On the first Sunday morning of every month of the riding season (March – October), the town of Cassoday, Kansas (pop. 129) fills with literally thousands of motorcycles. Bikers from throughout eastern Kansas and the neighboring states ride the scenic Flint Hills highways that surround the tiny burg and congregate in Cassoday to eat at the local diner and visit the vendors’ tents that are set up on nearly every vacant lot and street corner.  Like a swarm of insects, they begin appearing shortly after dawn, quickly swell to a massive presence that clogs the town streets, then disappear by 1:00 or 2:00 in the afternoon. 3000–5000 motorcyclists make the trek on an average month, and as many as 7000 have shown up during optimal riding conditions.

You never know what you’ll find at the end of the Cassoday Bike Run’s rainbow. On our previous trip down from Kansas City last October, we were disappointed that perhaps only 200-300 bikers braved the 45° F temps and gray clouds that greeted the 2012 season’s final run. But an old riding buddy of mine rode in from Colorado to see Cassoday for himself this past weekend, so we met up with him and explored several central Kansas towns on Saturday, before hitting Cassoday on Sunday. Despite overcast skies, the dry forecast and pleasant temperatures brought the bikers out in droves. I won’t hazard to guess at the exact number of bikes there, but there were multiple thousands of bikes. Every street in town was jammed with them, and several residents found their front yards had become impromptu parking lots for Gold Wings, V-Stars, and Harleys. Lots and lots of Harleys. Our hi-viz Bushwacker jackets definitely stood out among the sea of black leather vests and doo-rags, but we had a great time. Everybody seems eager to get along in Cassoday.

For a gallery of some of the more unusual finds from last Sunday’s run, hit the jump.

Where else are you going to find an MV Agusta F4 parked next to a Kymco Xciting 250?

But wait! There were not one but two MV Agustas in attendance.

I appreciate the lengths some Iron Butt riders go to for ultra-marathon riding, but it can be taken too far. I don’t even want to know how this works.

Either this guy regularly rides over lava fields, or he’s just an overly compulsive worrier.

This gorgeous and tastefully modified CBX drew lots of stares.

Production Rewaco trike is made from a FWD Ford transverse four drivetrain and I assume an old jungle gym.
Center-mounted shifter sticking out of the tank was awkwardly phallic.

The bike under all those cool mods was once a Honda NT650 Hawk.

Frontier-themed Suzuki M50 was jaw-droppingly strange.

This is what happens when you have a Geo Metro, an old Cessna, and too much time on your hands.

Well-ridden Guzzi Le Mans wears its battle scars with pride, as it should.

Another pretty piece of vintage Italian sculpture.

Vintage Hondas were well represented, too.

This Mad-Max-inspired Harley wore a twenty-six-inch front hoop.

The mind boggles.

This ’60s BMW was given the scrambler treatment.

Yes, every type of ‘Merican V-twin imaginable was there, including this ridiculously shod chopper.

And by mid-afternoon, Cassoday goes back to being a sleepy wayside hamlet…until next month’s run.
For more information, visit www.cassodaybikerun.org