Pedestrian Holidays Bill passes Missouri Senate, House Transportation Committee passes Complete Streets resolution; Safe Passing of Bicycles bill Jefferson City Missouri River Bridge bike/ped addition–contract awarded! – This bridge connects Jefferson City, MO to the Katy Trail. Advocacy alert: The Kansas Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting on April 29th in Edgerton, Kansas to discuss a proposed new interchange along I-35. The interchange would be located on or near 199th Street, which is currently a popular cycling route in southwestern Johnson County. It’s one of the few low-traffic east/west roads in that area. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad is planning to build an intermodal facility nearby, which will be used to transfer freight from trains to trucks. This facility is projected completely change the complexion of the area, adding over 7000 trucks per day to the roads, and thousands of housing units nearby. The interchange needs to take into account the needs of the people who will be living, working, and shopping in the area, many of whom will be traveling by bike. The public meeting will be a good chance for the cycling community to speak up and ensure their needs are considering in roadway planning. This is local for me, so I’ll definitely be there, hopefully by bike. The meeting takes place Thursday, April 29th, from 5-7pm at Midvale Farms near Edgerton. Learn more at i35swjohnsoncointerchange.ksdot.org Upcoming Events: On Saturday, May 1st, the Bull Creek Bike Bash rolls out of Spring Hill, Kansas, with mileage options from 20 to 60 miles. The $20 registration fee includes both a t-shirt and lunch after the ride. Spring Hill is located just south of the Kansas City metro off highway 169. Also in the KC area is the Kansas City Women on Wheels Bike Festival, taking place this year on May 1st at Shawnee Mission Park. This festival targets first-time cyclists with a short women’s-only group ride, plus a bike safety rodeo for kids, a bike swap meet, bike repair clinics, and vendor information booths. Chanute, Kansas, located in the southeastern part of the state, hosts the Ride For Life Bicycle Tour on May 1st, as a fundraiser for cancer research, with 9-mile and 30-mile rides. This is the very first year for this ride, and hope they get a nice turn-out and can make it an annual event. On May 2nd, The Great Escape ride takes place near El Dorado, Kansas, just northeast of Wichita. They’re riding here for a really interesting cause, raising funds for the Spiritual Life Center at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, a state prison. The ride offers 25, 50, and 80-mile routes through the beautiful Flint Hills. In Salina, Kansas, Ride the Road to Recovery is a May 1st fundraising ride for the American Red Cross, with 20, 40, and 80 mile route options. Like the Chanute ride, this is, I think, the first year for the event, and they’re hoping to make it an annual tradition. Moving to the south a bit, the Sand Plum Bicycle Classic is another inaugural event, this one taking place May 2nd out of Hutchinson, Kansas. This ride raises money to help build trails in Reno County. Hays, Kansas hosts the Rope ’em Ride, with mileage options from 5 to 100 miles. This ride showcases some of the many historical cathedrals in the region, and is a popular yearly event in western Kansas. And finally, there’s the Kansas Fat Tire Festival, which offers two days of mountain bike racing on the trails at Lake Wilson, reputed to be some of the very best trails in the state. Hillclimb and short-track events take place on Saturday, with a kids race and a cross-country race on Sunday. This is event is part of the United Federation of Dirt series of mountain bike events in Kansas and Missouri. Trail News: The Burroughs Creek Trail in eastern Lawrence is apparently getting closer to completion. This is a rails-to-trails project covering just a mile or two, but it’ll be an important north-south link in the city. They hope to have it open by the end of July. The bill to make the Prairie Spirit Trail an official state park is currently in committee in the state legislature, and is expected to be voted on before the session adjourns. The trail is currently run by the state parks department, but is not an actual state park. State park designation would mean additional attention and exposure for the trail, hopefully leading to more people using it. Sunflower Recreational Trails reports that there is an organization is working to build a 40-mile long recreational trail in the historic corridor of the Santa Fe-Oregon-California Trails from Independence, Missouri to Gardner, Kansas. And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode 18 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features an interview with Eric Benjamin of Adventure Monkey, a bicycling blog covering the Flint Hills of Kansas. Eric Benjamin started the Adventure Monkey blog last summer as a way to document and share his rides in the Flint Hills of Kansas. “I am a professional photographer that fell in love with cycling,” Eric says. “At Adventure Monkey, I share my cycling adventures and photography in hopes that I may inspire you to remember your dreams and live the life you have always wanted to live, no excuses or regrets. It’s time to live.” The Adventure Monkey web site is also where Eric sells his amazing photographs. Be sure to check out the Adventure Monkey Image Portfolio for some examples of his work, which you can also purchase on paper or canvas. In just a few short months the blog grew in popularity and readership, and soon expanded. In March, Adventure Monkey Magazine was born. This is a full-color, professionally-produced publication, and issue #1 focuses on Kansas Cycling, with a special focus on the challenges and rewards of bicycling in winter. The magazine features articles from an amazing variety of contributors, including Anne Marie Garrett (ride like a girl), Shawn Honea (IM Design Group), Robert Garcia (River City Cyclist), LeLan Dains (The Life of LeLan), Rebecca Martin (Get Spoked), Matt and Stephanie Brown (High Gear Cyclery), Garret Seacat (Seagato), Mike Wise (The Vertically Challenged Mountain Biker), Adam Didde (Adamthedad), Rob White (Maverick Enterprises), Bobby Wintle (something to write home about) and Randy Rasa (DirtBum). You can read issue one of the magazine online (PDF) or purchase a hard-copy from MagCloud. Eric hopes to offer subscriptions in the future In addition to the web site and magazine, you can also follow Adventure Monkey on Facebook and Twitter. For this episode’s “On The Scene” segment, Ed interviews me (Randy) about a recent week-long trip I took to Arkansas. You might have seen some of the posts that came from that trip (Cyclo-Tourist Outlasts Winter and Eureka Springs: Naturally Bicycle Friendly), but I’ve put together a full write-up on my personal blog, DirtBum, with lots of photos and descriptions of the places I explored. Yeah, you might say my Adventure Monkey led me to Arkansas … It was a fun trip, but there was a lot of climbing in the Ozark Mountains, way more uphill than this flatlander is accustomed to! Read more at DirtBum’s Arkansas Adventure. Incidentally, you can also follow the DirtBum blog on Facebook and Twitter, as well as subscribe via RSS or email. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: The drunk driver who killed Rachel Leek as she rode her bicycle in Lawrence, Kansas last October, and then drove off and left her to die, has pleaded guilty to two minor charges and will face 60 days in jail, community service, and probation. A Call For Bike Lanes in Kansas City, MO Oz Bicycle Club Launches New Web Site Flint Hills Area Bike Club Launches in Manhattan New bike club in Paola, KS: Miami County Bicycle Club The Johnson County Bicycle Club is seeking volunteers for the Lonestar Century, in May, and the Cider Mill Century, in August, which may not happen unless someone steps up to help organize them. Upcoming Events: The Cabin Fever Challenge on April 17th. This is a fund-raising ride for the WAM-SAG-MAN trail connecting the towns of Wamego, Saint George, and Manhattan. There are three mileage options, 16, 37, and 54 miles, and the event includes a bike swap meet after the ride. Wamego is also hosting a Tulip Festival that weekend, featuring over 18,000 tulips along with a craft fair, live music, and other family-friendly entertainment. The Osage Prairie Bicycle Tour on April 24th is a charity event to raise funds for local youth organizations in Parsons, Kansas. 15, 40, and 70 mile options. The Spring Classic is Johnson County Bicycle Club’s annual early-season ride. 26, 46, or 70 mile routes on April 24th. Check out our Ride Calendar for upcoming events in neighboring states, including the Arkansas Ride for the Cure, Crowley’s Ridge National Scenic Byway Ride, the Kick Ya Butt weekend tour in Oklahoma, Tour de Tick, Tour of Hermann, and Bone Bender in Missouri, the Spring Fling in Nebraska, and the Trans Iowa gravel grinder out of Grinnell, Iowa. Trail News: Quick looks at the 23rd Street Bike Park and Wilderness Park, both in Pittsburg, Kansas, Plus impressions of the Lake Leatherwood trails near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and the Slaughter Pen Hollow trail system in Bentonville, Arkansas. And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode 17 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features a look at the Topeka Community Cycle Project, a community bicycle workshop that will offer cyclists a place to work on their bikes, learn about bicycle repair and maintainable, and even earn a bike of their own. We talk with founder Robert Fitzgerald, a law student at Topeka’s Washburn University, who launched the project this winter. Robert modeled the idea after similar bike co-ops from around the country, which offer cyclists a place to work on their bikes, learn about bicycle repair and maintenance, and even earn a bike of their own through the innovative “earn-a-bike” program, in which a person invests 10 hours volunteering at the shop and earns shop credit. That credit can be turned in for a bicycle of their choosing from the inventory. Then that person works with a shop mechanic to overhaul the bicycle to make it fully functioning — in the process learning how to repair and maintain their bicycle. After the bike passes a safety checklist they can take it with them. At this point the person has invested in the shop and in themselves and has a functioning bicycle for transportation. If they run into any mechanical issues with the bicycle in the future, they have the skills to repair it and they have a space at the shop and access to the tools necessary to complete the repairs. When the Topeka Community Cycle Project officially opens this spring, it will be the only such community bike shop in the state of Kansas. They’re currently accepting donations of bicycles, components, tires, tools, accessories — basically anything bicycle-related, they can find a use for. You can contact them via email at topeka@cycleproject.org, via their web site, cycleproject.org, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. For this episode’s “On The Scene” segment, we’re doing something a different. This time out, the scene is a hospital bed, where we talk with Chris Love, who suffered a broken leg and broken arm in a bicycle accident in late February. We bring you this story not because there’s anything really unusual in Chris’s story (other than, perhaps, his incredibly positive attitude and determination to get back on the bike), but because this type of accident — in Chris’s case, a wheel slipping on a wet board on an innocuous-looking bridge on an easy paved trail, with no cars or other cyclists involved — happens more often than we care to admit. Even for someone like Chris — a fit and experienced mountain biker, with a well-maintained bicycle, riding on familiar trails — things can happen quickly, with devastating consequences. Makes you think. Chris is facing a long period of rehab, but he’s looking forward to riding again. You’ll want to listen to his story, and perhaps hit him up with a few words of encouragement at chris1281982@gmail.com or on Facebook. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Iowa Bike Safety Legislation Missouri Bike Safety Legislation BMX Track Proposed For Lawrence Charges Upgraded in Topeka Cyclist’s Death Leavenworth County Approves “Bicycle Shoulders” Community Cycle Project Launches in Topeka A new blog from podcast guest Bill Poindexter (episode 15): carfreeAmerican Wheels for Wells cross-country bicycle tour (discussed on podcast episode 16) postponed until 2011. Spring Racing is Here in Kansas with the Spring Fling Criterium Series and the That Dam Race Series. Biking Across Kansas 2010 Route Announced, with overnights in Goodland, Colby, Hill City, Osborne, Minneapolis, Herington, Osage City, and Eudora The Border Raiders tour is June 19th through the 26th. The 1st Annual Kansas City Tweed Ride is April 3rd in Kansas City, Missouri. 2010 Tour of Lawrence Announced: July 2,3,4 in Lawrence, Kansas. Trail News: The national Rails to Trails Conservancy organization named the Flint Hills Nature Trail as their “trail of the month” for March 2010; Happy 14th Birthday to the Prairie Spirit Trail; The Prairie Spirit Trail may also be named an official Kansas State Park. And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

This is episode 16 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and this episode features an interview with Keith Gates, a bicycle commuter, Randoneer, and blogger, as well a short conversation with Chris Carr, the director of “Wheels for Wells”, a cross-country tour that is raising money for clean water in Africa. Keith Gates lives in Olathe, Kansas, and has been a long-time bicycle commuter, earning the handle “commuterDude”, and has been sharing his commutes via his blog for many years. commuterdude.com offers a wealth of advice and information about bicycle commuting, including choosing a bike, selecting gear, finding a route, and conquering the mental blocks that often keep us off our bikes and locked in our cars. Keith is also an accomplished long-distance cyclist, participating in the midwest randonneuring scene. Randonneuring is a non-competitive sport in which one rides to test oneself against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route – but not to beat the other riders. The ethos of randonneuring is self-sufficiency and mental toughness. Randonneurs USA is the governing body of randonneuring in America, and the local chapter, Kansas City Ultra-Cycling, organizes a number of local events, including Brevets of 200km (about 125 miles), 300km (186 miles), 400km (249 miles) and 600km (373 miles). In 2008, Keith earned an R-12 Award by riding a 200km (or longer) randonneuring event for 12 consecutive months, which, as daunting as that sounds, is even tougher given the unpredictable and sometimes brutal — wind, rain, cold, snow — weather conditions in the midwest. Way to go, Keith! You can follow Keith’s commuting and randonneuring tales on his web site at commuterdude.com, or via the Facebook fan page. Next up, we talk with Chris Carr, director of Wheels for Wells, a cross-country tour that is raising money for clean water in Africa. The ride begins in California on June 27th and ends in New Jersey on August 7th. It passes through Kansas July 12th through 18th. They’re still looking for cyclists to ride week-long legs of the trip; if you’re interested read more here. You can also follow Wheels for Wells on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Stafford, Kansas Cyclist Killed Wichita Cyclist Dies From Hit-and-Run Collision The U.S. Bicycle Route System in Kansas Winter Bike To Work Day 2010 2010 Cottonwood 200 Honors Bob Frederick Guru’s Gravel Grinders Trail News: Big Creek Trail, Wyandotte County Lake Park Trails and the Trail Masons Association And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

This is episode 15 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and the theme today is “Car-Free in Kansas City”. We interview Bill Poindexter, who owns Poindexter Recruiting in Kansas City, which matches jobs and people in advertising, marketing, new media, interactive, creative, and sales. In 2008, Bill was featured in an article in American Bicyclist, “Cycling The Road To Health“, in which he discussed his struggles with obesity, and bicycling, which he credits with the loss of more than 100 pounds, and a much healthier lifestyle. Earlier this summer, Bill sold his car, and how lives car-free in Kansas City, walking and bicycling for transportation, fitness, and recreation. In the interview, Bill talks about the impact bicycling has made on his life, his decision to ditch the car and travel under his own power, and what it takes to live in modern America without a car. Bill also has some great advice for others considering relying less on their car. It’s not as scary as it sounds at first. In fact, Bill makes it sound almost easy (and certainly fun)! Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Topeka Approves Complete Streets De Soto Reaffirms 83rd Street Bicycle Ban Prairie Spirit Trail Bridge Reopens Proposed Baldwin City Trail Marysville Trail Opens Biking Across Kansas dates announced: June 5-12, 2010 Two photos mentioned in the podcast: Bridge over Pottawatomie Creek on the Prairie Spirit Trail Nowhere, KS in Franklin County, Kansas And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions or call 913-938-6855 to leave a voice message. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

For episode 14 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, we’re pleased to talk with Kim West of the Kim West Radio Cycling Show, plus Grease Monkey Wipes co-founder Tim Stansbury. Kim West is a cyclist from Des Moines, Iowa, who hosts a weekly radio program called The Kim West Radio Cycling Show on KXNO AM 1460 in Des Moines. Kim is active in the Des Moines bicycling community, helping establish the Des Moines Bike Collective, and starting the radio program in April 2008. The radio show covers all aspects of cycling, and has a deveoted local following, as well as fans from all over who listen to the podcast version of his show. Kim is also an accomplished bicycle racer, racing since 1983 and currently riding at Cat 1 level for the All9Yards Cycling Team. He’s the current Midwest Marathon Gravel Road Race Grand Master Champion, and recently earned Iowa’s 50+ Age Group Rider of the Year award. You can learn more about the Kim West Radio Cycling Show at KXNO or at the Kim West Radio Cycling Show Blog, or subscribe to the Kim West Radio Cycling Show Podcast. In this episode, we also talk with Tim Stansbury, who’s the co-founder of Grease Monkey Wipes, a new sponsor for the podcast. Grease Monkey Wipes are individually packaged degreasing/cleaning wipes that utilize a natural, non-toxic citrus formula to handle heavy duty cleaning, including bike grease and road grime associated with a mid-ride repair. Due to the portable nature of the product Grease Monkey Wipes easily fit in a saddle bag, a jersey pocket, or a bento box. The durable nature of the wipes allows them to easily clean not only skin but also an oily chain, a dirty frame, and more. Listen to the podcast for a special coupon code that you can use to get a 15% discount on online orders of the innovative and highly practical Grease Monkey Wipes. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: In the news segment of the podcast, we provide a report on KanBikeWalk‘s annual meeting, which took place on October 31st in Wichita. We also take a quick look at Wichita’s burgeoning cycling scene, with a special shout-out to Robert Garcia, who helped organize the pre-meeting ride and whose web site, River City Cyclist, is beginning to serve as a focal point for local Wichita cyclists. Also focusing on Wichita, the Trails portion of the podcast looks at Wichita’s bike path network, including a first-hand report of the beautiful river trails. For events, we look at the Coronado’s Challenge mountain bike race taking place on November 21st and 22nd, and the Cranksgiving events scheduled for around the region. And finally, thanks again goes to Mark Franzke for providing the original music you hear on the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. One final word: We’ve added something new, a listener feedback line. You can call 913-938-6855 to leave us a voice message. If you’d like for us to get back in contact with you, be sure to leave your name and phone number. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode 13 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features an interview with Joel Terry, a Shawnee, Kansas chiropractor known as “Doctor Jet”, who runs JET Performance Chiropractic. JET Performance Chiropractic provides affordable state-of-the-art chiropractic care, as well as specialty services for cyclists. While his clinic doors are open to anyone interested in improving their performance in life, Dr. Terry especially likes to work with cyclists, because he’s not only an experienced chiropractic practitioner, but also an accomplished racer, competing in road and cyclocross events as a member of the SKC Racing Team. Since he rides and races himself, Dr. Terry can offer a unique perspective on the body’s response to the interaction between a cyclist and their bike, and can help address anything from aches and pains to overall cycling performance. Consultations are always free, and bike fit services are available in addition to chiropractic services. For those of us interested in learning more about how the interface between our bodies and our bikes can be optimized, and how they can work together in harmony, this should be a fascinating discussion. JET Performance Chiropractic is located at 12402 West 62nd Terrace in Shawnee, KS [see map]. Office hours are 8-6 Monday-Friday, and 9-12 on Saturday (and by appointment). You can contact Dr. Terry at doctorjet.net or via phone at 913-766-9266, on Twitter at @DoctorJet, or on Facebook. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Communities Announced – North Little Rock AR, Breckenridge CO, Iowa City, IA, and St. Louis MO have been designated bicycle friendly. KanBikeWalk Annual Meeting 2009 – October 31st in Wichita, with a pre-meeting ride at 10am and the meeting at 1pm. Kenneth Walker, who we interviewed on episode 5 of the podcast, was recently featured in a Kansas City public television program, “Generation XL”, which focuses on the growing problem of childhood obesity. On the show, Kenneth talked about this bicycling program at Genesis School, and his work with the Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling. The show originally aired on October 15th, but will be rebroadcast on October 21st and 28th. [link] In Arkansas, a new anti-texting law went into effect on October 1st, which makes text messaging while driving a primary offense, which means that police officers will now be able to pull drivers over if they see them texting while driving. Unlike in some other states, officers will not be required to have another reason to pull someone over. [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: This time of the year, the name of the game is “cyclocross”, and there are a bunch of events on tap, with the Smithville Cyclocross Festival coming up on October 25th in Smithville, Missouri, Boss Cross in Platte City, Missouri on the 31st, and Spooky Cross in Urbandale, Iowa, also on the 31st. The next races in Kansas are the Grand Prix HPT in Topeka on November 7th, and the De Stad Cross Cup in Leavenworth on the 15th. Other than cyclocross, there are just a few organized rides left on the calendar, and all of those are in the southern part of our region, with the Ride Through the Ozark Mountains taking place in Jasper, Arkansas, the Tour de Bass out of Springfield, Missouri, and the Alfalfa Bill Century in south-central Oklahoma. All three of these rides are on October 24th. In Independence, Kansas, in the southeastern part of the state, the Neewollah Bike Ride takes place on October 24th, with 18, 35, and 70-mile routes. This ride is part of Independence’s annual Neewollah Festival, which offers an entire week of events celebrating Hallloween (“neewollah” is “halloween” spelled backwards). In addition to the bike ride, there is an arts & crafts show, a carnival, a chili cook-off, a pumpkin-decorating contest, parades, musical theater, live bands, and a beauty pageant. This is the 90th year for Neewollah, which began as a way to keep kids out of trouble on Halloween night, and has evolved into a week-long festival that attracts over 80,000 people to this small Kansas town. Check out the regional calendar for a complete list of regional rides and events. Bicycle Safety Talk: Each episode, we discuss an aspect of bicycling safety. This time, we discuss a type of collision known as “The Right Hook”. Thanks to BicycleSafe.com for the safety tips. And thanks also to Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided original music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. You can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode 12 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features an interview with two Kansas City area cyclocross promoters, Chris Locke and Mark Thomas, who will be discussing Cyclocross and specifically the Cyclocross Community in the Kansas City area. We will also be checking in with Lee Merrill regarding the Octoginta ride events in Lawrence, Kansas on October 3rd and 4th. Chris Locke runs MultiSport Marketing, which organizes and promotes the De Stad Cyclocross Van Kansas series, the Fat Tire Duathlon series, and the Bone Bender Mountain Bike Race. Chris also runs the Cow Town Cycling team and maintains a personal blog at chrislocke.blogspot.com. As you can see, Chris is very active in promoting cycling in Kansas City, and also manages to find time to race himself, in duathlons, triathlons, mountain bike races, and cyclocross races. He’s also been the Kansas City Commuter Challenge champion for several years running. Mark Thomas runs localcycling.com, which provides bicycle racing coverage for Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Oklahoma City, Colorado, and Nebraska. Mark is also the race organizer and promoter for the Series 60 cyclocross races in the Kansas City area, and was the driving force behind bringing the 2000 US Cyclocross Nationals to Kansas City. Mark is an accomplished racer as well, and brings a great deal of enthusiasm and knowledge to the sport. Lee Merrill is the president of the Lawrence Bicycle Club, and co-director of this year’s Octoginta. Lee tells us about this year’s festivities, including the time trials, swap meet, Tour de County recreational ride, and Sunday’s big ride. This year’s event is being called the “Bob Frederick Octoginta” as a memorial to the late KU Athletic Director (and avid cyclist), who was originally slated to be the director the the 2009 Octoginta, but passed away earlier this year. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: Emporia Bike Rack Design Competition Prominent Topeka Cyclists Injured In Farmington, Missouri, the city has found a new use for its old county jail, refurbishing the building and turning it into a bike hostel for use by the many touring cyclists that pass through the eastern Missouri community each year on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. [link] Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Businesses Announced – Still none for Kansas, sadly. Upcoming Rides and Events: October 3 & 4: Octoginta in Lawrence, Kansas. Time trials and the “Tour de County” ride on the 3rd, the main Octoginta ride on the 4th. October 3: Prairie Spirit Trail Trek starting near Ottawa, Kansas. October 3: Yellow Brick Road Ride in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. October 3: Prairie Spirit Trail Trek starting near Ottawa, Kansas. October 10: Prairie Trail Scenic Byway Ride in north-central Kansas. October 10 & 11: Big Wheeled Ballyhoo in west central Nebraska. October 11: Falun Classic in Lindsborg, Kansas. October 11: Ride to Paradise in Russell County, Kansas. October 11: Northland Nightmare in Kansas City, Missouri. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: A Review of the Lake Barton Trails near Great Bend, Kansas, contributed by Brian Holdsworth. Bicycle Safety Talk: Each episode, we discuss an aspect of bicycling safety. This time, we discuss a type of collision known as “The Red Light Of Death”. Thanks to BicycleSafe.com for the safety tips. And thanks also to Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided original music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. You can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode 11 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast focuses on the recently-completed Tour of Missouri, with a recap of the race, some on-the-scene interviews and sound bites from the races themselves, and an in-depth look at what the Tour of Missouri means, not only for racing fans, but for everyday cyclists and for advocacy efforts in the state. For our main interview, we talk with Brent Hugh, Executive Director of the Missouri Bicycle Federation, who served as State-Wide Volunteer Coordinator for the Tour of Missouri. Brent has been involved with the planning and promotion of the Tour since the very beginning, and he shares some behind-the-scenes information on how the Tour got started and how it’s run. Brent also provides fascinating insights on what the Tour has meant to the state of Missouri, to the cities and communities that have been part of the races, and to MoBikeFed’s efforts to improve the bicycle friendliness of the state. Good stuff. This episode also features a short segment with legendary cycling commentator Paul Sherwen (see picture below), a shout-out from Tour of Missouri 2009 Champion David Zabriskie, and a brief conversation with Gina Poertner of LifeBALANCE Sports & Wellness. As successful as the Tour of Missouri has been the last three years, the future of the event is endangered. The state of Missouri’s tourism commission has chipped in about $1.5 million for each Tour, and this year, that spending has come under fire from political opponents of Missouri Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, the leading proponent of the Tour. In July, Governor Jay Nixon threatened to withhold the money that the state had committed to the event, which would have meant cancellation of this year’s race. Ultimately, he relented and released the funds, but unless the tour finds a large corporate sponsor for future years, there will likely be big political tussles over state spending on the race. If you feel strongly, as we do, that the Tour of Missouri is a huge asset for the state (and the entire region), please consider contacting Governor Nixon to express your opinion: Email: http://governor.mo.gov/contact/ Call: 573-751-3222 Ask: “Governor Nixon, will you support the 2010 Tour of Missouri and will you support bicycle friendly policies for the state, including Complete Streets and funding for bicycling & pedestrian facilities in any future MoDOT funding?” Calls and emails are appreciate both from Missouri residents and from people living in other states (and indeed, around the world). Your voice can make a huge difference! And finally, few photos from the Tour: Edward Eroe interviewing Paul Sherwen for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. The peloton approaching the first King of the Mountain site, near the Liberty Memorial at the Tour of Missouri Circuit Race in Kansas City. The racers are just a blur as they pass spectators lining Grand Avenue at the end of the Tour of Missouri in Kansas City. Be sure to check out our entire 2009 Tour of Missouri Photo Gallery for more great scenes from the exciting races. Since this is a special Tour of Missouri edition of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, we’ve dispensed with our normal news, rides, and trails information — they’ll be back next time! (If you need a news fix, check out our Twitter Feed and Facebook Page, as well as our cycling calendar.) As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode 10 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features a look ahead at the upcoming Tour of Missouri, with interviews with some of the folks preparing for this high-profile professional bicycle race. We talk with Brad Schrock, Chair of the Tour of Missouri Kansas City Stage 7 Local Organizing Committee. Brad is a founding principal of 360 Architecture, and an avid racer in his own right. His company also sponsors the 360 Racing Team, which competes in bicycle races throughout the midwest. Brad has served as chair for the Kansas City stage of the tour for the last three years, and gives us an interesting behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to organize and put on a world-class bicycle race. If you would like the opportunity to contribute to this exciting event, visit tourofmissouri-kc.com to learn more and to have a chance to earn some Tour of Missouri Kansas City swag. This podcast also features an interview with Elizabeth Bejan, co-chair of the AIDS Bicycle Challenge, and with Kevin Wicker, Director of Local Events & Development for the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation who will be talking about Sportsfest. Both the AIDS Bicycle Challenge and Sportsfest are being held in conjunction of the Tour of Missouri which will end in Kansas City this year on September 13th. The AIDS Bicycle Challenge is the official charity ride for the Tour of Missouri Stage 7 Kansas City, and takes place on September 12th, starting in the Power & Light District in Kansas City. The ride offers 50, 33 and 11 mile routes through downtown Kansas City and beyond for all ages and skill levels. The ride also includes an after-party with free beer and food for participants. Be sure to register for the ride ahead of time; if you wait until the last minute the cost is double! The first-ever SportsFest is being held by the the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation in the Power & Light District in Kansas City on September 12th and 13th. SportsFest is the watch party for all the local colleges and professional teams. Come out on Saturday and enjoy live interaction with fans, athletes, and various sports vendors and watch KU and KSU football. Then be there on Sunday as the Chiefs kick off their regular season against the Ravens, and the Tour of Missouri rolls into town. From 2-5 p.m. watch from the Power & Light District as some of the top cyclists in the world fly by during the final circuit stage. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: Progress on the Flint Hills Nature Trail and the Landon Nature Trail Vandalism on the Flint Hills Nature Trail Kansas City is getting a segregated bike/ped lane on the Chouteau Bridge. [link] Excitement is building for the Tour of Missouri [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: September 5: Gorilla Century in Pittsburg, Kansas. September 7: Bike For The Brain in Mission, Kansas. September 12: AIDS Bicycle Challenge in Kansas City, Missouri. September 12-13: Bike MS: Kansas City, a two-day tour from Kansas City to Sedalia. September 12-13: Bike MS: Autumn Trails Classic, a two-day tour from Derby, Kansas to Winfield. September 12-13: Bike MS: Petit Jean Pedal the Peak in Arkansas. September 12: Buffalo Bill Classic in Hays, Kansas. September 13: Tour de Lizard Fat Tire Classic mountain bike race at Camp Horizon near Arkansas City, Kansas. September 7-13: Tour of Missouri professional bike race, starting in St. Louis and ending in Kansas City. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: A review of the Flint Hills Nature Trail between Osawatomie and Ottawa. This is only a small part of the larger 117-mile plan, but the eastern section of the trail is progressing rapidly, and when it connects to Ottawa this fall, Cyclists will be able to ride not only the Flint Hills Trail, but the Prairie Spirit Trail, making for a great nerw option for day trips or weekend excursions. The flowers along the Flint Hills Nature Trail are really spectacular right now, so this is a good opportunity for you to get out and experience this trail for yourself. Bicycle Safety Talk: Each episode, we discuss an aspect of bicycling safety. This time, we discuss a type of collision known as “The Wrong-Way Wreck”, which is caused by cyclists riding the wrong way on a street or road. Always ride with traffic, not against traffic. You’re much safer when you’re operating as a vehicle, and not a fast-moving pedestrian. Thanks to BicycleSafe.com for the safety tips. And thanks also to Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided original music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. You can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Welcome to episode number 9 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. This edition features an interview with Julie Cirlincuina, author of Kansas Outdoor Treasures: A Guide to Over 60 Natural Destinations. The book is an invaluable guide to many of the best outdoor places in Kansas to bike, hike, paddle or just explore. Kansas truly has a wealth of diverse geography within its borders, much of which is little-known even to people who’ve lived here all their lives. Kansas Outdoor Treasures will help you find these exciting destinations and guide you into discovering the best Kansas has to offer. You can learn more about the book at Julie’s web site, TrailsOfKansas.com. In this episode we also get a chance to talk with Dr. Ken Sonnenschein, who is the event coordinator for Bike For The Brain, a ride that promotes increased understanding about brain-based illnesses. The event takes place on Labor Day, Monday September 7, 2009 in Mission, KS. Nearly one in three Americans will experience some form of mental disorder in their lifetime, but due to stigma and misunderstanding, seventy to eighty-five percent of these people do not get help for their condition. Events such as Bike For The Brain can help to change that, as well as raising money to support this important work. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: If you follow online discussions related to bicycling, one of the arguments you’ll often see from motorists is that cyclists are never ticketed by police when they break traffic laws. Well, recently some Kansas cyclists have found out differently. In Overland Park, police issued tickets to 20 cyclists who failed to stop at a stop sign during a group ride. And in Topeka, a cyclist was ticketed for failing to register his bike with the city. See also: Kansas Bicycle Registration and Licensing Requirements In Kansas City, Missouri, there’s a move to apply federal stimulus funds towards improving the bicycle-friendliness of the community. The Kansas City Star came out in favor of the idea, writing “Federal stimulus funds are creating opportunities for cities to transform themselves with alternative transportation. Few cities need transforming more than Kansas City. The City Council should seize an opportunity to move forward with an ambitious plan of new bike and pedestrian lanes, paths and routes.” [link] In Iowa, the petition to ban bicycles from farm-to-market roads appears to be a non-starter, gathering only a few hundred signatures. Meanwhile, a counter-petition from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition gained over 2,000 supporters in a short amount of time. [link] In Columbia Missouri, the city council, which passed a bicyclist anti-harassment ordinance earlier this year, was threatening to suspend the ordinance following public criticism. The council, by a vote of 4-2, ultimately decided to keep the ordinance, as-is. [link] From Boonville, Missouri comes news that the railroad bridge over the Missouri River may be saved. The bridge, which is on the Katy Trail right-of-way but not currently used, was slated for demolition and salvage, which would, perhaps, be a threat to the entire trail. Now, the Missouri Department of Transportation has applied for federal stimulus funds to build a bridge near Jefferson City, which was where the Boonville bridge’s steel was intended to be reused. Local groups and trail advocates, which had hoped to save the historic bridge and restore it as a functional part of the trail, now appear to have hope that the bridge will remain as an iconic landmark for the city. [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: There are a lot of events the next two weekends; here’s a quick look ahead: On August 22nd there are four rides in western Missouri: the Missouri River Festival Bike Tour in Boonville, the Ride For Life Bike Tour in Lees Summit, the Svitak Freedom Ride out of Joplin, and Bike To Battle Cancer, in Ozark, Missouri, just south of Springfield. Also on the 22nd is a ride called Onabike, which is held in Onawa, Iowa and is billed as “western Iowa’s largest one-day bike ride”. Sunday August 23rd features the Horsetooth Double Dip tour in Fort Collins, Colorado, the Heatstroke 100 in eastern Nebraska, and the Cape Race in Cape Girardeau, part of the Midwest Fat Tire Series of mountain bike races. For fat tire enthusiasts, there is Cruise the Blues on August 29th, a mountain bike festival that takes place on a family farm near Tipton, which is located in North Central Kansas. On August 30th, Kansas cyclists have two rides to choose from, with PedalFest taking place in the scenic countryside around Wichita, and Tour de Shawnee, which rolls out of the bicycle-friendly city of Shawnee, Kansas. Elsewhere around the region, there’s the Moonlight Ramble in St. Louis, Missouri, with over 10,000 riders hitting the streets for a midnight ride on August 29th. Also on the 29th are two BikeMS rides in Iowa: The Cruise the Cornfields ride takes place in the Des Moines area, and Cycle Cedar Valley rides out of Cedar Rapids. Both of these are two-day, 150-mile events to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Kansas City, Missouri area hosts the Summer Breeze ride on the 30th, put on by the Kansas City Bicycle Club, and Longmont, Colorado plays host to Venus de Miles, Colorado’s first women’s-only bike ride, also on August 30th. And looking ahead, we have the Gorilla Century out of Pittsburg, Kansas on September 5th, Bike for the Brain in Mission, Kansas on September 7th, and the third running of the Tour of Missouri professional stage race, beginning in St. Louis on the 7th and ending in Kansas City on the 13th. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: This one’s not in Kansas, but it’s close! I recently had the chance to ride the new mountain bike trails at Swope Park in Kansas City, Missouri. Swope Park is one of the largest urban parks in the nation, and the Earth Riders Trails Association has been working for several years to bring mountain bike trails to this rugged landscape. The first stage opened late last year, and the second section opened this summer. There are currently a little over three miles of trails here, and the group has really done a fantastic job in designing, building, and maintaining this singletrack. This is not a beginner-level trail. There are some easy sections, but there are some really tough sections as well. The scenery is really pretty incredible, and all the things that make the trail difficult to ride make it really fun and rewarding to look at. Even though you’re in the heart of a major city, it certainly won’t feel like it. This trail is a great experience. Plans call for something like 16 miles total at Swope, plus another trail to connect to the Blue River Parkway trails in South Kansas City, yielding roughly 50 miles of mountain bike trails. You can learn more about the trails, and about volunteer opportunities, at swopetrails.com or earthriders.org. Bicycle Safety Talk: Each episode, we discuss an aspect of bicycling safety. This time, we discuss a type of collision known as “The Crosswalk Slam”, where you’re riding on the sidewalk and cross the street at a crosswalk, and a car hits you while attempting to make a right turn. The main way to avoid this is pretty simple: Don’t ride on the sidewalk! Studies show that sidewalk-riding is twice as dangerous as road riding, and The Crosswalk Slam is just one reason why. Thanks to BicycleSafe.com for the safety tips. And thanks also to Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided original music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. You can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Welcome to episode number 8 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, which features a look behind the scenes at a large bicycling event, with interviews of a ride leader and a communications support expert. We also talk about the recently-completed RAGBRAI tour, plus bicycling news, ride previews, and trail reports. Brian Lee Short is a HAM Radio Operator that provides communication services for many large cycling events in the midwest. He was most recently the Radio Coordinator for last weekend’s Cider Mill Century Ride in Miami County, Kansas. If you’ve ridden any large events, you’ve no doubt seen the folks with their radios, shadowing the route, providing communications between rest stops, and attending to any riders who need assistance during the ride. In this fascinating interview, Brian explains how their communication systems work, and why they do what they do. These volunteers provide the critical logistical support necessary for a smooth-running and safe ride, so the next time you see one of these people on a big ride, be sure to thank them for their time and expertise. There are 22000 hams in Kansas and Missouri, and 4800 in the KC Metro area, all who would love to help anyone interested get their ham license. You can learn more at kchams.net. We also interview Jan Hudzicki, who is the Treasurer of the Johnson County Bicycle Club and the leader of the Cider Mill Century Ride. Jan gives us a behind-the-scenes look at at what it takes to put on a large event (this year’s ride had a record 597 participants). Jan is also an LCI (League Cycling Instructor), and is teaching bicycle safety classes in the Kansas City area in August and September of this year. Finally, we talk with a local cyclist, Reed Freeman, who completed last month’s RAGBRAI tour across the state of Iowa. Reed and I have been riding together for several years, and last year we rode Biking Across Kansas together. Reed has some great stories to tell about his experiences at RAGBRAI. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: In Iowa, a group called the “Citizens for Safety Coalition of Iowa” has created on online petition designed to encourage state legislators to ban bicycles from “farm-to-market” roads. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is leading the defense to this threat. [link] The 23rd Street Bike Park in Pittsburg, Kansas is now officially open. The park offers several miles of single track mountain biking trails, a mountain biking skills area, a pump track, and a dirt jump area, with different levels of trails from beginner to expert. [link] In Wichita, there is renewed optimism that the city could be moving toward a bicycle-friendlier future. City Council members are beginning to see bicycling not just as recreation but as a form of transportation, a partial solution to an increasingly obese population and a way to reduce air pollution. [link] Lawrence, Kansas is planning its first-ever bike count. During the second week of September, volunteers will attempt to count the number of cyclists using streets, sidewalks and recreational paths. The data they gather will then will help paint an accurate picture of the current state of cycling in Lawrence, identify areas that need improvement, and hopefully be used to apply for grants in the future. [link] In Columbia, Missouri, the city council is still debating the issue of Columbia’s anti-harassment ordinance, which was passed earlier this year to provide legal penalties for motorists who harass bicyclists in that city. Some of the council members, who previously voted for the ordinance, are now in favor of suspending it. [link] In Nebraska, Ron Snell, who runs a Homeless Shelter in North Platte, is beginning a 3100-mile bike ride around the state, visiting each county to raise funds to build a new homeless shelter in his city. [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: The Rollin’ to the River century ride in Blair, Nebraska on August 8th. The Colorado Peace Ride is August 9th in southwest Colorado. In 1927, Edwin Perkins of Hastings, Nebraska invented Kool-Aid, the popular kids drink, and now Nebraska’s Official Soft Drink. Each year, the community of Hastings hosts Kool-Aid Days, a festival celebrating Perkins and his invention. Part of the celebration is the Kool-Aid Classic Bicycle Tour, which this year takes place on August 15th, with 30 and 60-mile options. Also on the 15th is the Rapture In Misery, held at Crowder State Park in Trenton, Missouri. This endurance mountain bike event, in which participants, which can be either solo riders or teams, ride non-stop laps on the mountain bike trails at the park, for either 6 or 12 hours. The riders that participate in these events really have to be in top physical condition. August 16th is the 5th annual Prairie Pedal bike tour in Butler County, Kansas. Butler County is located just northeast of Wichita, and there are 30 and 60-mile routes out of Augusta, Kansas. Also on August 16th is the Sunflowers to Roses ride in Wyandotte County, Kansas. This ride benefits Sunflowers to Roses, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting cancer and promoting family, fitness and fun. And finally there is the Corporate Cycling Challenge, on the 16th, which is billed as Nebraska’s largest one-day bicycling event. This event takes place in Omaha, and benefits the Eastern Nebraska Trails Network. Last year they had over 4000 participants on routes of 12, 25, and 40 miles through both the city and countryside. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: Pittsburg, Kansas is the home of the brand new 23rd Street Bike Park, which officially opened on July 31st. Built on the site of an abandoned coal mine, and based on a loose collection of rough trails that locals had been using for years, the new park offers several miles of single track, a mountain biking skills area, a pump track, and a dirt jump area, with different levels of trails from beginner to expert. The park was created by a group of volunteers known as the Kansas Overkill Racing Club. Since the city gave their approval in February of this year, the group has used donated equipment and materials, and many, many hours of labor, to clean up the site and make it a real bike park. Though the park is obviously very new, it already has some great features, and more are being planned or are already in the works. In fact, the club and city hope that they can make the park into a regional attraction, drawing mountain biking enthusiasts from Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and beyond. Bicycle Safety Talk: Each episode, we discuss an aspect of bicycling safety. This time, we discuss a type of collision known as “The Door Prize”, where a motorist opens a car door into the path of a passing cyclist. We discuss how to recognize and avoid this type of collision. Thanks to BicycleSafe.com for the safety tips. And thanks also to Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided original music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. You can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode number 7 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast is focused on bicycle touring, which is an increasingly popular way for people to travel around the country (or the world). First up, we have an interview with a group of young people bicycling across the United States on a tour called the Journey of Hope. The Journey of Hope reaches out to people through newspapers, radio and television, civic groups and community leaders, bringing to the forefront the abilities of people with disabilities. There are three Journey of Hope teams, which start on the west coast and converge on Washington, D.C. The team we spoke with was cycling the TransAm route, which started in Seattle and crossed the central part of the nation. They’d entered Kansas in the southwestern part of the state and exited after overnighting in Olathe. We caught up with them in Sedalia, Missouri. You can follow their trip on the Journey of Hope web site. This episode also features an interview with Tim & Cindie Travis, an ordinary American couple who decided to live out their dreams by saving their money, quitting their jobs, selling all their possessions, and then setting off to travel around the world by bicycle. They left their home in Arizona in March 2002 and have been on the road ever since with no plans to stop. They have a website at downtheroad.org which includes an ongoing travel blog, short videos, and a photo journal. The Travis’ recently crossed through Kansas on their way to Omaha, where we spoke to them just before they were to embark on the RAGBRAI tour across Iowa. Theirs is an amazing story, and is documented in two books, The Road That Has No End: How We Traded Our Ordinary Lives For a Global Bicycle Touring Adventure and Down the Road in South America: A Bicycle Tour through Poverty, Paradise, and the Places in Between. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: The Tour of Missouri survived a scare recently, when Missouri Governor Jay Nixon threatened to freeze funds for the race due to a state budget squeeze. The Missouri Division of Tourism had set aside $1.5 million, and if the monies had been frozen, that would have resulted in the cancellation of this year’s event, which was scheduled for the week of September 7th through 13th. Thankfully, after supporters of the Tour inundated the Governor’s office with calls and emails, Nixon relented and released the funds for the race. [link] In Topeka, Mayor Bill Bunten says he supports the concept of more bicycling in the city, but vetoed spending $15,000 develop a Topeka Bikeway Master Plan, labeling it an “unnecessary expenditure”. In response, a group called “Complete Streets of Topeka” has started a grassroots campaign to raise money for the plan, and they’re asking for $5 donations. [link] From Jefferson County Colorado comes news of a major threat to bicyclists in that state. County commissioners there are asking the state legislature to draft a law that would allow counties to ban bicyclists from county roads. State law already gives cities that authority, but the law is unclear when it comes to counties. If the proposed legislation goes through, this would put a huge number of routes at risk, so Bicycle Colorado, the statewide bicycling advocacy organization there, is putting together a campaign to fight this dangerous proposal. [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: On July 25th we have the Flint Hills Death Ride, which is billed as one of the most challenging one-day mountain biking events in the country, with about 70 miles on the gravel and dirt roads in the area around Madison, Kansas. Each year, Dodge City Kansas has a community celebration they call “Dodge City Days”, which includes a group bike ride called the Dodge City Days Bike Ride. This year the ride is on August 1st, with up to 41 miles of riding, as well as events such as a rodeo, a parade, a barbecue contest, a craft fair, and many more activities. August 2nd is the annual http://www.kansascyclist.com/events/CiderMillCentury.html, put on by the Johnson County Bike Club. This ride starts and ends at the Louisburg Cider Mill, and takes a back-roads route though Miami County, Kansas, visiting the communities of Hillsdale, Paola, Osawatomie, and La Cygne, with mileage options from 25 to 100 miles. Elsewhere in the region, we have the Copper Triangle ride in Colorado on August 1st, the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour August 2th-8th, the Rollin’ to the River century ride in Blair, Nebraska on the 8th, and the Colorado Peace Ride in southwest Colorado on the 9th. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: This episode includes a review of the Lawrence River Trail in Lawrence, Kansas. This 9-mile trail is one of my favorites, with easy access plus a fast and smooth trail that is friendly to beginner cyclists while still offers plenty of challenges to more experienced riders. Plus, the scenery (you can see some images here) is hard to beat. Bicycle Safety Talk: We’re trying something new in this episode, with a brief discussion of a bicycle safety topic. First off, we’re going to talk about a type of collision called the “right cross”, which is one of the most common types of collisions, in which a motor vehicle pulls out in front of a cyclist from a crossing street or driveway on the right side of the road, either due to driver inattention or mis-judgment of the cyclist’s speed. We’ll discuss how you can anticipate (and hopefully avoid) this type of collision. Thanks to BicycleSafe.com for the safety tips. And thanks also to Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided original music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. You can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode number 6 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features an interview with Gina Poertner, who runs LifeBALANCE Sports & Wellness and serves as president of KanBikeWalk, our statewide bicyclist and pedestrian advocacy organization. We also talk with musician Mark Franzke, who’s graciously provided new music for the Kansas Cyclist Podcast. The name of the song is “Brush Creek Crossing” and you can find out more about Mark and his music and art by going to Banjodog.com. If you’d like to hear Mark live, he’s playing this weekend at the Byron Jones Bluegrass Festival in Lathrop, Missouri, and on August 28th at a Concert in the Park in Prairie Village, Kansas. We also have an “on the scene” report from last weekend’s Tour of Lawrence, where we spoke with tour organizer Bob Sanner, racer and promoter Roger Harrison, and a very busy Curtis Martell. Here’s a quick summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: The De Soto city council agreed to lift a long-standing ban on bicycles on 83rd Street east of the city, then a few days later reversed that decision. So for now, the ban stands, although they plan to revisit the issue later in the year. [link] Leawood, Kansas is aiming to become a bicycle-friendly community, with plans to file an official application with the League of American Bicyclists. They’re hoping to become the third community in the state to earn this prestigious designation. [link] In Colorado, the city of Denver, already a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community, has announced improvements to its bicycling infrastructure, with new bike lane installations at 11 locations around the city. [link] In Missouri, the field for September’s Tour of Missouri is nearly complete, with Colavita/Sutter Home, BISSELL Pro Cycling, and Team Type 1 joining the previously announced Astana, Garmin-Slipstream, Columbia-Highroad, and other top teams. Fourteen of the fifteen team slots are now filled. [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: July 11th is the Firecracker 100, a fundraiser for the Kansas Jaycees Cerebral Palsy Ranch, out of Ottawa, Kansas. The Lenexa Midnight Bike Ride takes place the evening of July 11th at Shawnee Mission Park in Lenexa, Kansas. The Tornado Alley Bike Tour rolls out of Joplin, Missouri on the 11th, with a route that includes jaunts into Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas The 11th is also the date for the Triple Bypass in Colorado, with 120 miles and more than 10,000 feet of climbing over three major mountain passes. And in Missouri, the Missouri State Mountain Bike Championship takes place in St. Charles on the 11th as well. The Lizard Under the Skillet ride takes place in Lawrence, Kansas on July 12th. The following weekend features the Mowbray Metric out of McPherson, Kansas, the Norman Conquest in Norman, Oklahoma, and the Sunflower State Games in Topeka. There’s also a gravel ride taking place on the 18th, with the Farmhouse Classic Gravel Century rolling out of Lathrop, Missouri, with 62 and 100-mile route options. RAGBRAI bills itself as the “longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world”, and on July 18th over 10,000 cyclist will start in Council Bluffs, Iowa and ride for a week across the state, with overnights in Red Oak, Greenfield, Indianola, Chariton, Ottumwa, Mt. Pleasant and Burlington. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: This episode we discuss the trails at Kill Creek Park in western Johnson County. The park features multi-use trails, equestian trails, and several miles of well-designed mountain bike trails. These are some of the best trails in the Kansas City area. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Welcome to episode number 5 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, which features an interview with Kenneth Walker, and a preview of the Amelia Earhart Century from organizer Gary McGregor of Reynolds’ Bicycles. You may remember Kenneth Walker from the profile we published of him in February. Since then, Kenneth has continued his work with the Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling, promoting cycling to youth in the urban core of Kansas City. Kenneth talks about his passion for bicycling, his work with youth, and his cycling advocacy. This is a really fascinating and inspiring interview with an inportant leader in his community. Here’s a summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: A bicyclist was killed on Sunday, June 21st when an oncoming vehicle crossed the centerline and struck the cyclist head-on hear Hiawatha. The driver of the vehicle was reportedly swerving to avoid a deer. [link] After earning a silver-level designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community just last month, the Columbia Missouri City Council passed an ordinance making verbal and physical harassment of cyclists a misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine or a year in jail. This ordinance is modeled after similar laws in Colorado, Nevada and South Carolina. [link] In Boulder County Colorado, there’s a bit of a situation brewing, where the Sunrise Century, slated forJuly 25th, has apparently drawn the attention of a local vigilante group, which distributed fliers to houses along the route, asking driver to block the route with their cars, staging fake mechanical breakdowns to clog the roads. Ironically, part of the reason the flier states for the action is that they believe cyclists using the roads will impede traffic in case of an emergency. Police in the area say they plan to step up their physical presence that day to prevent any potential confrontations. [link] On June 9th, a drunk driver plowed into three cyclists riding on the shoulder of a road near Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing two of the riders and injuring the third.The driver has been charged with two counts of first degree manslaughter. The Tulsa bicycling community held a silent memorial ride for the two cyclist killed. [link] On June 14th, a bicyclist was killed near Topeka. Michael Ebron, age 48, was apparently riding along Highway 24, at night, with no lights or reflectors, and was struck from the rear by an SUV. [link] In Lawrence, Bob Frederick, former athletic director for Kansas University, died on June 12th following a bicycle accident. Frederick was 69 years old and sustained head injuries when the front wheel of his bicycle hit a pothole and he flew over the handlebars and landed on his head. He was wearing a helmet. [link] Kansas Cyclist in now available on the Amazon Kindle [link] The Kansas Cyclist Podcast now has its own Twitter account: @ksbikepodcast Upcoming Rides and Events: June 28th is the Amelia Earhart Century out of Atchison, Kansas. This is an annual ride through the rolling farmland of northeast Kansas, and is a prelude to the Amelia Earhart Festival, which takes place July 17th and 18th, and celebrates the life of Atchison’s own Amelia Earhart, the famous aviator who was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Next up is the Tour of Lawrence, three days of amateur and professional racing in Lawrence, Kansas, taking place over the Fourth of July weekend. In case you missed it, you may want to check out Episode 4 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, which included an interview with Bob Sanner, the director of the Tour of Lawrence. It sounds like a really exciting event, and if you’re interested in being a part of it, they’re still looking for volunteers. The Tour de Corn takes place in East Prairie, Missouri on June 27th, with the main attraction being fresh sweet corn provided at rest stops. Also on the 27th are two charity rides, the Tour de Cure in Oklahoma City, for the American Diabetes Association, and the Bike MS: Great West-Life ride, for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, out of Westminster, Colorado. The NUMB Ride (Nebraska United Methodist Bike Ride for Hunger) rolls out of Ogallala, Nebraska and looping through west-central Nebrask for five days, starting on June 27th. They’ve been doing this ride for 14 year, and proceeds from the ride go to benefit the hungry in Nebraska and around the world. To date they’ve raised over $370,000. On July 4th, the Tour of Payne takes place in Payne County, Oklahoma. This event celebrates the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run, and visits a number of historic sites in the area. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: This episode we discuss the trails at Hillsdale Lake near Kansas City. These are trails that I know well, and there are some for every skill level, and don’t get nearly the bicycle traffic that they deserve. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode number 4 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast is a big one! We have lots of news and events to cover, as well as four interviews. We talk with Steve Douglas, one of the founders of VeloCal, and Martha Van Inwegen, founder and owner of Action Wipes. We also have brief interviews with organizers of two upcoming events, the Tour de Cure: Kansas City and the Tour of Lawrence. Here is a brief overview of each interview: VeloCal is a slick web-based bicycle calendar that any group can use to coordinate their rides. We talk with Steve Douglas, once of the creators of VeloCal, about how he and his team came to create the application, how VeloCal works, and some of the interesting features of the calendar. VeloCal is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. VeloCal is free, so give it a try, especially if you’ve struggled with the limitations of other web-based group calendars. Action Wipes are natural, full body wet wipes that you can use after a ride when you don’t have the time or facilities to shower. They’re durable, washable, and reusable, and they’re made with all natural ingredients and therapeutic aromatherapy oils of tea tree and eucalyptus to clean sweaty pores and remove bacteria. We talk with Martha Van Inwegen, the creator of Action Wipes, and learn the interesting story behind how the product was created, and how it’s been embraced by cycling and other action sports. As a special promotion for listeners of this podcast: listen to this episode for the special promotional code that’ll get you a 15% discount! Tour de Cure: Kansas City is an annual fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association, with this year’s edition rolling June 14th out of the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. We talk with Mark Rainey, one of the organizers of the event, about the details of the ride and the route, and fundraising for the American Diabetes Association. An interesting new addition to this year’s event is the “Red Rider” program, which recognizes cyclist who are living with (and riding with) diabetes. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and are riding the Tour de Cure, you’re eligible to receive free recognition gifts on the day of the event such as a Red Rider Jersey. Very cool. The Tour of Lawrence of a new and exciting event taking place over the Fourth of July weekend in Lawrence, Kansas. The Tour of Lawrence offers three days of professional and amateur cycling on the streets of downtown Lawrence, as well as numerous family-friendly events all weekend long. We talk with Bob Sanner of the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau, who’s organizing and promoting the event. In addition to riding or watching the Tour of Lawrence, there are also lots of volunteer opportunities. If you’d like to help out, you can contact Bob at sports@visitlawrence.com . Here’s a summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: Biking Across Kansas, the annual week-long tour of the Sunflower State, suffered a big loss when a rider died near the Colorado border on Friday, June 5th. [link] You can follow along with riders on Biking Across Kansas via a live Twitter feed. It’s really interesting to experience, what the riders are seeing, hearing, and feeling as they ride each day. [link] The annual Kansas Cycling Association State Championships have started, with the initial events taking place in southeastern Kansas last weekend, and races continuing throughout the year. [link] In Kansas City in late May, a bicyclist lost his life while trying to cross the Missouri River, near the Paseo Bridge, highlighting, once again, the dire need for safe river crossings in Kansas City. [link] Overland Park cyclist “Warren T.” recently started his own daily podcast, called “Bike Commuting In The News”. [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: June 14th is the Tour de Cure: Kansas City which starts at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. The Ironman 70.3 Kansas triathlon is coming to Clinton Lake the weekend of June 13-14. [link] (KanBikeWalk has a booth at the event, with prize giveaways and info on bike/ped advocacy in Kansas [link]) Elsewhere this weekend, here are three rides you may want to checkout: The Tour de Rock in Little Rock, Arkansas, Cycle for Life in Rogersville, Missouri, and Healing Wheels in Denver, Colorado. We also have several bike tours launching this weekend, including the Tour of the Mississippi River Valley and Tour the Raccoon, both of those in Iowa, Ride the Rockies in Colorado, and Tour de Nebraska in the Cornhusker State. The next big event in Kansas is the Border Raiders tour, starting June 20th. This week-long event starts in Lawrence, and rides a big loop through northeast Kansas, southeast Nebraska, southwest Iowa, and Northwest Missouri, before heading back to Lawrence. The annual Katy Trail Ride kicks off on June 22nd. This year’s tour, dubbed “Cruisin’ On The Katy”, runs west-to-east, from Clinton, MO to St. Charles. The last big ride of the month in Kansas is the Amelia Earhart Century on June 28th, taking place in Atchison, with 35, 62, and 100-mile routes. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: News on the opening of a bike/ped bridge in Kansas City, which will ultimately connect a number of trails in the region. [link] A discussion of the Prairie Spirit Trail, a 51-mile-long rails-to-trails project in Eastern Kansas. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode number 3 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features an interview with Alan Apel, a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certified by the League of American Bicyclists, who is circulating a proposal for updating Kansas statutes related to bicycling (see the current cycling laws here), and he’s looking for some input from the bicycling community. We also talk with Deb Ridgway, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, who discusses the state of biking and walking projects in the city, as well as KC’s plans to become a bicycle-friendly community. Here’s a summary of the rest of the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: The League of American Bicyclists have announced their latest awards for Bicycle Friendly Communities, and Cedar Falls, IA and Tulsa, OK gained Bronze-level status, while Columbia, MO attained the silver. They were each the first cities in their states to be regognized. [link] The League also updated their rankings of bike-friendly states, and Kansas dropped in rank from number 25 to number 33. Iowa took a big leap from 21 all the way up to number 6, and Colorado was up 9 places to number 13, with Missouri climbing from 28 to 17. Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oklahoma didn’t fare so well, bringing up the rear at numbers 37, 38, and 48, respectively. [link] Colorado’s Bicycle Safety Bill has been signed into law [link] A new bike shop, Big Poppi Bicycle Co., opens in Manhattan [link] Kansas City’s Car-Free Challenge racked up over 21,000 miles, replacing more than 2,600 car trips [link] Kansas City announced a new bike/ped plan [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: The Ride of Silence is an annual ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Rides are taking place worldwide on May 20th, with many in our region. [link] Highlights for the last half of May include the Cottonwood 200 in Topeka, the Dirty Kanza in Emporia, and the Lone Star Century out of Gardner. Looking ahead to June, we discuss the Biking Across Kansas and Border Raiders tours in Kansas. We also touch on tours in neighboring states, including the Oklahoma FreeWheel, the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, Ride The Rockies, Tour de Nebraska, the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, and RAGBRAI. There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. Trail News: A review of the new trail system in Melvern, Kansas A ride report from the Linear Trail in Manhattan As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Episode number 2 of the Kansas Cyclist Podcast features an interview with Dale Crawford, longtime Advocacy Director of the Johnson County Bicycle Club, and current vice-president of KanBikeWalk. Dale, through his post at JCBC, as well as his work as a park planner and project coordinator for the City of Olathe, has played a large role in creating the bicycling infrastructure that Olathe enjoys today: an excellent system of interconnecting off-street pathways, and a growing collection of on-street bike lanes and facilities. Also, with May being National Bike Month, and the second week of May being Bike Week, we have a special segment with Eric Rogers, who runs KCBike.info, and who is in charge of Kansas City’s Bike Week festivities. Activities during the week of May 9-16 include the annual Car Free Challenge, a press conference with KC Mayor Funkhouser, cyclist breakfasts, classes and tutorials, and group rides, culminating on May 16th with a bicycle swap meet, the Kansas City Women On Wheels Bike Festival, and the Tour de Cowtown alleycat race. Here’s what else is covered during the podcast, with links to more information: Bicycling News: The April 15th death of bicyclist Roy Dale Prewitt of Wellington, Kansas [link] Norman, Oklahoma’s new bicycle commuting map [link] Kansas Senator Sam Brownback’s endorsement of bicycling trails [link] A bike/ped lane coming to Kansas City’s Heart of America Bridge [link] The opening of the Midtown Bike Path in Wichita [link] Progress of Colorado’s Bicycle Safety Bill through the state legislature [link] Upcoming Rides and Events: Kansas: Highlights include the Bull Creek Bike Bash in Spring Hill, the Kansas Fat Tire Festival at Lake Wilson, Rope ’em Ride in Hays, the Capitol Classic and Cottonwood 200 in Topeka, the Wicked Wind in Wichita, Dirty Kanza in Emporia, and the Lone Star Century out of Gardner. Arkansas: Tour de Toad in Conway Colorado: The Buena Vista Bike Fest and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Iowa: The epic Trans Iowa gravel grinder Missouri: Trail to a Cure and the Pedaler’s Jamboree, both taking place on the Katy Trail Nebraska: The Spoke & Hub Century in Bellevue, the Oak Creek Valley Ride in Valparaiso, and the Nebraska Tour de Cure out of Springfield Oklahoma: Lots of Tulsa events, including Tour de Tulsa, Tour de Cure: Tulsa, and the Tulsa Tough festival There are many more ride opportunities available nearby, so please view the regional calendar for a complete list. We also discuss the new trail system that just opened in Melvern, Kansas. As always, we hope you’ll listen to the Kansas Cyclist Podcast, and consider subscribing to future episodes. We welcome your feedback, so please send in your comments or suggestions. Read Full Post at KansasCyclist.com Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states. Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com