Like many bicyclists in the area, Richard Webber makes regular use of the Prairie Spirit Trail that runs from Ottawa to Iola — not to mention the Southwind Rail Trail extension that ends in Humboldt.
It’s perfect for riding a bike or walking without worrying about cars zooming past.
Webber, 45, a business professor at Neosho County Community College, lives in Colony and uses the trail regularly.
Last month, Webber was headed to Humboldt — the trek to Humboldt from his home and back totals 36 miles — when he met another bicyclist.
The man was from Indiana and came to Kansas specifically to ride the trail, Webber said.
“He was a much better cyclist than me,” Webber said. “Toward the end, he had to slow down just for me to keep up. He was riding from Ottawa to Iola and back. His goal was to do 100 miles that morning. He was an older gentlemen. I never asked him his name or what he did.”
Webber said the farthest he has ridden is 75 miles, and that was back in 2005.
“Most people don’t stop and talk, you just ride by and have no idea where they’re from,” Webber said. “I did bump into a gentlemen last summer, and he was from Tulsa.”
Like the Indiana visitor, the man and his son were in the region solely to ride the trail.
“People that bicycle like to go ride new places, but I think people go to that trail because of its length,” Webber said. “It’s over 100 miles (from Ottawa to Iola and back), and for bicyclists, that makes it a bit of a challenge.”
He also enjoys using it with his family. His daughter, Emily, 16, and son Ian, 14, ride back and forth from Colony to Iola. Ian has Down syndrome and just got a specialized bike this summer.
“The one thing we love about the trail, is that we take the kids and ride to Iola to have lunch,” Webber said. “We ride home with the kids, and don’t have to worry about a driver coming behind me and texting.”
The Prairie Spirit Trail is open year round, from sunrise to sunset. More information on the trail can be found at www.bikeprairiespirit.com.
Prairie Spirit Trail attracts both local and national bicyclists
