KCBike.Info » Mountain biking

Smithville trails vandalized

Eric — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:04:13 +0000

The popular Smithville Lake mountain bike trails have suffered several acts of vandalism recently. The hard working volunteers who build and maintain the trails are asking for your help finding the vandals.

New section of Swope Park trails opens on National Trails Day

Eric — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:00:05 +0000

A new section of singletrack on the Swope Park trail system is opening on Saturday, which is also National Trails Day. The official ribbon cutting with City dignitaries will be at 9:00 a.m.

The new 1.7 mile section brings the total Swope network up to 8.5 miles. Kudos to all the volunteers at EarthRiders Trails Association for their hard work on this excellent and growing trail system!

Check the list of National Trails Day events for a celebration in your part of the city.

Bike Source open house and Race Across the Sky screening to benefit Swope Trails

Eric — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:20:57 +0000

Next week is a great opportunity to check out Kansas City’s newest local bike shop and support the development of the trail system at Swope Park. Bike Source is opening a second location in the Ranch Mart center at 95th in Mission in Overland Park. The new store’s open house on February 17th features a special screening of the epic mountain bike movie Race Across the Sky, to benefit the Swope Trails.

In addition to the movie, the open house features Boulevard Beer, an appearance by world mountain bike champion Ned Overend, and a raffle for a Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 29er.

Bike Source Ranch Mart open house
Thursday, February 17th, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Race Across the Sky shows at 7:00 p.m. in the adjacent Leawood Theatre.
Movie tickets $5 in advance at www.fineartsgroup.com or $8 at door,
limited to first 500 people to buy tickets.

More details at swopetrails.blogspot.com.

Smithville Lake trails closed for deer hunt this weekend

Eric — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:39:39 +0000

This weekend the paved, mountain bike, and hiking trails at Smithville Lake will be closed for the Corps of Engineers’ semi-annual managed deer hunt.

Details at Smithville Lake Trails blog.

EarthRiders Trails Association receives conservation award

Eric — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:24:31 +0000

ERTA has received an important conservation award from KC WildLands, recognizing the trail builder’s efforts to provide access to urban greenspace and preserve natural areas in in the Blue River corrider from Swope Park to southern Kansas City.

Read about the award.

Trail work days coming up, it’s time to Earn Your Dirt

Eric — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:59:48 +0000

Did you know that Kansas City’s extensive mountain bike trail network is built and maintained entirely by volunteers? Unlike other recreation facilities, singletrack isn’t provided any city or county government. This means each it’s up to each of us who enjoy mountain biking, hiking, or trail running to donate a few hours of our time this fall and winter to keep local trails in good condition.

EarthRiders Trails Association has organized four city-wide work days for trails at Swope Park, Smithville Lake, Shawnee Mission Park, and Landahl Park from November through March. These trails and others will also have several local work days throughout the season, and Smithvilletrails.com has those details.

This article gives you a preview of what to expect when you volunteer.

Stay tuned to www.earnyourdirt.org for more volunteer opportunities and updates on trails near you.

Two great cyclcocross videos from the KC Cup

Eric — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:32:07 +0000

Check out some cool vids from last weekend’s KC Cup Cyclocross and Mountain Bike Festival in Swope Park. First up is an montage form Keith Walberg. Second is a first-person helmet cam view from Britton Kusiak, owner of Volker Bicycles.

KC Cup Cyclocross, 2010 from Keith Walberg on Vimeo.

View on ExposureRoom

Big weekend showcases much of our local bike culture

Eric — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:09:36 +0000

Plaza Library bike parking

If you thought last weekend was big for bicycling in Kansas City, this weekend is even bigger. Events all over the metro area will give you a very big slice of local culture. There’s something for almost every persuasion, whether it’s spandex, fixed gear, singletrack, trails, or kids.

Friday

Park(ing) Day on Friday turns parking spaces into people spaces for a day. Locations in Downtown, UMKC, and Independence.

Saturday-Sunday

KC Cup Festival is a huge mountain bike and cyclocross race and race in Swope Park. Races for all ages and skill levels. Check out the progress one of the midwest’s only urban singletrack.

Swap Meet at Bike America in Overland Park promises some great deals.

Saturday

Pub ‘n’ Pedal Alleycat returns for its 4th annual photo scavenger hunt. This one is always a great time and great way to get out experience your city. Get your team together now!

Independence Family Bike Ride shows off the city’s new Rock Creek Trail.

Buffalo Bill Century in Leavenworth tours most of the Kansas side of the metro area.

Upcoming: new trail, swap meet, MTB Race, political fund raiser

Eric — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:02 +0000

A roundup of the next few days…

Thursday, July 22nd: Groundbreaking for Waterfall Park Trail in Independence
5:30 p.m. behind Nature’s Pantry, 19019 40 Highway. City officials will begin work on a new trail connecting Waterfall Park to the popular Little Blue Trace Trail and creating pedestrian access across I-470/291.

Saturday, July 25th: Bicycle Swap Meet
From sunrise to mid-afternoon at El Torreon Ballroom, 31st and Gillham on Union Hill.

Saturday, July 25th: Tour de Lizard mountain bike race
All day in Arkansas City, KS. Details here.

Thursday, July 29th: Fund raiser for Coucilmember Russ Johnson
5:00-7:30 p.m at Chapell’s Restaurant, 323 Armour Road, NKC. Support a KCMO City Councilmember who supports bicyclists.

KC Star features Swope trail builders

Eric — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:44:32 +0000

Today’s KC Star has a big story on the new mountain bike trails at Swope Park being developed by EarthRiders Trails Association. ERTA is planning what will likely be the longest urban single-track network anywhere in the country. Eventually 56 miles of singletrack will stretch from around 70th Street in Swope Park to 135th Street in far south Kansas City.

7 of a planned 20 miles are already finished at Swope. Work has also begun on a 20 mile system of connector trails that will go to Red Bridge Road and connect Swope with the 16 miles of singletrack already in place along the Blue River.

Swope Park Trails

KCBike.Info’s Regional Trails Map.