Get Ready to Roll With Cycling in Shawnee
Cycling in Shawnee, KS, offers a wide array of opportunities – there truly is a community for every riding interest – and there to serve local cyclers is a beloved shop.
Cycling in Shawnee Starts with a Great Shop
Trek Bicycle Shawnee is a great place to start when looking for a bike to get rolling on an outdoor adventure, says store manager Kris Fernhout. “We sell everything you need for your cycling journey and experience,” he says.
Fernhout says the region has a wide range of biking opportunities, from paved and mountain biking trails to gravel paths and roads. “We’ve got a lot of really great paved trails for family riding in Shawnee, but we also have the whole Kansas side of Kansas City,” he says.
Groups will often meet for a road or gravel ride – not to mention the region has several passionate mountain bikers.
One ride that brings people together is the Tour de Shawnee. While it might not have the worldwide following of its French big brother, it has a storied history that spans more than 30 years. It draws hundreds of cyclists annually, with various route lengths to cater to all riders.
“We have routes for everybody and want to make it for the whole family,” Fernhout says.
A Cyclocross Capital
Shawnee also hangs its hat – or bike helmet – on cyclocross, which is a form of bicycle racing known for its sharp turns, thrilling courses and high-intensity riding.
Its popularity locally stems in large part from Donderdag!, a nonprofit that hosts free youth cyclocross clinics on Thursday nights from September through November. Donderdag! was started by Donald Jonas in his backyard in 2011.
“We outgrew the yard a long time ago,” Jonas says. “Now, we have 30 to 50 kids every Thursday night.”
The goal of Donderdag! is to push youth further than they think they can go with this type of racing. “We empower the kids to believe in themselves,” Jonas says.
Jonas indicates that bike trails are plentiful in Shawnee but so is the support of the cycling community. “What you feel is, in fact, that community feel,” he says.
Rail Creek Park
If cycling enthusiasts seem giddy about the future of their sport in Shawnee, there’s good reason. On the way is Rail Creek Park, a new development that will feature a cyclocross course, leisure trails, mountain biking trails, a disc golf course, picnic shelters and more.
“The park is going to be completely new for Shawnee,” says Beth Ansell, executive director of Visit Shawnee. “I’m really excited for what it’s going to do for Shawnee.”
The city is already a major hub for sports tourism, thanks to Valley of Champions, which boasts several sports complexes, and Ansell feels they could now be a big draw in the field of cyclocross. “We’re hoping this cyclocross course is a world-class course where we can have national and international races,” she says.
The plan is for Rail Creek Park, which is located just 15 minutes from downtown Kansas City, to be completed within three to five years, Ansell says.
Jonas says the cycling community is excited about what this project will mean. “It’s going to make Shawnee a destination,” he says.
Cycling provides so many benefits when it comes to things like health, wellness and quality of life, and Fernhout says he’s excited to see what this growth opportunity will do for the sport and overall health of the community.
“We are looking to expand and grow those opportunities for cyclists of all ages for the next five years,” Fernhout says. “When people think of bikes, we want Shawnee to come to mind.”
Get to Know Shawnee
Want to learn more about living and working in Shawnee, KS? Check out the latest edition of Livability Shawnee, Kansas.