About BAK

If you think you might like to give BAK a try, here's a brief overview of what to expect over the course of the week.
Contrary to popular belief, Kansas is NOT entirely flat. While the terrain may be less hilly than some other states, there are still plenty of ups and downs to provide a formidable challenge for most cyclists.

The weather is usually warm and sometimes hot, although there have been entire days with rain showers and cooler weather. The Kansas wind is always there, either pushing riders along with strong tailwinds, or less often, making their progress more difficult with an occasional (and unwelcome) headwind. Regardless of the conditions, the ride progresses from town to town across the open farmlands and prairies.

There's always something to look at or explore. One of the best parts of BAK is getting away from the rest of the world and exploring the out of the way places that still exist on the backroads and byways of Kansas. If you're lucky enough to find one along the way, an old-fashioned soda fountain is just the thing for a hot afternoon. Or, if history's your thing, there's usually some kind of interesting historical marker popping up in the least expected places.

At the end of the day, BAK cyclists stay in small towns along the way. Local high school gymnasiums and school grounds serve as a place for tired riders to shower, repair their bikes, eat and sleep. All the cyclists' gear is carried from town to town by trucks, so riders bring sleeping bags and several changes of clothing. About half of the participants bring tents and camp out while the other half prefer to spread out their sleeping bags and inside the gymnasiums.

Every evening, the group gathers inside the gym for a nightly meeting. This casual gathering is led by the staff and informs riders of the news and anecdotes from the day's ride, and reveals what the route has in store tomorrow. Sometimes there is local entertainment or an occasional impromptu singing performance.

The time spent in the overnight stops also provides a chance for BAK participants to get a feel for life in a small town. Whether it's a visit to a laundromat, burger joint, or the local "watering hole," the cyclists see a side of life that one misses in a larger city. 

By the end of the week, riders have made new friends and had great adventures along the way. There are always a few sore muscles, but they are soon forgotten once riders cross the Missouri line. What's important is that they finished the challenge and had a great time doing it.