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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Entertainment
Monday
August 17, 1998
Section:
C
Page 1
WWW.KANSAN.COM/NEWS/SPORTS
Lakes bring outdoors near
Clinton Lake offers many opportunities for water fun, such as sailing. The lake is located west of Clinton Parkway. Photo by Roger Nomer/KA NSAN
Bv Vanessa Whiteside
Kansan staff writer
Nature lovers seeking outdoor adventures do not have to go more than four miles outside of Lawrence.
Clinton Lake is located west of Clinton Parkway on E-900 road. The lake, developed as a flood-control project in 1971, has become a destination for camping, fishing, swimming, biking and other outdoor activities.
"There is a little bit of everything out here with a variety of scenes and parks to enjoy," said David Rhoades. Clinton Lake Park manager.
Clinton State Park is on the north side of the lake and is managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Information is available at the park's visitor center about the park's nature trails, waterfowl, reptiles and other animals.
The four largest camping sites at the park and their fees include:
Bloomington-$6 for an overnight stay that includes use of picnic facilities, restrooms and showers.
The area around Clinton Lake is home to many forms of wildlife, from Monarch butterflies to the more exotic. There are natural trails around the lake to observe these animals. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
Rockhaven-$4 to $6 for designated tent or trailer spaces that includes use of restrooms, showers and 50 miles of forested and open-field trails.
- Woodridge-Free for year-round tent camping near open-field and shoreline trails. Restroom and water supply available.
Overlook-$25 to $100 for a no-camping reservable area with picnic facilities, hiking and bicycle trails. Restrooms and water supply available.
Those interested in swimming, boating, skiing or fishing must follow several regulations.
Swimmers should swim only in designated swimming areas and should not swim alone or by boat docks and ramps.
Water skiing or riding personal watercrafts is illegal from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
■ Negligent boat operation includes wake jumping, speeding and how riding.
- Observe motorboat versus sailboat right of way rules.
- Kansas state license and park fees vary depending on the type of fishing and time spent in water areas.
Lone Star Lake and Park, located three and a half miles south of Clinton Lake, off County Route 1, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Campsite reservations are not needed.
The same state rules and regulations apply at Loneset with the following exceptions:
A permit is required for camping April 1 - Sept. 15.
Camping is not allowed September 16- March 31.
A three-day fishing permit is $3 and a year-round permit is $10
Camping is $5 to $10 per day with or without electricity.
- Boating permits are $5 for county residents and $20 for nonresidents.
For more information on Clinton Lake and Park call 843-7665. Lone Star Lake and Park hotline is 748-0927, or call the Douglas County Public Works Department at 832-5293.
Clinton Lake offers many opportunities for water fun, such as sailing. The lake is located west of Clinton Parkway. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
Bike trails challenge riders to follow road rules
Barry Horton, Lawrence resident, visits the river trail in North Lawrence. Members of the Lawrence Cruiser Club gather every third Saturday to maintain the trail. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazza/KANSAN
Barry Horizon takes to the river trail. Local riders enjoy the trails, which are smooth enough for beginners, but they are also challenging for fast riding experts. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazzo/KANSAN
By Both Janes
Kansas staff writer
Green trees and weeds surround riders. Pedaling deeper into the center of the woods, sweat drips from under their helmets as they quickly maneuver around a fallen tree. The insects sing as if cheering riders on while going up hills and over rocks.
Martell began riding mountain bikes before they were made. He would add gears to old fat-tire Schwinns, transforming them into off-road bikes. After moving to Lawrence years later, he founded the Lawrence Cruiser Club which doesn't entirely focus on racing, but more on the social and recreational aspect of the sport.
"The river trail was one of the main reasons I moved to Lawrence," said Curtis Martell, a self-described mountain biking expert. "It's a lot of fun to ride. It's real twisty and fast steep."
"I have friends who travel around riding, and they love the trails here," he said. "Both the river trail and the trails at Clinton Lake are really good."
Martell, who has worked in bike shops, promoted races and held various jobs involving biking, said that the nine mile river trail, which begins at Eighth Street and Oak in North Lawrence, was one of the best in the Midwest.
The Clinton Lake trails extend 25 miles from the Corps of Engineers Overlook Park into the State Park. Martell
Martell advises people interested in the sport to join a club. Meeting and riding with expert riders and asking questions is a great way to learn, he said.
"The other way is to just go out and ride. You'll learn a heck of a lot just riding." he said.
"Those are hard trails," he said. "The river trail is more smooth and fast. It's great for beginners but also a challenge for experts because you can get going very fast."
Greg Schroeder, president of the Cruiser Club, said that the club welcomes bikers of all abilities.
"It's made up of people of all ages, shapes and sizes. When you join a club it doesn't matter if your 50 pounds over weight," he said. "Your welcomed in."
Both Schroeder and Martell welcome beginners, but said there were things to learn before taking to the trails. The two encourage all bikers to wear helmets and follow one-way signs on trails to avoid head-on collisions.
said that the Clinton trails were technical with rocks and narrow paths, that made for an extreme ride.
Martell said that many bikers also don't know that they could be damaging a trail by riding when it was too wet.
mud, it will eat your bike."
"If mud sticks to your tires, the trail is to wet," he said. "A lot of people think it's cool to ride in the mud, but it does unrepairable damage to the trails. And because there is so much sand in the
Schroeder insists that having the best or most expensive equipment isn't necessary and shouldn't be the focus of the sport.
"Riding is the cool part. It's not about having the best bike," he said. "This isn't something you can buy your way
into. Only doing the sport will make you healthy and good."
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Several bikers gather at the river trail parking lot at 9 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month to maintain the trail. For more information on helping or the Cruiser Club, contact Curtis Martell at 843-5118.
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