Director's Report: Norma Christie

The BAK Caravan left Wichita Friday, June 5 in anticipation for the start of Biking Across Kansas '98 on Saturday morning, June 6. The excitement seems to build the closer we get to western Kansas and lodging the night before the start of BAK.

The caravan consists of three rented vans for the Route Directors for each route, three 24 ft. Penske-Hertz trucks to carry gear for each of the routes, committee members and directors with their personal cars. It's not long until the vehicles are spread out safely and we're on our way. Of course, there are always stops, but that is the fun part.

The closer we get to the starting point the more exciting it gets. At last, we all arrive and start setting up for registration. No matter how early we get there, it seems there are always people waiting to register. The first evening, including registration, is rather hectic, but the first rush is taken care of, and everybody gets ready for the final blast when the chartered busses arrive from Wichita and Kansas City. Then the fun begins all over again. How exciting!

The cities we stayed overnight in and visited had warm welcomes ready for BAK. A lot of the schools were air-conditioned this year and if they weren't, the large fans were on, blowing the cool air of the evening through the gymnasiums. In fact, there was one gymnasium that was downright cold.

A letter was received from the City of Morland recently and this comment was included: "The Morland Community Foundation looks forward to serving the Bikers because they are so courteous and appreciative of our efforts." I think that is very true. I can say I am really proud the way BAK participants' conduct themselves when they visit each city, and also proud of the appreciation that is shown for the State of Kansas.

An interesting story: a sheriff's patrol visited one of our sag stops and really showed an interest in BAK. He just stopped to see if everything was going all right. Before he left, he gave our sag driver a patch from the sheriff's patrol. That has to be a first!

The visits to the nursing homes were successful! They served cookies and iced tea to those BAK people that visited them, and it was certainly a highlight to the residents. At one nursing home, a couple of bicyclists brought their bicycles in to show the residents, as they were very curious. Our visits really made their day!

All three routes converged in Oskaloosa, and what a crowd! Food booths were set up around the school, and local restaurants were open for business.

We hope everyone had a good BAK, enjoyed Kansas and the people (both in the cities and on BAK) and will make return visits to the cities to see more of what they have to offer.

Have a good summer!