Blog Post

Kansas may conjure images of the yellow-brick road, but if you’re a bicyclist, the Prairie State doesn’t exactly spring to mind as a prime cycling destination.

Well, think again.

The top team in the National Bike Challenge for the month of June hails from Topeka, Kansas — and they’re proving they’re no fly-over state when it comes to bicycling.

If you’re wondering about that acronym at the top of the leaderboard: KVBC stands for Kaw Valley Bicycle Club. The club takes its name from the Kansas or “Kaw” River flowing through the state’s capital city and the organization, not only hosts three recreational rides per year, but has made the shift to an advocacy organization (and was instrumental in lobbying for Kansas’ 3-foot passing and dead-red laws).

I checked in with some of the members of the KVBC to find out how the Challenge is improving their riding and elevating the profile of cyclists in their community.

How and why did you decide to form a team in the National Bike Challenge?

KVBC team members: Brian Meredith (front L), Bill Lucero (front R), Suzanne Sawyer-Burris (in pink) and Eric Bradford Nordgren (in white)

Alan: I found out about the Challenge when it first was announced. The board of the KVBC thought it was a great idea and wanted to support it. I started a team and asked board members to join and those who had spouses to maybe have them join. Some of the board suggested other riders. We originally had one team member who was more focused on running than biking, so with mutual agreement we substituted another rider I knew who rode a few miles.  So the team is a mixture of board members, spouses, and other area bike riders. Most of us know each other since we’ve all been involved with bicycling in Topeka for a number of years.

How has being a team boosted or made your participation in the Challenge more enjoyable?

Alan: I think when the team first started it was just fun to see how we would do as a team. We then had another local team that started talking a little (fun) trash talk, and it was “Game on.” I think everyone was surprised to find we were in the top ten and that has made team members want to put on a few more miles to keep that standing. Who would think a team from Topeka, KANSAS would be ahead of other states known more for bicycling?

Erin: I don’t always get to ride a lot with other bikers, but I feel connected to the other riders on my team just by checking Endomondo to see how far the others went on a particular day. I really enjoy the encouragement and support I get from the others to ride every day.

Brian: It has provided competition within the team and with other teams which has helped motivate me to ride my bike. My wife added me to the team with some reluctance since I do not always put a lot of miles on the bike and she feared I would hold the team back. I have ridden more so I would not let the team down. Since many of the members of the team are friends, it has provided for some friendly competition. There are members of the team I have tried to beat, but by doing so I improve the team standing.

Suzanne: I’m very competitive and want to drive my numbers up!

How has the Challenge improved or inspired your riding thus far?

KVBC team member Erin Chamberlain, one of the top women riders in the country, on her recent cycling trip across the state (Biking Across Kansas)

Erin: I’m having the best riding year I’ve had for several years now. I began biking to work just to get out every day, and I’m having so much fun! My overall fitness has improved and I know more bikers from Topeka now than I did before. It’s a great combination of physical fitness and social enjoyment in my community and around Kansas.

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