Road to Bike Across Kansas » Biking in Kansas

Walnut Valley Metric ~ My First Bike Ride!

Jackie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:10:10 +0000

Finishing Walnut Valley Metric

I have to say Sunday morning I was very jittery. I was pretty nervous, not only about the ride, but about the details of getting registered, getting my little one taken care of, and all kinds of other things I made up in my head. Mostly I was worried about my feet causing such a problem I wouldn’t be able to finish the ride.

My mom showed up about 7am. She took the little monkey and we headed over to Winfield. (I forgot how quiet it is without a 3 year old in the car lol). When we got there I started getting really excited seeing everyone there, and all the bikes. I was glad to see there were other people with mountain and other non road bikes. There were a few recumbants as well as two bikes where the rider laid on the ground and pedaled with his hands. (which was pretty cool to see ~ I biked behind one for a while and was concerned about cars being able to see him, but he had someone riding right behind him)

I went to the sign in place and registration was quick and easy. Then I had an hour to wait until the ride started lol. So much for that concern. I got my first (of many I’m sure) t shirt. We hung out in the parking lot, taking some videos, and I checked out a lot of bikes. (did a bit of drooling as well)

At 9am everyone gathered and the ride started. Dang I have never seen so many bikes in one spot in my LIFE!! I was kinda nervous getting started and getting in everyone’s way. I tried to pick a spot near the back, but those speedy riders came out of no where!!

(no the girl crashing at the start is NOT me)

Once things started going and the speedy folks passed me (which didn’t take long) I just started enjoying the ride. We don’t live far from Winfield and I assumed the terrain would be similar to ours. PHEW was I WRONG. At one point I thought I’d come over and ride the route in a car. I’m so glad I did not. I am also glad I didn’t have a good working definition of “rolling hills” when I decided to do this ride. If either of those things had happened I’m quite sure I would never have agreed to do it.

As it happens they didn’t happen and I quickly found myself facing hills bigger than I have faced thus far, and one right after another. I could not believe how many hills they found so close to my house. Where I ride you get a hill, then some flatness, then another hill ~ you have some recovery time built in.

I noticed I was riding much faster than normal, and I kept hearing everyone’s online voice in my head ~ about riding my own ride, not pushing it etc etc. Well, it all felt really easy, even the hills for the first 10 miles. I figured it was adrenaline or something.

or something

The something goes by the name of WIND!! It didn’t really feel that windy (but it never does to me when I’ve got a tail wind lol). So I’m riding along and doing ok, I’m feeling good, I’m taking the hills. My feet are starting to hurt. I’m not looking at my odometer because I don’t want to look down and see how far I have left to go. I did watch the time. My goal for the ride was 3 hours. My feet were starting to hurt a LOT. I was, at one point, wondering if I was going to make it. At that point I came up over a hill and realized I saw BIKES (yeah, I hadn’t really seen any the whole way lol). I thought to myself, OMG I’m catching up to people. NOPE. It was the first SAG stop. I had never been so happy about a banana and solid ground.

After a few minutes I got back on and my feet were ok. I was good. I rode a few more miles and took the next turn. BAM. WIND.

OK. OK. OK. Yeah, at that point I really did start saying that to myself. I then started telling myself I can do it, it’s gonna be OK, I really can do it!! I just lowered my gears, spun it out and it went ok. Again at one point I was starting to think my feet were not going to allow me to make it. Wouldn’t you know it, I came over another hill and there was the second SAG stop!!

Another banana, a nutrigrain bar, big glass of water, walking on flat ground stretching out my feet. A few minutes later I was ready to go. I realized I was over half way there. The second SAG was at 20 miles. Only 15 miles left to go. A short way down the road was the split between the 35 and 65 mile rides. I took a right and followed the blue 35 mile arrows. The wind seemed to lessen a little bit. The hills were big and winding, but they were fun because the downhills were really winding as well and I’d never done that before. The scenery was absolutely AMAZING. I had no idea we had such amazing scenery around these parts.

I finally got, what seemed like, down a mountain ~ but considering I live in Kansas it probably wasn’t, and ended up back in town. The arrows got a little confusing at times, but I figured it out. I finally checked my odometer and realized I was already at 31 miles. YAY. I stopped and called my mom to let her know I’d be back in a few minutes and to look out for me so I could have video of me finishing my first ride.

As I rode down the street, back toward the place I had started just over 3 hours earlier I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, and joy. I did it. Alone. By myself. Just me, myself, the wind, my bike and my aching ass feet. By the time I rode across the finish line my feet felt like one huge charley horse of toes. I actually felt like my toes were curled and disfigured (which I’m sure they weren’t because they went back to normal quite quickly when I started walking). But I did it.

The end was somewhat anticlimactic. There were no people, well, just my mom and my daughter who promptly asked me “were you nice to your friends today?”. ahh. We went out for lunch, and I felt absolutely no guilt over my chips/salsa and chimichanga.

My First Ride Is Tomorrow – Walnut Valley Here I Come!

Jackie — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:15:11 +0000

photo credit: Mi Pah

This is it, this is what got this whole shebang started. I decided to do the Walnut Valley Metric two short months ago when I first got back on my bike. I thought it would give me the motivation to keep getting on the bike (although now I see I didn’t really need the extra motivation but can’t wait to ride this ride).

I’m a little concerned about a few things:

1. I’ve been having this crazy foot pain the last week or so.

2. The weather report is now forecasting 85 degrees and 15mph winds. (and we all know how much I love the wind ~ NOT)

3. Getting up, getting Hanna taken care of and getting there on time.

4. How to get my packet and all the logistical stuff of a ride ~ just first time jitters.

Those are the things giving me a little nervous jittery feeling in my stomach today, but all in all I think it’s mostly jittery excitement that the day has finally come!

Here’s what I’m doing to be prepared for tomorrow:

1. Finally got tubes. Will be taking 2 with me (just in case).

2. Drinking lots of water today to get hydrated ~ I’ve been a little lax on the water lately and think it may be contributing to some of my muscle issues as well.

3. Packing all Hanna’s stuff today. She’s going to the ride with my mom, but will need stuff to stay busy.

4. Getting food and stuff together. I’ll be taking a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, as well as a banana. (It’s only 35 miles, not sure why I’m freaking out ~ I’ve already ridden 30 so I know I can do it ~ and without all this fuss lol.)

5. Get the water backpack ready for tomorrow. I’ve debated on taking just a water bottle, but I seem to stay better hydrated with the backpack because I don’t worry about falling off my bike mucking around with the water bottle.

6. Cooking a yummy dinner tonight. I think we’ll have Shrimp Marinara with Whole Wheat Pasta and Salad.

7. I made banana nut pancakes this morning and there’s plenty for tomorrow before the ride ~ just stick them in the toaster.

8. Get some money so I can pay my entry fee ~ gotta remember that, I don’t think they’ll take debit cards lol.

9. Lay out clothes for tomorrow so I don’t have to think at such an early hour of the morning.

10. Go to bed early and sleep well!!

So that’s my big plan for the day. If you see something I’ve forgotten or totally don’t even know about please feel free to add it in the comments ~ I can use all the help I can get.

I will be giving my mom the video camera and a camera so hopefully tomorrow night I will have video/pictures to share!

Wish me luck!

My Life In Cycling

Jackie — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:20:47 +0000

photo credit: Sugar Pond

Over the long holiday weekend I was looking back over my life, where and how fitness and cycling has fit in and I thought I’d share it with you today ~ at least part of it. I was really inspired by taking my longest ride thus far ~ 28 miles over the weekend. I got to wondering if I had ever ridden that far before, which got me thinking back to other times in my life when I was riding.

I don’t remember just how old I was when I got my first bike, but I do remember the bike itself. It was a blue bike with a great big blue banana seat. I called it the “Blue Bomber”. As much as I liked my bike I really really really wanted a pink Huffy!! (I guess that’s where my bike upgrade obsession started)

I must have been about 6 or 7 I think. I remember having training wheels on it, and one day deciding I’d had enough and taking them off at the tennis courts of our apartment building, and just riding and riding and riding. My mom found out and as I recall she was pretty pissed. (Again ~ not the last time I will get that reaction from some of my cycling antics)

I road that bike everywhere, with friends around the neighborhood even to piano lessons. It was on my way to piano lessons I had my first encounter with a dog, gravel and my first crash. (I think as I recall they all happened at the same time). Luckily for me the dog was behind a fence, and I was able to pull myself up off the ground and my bike out of the road fast enough to save us all. (although remembering that now brings my current gravel fear a little closer into focus lol)

As much as I loved that bike I was so excited to get a “real bike” which at the time was 10 speed!! My parents told me I couldn’t get a 10 speed until I was 13. Not sure what was so magical about 13, but quite a few new activities hinged on that age. When I was 13 I got a blue 10 speed which I had well into adulthood. One of my first dates was a bike ride, on that very bike. As I got older though new sports started taking my interest. I started swimming. I swam for many years on community teams, even into high school. Once I got a car ~ most of my biking was history.

College ~ not a very fitness oriented time of life. I didn’t bring a bike to college, and I was not very focused on my health and fitness. The only reason I stayed in relatively good shape was because my college was literally carved into a mountain side. Getting to classes or anywhere on campus meant climbing up or down the mountain. You could always tell the freshman from the seniors simply by looking at their calf musculature. If you wanted to go to town ~ which I did just about every night you had to walk to the bottom of the mountain. Of course to get home you had to hike back up. That hike was particularly difficult at 3 in the morning in a not so sober state. My car conked out a year or so into college, so my feet were my only option, and I used them a lot.

After college I ended up moving to New York City. NYC is not very car friendly, really there’s no point in even having a car, you have to fight traffic, search for parking, pay for it many times, public transportation is excellent and you’re feet rarely fail you.

In NYC I ended up meeting a bike rider. He rode his bike just about everywhere. I was able to get a bike, my first mountain bike, and we did a lot of riding. In fact, I have ridden from Manhattan to Coney Island and just about everywhere in between. One of our favorite Sunday morning activities was riding from Sunset Park, Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge to have coffee in Manhattan. It was a nice ride, and a great way to spend a Sunday. At the time I was working as a social working for an Assertive Community Treatment team. This meant I was out in the community walking to and from my office and client’s homes. I walked a LOT during those years.

After about 4 years in NYC, I decided my time was up. I ended up moving to Kansas, which is where all my family was living. The thing about Kansas is this: it’s wide open ~ you can’t walk anywhere. I got a car, and a job as a case manager. I still went out in the community to see clients, but I drove to their front door, and only walked a few feet. From there I took a job managing a group home, where all I had to do was pull up in the driveway and walk in the door.

My level of motion decreased immensely and right with it went my fitness. It was during that time I got pregnant and gained weight. That was over 3 years ago. The last three years, since my daughter was born have been pretty sedentary, and not all that healthy, and the weight from my pregnancy never really left.

It was only about a month ago things changed.

Read part 2 of my life in cycling and how I decided to Bike Across Kansas

Kansas Bike Ride ~ MCC Flatlander Bicycle Ride

Jackie — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:56:08 +0000

photo credit: Brampton Cyclist

MCC Flatlander Bicycle Ride

When: Saturday, September 19th 2009
Where: MCC Center, Highway 15 and 30th St
North Newton
Registration: 7am
Ride Begins: 8am

This is a ride that can be enjoyed by any cyclist of any fitness level. There are three main routes with lengths of approximately 35, 45 and 65 miles. There is also a family ride of 8 to 16 miles depending on your preference.

This ride is to benefit the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The goal for this ride is $6,500. Proceeds will go to a MCC project to build sustainable and efficient water systems in Columbia. These water systems will provide water for the household as well as agriculture for families who have been displaced due to years of armed conflict. A sustainable water system can be created with $186.

So please, get some contributions from friends and family to help this worthy cause. There will be gift certificates (from Bicycle Pedddlar) given to the 2 riders/families who raise the most money.

What to bring:

Each rider should bring a bicycle, helmet, an extra tire tube as well as water for the ride.

SAG will be provided ~ and stops at 3pm.

Cost:
Price includes lunch, map, sag service and a t-shirt

Individual riders: $25.00 ~ after 9/11 ~ $30
Families: $60 ~ after 9/11 ~ $65
(family includes 3 t shirts: additional t shirts $10 each)

To register look for the yellow flyer at local bike shops.

Kansas Bike Rides ~ Pedalfest for Heartspring

Jackie — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:26:07 +0000

photo credit: richardmasoner

Heartspring is a school for children with disabilities. Pedalfest is an annual kansas bike event to raise money for Heartspring.It is a one day leisure ride around the beautiful areas around Wichita Kansas. Along with the ride there will also be plenty of kid friendly activities on the Heartspring Campus. This really is a great event for the whole family.

Pedalfest will be held on August 30th 2009.

6:30 am: Check in
8:00 am: 50k and 100k rides start ~ no bikers will be allowed to begin after 8:30a
9:30 am: 5 mile family ride begins

5 Mile Family and Friends Ride

There are events for everyone at Pedalfest. There is a 5 mile family and friends ride. REgistration for this ride is $15 per person. Registration fee includes lunch, SAG support, and event t-shirt.

50k and 100k rides

The registration fee for the longer rides is $40 per person. If you register after August 15th the registration fee increases to $45. Registration fee includes lunch, SAG support, event t-shirt and rider bag.

Virtual Ride

If you’d like to participate but don’t feel like you can do the ride itself you can do a virtual ride. The donation for the virtual ride is $15 and an event t shirt will be mailed to you.

If you think Pedalfest sounds like fun and you would like to participate please register and join in supporting a great cause, and have lots of fun.

Deciding to Bike Across Kansas ~ How it All Started

Jackie — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:10:22 +0000

This is a bit of an unlikely story.

I’m a mom of one, late 30s, overweight and I hate the heat. The last time I road a bike was about 10 years ago when we moved here. I jumped on my bike as we unpacked it and road a little ways down our gravel/dirt road and proceeded to fall over.

The bike got put in the barn and there it’s sat for all these years.

I’ve recently been trying to lose some of the “baby weight” although I think some point after your kid is 3 you don’t really get to call it that anymore (but I still do anyway). I was talking to a friend of mine who recently finished her first 5k race. We were talking about the dynamics of exercising for the sake of losing weight vs. exercising to accomplish a goal. She said she found it much easier to go out and run every night when she was working toward a specific race.

I could see that.

We continued talking and somehow the topic of biking came up. I used to love to ride my bike. In fact, when I lived in NYC I biked everywhere. That crazy pink bike that’s been packed in the garage has been from Manhattan to Coney Island and back on many ocassions. I started thinking maybe I should get the pink bike back out!

After I got off the phone I went on a hunt to find my bike. I wasn’t even sure which of these out building it was in. I finally found it leaning against a wall in the barn, covered in dirt, tons of spider nests under the seat, but I was determined. I dragged it out and dusted it off, and brought it to the house to have the hubby take a look.

Well, the chain was a mess, the tires were a mess, the whole bike was a bit of a mess. I was determined to perservere, so I went to Walmart to get new tires and realized it would be cheaper to buy a new bike than it was to try to fix this one.

Still I didn’t really want to put a lot of money into this possible new hobby, because as my hubby reminded me I have a tendency to get all excited about something, spend a bunch of money on it, and then lose interest a couple weeks later, only to have a ton of expensive crap collecting dust around the house.

I looked on Craigslist and found a bike for $50. Got it home only to realize the gears didn’t work. Called the guy up, and took it back.

Finally decided to just go to walmart and get a bike.

I knew a little bit about sizing, and whatnot so I tried out a bunch of different bikes, and finally decided on the one I bought. $69 ~ and an extra $5 for the extended warranty.

Brought the bike home, hubby made a few adjustments and I started to ride.

The first challenge was to overcome my fear of the 1/2 mile gravel/dirt road I had to get past to get to pavement. Remember, this is what made me put the bike away to begin with. I was pretty nervous ~ new bike, haven’t ridden in 10 years, and all this gravel ~ it seemed to stretch out forever!!

I finally made it to the end ~ I had to make a decision ~ go down a hill with really big gravel, or turn a corner on the gravel. I decided for the corner that first day. Once I got to the road I went about another 1/2 mile. It was getting dark and I was getting tired so I turned back.

It was then I realized just HOW out of shape I really was.

However, I was enjoying riding ~ a LOT. For a few reasons:

1. No one else was there.

In my life as a mom I’ve found it difficult to find anytime that is completely mine. So this was a really great way to find some “alone time”.

2. It was silent.

Other than the wind whipping past me there was no yelling, no crying, no whining, no begging, no screaming.

Silence.

This is reason enough to keep me going out on my bike!! I never realized how loud life would be as a parent!

I made it back to the house in one piece and started looking around the internet to see if anyone else in Kansas is biking, turns out there are a LOT of people biking in Kansas. I thought it might be a good idea to see if I could find a race or a ride I could set my sites on to help me stay motivated to get out and ride.

It is almost the end of summer and I still needed to train to get in good enough shape to ride for a longer period of time, so there weren’t a LOT of options available, but I did find something I think will be perfect.

The Walnut Valley Metric. A 35 mile rde through the rolling hills of Kansas.

I liked this one because it’s not far from where I live and I think I can totally get ready for 35 miles.

My husband ~ not so sure, but still being encouraging.

Since I made the decision to sign up for that ride I’ve been riding 6 days a week ~ working on my cadence, and trying to go a little farther each time I ride.

I’m an information junkie, so I’ve been reading on the internet, looking at books and in my internet travels I came across Bike Across Kansas. An annual event. An 8 day ride literally across the entire state of Kansas. Going from Colorado to Missouri!

WOW!! That got my juices going and I made a big plan. I will finish Bike Across Kansas ~ in 2011. Well come on, I’ve only been riding for a week, not going to tackle it this coming year lol.

In the year and half or so before I do BAK I plan to ride in a variety of rides and hope to include at least one century ride at some point.

That’s what this blog is going to be all about ~ riding in Kansas, and preparing to ride ACROSS Kansas, and some other great information about biking.