Curb Destroyer Chronicles: Soul Ride

A Soul Ride is a ride where you just go out and ride wherever and for no reason. No set route. It's not a training ride, or endurance event. It just is.

It's also a ride without watches, computers, or GPS. As you can see my handlebars and stem are void of any devices that might distract or interrupt the meditation of sorts.

It's December and it's 60+ degrees. A little cloudy, but that's December. Blue Ridge Blvd is the perfect road to warm up on. It's really flat for roads around here. It's a good road to ride a fixed gear on too as far as training goes, but we are not training today.

Blue Ridge Blvd. ends at Wilson. Just off Wilson is Benjamin Harrison Elementary School. It was built by KC School District in 1913. Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States (1889–1893). He was the grandson of the ninth President, William Henry Harrison.

http://www.republicanpresidents.net/10-interesting-facts-about-benjamin-harrison/

Independence has a lot of late 1800's,early 1900's architecture. Since this is a Soul Ride we are free to checkout the details you won't see on contemporary buildings today.

Looking North off Wilson Bride you can see the Worlds of Fun roller coasters, and other rides in the distance. I haven't been there is a long time. I'm pretty sure they still had the Orient Express if that dates it.

Heavy Metal! There used to be a plaque that told what this thing is, but I guess someone took it. I can only assume it was a metal plate as I'm entering the Sheffield/Armco/Kansas City Nuts and Bolts District.

Aaahhhhhh The sounds of trains, heavy equipment, and crashing metal. My grandparents lived pretty close to here and it brings back childhood memories.

I think it would be better to have a sign that says "Free Hugs" here. Super Flea, what is What is Super Flea? http://superfleakc.com/

A little 1-1/2 lane street passing under some railroad tracks. Not a sketchy as it looked.

World's oldest 7up sign?

Some know it as the Concourse, other the Colonnade ( a row of columns supporting a roof, an entablature, or arcade.) Whatever you call it, it was built in 1907-1908.
http://kcparks.org/attraction/the-colonnade/

Since it's over 100 years old it's hard not to be drawn to it. It's in pretty good shape considering the traffic it gets. I've see 20 year old structures in worse condition.

The long descent down Chestnut Trafficway. If I was going to Knuckleheads this is the road down to it. It's a long grind that's for sure. My camera doesn't capture it, but those who know, know.

A tree lined street into downtown. Didn't go there either, but it's always a sight to see.

The Green Duck Tavern. It on some historical tours here in KCMO. Why you ask? At about 1:00 a.m. on July 15, 1970, Leon Mercer Jordan an American politician and civil rights leader was killed just outside the Green Duck Tavern. 26th & Prospect is always interesting. In fact there are a lot of interesting little nooks around here that you don't usually see. Unless it's Sunday Morning.

An interesting building as I enter the Leed's District. Leeds Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Leeds Kansas City, MO. It was closed in 1988. At its peak employment, over 4,500 persons hourly and salary worked at the Leeds plant producing 60 vehicles per hour on two production shifts. The General Motors operations are closed, and the facility has been sold and is now used as a warehouse and for outdoor storage.

http://leedsindustrialpark.com/

Sonny's Bakery, Deli, & Barbeque. I did some searching for any mentions of this place, but I didn't find any. I find the internet is not what it used to be. I suspect 5 year ago a search would have revealed something, but now all it reveals is places to eat and stuff to sell you on.