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Sixty miles in a car would be considered a good drive. But how about on a bicycle?
That's how Nick Baumgartner and many other cyclists spent their Fourth of July morning.
The Freedom From Cancer Ride, a Lance Armstrong Foundation Livestrong event, started at 7:30 a.m. at the Little Blue Trace Trail in Independence.
It wasn't raining at the start but the threat apparently scared away about half of the expected 200 riders, said Matt Maher, the event coordinator.
Armstrong's foundation has helped raise more than $29 million for cancer survivorship programs and research since 1997. All proceeds from the ride will go toward the foundation.
"It was a good ride," said cyclist Nick Baumgartner, of North Kansas City,as he pulled into the parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings, the designated finish line. The restaurant provided free wings and a chance for riders to watch the Tour De France on a big screen TV.
He traveled 58.4 miles on U.S. 24 through rural Jackson County. Baumgartner then went to 224 Highway into Wellington. For about 7 or 8 miles, he rode along the Missouri River, making for a scenic ride on a summer morning on the Fourth of July.
The ride ahd four options available, including a 10-20 mile ride for families or in experienced riders, and 35-, 50- and 75-mile rides for the more experienced cyclists. The event was fully stocked with water, food, and support to help participants on their ride.
Rain pelted him at the half-way mark when he was turning around to come home.
"I was just thinking that this could be the longest ride ever if I'm going have to ride in the rain all the way back," he said.
But the rain ceased.
"Actually, the rain probably kept us cooler," said Bob Schmitt, of Lee's Summit. "It wasn't a hard rain."
Schmitt and his riding partner, Joe Thieman, also his neighbor, averaged a speed around 17 miles per hour during the 59-mile round trip from
Independence to Wellington.
The rain washed debris onto the road, Maher said. This caused some flat tires. Other than one rider who reportedly tumbled to the ground and was scraped up, there were no accidents.
"Everyone said it was a good ride," Maher added. "Traffic was light in the morning."
Sixty miles in a car would be considered a good drive. But how about on a bicycle?
That's how Nick Baumgartner and many other cyclists spent their Fourth of July morning.
The Freedom From Cancer Ride, a Lance Armstrong Foundation Livestrong event, started at 7:30 a.m. at the Little Blue Trace Trail in Independence.
It wasn't raining at the start but the threat apparently scared away about half of the expected 200 riders, said Matt Maher, the event coordinator.
Armstrong's foundation has helped raise more than $29 million for cancer survivorship programs and research since 1997. All proceeds from the ride will go toward the foundation.
"It was a good ride," said cyclist Nick Baumgartner, of North Kansas City,as he pulled into the parking lot of Buffalo Wild Wings, the designated finish line. The restaurant provided free wings and a chance for riders to watch the Tour De France on a big screen TV.
He traveled 58.4 miles on U.S. 24 through rural Jackson County. Baumgartner then went to 224 Highway into Wellington. For about 7 or 8 miles, he rode along the Missouri River, making for a scenic ride on a summer morning on the Fourth of July.
The ride ahd four options available, including a 10-20 mile ride for families or in experienced riders, and 35-, 50- and 75-mile rides for the more experienced cyclists. The event was fully stocked with water, food, and support to help participants on their ride.
Rain pelted him at the half-way mark when he was turning around to come home.
"I was just thinking that this could be the longest ride ever if I'm going have to ride in the rain all the way back," he said.
But the rain ceased.
"Actually, the rain probably kept us cooler," said Bob Schmitt, of Lee's Summit. "It wasn't a hard rain."
Schmitt and his riding partner, Joe Thieman, also his neighbor, averaged a speed around 17 miles per hour during the 59-mile round trip from
Independence to Wellington.
The rain washed debris onto the road, Maher said. This caused some flat tires. Other than one rider who reportedly tumbled to the ground and was scraped up, there were no accidents.
"Everyone said it was a good ride," Maher added. "Traffic was light in the morning."
