BAK Committee

Route Directors

"B" Route Directors

Kenny Allen, Wichita, KS
Kenny has participated on BAK since 1986. He does experienced-based training in Wichita with his company, MOSEY Outdoor Adventure Society.

A veteran route director since 1993, he comments: "I ride/route direct on BAK because it gives me so many "pictures" to learn from, grow, and reflect upon as I head back to "real life". BAK is a blessing. I pray I can ride or be along for as many days as possible."

Christy Hinz, Emporia, KS
Christy has attended BAK for 6 years, 5 full-time and once as a single-day rider. She writes: "You may all remember me as Christy Fisher--yes, Mike Hinz (also a route director) and I got married this Spring. He is a wonderful guy and you all may remember him from last year."

Last year (as a route director on B) was an experience I will never forget. I was excited, nervous and full of spunk. I wanted to help make everyones' experience on BAK be as good as mine had been. BAK is a place to meet nice and caring people that will do anything for you. This will be one of the best and most memorable vacations you will ever take."

Mike Hinz, Emporia, KS
Mike is also a 6th year veteran of BAK and this will be his second year as a route director. He writes: "I married a wonderful woman this past March-her name is Christy. My daughter Kelsi (a junior route director) has been on BAK with us for three years and this will be her fourth.

BAK is a moving experience that everyone should take part in. I am always encouraging everyone to come join in on all the fun, hard rewarding work and meeting wonderful, trusting, helpful people.

Junior Route Director:
Kelsi Hinz, Emporia, KS
Kelsi is the daughter of B Route Director Mike Hinz. This is her fourth year on BAK and first as a junior route director. She writes: " Hi, my name is Kelsi Hinz. I am 12 years old and just finished my year at Lowther North 6th grade. Next year I will be attending Emporia Middle School. I play basketball, swim, play tennis and high jump. I enjoy sports along with school.

Last year (on BAK) I helped my dad. I love the people on the BAK because they are so nice and friendly. I am really looking forward to this year. See ya on the road!!!!"

"A" Route Directors

Denise Duerksen, Newton, KS
This is Denise's second year as a route director. She writes: "I participated in my first BAK in 1993. My daytime job has been a training ground for my work on the committee. Punching holes, assembling books, stamping post cards, putting packets together, alphabetizing name tags, washing coolers are a few of my contributions on the committee.

Besides riding my bike, I has a passion for music and spend my time teaching aerobics, playing volleyball, going to my nephew and nieces' activities and trying to keep them out of trouble!

Sherry McKee, Salina, KS
Sherry first became involved with BAK in 1983 as a bicycling participant. She returned as a Route Director in 1985, serving in that capacity until 1989. In 1989, when BAK evolved into three routes, she served as a Director, assisting in the behind-the-scenes preparation of and planning for the annual ride. In 2000 she stepped back into the role of route director.

Her pre-BAK duties include contacting all of the Chamber offices, City Offices, and restaurants in each of cities BAK passes through. She also contacts various civic groups requesting meals for the routes.

An outdoor enthusiast, Sherry’s other activities include power walking, snow skiing, water skiing, and Aikido. Sherry and Weston, her husband of 21 years, have three children, Jimmy – age 15, Mary Kate – age 13, and Matthew – age 4

Dave Rohr, Santa Fe, NM
Dave has been involved with BAK since the age of seventeen when he first rode on BAK 1979. He was asked to join the BAK committee in 1981 and was a route director from 1985 to 1988. After a "brief" break, he returned to the route director position in 2000.

Over the years, Dave has been responsible for many pre-BAK tasks, most dealing with artwork. He has designed the BAK logo, patches, waterbottles and t-shirts since 1985. In 1995, he created the first BAK web site and continues to serve as webmaster.

Born and raised in Kansas, he now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife Roni and two children Matthew (6) and Amy (4). He is a partner and creative director in a web design firm where he spends way too much time. Apart from cycling, his other interests include hiking, camping, history, genealogy and computer graphics. He is currently co-authoring a book on web design.

Charlie Summers, Newton, KS
Charlie has participated on BAK since 1978. He explains: "In 1978 I had grown weary of team sports. A group of friends introduced me to biking. During one our many forced forges, it was suggested that a better form and conditioning could be obtained by doing an event with consecutive days riding; something like BAK.

Since that first BAK it’s been my pleasure to fill in and try to do any of the duties that the directors felt me capable of. This is not all that different from my work, where I serve at the pleasure of the County Commission and Administrator.

When not at work or on a bike, you will find me somewhere in Harvey County with two Labradors, who would love to serve at my pleasure, but they don’t seem to understand English.

Junior Route Directors:
Mary Kate McKee, Salina, KS
Ashley O'Brien, Salina, KS

Mary Kate is 13 and Ashley is 12 (soon to be 13 this July). They will both be in 8th grade next fall. Mary Kate has been on BAK for about the last eight years with her mother, Sherry McKee. This is Ashley's second year.

Both girls are lovers of sports, with soccer high on their priority list. They play on a Premier Soccer team in Salina called Salina Force. They are a dynamic duo in all that they do.....they love to "spy" in the neighborhood with camo clothes and two-way radios, they keep busy with arts and crafts projects, like to cook (more like, make messes in the kitchen) and are both high honor roll students.

Mary Kate's mother writes: "Just being around them will either wear you out or give you a boost of energy, because they ARE FULL OF IT. Each of them separately have a super personality, but when they get together, they create another persona (kind of scary!.)"

"K" Route Directors

Joy Delamaide, Wichita, KS
Although she is just 17, Joy is a 12 year veteran of BAK. She explains: "Hello! My name is Joy. Although I am 17 years old, BAK 2001 will be my twelvth BAK. That's right, I started when I was 5, and only missed one year. Of course, the first few years, I rode in the van, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the people on BAK. In 1996 I rode across the beautiful state of Kansas as stoker with my dear, ole Dad, for the first time, and rode by myself the next two years. In 1999, I had the privilege and pleasure of being Junior Route Director for the Komfy route with the Medders (Gaylen and Cheryl), Dean (Schroer), and my sister Amy. Last year, I directed with my sister and Scott Smith. I LOVE route directing. I love meeting everyone at registration, and cheering on the bikers as they trek across Kansas. I am always impressed by the friendly people, and the hardworking sags.

Although the only headwind we encounter as route directors is the air-conditioning blowing in our faces in the van, route directing is not a simple task. We work with the mayors of the towns, make sure the Sags are equipped everyday, encourage bikers who are struggling, run the nightly meetings, and make sure there is enough toiletpaper in the bathroom (an essential part of directing).

Fortunately, the lessons I have learned on BAK have transferred to my real life. I am a Senior at Northwest High (although by June I'll be a GRADUATE! YEA!), and I love to be involved. I am in Student Senate, and National Honor Society, and various other organizations. I also enjoy school, and work hard in my classes (or at least, i pretend to work hard :~) I play the flute in a few ensembles, and work at Exploration Place as a Visitor Service Assistant.

BAK has taught me how to find the good in everything, how to appreciate all sorts of people, and how to assert mind over matter. As a route director, I have learned how to work hard, stay energetic, and overcome a bit of shyness (despite all appearances, I once HATED speaking over a microphone.) I do have a special fondness for the K-route, but truly I appreciate all BAKers and cannot wait until June!

Greg Dennett, Wichita, KS
Greg has attended several BAKs in the past, but this will be his first year as route director. He is one strong rider and we will add his bio to the web site as soon as we can catch up to him.

Junior Route Director:
Matthew Kenney, Wichita, KS
Matthew has attended many previous BAKs with his dad, Roger Kenney, but this is his first year as Junior Route Director. We'll add more about him soon.

Founders/Executive Directors

Larry and Norma Christie, Wichita, KS
There's really not enough space here to list all the many things that Larry and Norma do to plan and prepare for BAK. Suffice to say that if not for them, there would be no BAK. They originated Biking Across Kansas in 1975 and have been at it ever since.