Close enough to the ride, can you tell us what some of the routes are? Ride leaders? Length and skill level?............
I can try. Everything is relative to who shows up and on what and the weather. But Perfect case scenario. . .
We will have two road routes, and one Trails route. Each road route will transverse three counties, Anderson, Linn and Bourbon. Our routes will be between 130 and 170 miles depending on how much fun everyone is having could go more if the leaders and group decide. Routes will be 80% eastern Kansas gravel roads (they include lots of hills and curves, tree canopies etc.so stay together and wait for the man behind you!!!!!) there will be about 20% minimum maintenance roads (mostly in bourbon county) we have some really neat roads in Bourbon County, probably between 1 and 10 obligatory water crossings depending on water levels (none too challenging, but ya some a slick its water and it grows moss), We will give you all the sights and thrills that this part of our great state has to offer. These routes are for all skill levels. My wife will be riding on one of the routes. There will be no 85 mph with your hair on fire on these road routes. The roads in this part of the state are NOTHING like the Flint Hills. You cannot spread out over 15 miles with a group because there is at least one curve per mile on most of these routes or a giant hill and sight lines are much closer together. So speeds will probably average 35-45 ish... Pretty easy fun scenic riding for an interesting geography.
The Trails route is one that will have some requirements, I don't want to scare anybody off, but this is not big bike friendly, unless you don't really like your bike. Most of our trails are wide and groomed, but very hilly (think Arkansas) we have a couple gracious land owners who have amassed a lifetime of trail making into a really neat day of riding, some beautiful country and fun to ride. On this route you will need an aggressive tire, no street tires (I am running a Big Block and my son is on a TKC80). But again don't be afraid you just need traction for the hills. We will snake through an area of Anderson county covering more than 3500 acres and I'm not sure how many miles of trails as your gps will cut out many many times due to the tree cover. On this ride it will My son and I will be leading it but the intention is for the group to decide. We can stick to the open trails and throw a little roads in there, or we can continue to get into harder trails, majority rules. As the group sees the trails we will adapt and go from there. These trails are fun to just rip around great place for skill building! But This would be considered the advanced ride.
Ride Leaders consist of (for certain): Larry Webber- one of the most experienced ride leaders I know, talented rider and somehow this man knows every road in this state, and by name! It is kinda creepy. Great guy. Larry and his knowledge may go anywhere cause he knows everywhere but the mission is as stated above.
Dane Hicks and Pat Schettler- will be leading another ride on the roads they have been exploring with Larry and I for a while now and are always fun and safe your in good hands. They are quite the jokers and a good time will be had be all!
Russ & Burt Peterson - Father son team that lives to ride and play music, and just enjoy life. We want to have as much fun as we can have and NOT get somebody's eye put out. (yes i bought Russ a red rider when he was 4).
Questions are welcome! This is a destination event. Wives will find all kinds of fun and we will be entertaining and feeding you. The hospitality of the Garnett Lion's Club and our town welcomes all.