Bikes BBQ and John Brown

   Come join us Saturday Oct 12th, 2024 for the 2nd annual Bikes BBQ and John Brown Ride. The non-competitive ride will begin in Osawatomie, KS just 26 miles south of Olathe in the KC Metro area. The ride will start and finish at Flint Hills Trail Mile Zero. The 40 mile option will be a round trip ride to Ottawa, KS Legacy Square (the junction of the Flint Hills Trail and Prairie Spirit Trail).  The 18 mile option will  be round trip to Rantoul, KS. You do not need to declare prior to the race if you are riding the 18 or 40 mile ride. We just want you to have fun!  A new option this year for experienced riders (the first 10 who sign up) will be an 8 am shuttle ride to Garnett, KS with an unsupported 25 mile ride on the Prairie Spirit Trail to Ottawa and then join up with the other riders on the supported 20 mile ride back to Mile Zero on the flint Hills Trail. 

   October is perfect riding weather and we'd love to welcome return riders and show off our fantastic Rails-to-Trails to new entrants. Entrants will receive an iconic Bikes BBQ and John Brown deep blue dryfit T-shirt with local abolitionist John clutching a turkey leg in one hand and grill tongs in the other. They will be rewarded at the end with a BBQ dinner from local favorite food truck Bull Creek BBQ. While you are in town stop and visit the historic John Brown Cabin and State Park and learn about Osawatomie, "the Cradle of the Civil War" and "Bleeding Kansas" where the end to slavery started.   Also, see how many of the 51 decorated bicycles you can find around town in the self-proclaimed "Bicycle Flower Basket Capital of the World."

   Additional activities for the locals that day will include a decorated bike contest for kids and a free 10 am four mile kids and families bike ride on the Flint Hills Trail.