Thursday, July 07, 2011

Lenexa Midnight Bike Ride - 2011

I've been quite displeased with the official Lenexa Midnight Bike Ride route ever since they took it away from old town Lenexa, routing through the Meritex caves. In 2009, they let everyone dodge toddlers in the dark on the hilly, arduous and banal Shawnee Mission Park circuit. Lame.  Last year, they started and ended at Black Hoof Park. I like Black Hoof Park, but it's not a cave, and it's not a particularly interesting route at night.  This year, they're switching it up a little, but not by much. It's taking place in the same part of Lenexa.

With how crazy work was from the middle of May through the end of June, I lacked the mental and physical wherewithal to prepare a Lenexa Midnight Bike Ride revolt for the 3rd year in a row.

All this, and we still haven't had a Dark Side Ride at all this summer. I'm jonesing for some dark time on a bicycle. So, what to do?

Every year at pretty much any big event (charity walks, club rides, triathlons, etc), the amateur radio operators in the community volunteer their time, skills and equipment to help ensure the event's coordination and safety. So I volunteered bicycle mobile communications support for this years event. Perhaps the coordinator will have me stationed in one place, or maybe they'll want me to roam. Who knows. Either way, I'll be mixing up bicycling, geolocation (with APRS) and amateur radio. Maybe I'll see you there.

If you're around and also an amateur radio operator, I'll be listening on 446.000 (simplex) as well as the repeater being used for coordination of the event. Feel free to key up on UHF and say hi.

Also: We really need a Dark Side Ride and a bike camping trip, post haste.

4 comments:

Chris Miller said...

Please do a bike camping trip! I have stuff, I just don't want to do my first trip solo :P.

Noah said...

commuterDude and I have a group bicycle camping plan. Middle Creek, just south of Louisburg. Mid-day (late morning?) departure from JoCo Saturday the 30th. Return after breakfast Sunday morning. Not sure if it's a solid plan yet, but eeh. Email me some contact details (using the form on the right side of my site) and I'll keep you posted.

Warren T said...

I looked at this year's LMBR route and am just not interested. It looks like a wonderful ride for families with younger kids. I'm going to see if I can work in the June 30th thing; sounds fun.

HesyCat said...

Yeah. It hasn't been the same. I live over in Lees Summit and I sure am not driving to Lenexa to partake in a 6 mile bike ride. 1.5 hours in a car for a 15 minute ride.

Make it longer or throw in a cave and I'd be there.

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