The routes provided are for cyclists of ALL levels, ALL ages. Helmets must be worn by all participants!
ROUTE OPTIONS
GPX FILES
Coming Soon!
The 30-mile, easy/intermediate route, Ride 1, departs with all remaining cyclists in a mass group (socially distanced) at 7:30 a.m. This is escorted out of Hays by the Hays Police Department. This route has only one 2-mile climb at 1.4% grade elevation, but generally flat terrain. Restrooms available/SAG support by Catherine church members. In St. Catherine Church, you will hear Hays Symphony Harpist, Jane Hyde. A “native Catherinite” will be available as a guide. From there you will ride to visit The Basilica on the Plains in Victoria. SAG and guides provided by parish representatives. The sounds of the Hays Symphony Brass Quintet will resonate through the cathedral towers. The fee for this ride is $45. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags.
The 52-mile, intermediate route, Ride 2, will continue from Victoria, and head to the ornately Gothic, sculpted, Holy Cross Shrine in Pfeifer. You will hear Baroque duets as cellist Ben Cline and flautist Hilary Shepard play the Gamba and Baroque flute in this acoustic gem. You will marvel at the details in the carved craftsmanship. There are restrooms open in the school next to the church. Deb Hoffman, a Pfeifer native, is providing tours; meet locals Patty and Janice hosting the SAG. There is one short (1/2 mile) incline at 3.7% grade; otherwise, the terrain is relatively flat. The fee for this ride is $45. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags. From this church, the route takes you back to Hays.
The (Metric Century) 62-mile Road Ride, Ride 3, continues on to Munjor from Pfeifer (Ride 2). You will be greeted at the Munjor church with sounds of a double reed ensemble. From there, you will have the SAG stop on the Gottschalk Ranch. Kay and Gene Gottschalk will provide refreshment/ refueling on their homestead outside of Munjor. From the SAG stop, you will ride 6 miles back to Hays. The fee for this ride is $45. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, a t-shirt and the Swag Bags.
The Advanced Road Ride (75-100 miles) is Ride 4. This continues on to the German villages of Schoenchen and Antonino. The churches will be open; however, after the Munjor stop, these distances are self-supported. There is a Saturday Mass at Antonino at 4:00. You are welcome to attend, however, we ask that you not enter during the service. It is recommended that you stop in Hays before you head to Schoenchen and Antonino to enjoy the German Meal prepared by the Catherine team. They will only serve until 12:00 - 2:30. The fee for this ride is $45. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, a t-shirt, and the Swag Bags.
RIDE 5
62 miles. Gravel Ride. Self-supported. Map coming soon.
The Gravel Lovers Route (62- miles) is Ride 5. This is a ride of its own, led by local cycle enthusiast, Ron Leiker. It commences with the group at 7:30 a.m. The route covers rolling terrain - dirt, sand, washboard, chalk, possibly mud roads. Lots of noteworthy stops on the way: The Catherine Church, the historic Walker Airbase (private property now), the Basilica of the Plains in Victoria, the Emmeram church remains, 3-Arch Stone Bridge (a WPA Project where the original Fort Fletcher was), Fort Fletcher (site of the first Fort Hays), St. Boniface Church in Vincent, The Grant Villa (where George Grant brought the first Angus cattle into the United States), the Pfeifer Church, and the Munjor Church. July in western Kansas can be windy, hot, or rainy. . . not for the faint of heart! However, the solitude of the country roads is worth the journey. The fee for this ride is $45. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, a t-shirt, and the Swag Bags.
Family Ride
3 miles. This is a guided ride. The majority of the ride is away from traffic. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Map coming soon.
The “Family Ride” is for 1st timers as well as beginning cyclists. Ruth Bealer will take the group through the bike trail around Hays, with an introduction to cycling etiquette and safety guidelines. THIS IS FREE. The first 40 children registered will get a free T-shirt, courtesy of the Hays Rotary Club and Hays Kiwanis Club. This ride begins at 9:00, to avoid the congestion of the early morning cyclists.
Fun Ride
13 miles. Munjor. This ride is a guided ride and “no rider left behind”. Map coming soon.
The longer, Beginning Ride The Fun Ride (guided ride with no rider left behind) will pedal to St. Francis Church in Munjor, led by experienced cyclists, Kathy Rome and Ruth Bealer. The terrain is flat and the distance is around 12- 13 miles. This ride will depart from the Pavilion after the Family Ride. You will be greeted at the Munjor church with sounds from the Hays Symphony string ensemble. From there, you will have the first “SAG” (Support and Gear) stop. Kay and Gene Gottschalk will host this on their buffalo ranch outside of Munjor. The fee for this ride is $20. It includes the post-ride German meal with live music, T-shirt and the Swag Bags.
