I thought I would share my ending BAK blog. Also, I wanted to thank all you for a wonderful year. I've been missing BAK and this week reminded me why.
Reflections after Biking Across Kansas
by Jake Hamilton
After a decade of doing BAK, I have learned a lot about what these 9 days truly are for me. And each time I do it, returning to the real world is probably one of the most difficult things in the world. Why? Because BAK brings something to the world that you cannot find in a lot of places. Even doing other organized bike rides don’t seem to have the same impact on me. Here are some of the things that I miss the most when I come back from BAK.
Waking up with 500 other people that all have similar goals for the day and are willing to help me achieve my goal the same way I am willing to help them achieve theirs
Going to breakfast and having plenty of people to talk to every morning
Eating breakfast at 6:00… then 8:00… then 10:00… then eating lunch at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00… and have dinner 3 times as well… and snacking throughout the day. And not gaining weight (much).
Going into a restaurant, not knowing anyone, and managing to leave with a group of brand new friends.
Going into a restaurant all alone, yet never eating alone.
Sitting alone anywhere, making eye contact with someone, saying hello, then starting a conversation that takes the next 3 hours of your evening.
Interesting tan lines.
Biking next to people that have seen you on the road since you were 11 years old.
Seeing people that are like family to you, even though you only see them once a year for 500 miles.
Knowing if you wave at someone, they will wave back
Being able to take a nap or two in the afternoon and not have people think you are lazy.
****
I walked into a coffee shop today and sat down to enjoy a nice cup of joe. There was a person sitting at the table next to me alone. They looked up and I made eye contact with them. Before they could look away, I say “Hi there, how are you today?” They responded with a half-hearted “Good.” The conversation went like this from there:
“That doesn’t sound very convincing.”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, at least you get to enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the morning, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Stopping in before work?”
“No, I’m on a break.”
“Where do you work?”
“At *not going to name the business, just for their sake*”
“What do you do?”
We proceeded to talk about the ins and outs of their business, and I talked a bit about mine too. Finally, the time hit that I needed to leave to head into work. I said to them
“Hey, it was great talking to you. I hope you have a great day at work today!”
“Yeah, you too. It was good talking to you too!”
“Maybe talk to you later!”
“Hope so, this was a good way to start the day!”
What started as a reserved conversation ended up being a lot like a BAK meal, where you start a conversation with a stranger and end a conversation with a friend.
****
Have you ever thought about what the world would be like if the BAK mindset existed in everyone throughout the year? Here are some qualities you would see (by the way, this thought came from our very own Nancy Boyda on the last day of BAK).
From the moment you wake up, you would be mindful of everyone around you, trying to make sure you respect their time and space while you get ready to do your own thing.
If someone asked to use something of yours, you would say yes even if you didn’t know who they were. You would trust that they would return it in the same condition they took it. And they would do just that every time.
From the first person you were around in the morning, you would talk to everyone with respect, no matter how bad the day was looking. After all, whether the day will be harder or easier for them than you, they still have to go through the day.
No one would ever eat alone. If you were sitting alone, other people would join you. If you ever came in alone, you would be invited to join them. Over time, no one would be a stranger, everyone would be a friend.
While going through your day, if you saw someone that even might possibly need help, you would offer to help them. If they truly did need help, you would actually stop and help. No one would ever need help and watch people go by without trying to help.
When you go to places you’ve never been, around people you’ve never met, in areas much different than where you are from, they would be happy to see you and would welcome you with open arms. You, in turn, would be happy to see them and would treat them respectfully.
Your biggest concern in the evening would not be your paycheck, your business deal, or any drama. Instead, it would be the best place to eat, shower, and sleep. And you would help others satisfy those concerns as well.
You would find that anyone you talk to could become a great friend, if you spend just a couple second to listen to what they say.
As you went to sleep at night, you would experience the same amount of care you found that morning of being respectful of your time and space.
And people wonder why BAK is such a great experience for me.