The second Bike Across Missouri or BAM event kicks off in St. Joseph on June 11th, riders leave on the 12th and travel through the 17th to end up in Hannibal. 

The 300-mile, six day ride is broken up into about 50 miles per day with stops in Hamilton, Chillicothe, Brookfield, Macon and Shelbina. Each stop includes music and entertainment. 

Kyle Carroll used to work for the Conservation Department and then the Missouri State Highway Patrol which he retired from in 2014. He bikes to keep in shape and has ridden in numerous bike related events including RAGBRAI and last year’s Big BAM. 

Carroll said the Big BAM is a good ride for any skill level.

“When you do longer ones, it’s different than just going out and riding for a little while in the afternoon,” Carroll said. “You have to get your bike adjusted right and get in shape for it and a few things that are a little bit different. It’s a learning process, but that’s one of the neat things about BAM – it is a long ride – several day ride – but it’s not long each day and there’s lots of support and lots of people around, so for somebody who hasn’t done it before, it’s a good place to start.” 

This year’s event will take riders through the hometowns and birthplaces of American innovators and inventions including the Pony Express, Walt Disney, Mark Twain and sliced bread. Bands will perform at each stop including The Black Lillies, Old Salt Union and David Wax Museum. 

“It will be fun,” Carroll said. “You see the state differently from a bicycle than you do when you’re just whizzing by in a car – You hear things, see things, smell things.” 

For more information on this year’s Bike Across Missouri event, click here.