I first met Ken Kaye, 45, after he emailed me about his plans to bike the Outer Banks with his son. We met up at the Durham Bike to Work Week breakfast, and he told me what an incredible experience his barrier island tour had been. He has plans for a cross-country bike trek, but for now he’s settling for overnight camping trips by bike.
You can check out the full details on his father/son bike tour over at crazy-guy-on-a-bike.
Ken, what bike(s) you own and ride regularly?
I’m down to one, and it’s an all-rounder. 2006 Trek 520 touring bike, complete with rear rack and fenders.
What’s your primary flavor of riding?
I do a combination of family rides on the ATT, 10 mile commutes (roundtrip) and training rides for Tour de Cure and MS150.
What’s the length and frequency of your average ride?
A family ride or commute will be 10-12 miles. A club/training ride will be 20-40 miles, whenever I can fit it in.
Why did you start riding and why do you still ride?
I came back to cycling at age 40 when my dad asked me what I wanted for my big birthday. I had been taking Spinning classes at GSK and realized how much I had missed being on a bike, so I asked for a bicycle. I still ride for many reasons. It’s an analog experience in a digital world, it sets my inner 10 year old free, and it gives me a greater chance of seeing another birthday.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen while out for a ride?
In this area, there are bison on a farm out on Cornwallis/Mt. Herman Church Road going toward Hillsborough. Makes me smile every time I see them in the pasture.
How would your world be different if you wake up tomorrow and there are no more cars?
It would be a very interesting experience getting the kids to school and getting myself to work on time. Cycling for errands, groceries, commuting, etc, is wonderful until you factor kids into the equation, especially small ones.
What’s one thing Durham could do to become more bike friendly?
Commit the money that has been authorized to build the bike/pedestrian bridge over I-40 near Southpoint, and pave the southern portion of the ATT from Southpoint to the Chatham county line. That would give us a “spine” running all the way up to the DBAP. Doing these things will encourage family and commuting rides in the southern part of the county, which is growing very strongly right now. Do it already!