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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
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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.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
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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.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
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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.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com