Flint Hills Nature Trail -- Pomona east to Iowa Road

Today we attended the annual meeting of the Kanza Rail-Trail Conservancy in Ottawa, where an update was given on the ongoing work being done to complete the Flint Hills Nature Trail. Lots of neat things in store for the 117-mile trail from Osawatomie to Herington. When it's all done, it's going to awesome!

After the meeting, we rode the recently completed portion from Colorado Road in Pomona east to Iowa road where it is still yet to be developed.  During our 12-1/2 mile round trip ride we encountered 9 other cyclists (a couple of them were fellow meeting attendees), proving that if you build it, they will come.

Here is one of the new bridges. The side rails are constructed of metal, not wood, so it should outlast any current user of the trail.

The trail parellels the existing BNSF *extremely busy* active double-track line --- a little too close for this girl's comfort. I sometimes grossly misuse my imagination when I picture things like a stray nail or something on those metal rails, and then train cars scissoring and China Shipping containers flying through the air, with me riding alongside just a few feet away.  There is no way that scenario could end well.  I do the same thing when I'm sitting at a railroad crossing in my car, wishing I wasn't quite so close to those churning metal wheels. I really need to stop doing that.

All along this 6-mile section are signs warning equestrian users of train noise. I doubt I would want to ride a horse on this section.  Oh wait, I doubt I would want to ride a horse........ anywhere.  :)

Here was our turnaround point at Iowa Road. 

Here is where the trail users have to cross the very busy 65 mph Highway 68, and right there in the background is my least favorite highway railroad crossing EVER!  Why this highway does not have a bridge over this insanely busy double-track railroad is a complete fricking mystery to me.  I practically hyperventilate every time I have to drive over this thing, ever since the time I experienced being the first car in the line waiting for a train to cross, having the warning arms go up, so I started to proceed across the tracks and the lights came on and the arms started to come down AGAIN, as another train was approaching on the second track.  Shit like that is simply not cool.  Not cool at all. 

Crossing this highway on a bike was not my favorite thing, either. We did this once to say we did.  I would definitely not want to have it be a part of my daily routine. 

There were a lot of rubbernecking drivers during the time it took to get this self-timer picture set up. I'm glad they kept it between the lines. But maybe seeing us there will alert them to the fact that this pedestrian crossing IS utilized and hopefully they will remember that the next time they travel this way and be on the lookout.  Or maybe not.  Probably not. 

All in all, however, this was a great relaxing ride.  The trail surface is smooth and amazing. I'm dreaming of the day the portion of the trail around my town is in such great condition. What I heard at the meeting today was encouraging that it WILL indeed happen in the next few years.