Congratulations to Doug Coe, Jeff Seal, Steve Weldon, and Cassidy Cheray for Setting a new WUCA record for a Male 4x Team crossing of Kansas W-E
Doug Coe’s Narrative Summary: A Tale of Teamwork and Triumph
On September fourteenth, as dawn broke clear,
Doug Coe and team set forth without fear.
Across Kansas, west to east they’d glide,
Each taking turns, together in stride.
Doug “Watts” Coe, steady and strong,
Jeff “The Fastest” Seal, moving along.
Steve “Poobah” Weldon, with heart and might,
Cassidy “KOM” Cheray, through day and night.
At 8:50 AM, the journey began,
On SH 96, where Kansas meets the Colorado land.
Near Tribune, they set out with hope and drive,
Determined to make history come alive.
For the first hour, the air was mild,
Then the heat set in, the winds grew wild.
The headwind fought them, strong and tough,
But they took their turns, knowing the had enough.
Why aim for a record, you might ask?
Not for glory, nor any prize to bask.
But for a cause they believed in, deep and true,
Race4Refugees, to help those who are due.
On carbon of Specialized, smooth and fast,
Hed Jet wheels carried him, through the vast.
Doug With Silca socks snug and jersey tight,
Each rider took the lead, through day and night.
Along the way, they fueled the ride,
With Tailwind mix and snacks by Doug’s side:
Trader Joe’s salads, trail mix, chips, and some Coke,
Each bite a boost, as they spoke and joked.
But the best part, without a doubt,
Was the crew that helped, in every bout.
Jim, Adam, Mark, and David, so dear,
Their support unwavering, always near.
Through the struggles, ego was tried,
As headwinds pushed, they couldn’t hide.
But together they pressed on, through each shift and turn,
Their strength in unity, a lesson they’d learn.
The day was long, but they made it through,
With moments of doubt, and moments of view.
Riding in shifts, no competition in sight,
Just a shared goal, pushing toward the light.
At 6:01 AM, the journey was done,
Kansas to Missouri, the ride was won.
At SH 68, where roads intertwine,
Their triumph was not just theirs, but a sign.
Doug Coe and team, their goal now in place,
A world record achieved through grit and grace.
Not for the glory, but for something much more,
For hope, for unity, and to open a door.
Steve Weldon Report
Our 4-man bicycle team 2024 World Record Attempt across Kansas from West to East – Colorado to Missouri – was an epic adventure as we rode across the flatlands of the fabled Land of Oz.
We began on Saturday, September 14, at 8:50 am (KS West – SH 96 at KS/CO state line west of Tribune, KS) and after fighting headwinds the entire day finished on Sunday, 6:01 am (KS East – SH 68 at KS/MO state line East of Louisburg, KS). We each rode 45-minute shifts with approved rolling transitions, which provided opportunity for 2 hours and 45-minute breaks in-between to rest, rehydrate, and eat. Keeping this schedule over the long haul for the better part of a day and night was exhausting. For my primary fuel I drank my usual Gatorade and ate GU, plus I also had bananas, nuts, an apple, tuna fish, pretzels with peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, Uncrustables, and of course my comfort food – peanut M & M’s. And a boatload of water.
We had an amazing crew driving two vehicles for our safety. They rotated in driving and resting and helped with getting our bicycles on-and-off the racks, plus whatever else we needed. It was a very long and tiring day for them as well and we were very grateful for all of their help, along with David Gehrer, our awesome and ever watchful official.
The primary challenge was the ever-present Kansas wind. It was a constant and a fight. It was very demoralizing especially in Western Kansas where there was not a tree or building in sight to help block the wind to provide at least a brief break. I found it helpful to keep moving forward by searching for anything on the horizon on which to focus. The most common markers were grain elevators and water towers. We experienced sunny skies, it was in the 60s at night and at least high 80s during the day. The wind all was primarily from ESE at an estimated 7-20 mph and overall, we had very good, primarily 2 lane roads, and traffic was generally not heavy.
I am so very grateful to have experienced this epic opportunity with my fellow riders and friends (Cassidy Cheray, Doug Coe, and Jeff Seal) and with our Crew (David Gehrer, Jim Ralston, Mark Hershey, and Adam Dreher.) Life is too short and precious to not attempt good and hard things with friends and people you respect and enjoy. This ride also helped me to keep focused on my health and training. Very hard, but satisfying and fun. And, even though, the headwinds kept our speed much lower than anticipated we were pleased with our final results
For the bicycle geeks, I rode a Cannondale Super Six EVO. It was equipped with a Zipp 808 Firecrest wheel on the rear… a Zipp 404 Firecrest wheel on the front… Shimano brakes and Di2 shifters… Controltech Impel TT Caron Aero Bars… and Speedplay pedals. Both tires were Continental Grand Prix 5000 clinchers. I wore a Kasik helmet and Specialized shoes.
For me the best part was spending time with God in His amazing creation with plenty of time for prayer and praise combined with the adventure and camaraderie with friends.
Jeff Seal – rider Summary
I recently took on an epic cross-state cycling adventure with a crew of four cyclists and three support members, blazing a trail from Kansas West all the way to Kansas East! We kicked off the ride at 8:50 AM on September 14, 2024, and after nearly 22 hours of wind-whipping, muscle-burning action, we crossed the finish line at 6:01 AM the next day. The headwinds were brutal, trying to knock us off course, but we powered through like champs!
This ride wasn’t just about the thrill; it was a chance to scout out an even bigger fundraising event while gunning for a new state record! Riding my trusty 2010 Kestrel tri bike with Zipp 808 wheels, I fueled up on a wild mix of hard-boiled eggs, celery slathered with peanut butter, cheese and summer sausage, nuts, trail mix, and LMNT drink mix to keep the energy pumping.
The real challenge? Going from intense, full-throttle cycling to cramming into a vehicle for a quick rest, then launching back into max effort mode again. But it was all worth it, especially with the camaraderie and high spirits of the team. We crushed it, and despite the wind, exhaustion, and aching legs, I loved every minute of it. I’m already pumped to organize a bigger, badder version of this event in 2025! Adventure, here we come!
My Totally Rational Decision to Bike Across Kansas
September 19, 2024
The Plan:
Alright, so here’s the deal: My name is Cassidy Cheray, and I, along with three other very normal human beings, decided to bike across Kansas. Yeah. Kansas. Because, you know, nothing screams “adventure” like pedaling through a state where the tallest thing for 400 miles is a grain silo. We thought it would be fun! (Pause for laughter).
The goal? A four-man relay, west to east, from the Colorado border to the Missouri border. That’s right—just four guys, crossing a state that people usually drive through while saying, “Can we get out of Kansas already?” But us? No, no. We chose to do this. Voluntarily.
The Start (Where Hope Was Still Alive, But Dying Fast):
So, on September 14th, 2024, at exactly 8:30 AM, we found ourselves at the KS/CO state line, which, fun fact, is the exact point where you start questioning all of your life choices. The temperature? Perfect—upper 60s. The sky? Clear, except for a few clouds that were probably just there to watch us suffer. But then there was the wind. Oh, the wind. You know, some people think Kansas is a “flyover state.” Well, not us—we felt that state fly right into our faces for hours. The wind was coming from the southeast like it had somewhere to be and was mad we were in its way.
Why Kansas?
You might be wondering, “Cassidy, why did you want to bike across Kansas? Are you okay?” Great question. The short answer is: I thought it would be a challenge. Like, a fun challenge! You know, one of those activities where you feel good about yourself afterward, but at the time, you’re deeply regretting every second of it? That’s what I was aiming for. Also, it was a chance to hang out with my cycling friends. Nothing bonds you more than suffering together. It’s basically the plot of every superhero origin story, except without the cool powers or the villain.
The Equipment (AKA “I Paid How Much for This Thing?”):
Now, for this grand adventure, I rode the Ferrari of bikes: the Specialized Tarmac SL7. This thing is sleek, fast, and costs roughly the same as my first car. It’s got all the bells and whistles—and by that, I mean it’s a bike with no actual bells or whistles, because those would add weight. It’s all about performance. You don’t just ride the Tarmac SL7; you commit to it. It’s basically a relationship.
The Fuel (Because Apparently, I’m a Human Trash Can):
Let me tell you, when you’re biking across Kansas, your body becomes a black hole for food. I was like, “How much food can one person consume in 24 hours? Let’s find out!” I had sub sandwiches, nuts, bananas, peanut butter, pretzels, gels, meats, and cheeses. It was like I was preparing for a picnic at high speed. And, of course, I had a Coke. Because nothing says “elite athlete” like slamming a soda during a ride. This is what peak performance looks like, people.
The Highlights (Also Known as “The Things That Didn’t Suck”):
Now, believe it or not, there were some highlights. We rolled into McPherson, KS, and my friends were there cheering like I’d just won a gold medal. That was hands-down the best part. And by “cheer,” I mean they stood there in the dark, waving like we were in the Tour de France, while I tried to look less like someone who was deeply regretting all of their life choices. It worked. I pedaled faster just to make it look like I was still enjoying myself. Their excitement was contagious, and I suddenly felt like I had the strength of 1,000 snack-filled cyclists. I finished my shift strong… mostly because I wanted to get off the bike as soon as possible for a snack.
The Lowlights (A.K.A. “Everything Else”):
But, of course, not everything went smoothly. Right at the start, my bike decided to remind me that no good adventure is without its hurdles. Specifically, my shifter battery died. Yes, my bike is so fancy, it needs a battery. And did it choose to die in a reasonable location, like a cozy bike shop? No, it died at the literal starting line. But I, being the genius I am, figured out the solution: I turned it off and on again. I changed the battery. And wouldn’t you know it? Fixed. That’s right, I’m basically a bike mechanic now.
The Finish:
So, after about 21.5 hours of continuous pedaling (and talking to myself to stay sane), we crossed the finish line at the KS/MO state line on SH 68 at 6:01 AM. And let me tell you, there’s no greater feeling than finishing a bike ride across an entire state… except maybe sleeping for 12 hours afterward. I’m not saying Kansas broke me, but I definitely asked my legs for forgiveness more than once.
What Did We Learn?
Here’s the takeaway: You can bike across Kansas in under 24 hours, but you’ll need approximately 7,000 calories, more water than a camel in the desert, and the patience of a saint to deal with wind that will personally attack you. You’ll also learn that Kansas is, in fact, much longer than it appears on maps. But hey, we made it! And I can now say I’ve experienced Kansas in a way that none of you ever have to.
