KCRag Forum

Highlander wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:15 am
I've been enjoying these two trail systems since moving back to KC earlier in the year. I'm out almost every day that has been suitable weather wise. The Johnson County trails can get very crowded on weekends so recently took the trail system the other way into Missouri. Quite the contrast. While the trails are decent, they are in a much greater state of disrepair and the area is much wilder - fewer homes and more expansive urban wilderness as the Blue River is approached. What struck me was the existence of homeless camps, associated trash and homeless folks along the trail immediately after crossing State Line into KCMO. Other than that, it was a fairly enjoyable trail system with a lot fewer users than the Kansas side.

On both sides of the state line, I've been surprised by the number of electric-assist bikes. I guess I'll never understand why that is a big thing on a trail system meant more for exercise than for transportation? The speed at which some of these riders passed pedestrians was a little scary.

FlippantCitizen wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 1:05 pm

Highlander wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:15 am
I've been enjoying these two trail systems since moving back to KC earlier in the year. I'm out almost every day that has been suitable weather wise. The Johnson County trails can get very crowded on weekends so recently took the trail system the other way into Missouri. Quite the contrast. While the trails are decent, they are in a much greater state of disrepair and the area is much wilder - fewer homes and more expansive urban wilderness as the Blue River is approached. What struck me was the existence of homeless camps, associated trash and homeless folks along the trail immediately after crossing State Line into KCMO. Other than that, it was a fairly enjoyable trail system with a lot fewer users than the Kansas side.

On both sides of the state line, I've been surprised by the number of electric-assist bikes. I guess I'll never understand why that is a big thing on a trail system meant more for exercise than for transportation? The speed at which some of these riders passed pedestrians was a little scary.

I got on an E-bike for the first time ever this spring. I'm chomping at the bit to buy one of my own. I would say that recreation and exercise are overlapping concepts but not one in the same. E-bikes make long cruises accessible to people for whom the barrier to entry would be too high otherwise. I also get concerned when I see the speeds pedestrians are passed. Though I see this as an issue with strava-head mamils on standard bikes too. Last year I made a few rides down the Trolley Track Trail then jogged over to Lee Blvd then connected to the Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails and took them directly to my parents house off 143rd street coming all the way from Midtown. It's almost a 20 mile ride one way and I am not a hard core roadie so at best this is just a challenge I lay out for myself a couple times a year. With an E-bike I wouldn't hesitate to do it on the regular.

grovester wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 2:26 pm

FlippantCitizen wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 1:05 pm

Highlander wrote: ↑Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:15 am
I've been enjoying these two trail systems since moving back to KC earlier in the year. I'm out almost every day that has been suitable weather wise. The Johnson County trails can get very crowded on weekends so recently took the trail system the other way into Missouri. Quite the contrast. While the trails are decent, they are in a much greater state of disrepair and the area is much wilder - fewer homes and more expansive urban wilderness as the Blue River is approached. What struck me was the existence of homeless camps, associated trash and homeless folks along the trail immediately after crossing State Line into KCMO. Other than that, it was a fairly enjoyable trail system with a lot fewer users than the Kansas side.

On both sides of the state line, I've been surprised by the number of electric-assist bikes. I guess I'll never understand why that is a big thing on a trail system meant more for exercise than for transportation? The speed at which some of these riders passed pedestrians was a little scary.

I got on an E-bike for the first time ever this spring. I'm chomping at the bit to buy one of my own. I would say that recreation and exercise are overlapping concepts but not one in the same. E-bikes make long cruises accessible to people for whom the barrier to entry would be too high otherwise. I also get concerned when I see the speeds pedestrians are passed. Though I see this as an issue with strava-head mamils on standard bikes too. Last year I made a few rides down the Trolley Track Trail then jogged over to Lee Blvd then connected to the Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails and took them directly to my parents house off 143rd street coming all the way from Midtown. It's almost a 20 mile ride one way and I am not a hard core roadie so at best this is just a challenge I lay out for myself a couple times a year. With an E-bike I wouldn't hesitate to do it on the regular.

I'll second this. Talked my wife into getting one since our bike riding had all but disappeared.

She only uses it to get up hills and turns it off on flat/downhill sections, so she still is getting quite a bit of exercise.

Now we're pondering NE Johnson County to West Bottoms/River Market.

Highlander-I'd also recommend Line Creek Trail and Heritage Park/Coffee Creek trail in Olathe, though you'd need to drive out to a trailhead.

freedog wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 10:58 pm Just heard that the MO Senate Appropriations Committee removed the $70 million in federal funding that could have been used to develop the 144-mile Rock Island corridor. Senators said the trail would encourage trespassing and violate landowners' property rights.

Bummer. Really hope this stays alive


https://www.newstribune.com/news/2022/m ... and-trail/

freedog wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 10:58 pm Just heard that the MO Senate Appropriations Committee removed the $70 million in federal funding that could have been used to develop the 144-mile Rock Island corridor. Senators said the trail would encourage trespassing and violate landowners' property rights.

Bummer. Really hope this stays alive


https://www.newstribune.com/news/2022/m ... and-trail/

GRID wrote: ↑Sat May 21, 2022 2:01 pm

freedog wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 10:58 pm Just heard that the MO Senate Appropriations Committee removed the $70 million in federal funding that could have been used to develop the 144-mile Rock Island corridor. Senators said the trail would encourage trespassing and violate landowners' property rights.

Bummer. Really hope this stays alive


https://www.newstribune.com/news/2022/m ... and-trail/

That is a bummer. Would be a great trail. On a side note. Whoever made this map really thinks the StL metro is that much bigger than KC?

freedog wrote: ↑Thu May 19, 2022 10:58 pm Just heard that the MO Senate Appropriations Committee removed the $70 million in federal funding that could have been used to develop the 144-mile Rock Island corridor. Senators said the trail would encourage trespassing and violate landowners' property rights.

Bummer. Really hope this stays alive


https://www.newstribune.com/news/2022/m ... and-trail/

gfenn11 wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 4:37 pm Sorry for the stupid question- which trails in the metro are paved (if any at all)? Would love to get in on riding them, but am doing my best to not have to get a 2nd bike to enjoy.

gfenn11 wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 4:37 pm Sorry for the stupid question- which trails in the metro are paved (if any at all)? Would love to get in on riding them, but am doing my best to not have to get a 2nd bike to enjoy.

FlippantCitizen wrote: ↑Tue May 24, 2022 9:19 am

gfenn11 wrote: ↑Mon May 23, 2022 4:37 pm Sorry for the stupid question- which trails in the metro are paved (if any at all)? Would love to get in on riding them, but am doing my best to not have to get a 2nd bike to enjoy.

Someone with more knowledge might chime in but the Indian Creek and Tomahawk Creek trails in Johnson county are paved. The Trolley Track Trail is a kind of very fine hard pack of rock and dirt. In dry weather I imagine any bike could do it. Not sure though cause I'm not exactly a bike expert. I ride a 20 year old mountain bike that I was given by an older neighbor. I fixed it up and put some more street oriented tires on it.