Desoto, Tongie, Lawrence Gravel

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De Soto, KS, US

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Route Overview

Patrick Beesley

64 mi.

2,417 ft.

Stops Tongie (19.5) Lawrence (38.5) and Linwood (52.5) - Note: Sunflower doesn't open until noon on Sundays

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Route Details

**For gravel riders, this 65-mile route won't disappoint. There are a couple lobes you can cut off and reduce the mileage. This route is mostly gravel but there are a few @photo[paved sections](3052956) too. I think gravel riding is about the adventure so I challenge you to make this route your own and find variations.**
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Starting off at the Casey's General Store in DeSoto (just off the K-10 exit) you will pass through "bustling" downtown [DeSoto](http://desotoks.org/) and then cross the @photo[Kansas River](3052957) and follow Golden Rd on some chip-seal until @point[mile 5](d,8040.44) (Loring Rd) and then the gravel fun begins.

The @photo[gravel roads](3052941) to Tonganoxie offer some @photo[nice scenery](3052943) and an athletic challenge as you roll through the hills north of the Kansas River. The @poi[Casey's in Tongie](4785030) has everything you need to refuel (try the Rice Crispy treats at the register!).

The next section will take you in to Lawrence, Kansas - home of the [University of Kansas](http://www.ku.edu/) Jayhawks. The navigation is not as tricky as it looks on the map, most of the turns on the map offer no other alternative other than turning in the intended direction, just follow the road (mostly). Going east to west on the stairstep section will take you down a @slice[butt-puckering down hill](d,49429.9,51480.65) ([Strava Segment](https://www.strava.com/activities/1198020544/segments/29522049993)) and you will find your self on the out-skirts of Lawrence (@slice[my favorite part of the ride](d,51332.58,60263.93)). Hop up on the @photo[levee](3052946) and follow it until an @point[inconspicuous exit](d,60126.99) next to a favorite local bar called "[Johnny's](https://www.johnnystavern.com/locations/north-lawrence/)". *Most KU alumni have at least one "interesting" story of an evening at Johnny's, they don't usually end as awesome as they begin...*

If you have time, enjoy a quick jaunt up Massachusetts Street ("Mass street") and fill up your water bottles and grab some snacks at @photo[Sunflower Bike Shop](3052949). If the bike shop isn't open yet, the cafe next door is biker friendly.

Ride back down to the Kansas River and hop back on the @slice[levee going East](d,62243.36,69862.23). The "river trails" are nestled in the woods between the levee and the river. These are fast and fun mountain bike trails for riders of any ability level. If you tire quickly of the monotony of the levee trail, worry not, I have something special for you coming up as you @photo[travel into Linwood](3052953).

The difficulty of these gravel roads don't appear to be significant on the route profile but tired legs and the heat of the day will have you counting down the miles to @poi[the Linwood rest stop](4785031). In [Linwood](http://cityoflinwood.org/), there is a paved shortcut along Linwood Road back to @point[189th\Golden](d,93019.62). ***Note:** There is no bridge over "Stranger Creek" near the river, you'll have to use Linwood Road which is kind of busy but it's your best option for the driest/shortest route back to DeSoto.*

At mile 58, the gravel fun ends and you'll recognize the route back over the @photo[Kansas River](3052957) into DeSoto. Something cold to drink is waiting for you back at the Casey's and the end of the route.
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*These gravel roads are mostly what you'd expect of gravel roads. Embrace the adventure of gravel riding and don't worry too much about staying on the route grabbing strava KOMs. It will make for a better story afterwards.*

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Desoto, Tongie, Lawrence Gravel

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