Benkelman Welcomes BRAN 41

The Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) will kickoff their 41st annual ride from Benkelman on Sunday morning. 

Benkelman was chosen as the 2023 host community late last year.  Hundreds of riders will converge on the community on Saturday.  The group of riders board a bus in in eastern Nebraska  to head to southwest Nebraska. Their bikes will arrive  via semi-tractor trailers.  

Typically around 300 riders or more  from 28-35 states, foreign countries and especially, fellow Nebraskans participate in the event. The average age of riders is over 50.

Many of the riders and staff will be camping out in tents and in Benkelman that will be at the high school and at the American Legion Hall. 

The ride starts on June 4 and will conclude on June 10.  

The theme of this year’s BRAN is “NEBRASKA’S GREATEST SHOW ON TWO WHEELS” which will provide the opportunity to ride on both paved highways and gravel ride options through scenic areas of south central Nebraska. After Benkelman they will overnight in Cambridge, Alma, Red Cloud, Hebron, Wilber, Seward and will end in Ashland on Saturday, June 10. 

Many of the riders will be taking time to ride, walk, and just take time to see Benkelman on Saturday. 

The BRAN 6 ride started in Benkelman in 1986. 

Here is a Facebook post from a rider in this year’s event, looking forward to visiting the community. 

“I’ve also been part of Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska – BRAN  for 25+ years now but this will be my first time in Benkelman, Nebraska. One more Nebraska town off on my bucket list Benkelman has special memories for our family. BRAN 6 – 1986 was our first BRAN and it started in Benkelman. Not fond of camping, we somehow found the Circle B motel in Benkelman. Thinking like many others, we thought Nebraska was flat. Plus, the theme for BRAN 6 was “Piece of Cake”. We soon found out otherwise. As the BRAN riders start out again from Benkelman, we are envious of the riders. We can no longer ride the roads with you, but we will look for your posts and pictures. Enjoy your coming ride . . .Take note of the interesting facts about the local communities you travel through. Benkelman is the hometown of Ward Bond (Actor – Wagon Train and many others). Take time to talk to the people of the communities you travel through. Also, get to know your fellow riders.” 

Welcome the Benkelman BRAN 41.