Hit the hills for fun & adventure
By Matt Brown, Special to The Gazette
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sometimes our idea of adventure and fitness starts and ends in the living room recliner watching Bear Grylls on “Man vs. Wild” trekking through some exotic jungle, desert or mountain range.
Adventure and fitness, in reality, can start right out our own back door where there is a gold mine destination most of us fail to classify as a worthy destination. This destination is the Flint Hills.
Today the Flint Hills are sparsely populated and contain most of the remaining tallgrass prairie in the world. So how do you go about discovering this jewel? First of all, don’t make the classic mistake of discovering this area by car. Most of us would agree the pace of our day-to-day lives is already faster than we can manage.
Plus the beauty and majesty of the Flint Hills will only be lost through a tinted glass window and even more skewed as it passes by at 40-plus mph.
How else to discover it, you ask? Well how about on a bicycle? Yes, I do mean the two-wheeled thing you use to ride around on as a youngster before you had a driver’s license. No, this is not an impossible task and, yes, you are going to have to exercise.
Hey the diet pills and Lean Cuisine meals probably have not worked miracles yet, so why not try a bicycle.
Get started
Here’s how to start.
First, you need a bike. Bikes come in several shapes, types and sizes and a retail bike shop can recommend and explain all the differences as well as properly sizing and outfitting you for your Flint Hills exploration.
Next, start short and slow. Too many times we jump into a new routine of exercise and we go too hard and too long too soon. This will lead to overexertion and eventually burnout. A good rule of thumb is not to increase your mileage by 10 percent per week. This new diet and exploration plan shouldn’t be turned into a summer goal — make it a lifetime goal.
Take your time, slow down and take in the Flint Hills.
Get motivated
Here are a few tips on how to get motivated. One idea is to ride and share this experience with a friend or friends. Getting out the door is sometimes the hardest part of any exercise but a riding partner will help keep you on track. Plus you need someone there to snap photos of you standing amidst the rolling green hills.
Then come Monday morning you will have photos to prove to your co-worker that you rode X number of miles out in the Flint Hills on your weekend off.
Most of us are also motivated if we have a goal in mind. For example, the Flint Hills are home to five great rides that you can plot on your calendar for a goal to complete. Again, start slow and short. It would be wise to start with the shorter distances and work your way up.
The Freedom Ride
When: Takes place annually in November in conjunction with the Veteran’s Day celebration. This year’s date is still to be determined.
Where: Starts and finishes at Soden’s Grove Park, Emporia
Distance: Two options — 15 or 30 miles.
Other: This ride will take riders just into the leading edge of the Flint Hills, just enough to give you a taste and motivate you for more.
More info: www.emporiamainstreet.com
The Olpe DownHome Ride
When: Takes place annually in July in conjunction with the DownHome Olpe Celebration. This year it takes place on July 11.
Where: Starts and finishes in Olpe
Distance: Two options — 15 or 30 miles.
Other: This ride is the same caliber as the Freedom Ride and a great ride for riders of all skill levels.
More info: (620) 475-3780
The Twin Rivers Ride
When: To take place Fourth of July weekend in conjunction with the Twin Rivers Celebration. This is the inaugural and the date is to be determined.
Where: Starts and finishes in Emporia
Distance: around 15 miles
Other: This ride is the same caliber as the freedom ride and the downhome olpe ride and a great ride for riders of all skill levels.
More info: www.emporiamainstreet.com
The Death Ride
When: Takes place annually in July. this year it takes place on July 26.
Where: Starts and finishes in Madison
Distance: Length varies year to year. Usually 70-plus miles.
Other: The Death Ride route goes through some of the most scenic areas of the Flint Hills and is recommended for more experienced and well-prepared riders.
More Info: www.flinthillsdeathrie.com
Dirty Kanza 200
When: Takes place annually in the month of May. This year it’s May 30.
Where: Starts and finishes in Emporia
Distance: 200 miles in one day.
Other: This ride is only open to Elite Riders.
More Info: www.heartlandrace.com
So imagine the Flint Hills, fitness, friends and fun rides and it’s all within a pedal stroke. A chance to exercise your mind, body and spirit. If this isn’t motivation enough, I don’t know what is.
Shape Up, Emporia! is a weekly fitness and health column aimed at readers of all ages to get off the couch and get into shape. Each week will feature a fitness, health or nutrition professional from around the area who will share some friendly tips on how to improve your overall health. Our goal is to make getting in shape fun and easy to fit into your existing lifestyle and daily routine.
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