After pedaling 533 miles in eight days across Kansas and playing a few rounds of golf along the way, Len Hudson of Augusta feels a sense of accomplishment. He participated in the annual Bike Across Kansas (BAK) event which began at the Colorado border near Goodland and ended in Leavenworth, near the Missouri state line. The median age for the riders is 56 and many of them, like Hudson, were first time participants.
Hudson explained that he had heard about the event years earlier and always enjoyed bicycling, but never had the time to participate. When Melanie Cox, another Augusta resident who is part of BAK each year, suggested to him that he participate this year, he decided the time was right. And his brother-in-law, Bill Kincaid decided he would join the adventure, not as a cyclist, but as one of the volunteer supporters who were positioned between towns, in areas where riders will most need water and energy food.
“I only had 10 weeks to train and the first 5 miles on that first day of training almost killed me, but I kept working and my longest ride during training was 36 miles,” he said.
Several days during the event, Hudson logged over 70 miles per day, “I was amazed how quickly my body accommodated those miles -- my legs got stronger immediately.”
The trip was not without a few snags. Weather conditions along with bicycle mechanical failures, created some interesting challenges for Hudson.
“The scariest day was when I was about eight miles east of Goodland and a thunderstorm just seemed to stay with me. No one was around and I just had to keep going.”
Hudson explained that the bikers make it a point to do most of the riding in the morning enabling them to reach their destinations before the hottest time of the day. So the day that his bicycle broke down between Abilene and Herington and he waited for three hours before getting repair assistance caused a big delay for him. He arrived in Herington around 6 p.m. hot and tired.
Each day he carried two 20-ounce bottles of water with him and made it a point to stop and drink a half bottle every six miles. Every 12 miles he ate a granola bar.
A very steep hill north of Baldwin City provided a beautiful view and a down hill ride of 43.3 mph.
“That was really fun,” he laughed.
Participants were responsible for most of their own meals throughout the week. BAK did provide a couple of breakfasts during the trip, in addition to the celebration picnic at the finish. BAK riders usually dine at local restaurants or, at community fundraiser meals prepared by local civic groups.
“The small community of Hunter fed all of us at the Civic Center and the residents of both Herington and Minneapolis sponsored some food booths and concerts for us. People were really nice,” Hudson said.
He advised that each day was a challenge, but he felt very fortunate to  meet four people who inspired him. Participating were two veterans who were paralyzed from the waist down and rode specialized bikes equipped with hand pedals, a woman in her 70’s and another lady who was 88 years old.
“I was able to see small Kansas towns and communities, hear their histories -- the pride and tenacity, lots of friendly people -- and I felt a bit emotional riding into Leavenworth and seeing that last welcome banner,” he said.
Hudson reports that he will “probably” participate again next year, but may replace his heavy, durable mountain bike for a lighter bicycle.
“It was nice to decompress with nothing else to worry about for awhile..I proved to myself that I could do it,” he added, “I wasn’t all that sore when I came home, but my wife had some handyman projects around the house for me when I got home. Now I’m sore.”
For more information on Bike Across Kansas, visit www.bak.org.
Augusta, Kan. —
