Biking Across Kansas was originally organized in June 1975 by Larry and Norma Christie and other members of the Oz Bicycle Club. Now in it’s 53rd year, it has become an annual cycling tradition, enjoyed by participants of all ages. Over the past half-century, Biking Across Kansas has been welcomed by over 150 overnight cities and many more towns along the routes. BAK has visited nearly every county in all regions of the state.
Each year Biking Across Kansas hosts from 500 to 800 participants from all over Kansas, the U.S., and some international. Participants ride all kinds of bicycles, including road, gravel, mountain, e-bikes, and tandems. Daily mileages range from 50 to 80 miles over an eight-day period.
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 making their progress more difficult with an occasional (and unwelcome) headwind or fierce crosswind. Regardless of the conditions, the ride progresses from town to town through 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.
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 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 inside the designated indoor sleeping areas.
Several times throughout the week, the group gathers inside the gyms for an all-participant meeting. This casual gathering is led by the staff and informs riders of the news, weather forecasts, and anecdotes from the day’s ride , along with important safety information. Often there is local entertainment or an occasional impromptu singing performance.
For more about the 50-year history of Biking Across Kansas, check out this article by BAK riders Pete Simonson and Charles Walther.