Prairie Spirit Trail Experience

Finally found time to drive down to the Prairie Spirit Trail on the Kansas side. Sean Joyce, a Knights of Columbus Brother, and I, drove the 75 miles (from where we live) to Ottawa where the trail head began for us. My goal was to ride 60 miles which would have been my longest. We ended up riding 61.25 miles and actually I felt that I could do more ONLY IF I HAD TO! The ride was enjoyable for the trip down to Welda, KS where we made our turnaround. We stopped on our way back and had lunch at a cafe in Garnett, on a recommendation, from some old geezer at the McDonald's in Ottawa. Not sure how many restuarants this geezer had ever been in before, but he really should get out more often, and I don't mean McDonald's. Actually, McDonald's would have been a 4 star compared to this place, but Garnett has two or three restuarants and this was right on the square about 100 feet from the trail. Easy, peazy, but next time I'll pack a sandwich.

As stated, the ride down was great, but coming back we had to fight the wind and a lot of soft fine chat or crushed limestone that was just too deep in places. It was like riding in quicksand at times and it was hard to control the bike, as well. On top of that, there was a bunch, and I mean a bunch of what I think was dog feces to deal with. Most of the time I was able to miss it but not always.

Would I go back? Probably, but not this year.....Mike

Short Ride!

Just a 21 mile ride but it was tough! Rode from the house down Roanridge to 56th St. west on 56th and around Houston Lake. Came out of Houston Lake and continued west on 56th down through Misty Woods to 9 Highway. West on 9 Highway a short ways to the Riverside Trail. Rode the trail until it connects with the dike and returned only in time to have a train cross. Instead of waiting out the train, I repeated the trail ride which added another 2.25 miles. Better than staring at dirty box cars!

Came out of the trail and crossed 9 highway to continue west to Parkville. Rode one full lap around English Landing and headed north on 9 Highway. Jeez, what a nerve racking ride!! I didn't realize there wasn't a shoulder on 9 highway between Parkville and 45 Highway. I couldn't take any more of 9 highway so I turned into Riss Lake and rode around until it connected with 45 highway. From there it was a fairly easy ride back home...MIKE

Great Run - Big Mo's

With the mild temperature this morning, big Mo (Maurice - the standard poodle) and I enjoyed a run by the other Big Mo (Missouri River - at Berkley Park). We completed our 5 mile run in 47 minutes and had a great time. Maurice was ready to head home as I think he did get a little warm. - Ken

Great Morning to Run!

Being still sore from yesterday's bike ride, I was going to just rest, but since I won't be able to ride or run tomorrow, I decided to get in an easy four miler today. Started in the 12:00 to 13:00 minute pace range and ended up in the nines. Seems like the slower I start, the better I feel after a couple of miles. Work tomorrow, but will ride 30-40 on Sunday after the Chiefs/ San Fran game.

Still planning on a 50-60 miler on the Prairie Spirit Trail this Thursday. Looking forward to that ride. I'm hoping to get in a 100 miler before the snow hits me in the butt, but it's unlikely... Mike

Run and Ride

Monthly MRC gathering on Tuesday was one of our best! Initiated a new member, Dan Lara, who was a member of our HTC team as well. Had a good run averaging right at 11:00 minutes for five miles, but the best part was the eating and drinking afterwards! Lots of laughs, jokes, comments and reflection.

Today I rode 28.78 miles. Weird distance but I was riding with a friend who had a time issue so we rode on the clock rather than a distance. Nice change of pace. Actually, the change of pace occurred when we made the turnaround a few miles past Camden Point. Coming back, the wind was right in our face AGAIN at 25-30 mph. Had more of a workout than I anticipated! Still a nice ride.....Mike

Unexpected and Dangerous Surprise!

Had a terrific 51 mile ride on Friday! However, on the way back, about 35 miles into the ride, I saw a dead snake in the road. As I rode past it, I just about jumped out of my bike shorts realizing it was a rattlesnake! I stopped and dismounted my bike and walked it back to where the snake was in order to get a closer look. When I got to within a few feet from the snake it started to slowly coil. Holy crap, the damn thing was alive and was just sunning himself on the concrete! I kept the bike between myself and the rattler and circled around him. It was truely fasinating to just watch this piece of nature. The snake kept his head on the concrete and I'm not sure if he was even concerned with my presence. However, I figured it was time to move on and did so. I really wanted to get him off the highway, but didn't have a 100 foot stick to do it with! Still, it was kind of neat to see a rattlesnake that close......Mike

Starting with a walk

It's not much, but I was really pumped to be able to go out for an extended walk today - 4 miles at a careful pace.

My mental state had been on a bit of roller-coaster this week, because I had been experiencing moderately painful groin pain, the same pain I'd had before surgery. I was bummed out by the prospect that we'd fixed the hernia, but not the groin pain.

But on Thursday the doctor assured me the pain was normal and expected. He couldn't promise it, but seemed pretty confident the pain would gradually subside. Of course, he also wanted me grounded through the end of the month, so I won't be able to join Mike on our planned 50-miler on the 30th.

Still, the doc gave me the go-ahead to walk, so that's what I'm going to do. If I do it religiously, maybe I'll be ready to ramp up on Oct. 1. -- Rob

Welcome Fall Temperatures

Had a nice 4 mile run this morning, along with my poodle. Maurice only likes to run with me if the temperature is below 65 F. Today's weather was ideal. I may be over the trauma of Hospital Hill, especially if the temperature remains mild in the morning.
Looking forward to our group run and dinner next Tuesday! - Ken

Good and Bad of a Ride!

Started in Ferrelview and rode to Dearborn. Weather was great, but on the warm side. Got to Dearborn and was a half mile short of my 17.5 mile turnaround when I saw a lady half off and half on the road. She was picking up something in the ditch that I soon discovered was a little dog. It look like Sandy, Little Orphan Annie's dog, only smaller. The little guy was still breathing but in shock at that time. It was bleeding and badly damaged in the hind quarters. The lady told me that she saw something rolling under the car in front of her and then recognized it as her neighbor's dog. Evidently, the dog got out, or was let out, of his fenced in yard. It was running with another dog when it got hit. The driver that hit the dog kept on going. After all, we are a busy people and haven't got time to stop for trivial stuff!

I helped the lady lay the dog in her trunk on a little baby mattress. He was trying to get up and was pulling himself by his front legs. I'm pretty sure he had some serious back and internal injuries. I started petting him and talking softly to him to give him some comfort. I actually thought the dog was going expire at any time. He started moaning and then howling. I guess the shock wore off and the pain was setting in. It was all I could do to keep from crying myself. The lady, on the other hand, was almost in panic mode and I felt myself comforting her as well as the dog. I was holding the dog down to keep him from hurting himself any more and patting the lady on the shoulder at the same time. She was really shook up!

I took my water bottle and began pouring some water on the little dog's head and upper body to keep him cool. It was fairly hot in the ladies trunk and the dog was laying half in direct sunlight. I don't know if it helped or not, but it made me feel like I was, at least, trying to keep him comfortable.

I called 911 shortly after arriving on the scene and apologized to the operator for it possibly not being a qualifying emergency. She was great and said help was on the way. The help was in the form of an Animal Control officer who was totally inept! I wanted him to just take the dog to the animal clinic to either help him or euthinize him. All this idiot wanted to do was ask question of how, when, who, etc. I told him that minutes could make the difference in whether the little guy makes it or not and if he wanted to ask questions he could call me later. I was more than a little pissed!!!

At any rate it was a long ride back to Ferrelview. All I could picture, in my mind, was that little dog looking up at me with that forlorn, lost look in his little eyes asking me what happened to him....Mike

Tires On The Trail and Wind in My Ears!

Well, that's about all I could hear since there was practically no one on the Anita Gorman Trail in Smithville! I passed only one cyclist. There were no walkers and not even one boat on the lake. It seemed so quiet and serene that it presented a whole new atmosphere for the ride. My plan was to go out and back twice on the 9.25 trail, but coming back it started to sprinkle in the last half mile so I called it a day. I'll ride again on Sunday afternoon and put in a few more miles...Mike

Solid Run!

Decided to tackle an eight miler this morning. Wasn't so sure how I would feel after working my butt off riding in the wind yesterday, but it went just fine. Only problem was a right calf pain that I think is a slight muscle strain. I thought it was a cramp last week, but it's in the same place and I was pretty hydrated to begin the run. Averaged 10:36 on a hilly course and that's counting the walks I took here and there. I didn't walk a minute every mile, like I sometimes do, but I did do some walking in order to drink my Gatorade. My plan, at this point, is to rest totally tomorrow and hit that Prairie Spirit Trail on Thursday, weather and wind permitting....Mike

Cut Short!

Was going to ride 50 miles today but the wind, with extremely heavy gusts, forced me to call Chris to come and get me at 24 completed miles. Almost got blown off the road twice and I'm such a wienie when it comes to broken bones and lacerations. Got a heck of a work out in anyway, thanks to the wind. My Garmin stated that I rode mile 20 at 7.8 mph. Does that tell you anything about the wind?.... Mike

Just an easy four miler

Easy four miles today. Wanted to ride yesterday but the rain kind of killed that. Plan to ride 40 tomorrow by taking the Interurban to Amity and try going east on Amity until I hit 20 miles. I'll report my experience...Mike