11
14 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
STATE
FEA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2006
Kansas biking trek comes to a close
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARMA — Bicyclists on an annual trek across Kansas ended their 500-mile journey after a week that took bicyclists through nine host cities.
Biking Across Kansas ended Saturday in Arma. Bicyclists had stopped overnight in Girard, then took a 25 mile round-trip to the state line and back.
"I see a lot of exhausted faces," Charlie Summers, Biking Across Kansas executive director, said as he looked out on Arma City Park, where the riders had gathered.
Bike Across Kansas participants stand in line for lunch, Saturday, June 17, 2006 at Arma City Park. More than 800 cyclists began their trip June 9-10, 2006 at the Colorado-Kansas border. Biking Across Kansas ended Saturday in Arma.
Summers, who has ridden on the tour every year since 1978, said it was one of the hardest trips the group has done. This year's trip began June 9 and 10 with 800 bicyclists at Johnson City, near the Colorado border.
Biking Across Kansas began in 1975, and the route, although it varies, generally goes from west to east, so riders have help from the wind. But Summers said riders on this year's ride faced a strong east wind on the second day and the ride from Satanta to Ashland was 85 miles.
Still, he noted, others had recalled harder trips. "So it's in the eye of the
beholder," Summers said.
From Ashland, bicyclists went to Medicine Lodge, then Clearwater, then Burden, followed by Neodesha and Girard.
At Arma City Park, bikes were strewn on the grass and rental trucks waited to haul away the bikes and luggage. Bicyclists and their families lined up around the park's perimeter to wait for Chicken Annie's.
Sharon and Gary Branson, of Ozawkie, sat with their 14-year-old grandson, Cole, in the grass, finishing their chicken.
"The whole family came down to pick us up," said Sharon Branson, who became involved with Biking Across Kansas in 2001. Her husband started the year before and Cole started when he was 11.
Although the first day was easy, she said, heat, illness and injuries took their toll. She said the roads were good and the scenery was beautiful, though hard to look at after the wind became problematic.
For Chuck Richeson, of Topeka, it was the first time he had finished the ride.
the Tide.
"Some people say Kansas is flat," Richeson said. "It's not."
MASS. STREET DELI INC.
941 MASSACHUSETTS
FOUR GREAT REASONS TO VISIT THE DELI
Kansas All-American Salad
Served with any of our homemade dressings Tender pieces of chicken breast, lettuce, greens tomatoes, sliced onions, sunflower seeds, alfalfa sprouts and fresh baked croutons adorn this heartland special
Special Price $4.95 (Regular +6)
Burger Special - Goz. Patty with french fries
$3.95 (*6 Value)
Every evening 5pm-close
Pizza - 10" Individual
Add any 3 toppings
$5.75 (Save $2.00)
$2.00 Fat Tire Pints