Early morning ride with Little Egypt on the Levee.
I was all geared up to do my usual road ride, Gentle Readers of This Blog, when to my surprise Little Egypt was up--and she wanted me to go on a levee ride with her. I said okay but we had to stop for coffee was my only demand. I don't usually see Little E until I get back and I've ridden 50 miles--so it is a surprise to have her awake and ready for a trip!
About six mile out from Lawrence, on the levee trail along the Kansas River.
The levee system surrounding the farmland around Lawrence has been transformed into miles of flat straight trails for running and biking. I believe the levees were built as WPA projects in the 1930s, and the running, walking, and biking paths built on top of them in the early 1990s.
Finishing up that cup of coffee.
We can ride about a mile and then be in the heart of Old Downtown. We made a quick stop at Starbucks, and then in a few blocks we're over the river and onto the levee trail. This is more Little Egypt's speed; no cars and no hills--just straight out and back, and a chance to get some sun and exercise.
The Kansas River on one side, and the farmland on the other.
On the trail with the wife.
We ride out about six miles to where the levee dead-ends by the rail road tracks. I know the roads out beyond here quite well now, as I can see Hwy 24 heading East to Perry and Lecompton--the Hwy follows the bluff, or the breaks of the river. The ancient river you can tell from the geology is about 10 miles wide. I think this accounts for the rich farmland we're riding through. Back in the day, probably well worth building a levee to save the land for producing crops.
A mountain bike trail runs just on the bank.
It's one way so you have to be sure you start at the right place and go the right direction, otherwise you won't see people coming back and you'll crash. Runners take both the levee and the mountain bike train as well.
River City--we'll cross the bridge and be back in Old Down Town.
Many of the 1858 buildings remain on Mass Ave as we come back into town.
Very humid out as the morning dew burns off in the warm summer sun.
Old East Lawrence Neighborhood Street.
Almost back to the Little House.
Just haven't had a chance to post all the photos from my rides lately but I'll be back on that soon, mes amis! Thanks for coming along for the ride!
Cheers! Bruce
2 comments:
real rivers in your blog, forgot what they looked like. Not missing anything back here, as August was the second hottest on record here. It's starting to feel like Yuma. They predict a break in the weather and it can't come to soon.
Dan - Tucson
Hey Dan!
Lots of historic rivers--Santa Fe Trail and Oregon Trails followed these rivers out West your way. What you're not missing here are hot muggy days well into the 100's ! Cheers! Bruce
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