This narration about the "K Route" is provided by Brandon Case, Pratt, KS. 

BAK  Days 7 and 8

The weather—both adverse and favorable —remained a factor for K route cyclists as they pedaled the final two days toward the Missouri border at Atchison. Gusty northern headwinds challenged the cyclists as they rode from Wamego to the final overnight destination before the border, a route which included a 12 mile detour into headwinds due to a bridge out west of Holton.

“We’ve had all kinds of weather,” route director Greg Dennett, Wichita, wryly observed near the end of the ride. “All we need is a snowstorm and a forest fire to complete the cycle.”

Fortunately, the group did not encounter either of these during its final days.

“The wind and the heat have been the most memorable. They’ve also been the most forgettable,” said Hays resident Bob Nicholson.

Other northwest Kansas residents like Daryl Havlas reflected on the heat, the wind, and the rain of this year’s ride. Havlas, who last rode in 1997, said, “It’s about exactly the same as I remember.”

Regardless of the weather encountered by this year’s cyclists, friendly and cheerful supporters encouraged everyone to pedal onward at resting places (known as SAG stops) along the way.

Just outside of Chapman, riders passed a sign reading “Free Lemonade at Top of Hill.” Local residents Dick and Dottie Letellier have been offering cyclists a cool glass of homemade lemonade for at least seven BAK events and have collected signatures on poster boards from many cyclists over the years. “We just enjoy doing this for the cyclists,” said Dottie Letellier, adding that her husband has completed BAK previously.

Despite an initial absence, the SAG hags also reappeared on the scene this year. Due to a death in the family of one of the members of this fun-loving group, it appeared that there would be no Vegas showgirls, no poodle skirts, to greet cyclists who stopped for refreshments each day.

However, some volunteers stepped in and with the leadership of veteran SAG hag Donna Reist of Olathe the SAG hags were reborn. Besides the Vegas showgirls, the SAG hags greeted K route cyclists dressed as cheerleaders, cowboys, Superwomen (complete with capes and Styrofoam helmets), and red, white and blue flag ladies.

Many couples, like John and Traci Wentling of Dodge City, make Biking Across Kansas an annual vacation. The Wentlings, who have ridden 16 of these cross state tours together, attribute their marriage, in part at least, to bicycling.

“I was on a bike and John was out cruising with some friends in Garden City. He tried to pick me up,” said Traci Wentling. The couple will have been married 26 years next month.

Other couples, like Doug and Marie Henkel of Olathe, could essentially be said to be honeymooning their way across Kansas. The pair rode together as friends during last year’s BAK. Since then, the two have married, completing this year’s journey on a tandem bicycle.

“We just joked that if we can survive BAK we can survive marriage,” said Marie Henkel.

In Holton, all three routes, B, A, and K, re-joined. The 900 plus cyclists enjoyed a mild day on Saturday, with favorable winds pushing pedalers the final 40 or so miles to the Missouri border.

Another riding couple, Jim and Robin Eubanks of Pratt, accurately summed up the BAK experience for many.

“By the end of the week, you’re so high that you just want to do this again,” said Robin Eubanks.

“By the end,” added her husband Jim, “I think, what can I do to make this a living.”

At least one pair of BAK cyclists will bike back across Kansas. Wichita residents David Weldon and his teenage son Matthew loaded up their bikes with gear at the Missouri border and will be biking and camping their way across Kansas, into Colorado, and up Pikes Peak. The duo plan to return to Kansas sometime in July.

As the K route cyclists traversed approximately 500 miles of Kansas highways it seems only fitting to recognize some of the more--and less—cyclist friendly segments of the ride. So, here is one cyclist’s subjective evaluation:

Most angelic traffic: Highway 63 north out of St. Mary’s.

Most devilish traffic: Highway 140 heading from the west into Salina. Honorable mention: Highway 18 (Fort Riley Boulevard) running from the southwest into Manhattan.

That’s it for another BAK.