Visiting Wichita, KS

Howdy from Wichita!

I would recommend making your way to Greenwich Road and heading North on that road. You will be driving away from the city on a 2-lane road with very little traffic - a favorite for cyclists. Here is a route from your hotel to Greenwich Rd I have ridden many times: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=7824+E+32nd+St+N,+Wichita,+KS+67226&daddr=N+Rock+Rd+to:45th+and+greenwich+wichita&geocode=FQzrPwIdWyI0-imbs_EcQ_26hzHFg25D-G8Ung%3BFepGQAIdxik0-g%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&dirflg=b&sll=37.765897,-97.224884&sspn=0.022425,0.039825&ie=UTF8&ll=37.756466,-97.240677&spn=0.044855,0.079651&z=14&lci=bike

And since I clicked "bike routes" on Google, it also highlighted in green the (pretty nice) multi-use path in that area. It's called the K96 trail/path. I wouldn't recommend riding on it (you can, but it is mutli-use with dogs and kids and such) but it is GREAT to run on!

Not sure how long/far you want to go, but you can turn left (west) on 101st street and take that a ways. If you want to go farther, turn North on Broadway and you can take that as long as you want. Here is a map showing you that http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=7824+E+32nd+St.+North+wichita+ks&daddr=N+Rock+Rd+to:N+111th+St+E%2FN+Greenwich+Rd+to:N+111th+St+E%2FN+Greenwich+Rd+to:greenwich+rd+and+101st+st+to:37.868349,-97.280502+to:101st+street+and+broadway&geocode=FQzrPwIdWyI0-imbs_EcQ_26hzHFg25D-G8Ung%3BFepGQAIdxik0-g%3BFfRFQAId-rg0-g%3BFb64QAIdFLg0-g%3BFbDWQQIdf7w0-ilnDPQKRAS7hzFFOyjou6A0IQ%3B%3BFZnSQQIdEsYy-imLHuAzzxu7hzGosUXckdlhQA&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=2&mrsp=5&sz=12&via=1,3,5&dirflg=b&sll=37.830395,-97.271919&sspn=0.179241,0.318604&ie=UTF8&ll=37.82226,-97.264366&spn=0.17926,0.318604&z=12&lci=bike

If the wind is North/South and you don't want to fight it, another option is to head East on 21st Street (which would be a mile-ish south of where you're staying). This road is also nice and once you get past the first few miles there is very little traffic. That is easier to explain without a map... just go east on 32nd street, very quickly south on Rock Road, and in about a mile and a half turn east (left) onto 21st Street.

DrKelly...

How long is a long ride? I rode the route that Lisa was suggesting a couple weeks ago. Greenwich Rd "runs out" and turns into gravel/dirt about 18/5 miles from the intersection of 21st and Greenwich.

Lisa is a great source...she lives here, has been here all (I believe) her life...I've been here 8 months. If you want something more than what Greenwich will give you, Lisa can point you in the right direction. I right east on 21st a good bit and after you leave Andover (about 6 miles for the intersection of 21st and Greenwich previously mentioned), it's 2 lane for a while.

Let us know how far you are wanting to ride and we can put you on the right roads that won't get you hurt or killed...

Kevin

Right... which is why I suggested he turn west on 101st street and then back north on Broadway. I've taken Broadway all the way to Newton before, for a longer ride. From 37th and Rock it would be about a 56-mile round trip to Newton and back.

Also just a word of warning... Wichita drivers are fairly hateful towards cyclists. Which is why I ride the Greenwich or 21st routes, to get "out" of the city. Just be prepared for a few buzzings, and probably being yelled at from the window of a pickup truck.

 

Yeah, kinda reminded me of being back home in MS..."You should be on the sidewalk"...even though it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk...

As for turning on 101st...when it hits Broadway, it is labeled Broadway? Or, is it labeled something like CR612N?

Thanks,
Kevin

I'm pretty sure it's labeled Broadway. But it's been awhile since I've gotten out that far.

With that said, what kind of mileage are you expecting to get at a 3:30...I noticed anything over 50 is good for you...I'd do what Lisa suggested and ride Greenwich out north and turn on 101st and go to Broadway (turn right) until you get to the desired distance you want (out and back) and turn around and come home. For the 30 min brick, you could run on the multipurpose trail that Lisa highlighted for you...it's right close to the intersection of 21st and Greenwich...there's a super target at that intersection, so you could park there and start riding. I live literally about 2 miles from there and run and ride that area quite often.

..I just realized that the Wicked Wind is on that Sunday if you could rearrange your schedule...it's 25/50/100 and is a good event. Lisa can comment as she has ridden it a couple times...i might ride it this year (50 miler) as the next week, I should hit my taper for KS 70.3...

Kevin

Did you wind up riding?

Kevin