Written by: Mark Goodwin
I rode with FCBA last year on the east coast route. When the announcement of the 2018 routes were made, I knew I had to ride, I just was not sure how many weeks I would make. Ocean to Ocean is the ride I chose, and how far to ride was the next decision. Penny, my wife, and I lived in Kansas for 25 years and moved to Owasso, Oklahoma fifteen years ago. I always wanted to bike-ride across Kansas, and there is a ride called Bike Across Kansas. I am doing a BAK with FCBA.
I began my ride by taking the train from Topeka, KS to La Junta, Co to join the team mid-week. I remember hot temperatures and high winds, but we have had higher of both than I have experienced in a long time. There was 105 degree heat and wind over 20 mph both from behind us, which was a great day on the La Junta to Holly, Co trek, and a tough head wind day from Garden City to Dodge City.
Another bonus to this route: We are riding through an area that we lived in. I have enjoyed seeing the towns that we attended our children’s school events in at a slower pace.
The host churches have been great. When at Garden City’s Trinity Lutheran Church, I ran into someone I knew when I lived in the area. I also was able to spend a few hours with friends over a meal when they came to Garden City. I have other memories coming soon as we move eastward. Some still in Kansas, and other farther east…more on the way!
