2012 - BAK - Riding a Bicycle Across Kansas!
Mike & Paula Burke's 2012 BAK Story
Follow us as we prepare for and ride our bicycles across Kansas!
2012 is our fourth year for BAK. Our first year was 2007. Mike and I didn't know each other at the start of that week. By the end of the week we had become good friends who simply gave hugs on the last day along with many others. We saw each other in passing during the next year; but, by midway through BAK 2008 we were an item. We took off 2009 and 2010 to have two babies and then we returned to BAK in 2011.
Our BAK 2011 trek is documented here: http://www.squidoo.com/bak2011
For 2012 we were considering backing out. We just bought a new house and moved everything in May. We still needed to get our house on the market.
One evening, a few weeks before the start of BAK, we were out strolling around town and bumped into some BAK friends. After about thirty minutes of chatting about BAKs past, the itch was as hot as ever. We started retracting arrangements and trying to get back on BAK track.
I write this just four days before the start of BAK 2012. We have a lot to get together to get ready; but we will be there in Sharon Springs on June 8!
Get Packing!
What to bring on BAK
* WD40 for squeeky doors at night
* Clothes Pins
* Extra Cleat Bolts
* Medical and Dental Insurance Cards
* Bicycles
* Tubes (just a few will be able to buy them)
* Frame Pump * Tire tools * Air cartridges
* ID *Insurance Cards
* Bento box * Seat bag * Odometer * Water bottles
* Drink mix * Energy bars * Roc blocks * ecaps
* Cameras * Batteries * Charger * Memory cards
* Jersies x3 * Shorts/tights x2 * Socks x3 * Shoes (cycling & walking) * Sport bras x2 * Helmets
* Headbands * Hair bands * Riding Glasses & Mirrors * Xtra cleats
* Gloves * Jackets * Sunscreen * Chamois Butter * Zinc Ointment * Chapstick * Gum * Bug spray
* String backpack (for around town) * Shoulder bag outfitted for all needs in shower
* Queen Mattress w/pump * Batteries for pump * Sheets * Blanket * Pillows
* Small battery operated fan
* Body wash * Shampoo * Conditioner * Deodorant * Towels * Wash cloths
* Hairbrush * Toothbrush * Toothpaste * Tide
* Regular shirt * Shorts * Pants (for running around town) * Bathing suits
* Ear plugs * Ambien * Ibuprofen * Tums * Prescription Medications
* Phone * Charger * Power strip
* Cash * Laundry Bag * Undies * Shower Shoes
* Patriotic Jersey (Flag Day is the 10th!)
BAK is all about leisure and fun. If you're considering participating, don't be intimidated by the miles or your perceived lack of training. If you can ride a bicycle for 3-5 hours a day, you can do BAK. You will never be on your bike for that many consecutive hours. BAK is all about stopping to smell the roses. It's about NOT rushing from town to town and missing the details. It is about taking your time to SEE things and learn about people and places. You'll be amazed at what you notice!
2012 Route
Our route and overnight stays
View BAK 2012 Route in a larger map
Friday, June 08, 2012
Starting in Sharon Springs
Predicted: 17 Miles from Colorado Border to Sharon Springs
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Sharon Springs to Oakley
Predicted 53 Miles from Sharon Springs to Oakley
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Oakley to Hoxie
Predicted 43 Miles from Oakley to Hoxie
Monday, June 11, 2012
Hoxie to Logan
Predicted: 63 Miles from Hoxie to Logan
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Logan to Downs
Predicted: 64 Miles
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Downs to Clyde
Predicted: 69 Miles
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Clyde to Centralia
Predicted: 80 Miles
Friday, June 15, 2012
Centralia to Troy
Predicted: 76 Miles
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Troy to Elwood
Predicted: 16 Miles
