I rode three times today. None of the rides drained a battery. I was trying to be productive and entertained and wasn't working at riding hard. I headed South on the sidewalk and then rode as slow as I could, without falling over, back to town on the state highway siding. I stopped and tossed anything that looked like it could cause a flat. That took almost an entire hour. I then rode my old loop two more times and came home and had some lunch and a couple of brews. I was surprised at the small amount of potential piercing debris I found. I might have missed some but it is as clean as I can get it without walking the four plus miles with my backpack blower.
I was feeling so chipper after my morning's work that I suited up and went riding again.
This time I headed North and followed the route I described last night. Google maps left some areas a mystery but I had it figured / guessed correctly. Once I crossed the river using the bridge, the sidewalk indeed took a loop under the bridge and I was on the West bank of the river. I rode North a couple of miles and then turned around and rode back home. There was a stiff South wind I would have to battle on my return leg and I didn't want to run short of battery.
It was fun riding where I had never been before. The sidewalk along the East side of the river is mostly wooded. It is pretty secluded and sad to say it has its share of bums or gypsies or whatever label you want to put on the homeless. I didn't see dire scenarios. In fact, one guy looked up from his family size sack of potato chips and waved at me with his Bud Light bottle. He was sitting in his underwear only and looked quite pleased. Looking beyond the inhabitants, it was an interesting ride. The land, I'm guessing, floods now and then. It is low and basically left untouched and undeveloped beyond the sidewalk, the river, the band of trees, and an old railroad track. The sidewalk makes good use of the land and for the most part it is well kept. As I rode out of the wooded area there was a housing addition to the East. They were kept a safe distance from the river. I rode beside a meadow that had been mowed. Once I was on the West side of the river there was some development. There is a very old park I rode beside. I also rode by a complex of maybe ten or more volley ball courts in the sand from the river. It was a fun to ride that stretch and I plan to ride it when it isn't so windy and with my best battery. I was only three miles South of the cool stuff downtown. I'd like to see some of the statues and the keeper of the plains monument. There is a lot to see in town. I was just afraid I might run short of battery getting home or I'd have done a bit more exploring today.
I rode again tonight. Weather was threatening so I only made one loop and came home.
I logged 69 miles today
Pic of me and one of the oldest bridges left in Wichita
I came home, mowed my lawns, and fixed dinner early. I went riding following dinner and logged 42 miles. I shared the sidewalk with the runner I've mentioned. He was doing his thing while I was doing mine. There wasn't any other traffic on the sidewalk. I found a quarter and a pair of garden shears on the sidewalk today.