0 Traveling by bicycle with KC Bicycle Touring

Welcome KC Bicycle Tourers! 

Billy Poindexter

Many of you may have  experience bike touring and some have none- and that is ok! 

We want you to get an idea of what it takes, whether you are going out for a S24O (sub 24hour overnight trip) or a multi day/week/ month tour it is good to know what to expect!

We want to inspire and empower you to learn how to travel by bicycle!

We are here to teach you how much fun it is to travel under your own steam. Bicycle Touring has been happening since bicycles were in vented in the late 1800s.

People of all ages can to it! 

All you need is a sound bike, good health, and some wanderlust in your soul!

Randy Rasa at Hillsdale Lake (photo by Bill Poindexter)

Flint Hills last year, we rode on paved and 
gravelMost of the rides 
with KC Adventure Cycling will be s24o rides:

Many of our rides will be s24o's.

s24o is an abbreviation for sub-twenty-four-overnight, a style of bicycle camping promoted by Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works as an easy way to spend more time outside on a bike. Unlike conventional touring, the s24o encourages going on short (sub twenty-four hour) camping trips. The logic being that if it is short and uncomplicated, it is easier to arrange and easier to make happen. Typically this happens on bicycles and only necessary gear is brought.

Detour because of a bridge wash out on
Flint Hills Nature Trail

For example:

Our typical s24o ride:
All riders meet at Family Bicycles at 7337 Wornall Road on Saturday morning and we do a quick gear check.

Then we ride, as a group to a specific location (e.g. Hillsdale Lake, Clinton State Park, Perry Lake, Weston Bend State Park, or other fishing lakes, or private property we have been invited to.)

We then set up camp, prepare meals, swim, explore, play, play some more, light a fire, tell ghost stories, eat 

smores, maybe go for a hike or night ride, or just relax and enjoy the company of stars.

A s24o camp at fishing lake south of Louisburg, KS

Next morning we get up, make breakfast, break camp, and head back to KC going the same way we came or taking an alternative route home.

Most s24o's will be 30 to 65 miles one way, so it is important to get some mileage under your bum ahead of time. Our pace will be conversational, about 11-12mph average as we will be carrying gear.

We will ride on paved roads and gravel roads on most of the rides, but will let you know in the pre ride description.

These rides are meant to be adventurous, so come with a good attitude and a willingness to adapt to any challenges that may arise: detours, bad weather, gear issues, etc.




We will have fun! It is important to note you will be responsible of yourself, so it is VERY important to have a bike in excellent mechanical condition, spare tubes of flats, your own gear and food, and a bail out plan if you need to leave the ride for some reason. Also have emergency information on your person...just in case.

Safety is a issue, so we want you to play it safe!

Bad weather can be an issue so pack your rain gear!

RESOURCES:

One resource you should explore is the Adventure Cycling Association! They are invaluable when it

come to bicycle touring and it is worth joining the ACA. You can also receive a free copy of there Adventure Cyclist Magazine ( My favorite magazine!). Click the link on the right hand column. 

(We are a separate organization from the ACA.)

Don't put off that long-distance (or short) bike tour! You can do it! To get you started, Adventure Cycling teamed up with America ByCycle to produce this fun overview of how to prepare for your long-distance cycling adventure. Strap on your helmet and get ready for the ride of a lifetime!

Here is what a typical s24o might look like, well if you lived in Portand, but you will get the gist!

Well thats enough for now, see you on the road soon!