Cross-country cyclists make pit stop in Iola
A cross-country trip on two wheels brought Ben and Johanna Kracke through Iola Monday. PHYSICAL ADVENTURES are nothing new for the Krackes, whose honeymoon in Costa Rica included volcano hiking and “rappelling down a few waterfalls.”
The Krackes, who live in the Washington, D.C., area, are engaged in a three-month, 4,200-mile bicycle trip from Yorktown, Va., to Astoria, Ore.
The impetus for such an ambitious “vacation?”
“We’re both 29 and about to enter a new phase in our lives,” Ben said while the two loaded up on water, snacks and other supplies at McDonald’s. “It’s about time for us to start thinking about buying a house, things like that. So we’re taking a sabbatical for our summer vacation.”
The pair departed from the Atlantic Ocean on May 1 — their back tires were literally in the water at the starting line — and plan to reach Oregon by the end of July.
“We’ll be done when we dip our front tires in the ocean,” Ben said.
The Krackes left Fort Scott Monday morning and made it as far at Yates Center before buckling down for the night. They’ll continue due west until reaching Pueblo, Colo., where they’ll begin the northwest portion of their trip, through the Rocky Mountains to Missoula, Mont. Then, they follow a winding route through Idaho and Oregon.
“Our return flight is July 31, so we have to be done by then,” Ben said.
Aside from “leap-frogging storms,” and some narrow roads through the Appalachian Mountains, the trip has been largely free of drama, Johanna said.
“We had to duck under an ATM awning for about two hours one day to dodge the hail,” she said. “But days like today are perfect because it’s not too hot, and we have a nice tailwind.”
Kansans, she noted, have a well-deserved reputation for their friendliness when the Krackes are in a town, and for their politeness on the road.
“Kansas traffic has been great,” she said. “Other places, not so much.”
Narrow, curvy roads through places like Kentucky have created some dicey traffic situations, Ben added, “but it’s gone pretty well.”
They’ve also hiked the Grand Canyon, a 14-mile path from the rim to the floor, then back up the next day.
“We’ve done an overnight bike trip before, but never anything like this,” Johanna said.
Ben is an architect; Jo a personal trainer and yoga teacher.
They’ve discovered a true teamwork approach to their cycling. The Krackes take turns leading while on the road as drafting partners.
The pair are following the Adventure Cycling Association’s TransAmerica bike route. Followers can stay updated on their progress online at loveandbikes.tumbler.com.
