Two Things

Flint Hills 2017

Change of Plan

This was the week I was planning on doing the Legends of Gravel ride. Unfortunately, this did not happen. 

I know I am a bit disappointed in this, as were a couple of fellows from up here who were planing on going. Trouble was there wasn't enough interest to carry the effort and expense the promoter was putting into holding this event. 

There are a lot of complications to the reason why this event was cancelled. I will not speculate or share anything detailed here concerning this. I will just point out that this was not "my event", and since I wasn't in charge of anything, I have nothing to add to or take away from the cancellation decision. That part was out of my hands, as was anything having to do with the event besides my willingness to attend it. 

I love the Flint Hills. I love riding there. It is a really awesome, challenging area to ride gravel. Maybe I'll get back there someday. The thing is, this is a big trip for us now. It's hard due to our current circumstances to get away and leave two cats behind. Not to mention our daughter who doesn't drive. I won't even get into work schedules. So, I'm not holding my breath concerning any big trips in the near future. 

Hail immediately after the storm on 4/14/26

Severe Stretch:

 April is acting like May now, or at least for the past week it has been. This brought daily thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and high winds. 

Not a good time to be out in the country on long rides on gravel. Thursday we got a reprieve, so I ventured out. Otherwise on Tuesday I spent two hours on the Big Dummy running a couple of errands before the big storm hit in the afternoon. 

 Several friends and acquaintances had windshields blown out by golf ball sized hail and larger. Cars were dented beyond belief in some cases as well. We escaped with a few dings to the 4Runner, which has to sit outdoors. 

It looks like we are in for a more seasonal stretch here which I hope will allow for more country rides. But for now, this nonsense has me on edge a bit.