B.A.K - What is this?!

     The BAK, or Bike Across Kansas is a 500-mile bicycle ride that spans the state of Kansas and has been happening for over 40 years. It can be a grueling challenge as well as a time to make new friends and enjoy yourself. However, the fun is juxtaposed by the hard work and effort needed to complete the task. This is not a vacation for the faint of heart.

     "Wind is the worst thing. Hills aren't that bad. It takes a certain mindset; say to yourself, 'Yes, I can do this." says experienced rider, Mary G. When asked why he does BAK her husband responded, "That's a good question. One to say that I've done it. It's a fun time to spend with family." Both Mary and her husband have completed the BAK multiple times. They enjoy doing it with their friends and family.

     The BAK is also an event that allows small Kansas towns a night to shine. Over 850 people participate in the BAK each year. Some provide support, but most are cyclists who have given up a week of their time to bike across Kansas.

     While the route for the Bike Across Kansas changes each year it always includes stopping for lunch and the night at several small towns as the cyclists make their way across the state. Museums and other attractions are opened to entertain the town's large number of guests. For the town's citizens the BAK provides a city-wide festival and a break from their daily lives.

Cyclists and citizens alike enjoy an open-air concert.

     Food is sold as a fundraiser for the town's various social organizations, but the cyclists can also choose to eat at a local restaurant. Often the BAK will double a town's population for the day; this is a great boon for the town's economy.

     The BAK is a time of celebration. It celebrates a love of biking, as well as the culture of the small towns it passes through.