Backroads Touring - June 2, 2012

June 2, 2012 .... Ride day in the Flint Hills! Riding in from the Wichita area were: Henry Harvey - Moto Guzzi, Chris Owens - Triumph Tiger, Steve Starkel - Husqvarna TE630, Mick Harrison - KLR650, Jim Sybole - KLX250S, Bruce Leach - WR250R, Jason Murray - Yamaha Tenere, and Roger Baugh - KLX250S. Joining us in Cassoday were: Bob Morgan - Topeka - WR250R, Ron Grundy - Eureka - DR-Z400, and Michael Farmer - Emporia - WR250R. While in Cassoday, we also had a chance to visit with fellow riders Greg Mitchell of Emporia, Jim Foley of Shawnee, and Larry Ostrom of Concordia.

No, the large crowds photographed in Cassoday were not there to greet us ... it was the running of the Dirty Kanza 200 bicycle race. 350 bicyclists were taking on the hills and gravel roads of the Flint Hills, and doing a hundred miles per day on muscle power alone. The cyclists we encountered today showed exceptional athleticism and spirit.

Riding to the southeast, then north out of Cassoday, we rode to Teter Rock to view the wild mustangs. From there, Ron Grundy ran us through some exceptional areas of Greenwood county, eventually leading us into Eureka and lunch at the Copper Kettle. Leaving Eureka, we then rode south to Beaumont for a brief stop, then rode west to the 1885 iron bridge at Bois d'Arc. For those of us riding out of the Wichita area, the tripmeters were showing about 225 miles for the day.

Wildlife was abundant. On three occasions, deer crossed in front of our rolling patrol. In one instance, a young whitetail buck ran parallel with us for well over a quarter of a mile ... quite a memorable experience to keep pace with such a swift animal. The wildflowers are a blaze of color throughout the hills this year, too.

Perfect weather, an ever changing pallette of scenery, no mechanical issues or mishaps .... just one of those fine days to be out riding!

... rb

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