Joel's Route, Road

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Leawood, KS, US

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Route Overview

Patrick Beesley

28 mi.

1,260 ft.

This ride is a gem. A nice little loop provides a scenic route that dodges traffic lights and heavy traffic. Check out the llamas!

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Route Details

This is a popular route for local cyclists. The pavement @photo[isn't pristine](3041470) in all places but is suitable for a road bike; it is less travelled than other roads by vehicles for the most part. The 28-mile East>South>West>North loop offers one place to @photo[stop and refuel](3041469) at @poi[mile 15.5](4844511). There are tons of Strava segments all over this route, look them up before you ride if you are a trophy junkie.

## The Route
This route starts on the Kansas side at the Leawood City Park then crosses over the state line into Missouri. The Blue River Parkway is scenic and offers some great off-road trail riding if you are so inclined. Travel south over twists, turns and rolling hills following the @photo[train tracks](3041462) until you get to Belton, Missouri. If you are lucky, you will see some @photo[interesting](3041458) @photo[sights](3041459) along Prospect Road.

After passing the convenience store in @photo[Belton](3041467), you will begin heading west and unceremoniously cross back into the @photo[Sunflower State](3041473) (actually this is a [Black-eyed Susan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudbeckia_hirta)). The @photo[road quality improves](3041472) dramatically here.
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**Be ready to hit the brakes after coming down @point[171st Street to turn back north on Mission Road](d,30526.76).** 
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@photo[Mission road](3041477) is the a popular north/south thoroughfare for local cyclists. The road was recently paved and is smooth and fast. Coming back into town you will notice a bit more traffic but very few traffic lights. Take a quick zig and zag at mile 25.5 and now you are on @photo[Tomahawk Parkway](3041492) following Tomahawk creek. If you are lucky, you might catch a whiff of Joe's KC Barbeque drifting in the wind here.

*My friends Joel and Sheryl (hence the name of the route) introduced me to the route about 15 years ago and I find myself retracing the path we took at least a dozen times a year. I live close by so it is easy to get out on this route and blow the stink off on short notice. There are a lot of opportunities to extend the route if you continue south or west from Belton. I hope you get an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Kansas and Missouri yourself on this route.*

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Joel's Route, Road

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