Biking Across Kansas: BAK Overview

Cycling through rural Kansas.

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 formidible 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.

Fountain

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 always some kind of interesting historical marker popping up in the least expected places.

Small Town

At the end of the day, BAK cyclists stay in small towns along the way. Local high school gymnasiums and schoolgrounds 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 can bring sleeping bags and several changes of clothing. While some people bring tents and camp out, most prefer to spread out their sleeping bags and stay inside the gymnasiums.

Every evening, the group gathers inside the gym for a nightly meeting. This casual gathering is led by the Route Directors 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 enterntainment or an occasional impromptu singing performance. Participants who have received email from their friends or family that day retrieve it after the meeting.

Meeting Entertainment. 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's always a few sore muscles, but that's soon forgotten once they cross the Missouri line. What's important is that they finished the challenge and had a great time doing it.