I did some work on one of Nova's cruiser bikes rebuilding the rear hub and cleaning it up a little. I don't have a work stand so what I do is hang the bike from the opposite end I'm working on from the garage door rail.

Later we went for a 12 mile ride out towards the country on both pavement and gravel roads.

This morning I made a quick ride mostly on gravel roads to the Southwest for a total of 10 miles. Temp was in lower 80s and the humidity 66%. Sure thought it was hotter than that.

Tonight I decided to go for a short ride outside of town on a hybrid bike I recently acquired. Fields of milo, corn and soy beans, cows, barns, windmills, hay, hedge rows, hedge apples, oil wells and a animal carcass are just some of what I saw. Photos and video from my camera phone...









Video...

This morning we took advantage of the cooler weather and went for a ride. It's been in the 100s for the past couple of weeks and today's high was forecast-ed to only be in the upper 80s. We decided to ride the Gypsum Creek path in Wichita. We hadn't ridden this path in probably 20 years. We began at the South end at Planeview Park and rode to it's end at Douglas street. I think the trail is about 5 miles one way. Nova got an extra 2 miles in as we had a dispute over which way the trail went at one point so we separated ways and then she had to back track after determining I was right after all
At the north end of the trail we stopped at Target where Nova bought a shirt. On the way back we stopped to do a little car shopping on Kellogg and then stopped at the Bagatelle Bakery (just off of the trail to the West on Harry street) for coffee and a croissant.
Once back to our starting point we wanted to keep riding so we continued on the Planeview path and then over to the Arkansas River path and rode it up to Harry street. The South end of the Arkansas River path takes you across the historic John Mack rainbow bridge. The morning ended with a ride up the old Soap Box Derby hill. Here is the partial track from the ride. My phone battery went dead and didn't track the entire ride.

This morning we got around early (early for me) to go ride the Prairie Sunset Trail just outside of town before it got to hot. This rail-to-trail is now open for 8 continuous miles. It was a bit overgrown but still a nice ride. Spotted a young deer, a turtle, lots of bugs, bunnies and birds. The temperature was in the mid 80s.
The trail runs East from Garden Plain to 2 miles East of Goddard. If you're riding the entire trail I would suggest starting in Garden Plain as there is vehicle parking at a park near the railroad tracks where the trail begins. Photos here.

This is our 2nd time to ride this trail. (Here) is the first.

The Prairie Travelers is the organization responsible for the trail. You can visit their website here.

Video...



Map...

This morning we decided to brave the 90+ degree heat and go ride some new (to us) paths. We loaded the bikes in the truck and took off to the nearby town of El Dorado. There we rode the path that connects the town to the lake a few miles away.
El Dorado ride map, mileage & info. When we finished the ride we then drove over to Newton where we rode the Sand Creek bike path which connects Athletic Park and Bethel College. Newton ride map, mileage & info.

El Dorado bike and walking path...











Sand Creek Trail - Newton...








After riding in Newton we drove over to Hutchinson for a late lunch at El Potrillo.

Today we took a short trip to the near-by town of Hutchinson, Kansas (aka the Salt City) to ride the Jim P. Martinez -Sunflower Trail. Despite the 20mph wind it was a nice ride and a great trail. The trail follows the Arkansas River and connects several city parks, the largest being Carey park named for the Carey of Carey Salt.
After the ride we went and ate at El Potrillo and then stopped by Harley's Bicycles which I think is the oldest bicycle shop in Kansas. I purchased a shirt to add to the collection.

Video...



Photos...
1. Nova's new bike a Schwinn Cream.
2. Now vacant house belonged to my Aunt & Uncle (RIP) where I spent Thanksgivings as a kid.
3. Nova & her new bike..
4. Underground salt mine.

Ride map & stats...

Just came across these old photos of Nova from a October 2002 trip to the west coast. I believe this was in Santa Cruz. We toured the city on it's bike routes. I remember eating the best salmon sandwich at this place out on this pier. Later in the trip on our way home we stopped off in Vegas for a night and Nova's bike was stolen from the back of the truck.
On this trip we also rode in Moab, Utah, the Bizz Johnson rail-to-trail in California and around South Lake Tahoe.