Many others shared the Christies' enthusiasm and nearly 40 years later, BAK has grown beyond all original expectations. BAK now limits participation to 800 participants on each year's event. From 1975 to 1983 there was a single route, in 1984 it was expanded to two routes, and then three in 1989. In 2004, BAK returned to a single route format.
The routes change from year to year and nearly every corner of the state has been visited by Biking Across Kansas cyclists. BAK has exposed people from all over the country to the beauty of rural Kansas and has done much to increase state tourism. In 1994, the Christies received the Kansas State Tourism Award for their organization and promotion of Biking Across Kansas.
The Christies retired as Executive Directors in 2001, appointing Charlie Summers as their successor. Biking Across Kansas is supported by a volunteer staff.
Overview
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.
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 usually some
kind of interesting historical marker popping up in the least
expected places.
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 staff 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.
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.
