Jan30
BAK!
Yesterday morning–Kansas Day–the route map for this summer’s Bike Across Kansas was released. I didn’t care about the map…I went right for the I’M IN button.
IIIIIIIN HAAAAAAALE. Ahhh…cool, damp morning air…cloud-scattered sunrise…early June wheat fields glimmering as the wind makes waves across them…14 year-olds swerving the 5-ton wheat trucks across the highways……
There’s just something about changing the voice mail on your mobile phone to, “Hi, I’m going to be out of coverage for the week. I’ll get back to you then…” that makes you feel good.
I can’t wait!
4 Responses to “BAK!”
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dturner
Said this at 9:00pm:Hey, good for you!
Noah
Said this at 11:59pm:What’s the feasibility of doing this ride self-supported? You know, for the hell of it? I just mean relying only on stuff you can carry with you, and places along the way for food, setting up a tent at designated stops, but not using the supplied support infrastructure at all? What kind of gear would you bring, if you would attempt it?
The only reason I ask is that I’m interested in touring, and trying to go self-supported but having the safety net sounds like a good idea. I want to do a really good distance ride in ‘07, but I’m still out of shape. Part of me thinks the MS-150 would be less brutal, but BAK seems to have a lot more manageable “chunks” despite being an order of magnitude longer from end to end.
Jeff
Said this at 12:32am:My first (and only state ride so far) was BAK in 04 on my own. I was living in St Louis and didn’t know anyone else doing it (made some good friends along the way). You pack a bag and put it in a BAK truck in the morning (a big Ryder truck). After your ride you find the truck get your stuff. You don’t have to haul anything with you on the way but some cash for cookies or lunch.
BAK supplies about half the meals and you buy the other half from community groups or restaurants along the way. You’ll eat more pie that week then you’ll eat the rest of the year. There’s no shortage of food. A few shop mechanics go along…a few vendors, etc. You can get repairs.
So, as far as doing it self supported only…what’s the point? It’s only $150 or so. That covers SAG stop snacks, lodging at the schools, and half your meals. Totally worth it and one cheap vacation. Read the site some more. You’ll be glad to not have to worry about hauling your own gear or having to worry about that stuff.
Noah
Said this at 11:16am:I suppose if I go for it, I’ll probably just do it the traditional way. The point of going it alone (I’d still pay the registration fee) would be to get the feel for touring, while still having the BAK support infrastructure there to fall back on.
I may still have to pass this year. It really depends on a lot of things, including the possibility that I’ll be moving, and that I’d probably want to find a road or XC bike first. I don’t doubt that my Outlook could make the trip, but it’s basically a mountain bike with 1.25″ tires. It would be a tedious mission.
Thanks for the info!