Much has been said about the upcoming Big Kansas Road Trip (BKRT) and many projects meant to brighten the county and bring a sparkle of life back into historical buildings left to crumble have been noted, tackled and many completed. Everything is looking spiffy in preparation for BKRT.
The counties of Ellsworth and Lincoln, and the community of Lucas (in Russell County) will host the participants in the Big Kansas Road Trip as this tourism takes off in Elsworth, propels itself through Lincoln and culminates in the prairie version of an artists’ haven Lucas, KS.
Join the merriment May 2-5, 2024, in the post rock counties of Ellsworth and Lincoln + the community of Lucas (located in Russell County). Since this is still a new event, there are questions about how it works. FYI…You are part of this historic and adventurous experiment. Thank you for taking part in the fun! This is how you do it: jump in your car and start exploring. Really. That’s it. Create your own adventure. Do what you want when you want. Go with friends or head out on your own. There is no organized tour. You’ll bump into other Kansas explorers throughout the three counties. Enjoy each other.
“When we pitched this new event to the three counties, we told them all they had to do was just be the best they could be at being themselves,” Rowe said on the organization’s web site. “They didn’t have to invent any kind of activity or spend a lot of money hosting visitors. What has evolved has been amazing. A menu of activities that highlight the area has evolved and expanded since the list was published in the “official” program guide, so new ones have been added to an Updated Schedule (available at Information Centers) and bigkansasroadtrip.com.”
Choose events, attractions, shops, stores and restaurants you would enjoy. (A print and digital version will be available by early April) It won’t be an easy task but choose the activities you would like to see and start plotting your course on the official map. Look for the BKRT logo on yard signs throughout the towns and countryside to indicate participating places or to show you directions.
Remember, everyone does not have to travel together or even on the same dates. The BKRT is not a caravan. The idea is to go on your own, wherever you want, whenever you want.
Sage advice before starting out on your own, bring lawn chairs. Otherwise, you will probably travel with a big family of chiggers. Also, don’t sweat it if you don’t get to the next checkpoint when you thought you wanted to. Restaurants will serve food until the food is gone. Also, when visiting small towns in Kansas you should put gas in your tank every time you see a pump. Some towns don’t have pumps. Last but not least, travel with your own supply of toilet paper and offer it to the businesses that are opening their bathrooms.
Share your pictures on your favorite social media page(s) and use the HASHTAG - #bkrt24. Follow the BKRT Facebook and Instagram pages to share your posts. Don’t forget to use the hashtag!
Those who have more energy and are in good health might prefer to take their tour in June, when Bike Across Kansas 2024 stops in Lincoln for an overnight!
Biking Across Kansas (BAK) is an annual, eight-day, bicycle tour across the state of Kansas. To the communities the group visit it is more than a bicycle tour. It’s an opportunity to take advantage of a more diverse market, even if just for 24 hours, welcome an increase in foot traffic for a day and a chance to welcome first-timers to different parts of the state. To participants, BAK can be a challenge to less experienced bikers, a personal challenge for old-timers who try to beat their own records, and a fun and not-so-ordinary way for families to vacation together. BAK promotes health and wellness through bicycling, the history and beauty of Kansas, and the warm hospitality of the Kansas towns and people.
Biking Across Kansas began in June 1975 and has been an annual event ever since, with the exception of 2020. BAK is the second longest-running, statewide bicycle tour in the U.S. This will be the 50th anniversary of the event, and the third time Lincoln has been an overnight spot.
The event could bring 850 participants plus support personnel through Lincoln. Participants typically range in age from six to 80+ years old. BAK is an all-age, all-family ride. Children participate as riders or non-riders. The youngest bicyclist is typically around six years old. Like adults, minors should be prepared for all bicycling, weather conditions, etc. on the tour. All persons traveling with BAK must be registered and provide a signed release. For minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign the release.
Many BAK participants are first-time riders. This is a truly diverse group with a good mix of beginners and experienced riders. One suggestion is that you should be able to ride, at minimum, 30 miles in three hours or less. Make sure you can ride 50-80 miles in a day--don’t wait to find out when you’re on BAK.
While we don’t have the mountains of Colorado, new riders learn very quickly that Kansas is not so flat. There are sections of level roads, but there are also many challenging inclines, particularly in the eastern third of the state. Kansas wind can be as challenging as climbing, and it may persist all day. Climbs usually lead to descents that provide breaks in the work; however, wind does not provide built-in breaks unless you change directions.
