Sunflower Loop

david h · Post by **david h** » 13 Nov 2007 09:11

This might be the year for a ride I have been wanting to do for several years. If I can get at least one rider to join me, It,s gonna happen.

The plans are still in the works, but here is a brief rundown of what I have in mind. Gravel roads around the borders of Kansas for the route. Since I live in Lawrence I figured we would start somewhere around eastern Kansas. Camping and flea bag motels for nights. Around 300 miles a day average, or 10 hrs in the saddle, which ever comes first. I would guess any dual sport bike would do fine. I will be using a DR650 and a 50-50 tire for a smother ride. Early May works best for me, but could be talked into another time. It can get hot and nasty during the summer.

If you have any thoughts or want to join me, let me know.

David h

Post by **troy** » 13 Nov 2007 09:36

That is great, David!

I figure that loop would be at least 1,200 miles. At 300m/day, that's at least 4 days, but of course, that would be pushing very, very hard. So I assume you are figuring about a week?

ajayhawkfan · Post by **ajayhawkfan** » 13 Nov 2007 10:06

I would be interested. I have been thinking of doing the same thing.

However, I think 300 miles a day is really pushing it on gravel. In my experience, 200-225 miles is a full day when you take in meals, gas, photo stops and a little exploring (and with me a geocache or 5).

Motel to motel is more to my thinking but would camp if the place was unique. Early May could also be a possibility.

JaySoy · Post by **JaySoy** » 13 Nov 2007 13:19

I have to say, that looks horrible! It's like going to the mountains without having the mountains at the end!

ajayhawkfan · Post by **ajayhawkfan** » 13 Nov 2007 13:43

JaySoy wrote:I have to say, that looks horrible! It's like going to the mountains without having the mountains at the end!

You don't know what you are missing in KS. It is beautiful!

Post by **troy** » 13 Nov 2007 13:59

Uh....I've ridden thousands of miles of KS backroads, and seen some beautiful stuff. I do love Kansas. However, I have to agree with JaySoy on this one! Mountains in sight....turn around. ARGH!

...but let's not have this thread turn into a debate on the validity of the Sunflower Loop. Others have done it before, and David H wants to do it now. More power to him! I know I'd rather ride a loop around KS than sit here at my computer like I'm doing right now.

The Harm · Post by **The Harm** » 13 Nov 2007 14:50

This Sounds AWESOME!!! I took a gravel road route to Hays to see some friends last month and had a blast!!! I would be up for it, pending my work schedule. I love camping from a motorcycle! Do you have a route already planned??

ajayhawkfan · Post by **ajayhawkfan** » 13 Nov 2007 15:17

I would also like to do a "Show Me" Loop someday. Maybe I should let the KU-MU game decide which to do first, ride the winners state.

david h · Post by **david h** » 13 Nov 2007 16:43

Ajayhawkfan wrote:I would also like to do a "Show Me" Loop someday. Maybe I should let the KU-MU game decide which to do first, ride the winners state.

You would end up riding Kansas in that case, cause there are no winners, just Whiners from the show me state !!!! Well except for my dual sport friends that live there

. Just a joke

boys. Riding around the great state of Mo would be fun indeed.

Now back to this ride----------- I have some roads picked, but we can change them to fit what our group needs are. If we motel it ya gotta find one at the end of the day. and if we camp a good camping spot would be a great idea. I would also like to talk to some riders from the different areas of the state to get there take on what would be good.

We will have several months to get it sorted out, David h ( lover of the show me state)

ajayhawkfan · Post by **ajayhawkfan** » 13 Nov 2007 20:18

In Southwest KS there is a neat area called Cimarron National Grasslands. It is right on the Santa Fe Trail. You can still see the ruts and the all important middle spring. http://www.naturalkansas.org/cimarron.htm They have primitive camping. I don't recall if there is any facilities.

In west centeral KS a great place to camp would be at the Scott State Park that has the northernmost pueblo in the U. S. - El Cuartelejo. http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/state_ ... ions/scott http://www.kshs.org/portraits/cuartelejo_el.htm
It is in a canyon and is a beautiful place to visit and camp. When I have visited it is always a surprise to see the canyon.

Hayden · Post by **Hayden** » 14 Nov 2007 20:09

Hummmm this sounds very tempting.

Hayden

The Harm · Post by **The Harm** » 15 Nov 2007 14:46

Whats the hilly area north of ashland and south of clark lake?? Has anyone been there before??

safiri · Post by **safiri** » 15 Nov 2007 20:36

The Harm wrote:Whats the hilly area north of ashland and south of clark lake?? Has anyone been there before??

http://www.ashlandks.com/index.html

I believe that they are known alternately as either the Red Hills or Gypsum [Gyp] Hills. Probably the best scenery I saw in 5 one week trips (and 5 different routes) bicycling across KS (W to E). The bicycle rides were in early/mid June. The year we went through Ashland they had late rain, so the hills were lush green. Usually by that time they are turning brown.

The Flint Hills are near and dear to my heart, but the Gyp Hills are like the Flint's except with Buttes. Amazing. Don't miss that area if you are near.

Slowrider · Post by **Slowrider** » 17 Nov 2007 11:17

I would like to do this if it doesn't conflict with a ride in Utah that some of us are planning. I am pretty familiar with the backroads in the northwest counties. It would be fun if we could spend a half day or so riding several of the roads that run through the Arikaree Breaks, especially the one that takes you to the spot where three states touch (that would be Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado for the geographically challenged). I also have some relatives in the Goodland area that would be willing to let us either camp or sleep inside an air-conditioned building for however long we want to stay.

david h · Post by **david h** » 17 Nov 2007 15:41

Dennis G has said he is in for this ride. I wanted a 2nd person to ride with for safety reasons, and now that I have that the ride is a go. Several others have said maybe. For those of you that don,t know Dennis, he is the guy that went off the river road up by Atchison into a creek and broke his collar bone. It should be a comfort for all to know that he has agreed to be in charge of safety issues for the Sunflower loop

I am open to start the ride anytime from April 10 to May 15th. Anyone who is thinking about doing this ride let your preference be known about starting dates and if you would like to camp or motel it.

David h

Slowrider · Post by **Slowrider** » 19 Nov 2007 03:14

Camping vs Motel - There are a lot of Mom and Pop motels across Kansas and the prices are usually pretty reasonable, especially split two or three ways. It would save on the amount of stuff to haul along and it would also let the riders clean up after spending the day riding dusty or muddy roads. I enjoy camping though so either way is fine with me. The earlier dates work better for me.

xr-nut · Post by **xr-nut** » 20 Nov 2007 20:09

hey dave, i would like to come-but im guessing from a few of the posts here that this could be a stop and take pictures everywhere kinda ride. while im sure there are countless sites to see on the journey, i wonder if daves goal is to make the trip? not so much see everything on the way? if i know how you ride dave(and i think i can keep up) you should be able to do 300+ miles per day. if thats your intention-count me in. i will need dates ASAP so i can schedule a cover driver for the brown bus. tenting it works for me, if it means we ride till dark to make a few more miles! a shower at a motel every other day is ok too! the ol xr is still fresh from the colortour, just need to start working on the kitchen pass! later-joe

david h · Post by **david h** » 21 Nov 2007 07:58

April 19th will be the start date. If that is not good for anyone let me know and we could move it up or back a week. What I have in mind for this ride is to ride semi fast, not race speed and not stop at every photo op. Butt breaks every hour or so for just a couple of minutes, probably at a photo ops. Motels at least every other day, every day if rain or storms likely. Around 10 hrs per day and we ought to average 25-30 mph counting breaks and lunch. I know different people have different ideas on what would make this ride a good one, but these are mine. If I had several weeks I would shorten the days in the saddle and see every good site in more detail, but all I can spend is 6 or 7 days.

David h

safiri · Post by **safiri** » 21 Nov 2007 16:00

I can't go ...

but here is some info:
Topeka Capital Journal's top 10 sites in KS: http://cjonline.com/stories/050706/roa_top10.shtml
Gypsum Hills: http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Gypsum/gypsum1.html
A map of the byway ... I assume unimproved roads near/on/parallel would be good: http://www.ksbyways.org/Pages/Gypsum/gypsum2.html (IIRC Coldwater to Med Lodge was awesome).

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