Update: Due to the record low temps forecast for New Years Day, these rides are being rescheduled. Please follow the link to each event for the latest information.
There are two ways to approach the decadence of the holiday season: You can stuff yourself with latkes and turkey and cookies and champagne and Uncle Jeremiah’s fudge, collapse into a food coma, and wake up on January 2nd wondering why the hot buttered rum is all gone, OR you can consume exactly as much fudge and latkes but trade the 6 hour nap for a bike ride. Need motivation? These local rides will have you and your friends pedaling in the New Year and pedaling off the fruitcake:
The Emancipation Proclamation Tour visits historical sites.
Emancipation Proclamation Bicycle Tour II (10AM-1PM)
Taking off from the Historic 18th and Vine District in Kansas City, Missouri, this ride is exercise for brain and body! The 20 mile tour will include stops at sites associated with pre-emancipation Kansas City (including a section of the Underground Railroad) with narration from ride leaders. A raffle will benefit local bicycle education, and Urban Cafe will be serving up organic, local fare just right for your January resolutions.
The CKC Presidents Ride rolls through KCMO and NKCMO.
Cycling Kansas City Presidents Ride (1PM-5PM)
Need a few more hours of recovery time? Cycling Kansas City is hosting a self-paced, 21-mile ride looping through downtown Kansas City, MO and North Kansas City, MO. Start at the City Market square and finish the first day of 2018 with cheese and carbs at Minsky’s River Market.
The Lawrence Mountain Bike Club continues 20 years of dirt-loving tradition.
New Year’s Day Roll n’ Ride (12PM-3PM)
For those who prefer their tires knobby, the Lawrence Mountain Bike Club invites you for their 20th annual New Year’s celebration of dirt and gravel. Everyone is welcome! Whether you choose the Lawrence River Trails or the levy, you’re sure to find absolution at this very first dirt church of the new year. Break for pizza at Johnny’s Tavern!
If all of this sounds like a lot of exertion in the wake of all of that merrymaking, you could always just put your bike in low gear and ease your way to the nearest juice cleanse. “Watts” and “miles” can wait for January 2nd.