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Final Director's Report 1999 IIt Was A Good Trip
The weather didn't always cooperate, we had unusually high winds most of the week and when those winds could have helped they went away. We experienced temperatures in the 90's for the first time this year during the trip. But we didn't have any heavy rain when we were riding. So from the weather's view it was a good trip. We did have some injuries and several people were taken to the hospitals. Some had painful scrapes and there was one that had a broken clavicle. Only one injury to my knowledge was caused by other traffic and that one was by a trucker that was trying to get the bikers off the road. Another accident was caused by a construction barrel that a biker just simply ran into and did a header. Each of those accidents were not good for the participant, but the overall safety record for BAK '99 was good and made for a good trip. The cities this year were special, with many occasions of interest being shown by them. From special or free meals to special entertainment provided, which made for a good time for all. Most schools were happy to have us with only a couple having problems. In one city we had to pay a security fee because some of the riders blocked doors open with rocks and sticks after they were told not to use those areas. In another there was some confusion about what areas we were to use. Those items were worked out to everyone's satisfaction and the stays in the schools helped make a good trip. We had three new cities this year and each of them was extremely hospitable. Hutchinson allowed us to use their brand new air-conditioned gym and arranged for discounts to the Cosmosphere. El Dorado had a special dinner at the school that included pie. Burlington made arrangements for us to use the activity center just a block away from the very spacious new gym for swimming. Thanks to those new cities and to the ones that we have visited before, some many times, for helping to make this a good trip. The jerseys were very pretty and were a hit and we wish that we could have predicted better the demand and have had more for sale during the trip. We were also overwhelmed by the demand for hats. Nearly 300 hats were sold during the trip. Thanks to the entrants for making those efforts a success and thanks to Kim at Embroidery Plus in Topeka for her efforts in providing the second order of hats in record time. Seeing all those jerseys and hats being worn by the entrants made it obvious that it was a good trip. The 1999 trip was a good trip and we hope that you had a rewarding time as you experienced the adventure of riding your bicycle across the Great State of Kansas. We have also had a good trip for the last twenty-five years planning and presenting this event, but we feel that time has come for someone new to take the reins and direct this operation in a new and better way. Several people have stepped forward and hopefully they can find the time in their lives for BAK. We hope to be included in the preparation and planning of future Biking Across Kansas events. For now, thanks for the 25 years of memories and friendships and helping us make Biking Across Kansas a success.
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Biking
Across Kansas 1999 was a huge success. The number of entrants was a new record,
the number of good times was up and the fun we had was especially high. 
