features
HITTING
TRAILS
THE
Lawrence biking enthusiasts make tracks on area trails.
Xumi Chikamori / KANSAN
Brandon Jones, Lyndon sophomore, runs fast on the Northshore Overlook bike trail at Clinton Lake. Jones is one of the many bikers who took advantage of a trail at Clinton Lake Sunday afternoon.
By Megan Poplinger Special to the Kansan
B
ikers are leaving the Lawrence roads to tackle the jumps and turns on dirt trails at Clinton Lake and the Kansas River levee.
The bike trail on the north bank of the Kansas River is used by between 100 and 200 riders every
The trail, which stretches approximately eight to 10 miles, was originally used by motorcyclists, but it has been used solely by mountain bikers and hikers in the late 1980s. Motorcycles were banned from from the trail at that time by the city, which owns the land, Davis said.
day during the summer, said Geoff Davis, employee at Sunflower Bike Shop and founder of the Mountain Bike Lawrence club, which was established five years ago.
In the early 1900s, the trails became so overgrown that those who dared to take them in the summer risked poison ivy and serious cuts. Davis said. So he and other members of Mountain Bike Lawrence began cutting back the vegetation and cleaning up the trail.
However, the floods of the summer of 1993 wiped out much of the group's work, which Davis said discouraged him, but other members of the club got motivated.
"It all grows back," said Davis.
During cleanup some of the workers were concerned about the environmental risks of a forging bike trail through the woods. But Davis said that from his experience, work on the trails was not permanently damaging.
The people who use the trails appreciated the group's work.
Brandon Johnson, Prairie Village senior, said he enjoyed the levee trails more than those at Clinton Lake. He said they are smoother and wider, but they still have various jumps and turns.
"They don't make me feel as bad because I don't have to stop as much," said Johnson, who had just finished riding a trail at Clinton and was resting in the grass.
Jason Anderson, Topeka senior, said that he did much of his riding at the river because it was within biking distance of his home. It is well-maintained, and he can ride home on the gravel roads that meet up with the trail's end, he said.
However, Anderson said that he sometimes goes out to Clinton when he wants more of a challenge and when
he has the time to drive out to the park.
Dave Rhoades, the Clinton Park Manager, said that the Northshore Overlook trail is the only trail at the park that allows bikes, and it is approximately seven miles long one way. Bikers need to be sure that they are on the correct trail out at Clinton because, if caught on the horse trail, park rangers will issue a $40 citation.
"Clinton is a much, much harder trail to maintain speed on because of the rocks and obstacles in the way," said Anderson.
The park keeps horse trails separate from the bike trail because horses are easily spooked by bikes. Horses also quickly tear up trails with their hooves and manure, Rhoades said.
The trail was originally made by a local hiking group, and it has been open to bikes for the last three or four years. Since its opening, the trail have
attracted more and more interest each year, Rhoades said.
The interest in mountain biking has grown so much that it will be an exhibition sport in the Olympics for the first time in 1996.
Mountain bike racing also will be an event in the Sunflower State Games for the third year in a row, said Judy Davis, a supporter of Mountain Bike Lawrence.
Judy Davis said that it took mountain biking a long time to be included in the Sunflower games and that since it has been added it has gained validity.
The Sunflower State Games race will take place Saturday July 30 in Lawrence on the levee trail.
She said that mountain biking was not normally a sport identified with Kansas but that the game officials realized there were good mountain biking trails in the state.
Trailsafetytips
Weara helmet
Donotride alone in case you have an accident
- Wear closed-toed shoes, tight shorts and gloves
have an accident
■ Wear closed-toed shoes. tight
Tune bike at least once a year
Never ride on wet trails
Neverride on wettrails
Source: Sunflower Ride Shop KANBAN
Rulesofthe trail
Ride on open trails only
Leave the trail in the condition
Control yourbicycle
Always yield to other people on the trail
Neverspookanimals
Source: int' Mountain Biking Assn. KAINSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
People and places at the University of Kansas.
calendar
NIGHTLIFE
The Bottleneck
737 New Hampshire St.
Walking on Einstein and
Sunday Drive, tonight, $3
The Firm and Hat Full of
Rain 7 n.m tomorrow $1
Shower Trick and Vitreous Humor, tomorrow,
$4
White Trash, Friday; call 841-5483 for times and prices.
Scotty Rhythm Band, Saturday; call for times and prices.
Chubby Smith and his Orchestra, Ricky Dean
* Sinatra, skimmers and Arkansas
The Jazzhaus
926 1/2 Massachusetts St.
Whitey, Thursday through Saturday.
Call 749-3320 for times and prices.
Mulligan's
1016 Massachusetts St.
Acoustic open mike, tonight Uncle Dirtytoes, tomorrow To be announced, Friday, Saturday Call 865-4055 for more information.
CAMPUS EVENTS
Swarthout Recital Hall Midwestern Music Camp Faculty/Staff Recital, 8 tonight, tomorrow, free
Lied Center
Midwestern Music Camp, Jazz Ensemble,
7:30 p.m. Friday
Midwestern Music Camp, performances by two choirs, three bands and an orchestra 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday
COMMUNITY EXHIBITS
Lawrence Arts Center 200 W. Ninth St.
Summer Arts Classes
Show, today through July 8
Art Guild All-Member Show, July 1 through Aug.5