The Seven Bridges Ride - Part 1 | Route Ref. #34927

Motorcycle Route Author

By Guest (0 McR Points) on Dec 31, 2008

Rider Reviews

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Guest

October 10, 2010

I was surprised to find this route here on your…

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Guest

February 24, 2009

These don't look like the roads Kansas is…

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Written Directions

From Keighley, KS, take Stony Creek Rd south down Latham (about 9 miles). Go east from the stop sign and follow the road up the hill and south out of town down to Cambridge and US Hwy 160 (about another 16 miles). Turn west on US 160 and go 1.5mi to 253rd St. and then turn south. Continue south 5mi to 162nd Road/K-38 where you need to turn west and proceed 1mi to K-15. Turn south and proceed 5 mi. to Valley Street in Dexter (gas/convenience store, open Sundays). Proceed west on Valley 2 blocks to Main St. Turn south on Main St. and continue out of town where it turns into Grouse Creek Rd. Final section is approximately 12mi and ends at US166.

Scenery

Scenery begins with the open prairie vistas of the southern Flint Hills and the Beaumont Wind Farm. Once on Grouse Creek Road the scenery changes to Blackjack Oak forest with bottomland crop fields scattered between. Some areas along GCR are reminiscent of the Ozarks with high bluffs topped by oak trees.

Drive Enjoyment

Mostly narrow two-lane asphalt with some older surfaces. All rural areas so traffic is minimal. Watch for slow moving farm equipment. Lots of hills with many sweeps and a few tight turns.

Tourism Opportunities

This is the first half of the Seven Bridges Ride, so named for the seven Stone Arch Bridges which can be found along the entire route. Cowley County boasts a number of these structures, some traversable and some not. None are actually part of the roads which make up this ride but can be found with the help of a map available from the county website. Other amenities and attractions include Stockmans Cafe on US-160 in Cambridge. Also in Cambridge are a number of old stone buildings including two stone public toilets along US-160. Don't know if they're available for use. Just north of Dexter is the Stone Barn Mercantile. It's a gift and antique shop housed in an original historic stone barn. On the north edge of Dexter you'll find Henry's Candies, owned by the founder of the O'Henry Candy Bar. You can watch candy being made during regular business hours. If you need gas or food you'll want to stop at the Harvest Time General Store at K-15 and Valley Rd. This is the only place on route for fuel and they also have food and restroom facilities. Open Sundays. If you're in the area during early October you can catch the Black Dog Festival. If you're looking for some relaxation after completing the ride head east 4 miles on US-166 to Cowley County State Lake. This small lake is tucked into the hills just off the highway and has picnic areas and lots of trees though the roads are graveled. Arkansas City is 10mi west on US-166 and food and fuel is available 24/7 at various locations in town. That's about all there is. This is a very rural area with few people and fewer towns.