Day 38 – Burlington, KS to Garnett, KS

Miles today – 41

Total miles – 2267

Today was shaping up to be, well...boring.  But one never knows what lies around the corner.

I am no longer using The Adventure Cycling Association maps so have been using Google Maps to figure out how to get from point A to point B.  What I have learned in the last two days is that there is really no good way to go west to east in eastern Kansas.  This morning I rode into “downtown” Burlington looking for breakfast only to discover that there were no restaurants in town.  I returned north of town and had a breakfast burrito at Sonic, a first for me.  I headed out of town under cloudy skies and a light drizzle.  The forecast was for scattered showers all morning.  Following my handwritten map (the motel didn’t have a printer) I continued on the paved road until I took the first turn which I was surprised to see had a gravel surface. I was sure that this was just transitional to the next paved road but when I got the next turn, a road that I would be on for 8 miles, was also gravel…and the bridge was out.

 Google really doesn’t distinguish between paved and gravel surfaces.  My next turn came when the road came to a dead end.  Left or right? Hum?  Then a voice from the small house on the corner asked, “Are you lost?”  This gentleman assumed I was lost because nobody uses these roads unless it’s harvest season.  I answered, “No, surprisingly I know exactly where I am.”  He approached across the lawn and introduced himself as Chuck.  He worked in Garnett and farmed 10 acres out here in the country.  He asked me where I was headed and suggested an alternative route but couldn’t tell me the names of some of the roads. Chuck was concerned that I would be riding on route 169 which he told me was a narrow two lane road with no shoulder and used by local trucks.  I just wanted to get off gravel and it was Sunday so I was hoping traffic wouldn’t be too heavy.  I decided to stay with my original plan.  He asked me why I was out here in the middle of nowhere riding a bicycle and I explained that I was riding to raise money and awareness of arthritis. He asked me if I was accepting donations so I reached to give him a card and he said, “No, will you take a donation now?” Reaching for this wallet he handed me some cash and wished me a safe journey.  Thanks, Chuck!

The weather was improving.  I rode on with some trepidation about what route 169 would be like.  Then I encountered the biggest surprise of the day.  As I rode through the small hamlet of Welda I noticed a road sign with a picture of a bicycle…curious.  I rode a few more yards and discovered that I arrived at the Welda trailhead of the Prairie Spirit Trail.  This is a Rails-to-Trails bike path that extends from Iola, KS to Ottawa, KS and just happens to run parallel to the dreaded Route 169.  I confirmed this fact with two bike riders, Bill and Chris, who were out for a Sunday ride.  They confirmed that I could ride the trail the whole way into Garnett…cool. The three of us decided to ride together to Garnett and Chris directed me to the road that leads to my motel. 

The Garnett Inn and RV Park.  I was greeted by Charlie who noticed my riding jersey and started asking lots of questions about my ride and the Arthritis Foundation.  We talked about his family members who had arthritis.  Later Charlie offered to drive to the local convenience store and pick up some supplies that I needed for tomorrow.  I gave him a list and as soon as he was off duty, off he went.  He also informed me that he would be interviewing me and taking my picture tomorrow so that the local paper could do an article about my ride.  Charlie has things under control here in Garnett, KS.

Tomorrow promises more gravel roads as I try to get to Missouri.

David

July 12, 2009