BAK '95 Summary Report 
BAK Director's Report: Summary
This will be an attempt to summarize BAK '95. Understand that although I was involved with
all phases of organization, planning and route selections, during the event I was following
a schedule that rotated Norma Christie, Sherry McKee and myself from one route to another
and so wasn't able to experience every thing that happened.
The drive to the start of the tour last Friday caused us much concern, because during the
trip we experienced torrential rain on several occasions. On the way out, I dropped out of
the caravan to check a suspect road under construction. That road was OK.
The Start at the State line is always exciting for the participants, they take pictures of
the State Line signs and then start their adventure (promptly at 8:30). It always takes a
few miles to get people settled down and ready for the pull to the finish. This year the
riders were well behaved and didn't cause me much concern. True to form, we did experience
rain on one route‹ the Kolossal route at lunch time on Saturday. That storm was traveling so
slowly that the riders rode through it and arrived at the truck lunch location soaking wet
only to be drenched again a few minutes later when the storm caught up with them. The
temperatures were somewhat cooler this week than normal, a welcome experience for the
riders. In fact the riders couldn't use the temperature as an excuse for leaving early in
the morning.
The next few days were excellent riding days with favorable or nearly favorably winds. We
did experience one crash that sent a rider to the Larned hospital with four broken ribs. He
was released today. (Monday 6-19) We had another rider fall and was taken to the hospital in
Arkansas City for X-Rays of her leg. It was not broken, but she did have a very large
bruise. The next day we had a SAG that left the road, overturned and slid on its top for a
distance. The driver had minor injuries and went home early. Then on Friday, we had an
early rider that had a confrontation with some dogs ...and lost by falling, causing some
road rash on his face and other parts of his body. The dogs ran off when he fell. We also
had a lady fall after bumping a bicycle ahead of her on Saturday.
It seemed that the riders were always eating, they experienced everything from regular stops
at the Dairy Queens to Chicken Fried Steaks and Cinnamon Rolls. At one location the
breakfasts were so large those of us that ate there didn't need further nourishment for the
entire day.
The celebration or finish at the state line is always exciting with the cheering from the
participants and of course the dinner is fun. We served nearly 1,500 people at the dinner.
After dinner, it didn't take long for the entrants and families to gather their stuff and
depart for their homes. For us , the trip home is long and nearly everyone is exhausted.
When we arrive home, the trucks must be unloaded and returned to Penske (the dealer). The
vans are partially unloaded and loaded with things that need to go to the storage locker.
Sunday, the vans were cleaned up and returned to Merle Snider in Winfield. At the same time
the "stuff" is sorted, the lost and found is looked at and some discarded. On Monday there
are still many things that need to be returned to storage. Only one water container was
damaged this year.
Except for the injuries, BAK '95 has to go down as one of the better ones. The weather
cooperated, the roads were good, in most cases the traffic was courteous. Of course I always
want everything to be perfect and this year we were close. All of the committee and leaders
were exhausted at the finish, but most didn't get surly. I wish all could be as good as BAK
'95.
The SAGs, Medical Staff, The Committee members and especially the Route Directors did a
fantastic job, and each made an important contribution to this event. I wish to thank each
one for a job well done and each will receive two "atta" boys or girls.
I personally want to thank Dave Rohr for his work on this Web page and for all of his other
contributions through the years. He has received many favorable comments by E mail. Thanks
Dave.
Larry Christie, Director