Author Topic: C-Springs to Kansas City  (Read 14659 times)

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Offline j1of1

C-Springs to Kansas City
« on: February 14, 2023, 02:15:41 pm »
We're doing another "chunk" of the US this summer (starting around end of May) - this time from Colorado Springs, CO to the Kansas City Airport (yes, W --> E).   Numerous routes under consideration.  Getting to Larned, KS is pretty much a done deal.  Challenge now is how to get from Larned to KC Airport which means off the TRANSAM.  We need feedback on this proposed route and more specifically lodging availability (camping and/or motels).  Also any recommendations for other routing strongly desired!!!

Larned            Great Bend   31 miles
Great Bend   McPherson   71
McPherson   Herington           60
Herington            Osage City   67
Osage City   Lawerence   62
Lawerence   KC Airport           54

Thanks. 

Offline John Nettles

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Re: C-Springs to Kansas City
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2023, 04:08:03 pm »
I have some routes from McPherson (west to Colorado Springs if you like) and into KC then north to the airport.  I will try to post tomorrow as I am getting ready to head out for the day.  Overall though, your route is quite doable. 

Tailwinds, John

Offline John Nettles

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Re: C-Springs to Kansas City
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2023, 09:55:21 am »
Here is the route I was talking about.  It is part of a larger route I created and rode in part years ago called the Katy Cutoff that goes from Rush Center, KS, where it breaks off the TransAm Route to Murphysboro, IL, where it reconnects to the TransAm.  All the files are in an older GPS format, and I am slowly converting it to RWGPS and adding the service points as I have time.  I have either ridden or driven the entire route which primarily uses low-traffic state and county roads with a few longer sections of unpaved decent rail trail.  I rode the original parts but have updated it over the years as old roads became busy and new trails were created. 

I have given the main Katy Cutoff route (not the alternate route into KC) to about 3 dozen cyclists over the years, and all said they enjoyed it.  While not shown, the various touring cyclist needed services (grocery, restaurants, camping, hotels, etc.) are generally available along the entire route but there are a couple of limited services areas, especially on the western side of the route. NOTE:  I have not personally ridden Route GKKC which was created last year due to a request from someone who was doing the TA and wanted to go to KC and reconnect to the TA in Missouri.  Route GKKC extensively uses bike paths and/or bike lanes in the greater KC area and was cross referenced with Strava’s heatmap. If you ride it, I would appreciate feedback on it.

Here is the overall Katy Cutoff collection of routes I have started putting into RWGPS:  https://ridewithgps.com/collections/57717 Again, the collection is still in the incomplete format but it is usable. For individual route segments, see below.

Rush Center to Kanopolis Jct (RCKJ-E):  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41029275 .  If you start in Larned, you would probably join this route Hoisington or near Claflin.
 
Kanopolis Jct to Lindsborg (KJLK-E):  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42011613
 
Lindsborg to Gypsum (LGKS-E):  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42011632
 
Gypsum to Council Grove (GKCG-E): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42011666
 
Council Grove to Ottawa (CGOK-E): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42011846
 
Ottawa to Gardner (OGKS-E): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42011909
 
*Gardner to Kansas City (GKKC-N): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42011426
 
*Kansas City to MCI Airport (MCI-N): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41440949
* = Part of the Kansas City alternate route of the Katy Cutoff
 
Out of curiosity, why are you going to Larned if you are starting in Colorado Springs?  I would have guessed you would have joined the TransAm route either in Pueblo or Eads. 
 
Again, I would like to receive feedback (new/closed roads, roads used to be paved are now gravel, closed hotels, etc.) if you ride this route so I so I can update them for the next person.  Whatever you do, I wish you a wonderful tour!  Tailwinds, John

Offline j1of1

Re: C-Springs to Kansas City now Pueblo to KC
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2023, 07:28:41 pm »
Thanks John for the info!   After some discussion we decided not to start in C-Springs, but instead Pueblo.  Current plan:

KC --> Pueblo by rental car.  Drop off rental and start biking east the next day (3 June)
Pueblo to Ordway; Orday to Eads; Eads to Tribune; Tribune to Scott City; Scott City to Ness City; Ness City to Great Bend; Great Bend to McPherson; McPherson to Herington; Herington to Council Grove; Council Grove to Ottawa; Ottawa to Gardner; Gardner to KC.  Somewhere in there we will take a day off - probably Council Grove. 

We will follow TRANSAM east from Pueblo to Great Bend then parallel the Am Discovery Trail and onto the Flint Hills Nature Trail into Ottawa.  From there we will be on surface roads, once again, into Gardner and then into KC.   I'll be using your GPS data whenever possible, so again, a big THANK YOU, for that info!  And yes, I'll provide the feedback you requested. 

We are prepared to camp and probably will have to, but prefer a cheap hotels that have hot showers and a/c. 

We considered joining the annual Bike Across Kansas (BAK) in June vs going our own way, but discarded that option because getting to the starting point from our homes in Ohio was almost impossible to arrange, though I still believe riding the BAK would make the miles pass quickly as well as a chance to meet other cyclists.

Be well and happy, and keep riding.



Offline John Nettles

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Re: C-Springs to Kansas City
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2023, 08:49:03 pm »
While I am not overly familiar with BAK, you "might" be able to rent a car one way to the BAK finish where there is "usually" a one-way shuttle (extra cost) to the start as you are not the only one who needs to get themselves and their bike to the start.  You would only be different in that you have to get to the loading area for the shuttle and you have a rental car.  Assuming a one-way shuttle exists, you could worst case, drive the rental car to the nearest car drop off location and ride to the loading area. 

Another option is to start in Denver.  I have some routes that can get you to Eads, CO, and the TA, or north then east to Omaha (and beyond).  The latter option is a pretty quiet route traffic wise once you get out of the Denver metro area. Or I guess you could go Denver to the NE to connect with ACA's Eastern Express Connector Route.

Whatever you do, I wish you a wonderful tour!  Tailwinds, John