Rick Seiler was one of about 500 participants to ride in Bike Across Kansas June 10-17.

“You see a different part of Kansas when you’re on a bike,” he said. “These little towns just love to have you. You roll into town with 500 people on bicycles and people get excited; it’s fun.”

This was Seiler’s second time to complete the route; his first was in 2019.

“I was 60 and it was to prove to myself that I could still do something physical,” he said. “It’s not a race, it’s a tour,” he said. “You go at your own speed. If you do have a problem, they will help you out.

“I rode all the way both times. I was going to finish one way or another.”

This year’s route toured the southern part of Kansas, starting in Elkhart and concluding in Pleasanton. Overnight stops included Santana, Spearville, Stafford, Newton, Eureka, Chanute and Garnett.

“This year, the weather was cooler, which was great,” Seiler said. “We had two days of going into headwinds or severe crosswinds this year, but it was only 75 degrees, so it made it more tolerable. Sunday, we had 70-some miles and had a 10-15 mile an hour headwind from Santana to Spearville. If you stopped pedaling, you lost ground. You put your head down and kept pedaling. That was the toughest day.”

He said he’s been on a bike before, but not as a serious cyclist. About a decade ago, he participated in a century ride (100mile ride in one day) for the Bike for Health fundraiser, organized by Frank Toman for the Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation.

“I started late this year because of my job,” Seiler said of training for the route, which spanned 539 miles. “I started riding at least four times a week.

“They recommend that you can do a couple 50 (miles) pretty easy. I only had time to ride 30. I had about 500 training miles in, which wasn’t enough, but that’s all I had time for.”

During the 2019 event, he realized a cousin from Wichita, John Grunbacher, was also on the ride. The duo rode BAK together again this year.

With upwards of 500 riders participating, food is a central topic of conversation.

“Pie is a big thing. Everyone has homemade pie. That’s a highlight,” Seiler said. “We stopped at Parkridge. The Menonite community makes a good pie.”

One day includes the option to complete a century (100-mile ride). “Other than riding for seven hours, that went real well,” he said. “We were on our bikes seven hours that day; that was plenty long. The weather was good, so that helped.”

The ride was enjoyable and Seiler said he finished strong. “The last 50 miles to the Missouri line was real hilly,” he said. “I had my slowest climb and fastest downhill of my life. I reached over 40 miles an hour going down. That was great, but it was 5 miles an hour going up to the top.”

This marks the 49th year for the event, and Seiler encourages other enthusiasts to consider the ride. Riders have the option to ride the entire course, which is typically more than 500 miles, or for a few days.

“It’s a commitment. you have to get yourself prepared physically and mentally. It’s only part physical,” he said. “It’s very rewarding once you’re out there.”