If you only have time for one bike path ride in Wichita, this one should be it.

It has decent to excellent quality surface, mile after mile without traffic interruptions, very good scenery along the river, and connecting paths or routes to most parts of the city.

The path crosses only one street, 15th (at McLean Blvd), and it is a small street.

There is a closure at an overpass south of Kellogg (maybe Harry?) that is being worked on. I was able to pass by the closed signs, but that could change. In that event, you would just spur up to the street level and cross with a crosswalk, then spur back down to the river.

The 'big' climbs are just up and down the river bank. Other than that it is a gentle up grade with the river as you go north and west.

There is a water fountain and restrooms at a small park at the very south end of the path (Galena at Washington on the east side of the river, close to Hydraulic and MacArthur). There were at least two other water fountains along the path, though the one at 13th was not working for me. But this is in a populous area and one could find water re-fills about anywhere during business hours.

From the south end, the path follows the east bank to Broadway where the bridge has bike lanes well-separated from traffic on both sides of the bridge as you cross to the west bank. This southern-most section is a little rougher than the rest, but still ok even on a road bike. From this point the path stays on the west bank to the north end at 21st street. In addition, another segment on the east bank runs from just north of Kellogg up to 13th street. There are a handful of east-west connection opportunities along this stretch of dual path.

This path network connects to the Zoo/Park path network via either the Zoo Blvd bike path or the bike lanes on both sides of Westdale Drive. There is a playground north of the Zoo along the bike path with water fountains.

Connections to the east side of town are mainly via the bike routes/lanes along 1st and 2nd street. Coming from the east, find the path via the Central path or the 1st street bridge, among other chances. The sidewalks are legal to bike in the downtown area, though I tend to use the streets unless in rush hour.

Remember the city buses all have dual bike racks on the front at no extra charge if you need a lift toward home. Limited evening and saturday service, however.

One can reach most of the city's main attractions and events right along this path network without traffic.