Andover Augusta RailTrail Initiative

Sobering...and why we love trails!

https://eedition.kansas.com/shortcode/LMCWIC/edition/c1cde9b3-e732-1ba3-e625-6ce44a889696?page=45a954e6-a9ef-4959-b9db-c5048717cbbd

Clever!

Trondheim's Trampe Bicycle Lift. Assistance for cyclists climbing one of Norway's steep hills More about cycling in Trondheim: http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/search/label/trondheimMore information about Trampe: http://trampe.no/A few days ago I ...

* 10,000+ / The number of trail users since we installed counters May 7.
* 2,100+ / The number of AARTI Facebook followers.
* 600+ / The number of pairs of eyeballs that saw AARTI's June 8 Maintenance Facebook posts.
* 4 / The number of people that showed up to help with maintenance last Saturday. 4!

AARTI has a commitment to the City of Andover to help with trail maintenance. If you're using the trail, you do too since it's OUR trail. We don't ask for much - an hour or two monthly is a small ask.

Please help.

Great news for the Redbud Trail!
https://eedition.kansas.com/shortcode/LMCWIC/edition/0754fb51-6f92-ede2-9d18-93b3ab026887?article=ff0f5ca7-3454-a74d-9f1a-e98fdbf1566a

Apologies for the last minute reminder, but if you have some time tomorrow morning, join the AARTI crew for some vegetation pruning on the Redbud Trail. We're working east of Tawakoni Rd.

Wear long pants and bring hand pruners and water. Please park your vehicle well off the and don't block any driveways or field gates.

City of Andover Parks and Recreation

Join the AARTI crew this Saturday for Redbud Trail maintenance. We'll work east of Tawakoni Rd. for a couple of hours.

Wear long pants and bring hand pruners and water. Please park your vehicle well off the and don't block any driveways or field gates.

City of Andover Parks and Recreation

'Redbud Update...
- Candy Cane warnings posts installed. Thanks incredibly sweet Candy Person!

- Erosion repairs made at Community Center trailhead. Thanks City of Andover KS!

- Thanks to all Redbud Trail users! A recent grant funded new trail counters on the 'Bud and our sister trail, Prairie Sunset Trail. We're floored by the sky-high counts!

Substitute Redbud Trail for Prairie Sunset Trail and the message is the same.

Goats are the GOAT at taking care of poison ivy!

Prairie Travelers has contracted with Restoration Grazing, LLC to tackle a sizeable infestation on the Prairie Sunset Trail from 263rd to the tunnel. Fencing was installed yesterday and 150 goats will arrive today to start feasting!

If you're riding the road routes of Wicked Wind 100K this Sunday, you'll have a chance to see the goats in action. If you didn't register for the ride in advance, no problem. You can register Sunday morning.

A small but mighty crew on-hand for Redbud Trail maintenance yesterday.

We’d love to make it larger and mightier! Come join us for an hour or two the 2nd Saturday in June. Watch this spapace.

City of Andover Parks and Recreation

Hope to see you tomorrow morning at the Tawakoni Rd. trailhead! We'll be working our way to the east.

Park on nearby SW 95th St. or SW 95th Terrace. It’s a short stroll to the trailhead. If you park on Tawakoni, keep your well to the side or off the road and do not block any gates or drives.

Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, bring hand pruners if you have them and water.

Registration deadline for a Wicked Wind '24 t-shirt closes tomorrow, May 9. Online advance registration for this year's event closes Friday, May 17.

Go to https://www.bikereg.com/wickedwind24 for more information and event registration. There are rides for everyone including a Family Ride, 25 and 45-mile gravel rides, and 25-mile and 100K (65 mile) road rides.

The Wicked Wind is a fund-raiser supporting Prairie Sunset Trail and AARTI to further their efforts in trail advocacy, development, and maintenance. Come out and ride!

It's
Cycling is a great way to see the world and enjoy exercise. It's also up to all of us to work together to whether you are using two wheels, or more:
Read more here:https://www.ksdot.gov/Assets/wwwksdotorg/Headquarters/PDF_Files/pressrelease2024/BicycleAwarenessReleaseMay2.pdf

Vegetation on the stretch of the Redbud east of Tawakoni is a bit unruly, so we’re going to give it trim this Saturday!

Park on nearby SW 95th St. or SW 95th Terrace. It’s a short stroll to the trailhead. If you park on Tawakoni, keep your vehicle well to the side or off the road and do not block pasture gates or drives.

As usual, we’ll do some trimming and stacking. We’ll chip cuttings on site if Mr. Chipper is available. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, bring hand pruners if you have them and water.

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS

Monday Morning Bicycle Humor.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dehop4T13Uk

Cool, grey and damp didn't put a damper on the Bike Rodeo!

Kids got fitted for a free bike helmet plus safety swag and popcorn from Safe Kids Kansas. Bicycle Pedaler did simple safety and maintenance checks.

AARTI provided info about the trail and served up homemade ice cream from the bicycle ice cream maker - thanks to some youthful pedal power! (You know it’s ready when you can’t pedal it any more!)

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS

Hope to see you tomorrow!

We'll need some help making homemade ice cream on the amazing Ice Cream Bicycle!

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS

AARTI LOVES this event ‘cuz it’s for kids!

The first 100 receive a FREE bike helmet courtesy of Safe Kids Kansas. Have a safety check performed on your bike and receive a coupon for a service discount at Bicycle Pedaler.

Cool off with homemade ice cream from AARTI’s bicycle-powered ice cream maker! Kids love to pedal it and enjoy the fruits of their effort - a cold, creamy scoop of deliciousness!

Hope to see you this Saturday!

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS

This is a fun event!

May the Fourth be with you next Saturday!

We are hosting the bike safety event on Saturday, May 4 at the Andover Community Center from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Safe Kids Wichita Area will be giving away FREE helmets to children in attendance while supplies lasts!

Looking forward to having Andover Augusta RailTrail Initiative be a part of the event with their homemade ice cream bike and bike rodeo for kids!

Bicycle Pedaler will also be at the event to do free safety checks and provide service discount vouchers from their shop for those who attend with their own bikes!

Later on, at 1:30 p.m., you can stop by Andover Public Library for a viewing of "The Street Project," a PBS International documentary about the global movement to reclaim streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

Register online at www.andoverks.com/recreation

The Redbud Trail was celebrated today!

AARTI reps chatted it up with 25 or so wayfarers about AARTI and the trail while they enjoyed treats! We also met some friendly pups!

That young man and his dad were 26 miles into their ride. He fueled up with that cookie!

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS

Weather forecast for Saturday bodes well for Celebrate Trails Day!

AARTI will be hanging out at the Main St. trailhead in Andover with snacks, refreshments and info about the Redbud Trail.

Stop by between 9a - 1p and join in the celebration of this wonderful community asset offering a safe, close encounter with great outdoors!

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS
Andover Chatter (KS)
Bike Walk Wichita
Prairie Travelers
Prairie Sunset Trail

This unidentified cyclist was spotted celebrating the Redbud Trail. Word has it, he celebrates the ‘Bud nearly every day!

Celebrate Trails Day is this Saturday, April 27. This day is set aside for EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE – yes, nationally – to celebrate these priceless community assets that afford millions safe, fun outdoor recreation.

AARTI reps will be at the Main St. Gazebo* in Andover from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Stop by for a breather and refreshments while you learn more about the ‘Bud and AARTI’s ongoing efforts in advocacy, development, and maintenance of the trail. Many exciting things are happening! (*Check out the new restroom!)

If you live on the west side of town, our sister trail, Prairie Sunset Trail, is holding a similar celebration.

Hope to see you this Saturday!

City of Andover KS
City of Andover Parks and Recreation
Andover Chatter (KS)
Bike Walk Wichita
Prairie Travelers

Choose a leisurely art stroll, 6-mile urban hike, or a 15-mile urban bike roll + music, food, brews, and fun at Wave.

It's Tour de Wichita!

Pick your fun while supporting two great causes; Great Plains Diabetes and Bike Walk Wichita.

1-6:00pm this Sunday, April 28. Register today!

Tour de Wichita 2024 A Sunday afternoon adventure + party supporting two great causes!

Mark your calendar!

We are hosting the bike safety event on Saturday, May 4 at the Andover Community Center from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Safe Kids Wichita Area will be giving away FREE helmets to children in attendance while supplies lasts!

Looking forward to having Andover Augusta RailTrail Initiative be a part of the event with their homemade ice cream bike and bike rodeo for kids!

Bicycle Pedaler will also be at the event to do free safety checks and provide service discount vouchers from their shop for those who attend with their own bikes!

Later on, at 1:30 p.m., you can stop by Andover Public Library for a viewing of "The Street Project," a PBS International documentary about the global movement to reclaim streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

Register online at www.andoverks.com/recreation

In addition to AARTI's monthly trail vegetation maintenance, Cub Scout Pack 584 painted bollards at several trailhead locations on the Redbud Saturday.

Thanks to Cubmaster Aidan Dunleavy and the Cubs' parents for wranglin’ this energetic bunch of civic-minded youngsters!

City of Andover KS
City of Andover Parks and Recreation
Andover Chatter (KS)

A reminder about 'Bud maintenance tomorrow morning.

Hey Andover Students - Looking for service hours? Come and help!
___________________

An hour or two and a pair of hands. That’s all it takes this Saturday to help keep the Redbud Trail lookin’ good!

We’ll meet at the Meadowlark Rd. trailhead and work east. (If we have time, we may work west too.) We'll do some trimming and picking up piles from last year. Thanks in advance to Andover Parks for bringing Mr. Chips! AARTI LOVES the chipper!
Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, bring hand pruners if you have them and water.

Park your car as far to the side of the road as possible and make sure you’re not blocking any property drives or gates.

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS
Andover Public Schools
Andover Area Chamber of Commerce Inc
Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters
Prairie Sunset Trail
Prairie Travelers

An hour or two and a pair of hands. That’s all it takes this Saturday to help keep the Redbud Trail lookin’ good!

We’ll meet at the Meadowlark Rd. trailhead and work east. (If we have time, we may work west too.) We'll do some trimming and picking up piles from last year. Thanks in advance to Andover Parks for bringing Mr. Chips! AARTI LOVES the chipper!

Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, bring hand pruners if you have them and water. Park your car as far to the side of the road as possible and make sure you’re not blocking any property drives or gates.

Please be sure to park your car well off the road and do not block any pasture gates or drives.

City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS

Bike Walk Wichita
Prairie Sunset Trail
Prairie Travelers
Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters
Scheels
Free State Cycle Works
Butler County Outfitters

AARTI collected and forwarded 41 support letters to addend the City of Augusta’s grant application for Phase II of the Red Bud Trail completion to Augusta – funding for a bridge over the Whitewater River.

There is no shortage of enthusiasm or reasons in support of the trail completion to Augusta!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to add their voice of support! Over the next several weeks, we’ll share some selected comments culled from the letters.

Save the Date! Next Saturday, come help AARTI tame some unruly vegetation on the 'Bud. An hour or two, it's easy to do!

Click on the image for details.
Watch this space for more information next Tuesday, a reminder next Friday.

Bike Walk Wichita
City of Andover Parks and Recreation
City of Andover KS
Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters
Prairie Sunset Trail
Prairie Travelers
Scheels

Way to Go! As of Wednesday, we have 31 e-mail letters of support for the grant application by the City of Augusta, Kansas to fund the bridge over the Whitewater River to complete the Redbud Trail to Augusta.

Let's double that number! Deadline for letters is this Saturday. Take a few minutes to express your support.

Here's the letter format:

To: [email protected]
Subject: Phase II Redbud Trail Project
Salutation: Dear Grant Reviewers/Decision-makers

Content: We won't write it for you. It doesn't need to be long. Feel free to use AI to help generate content and then edit that.
Speak to why the trail is important to you - connecting communities, safety, exercise, physical and mental health, economic benefits to Augusta...you get the idea.
Signature: Your name and address.

Bike Walk Wichita

fans
City of Andover KS
Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters
Fartleks Running Shop Smoothie Stop
Prairie Sunset Trail
Prairie Travelers
Scheels
Sugar Shane's Cafe
Free State Cycle Works
Butler County Outfitters
Andover Chatter (KS)
You know you're from Augusta, KS if...