Unbound Gravel
 | |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Sept 10-13, 2020, typically the first weekend after Memorial Day, but postponed in 2020 |
| Region | Flint Hills around Emporia, Kansas, United States |
| Discipline | Gravel cycling |
| Competition | Professional and amateur |
| Race director | LeLan Dains[1] |
| Web site | www |
| History | |
| First edition | 2006[2] |
The Dirty Kanza are gravel bicycle races held annually during the late spring in the Flint Hills region around Emporia, Kansas, United States.[3][4] The race's organizers refer to it as the "World's Premiere Gravel Grinder"[5] Winners are awarded a belt buckle.[6] In 2020, races were postponed to September because of the coronavirus pandemic.[7]
Course
Starting and ending in Emporia, the routes runs along rural roads in the Flint Hills of east-central Kansas.[3] In some years the temperature on the route has exceeded 100 °F (38 °C), while other years have seen rain or hail.[8] It is not uncommon for rain to turn some dirt roads into "mud roads".
There are checkpoints spaced about 50 miles apart for longer races, and riders must carry water and food, as well as fix their own tires and bikes.[9][10] If riders receive outside support at any location other than official checkpoints it will result in immediate disqualification. Riders may assist other riders by any means and at any time.[3]
History
In 2006, the first year, the race had dozens of riders.
In 2018, the race had 2,500 registered riders.[11]
In 2019, the race had 2,750 registered riders.[12]
In 2020, races were postponed from May 29–31 to September 10–13 because of the coronavirus pandemic.[7]
See also
- Ultra-distance cycling
- Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado
References
- ^ "Contact". Dirty Kanza. 2010-12-11. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ Taylor Rojek (8 August 2018). "Gravel Rides are Saving Small-Town America". Bicycling.com. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". Dirty Kanza. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020.
- ^ Legan, Nick (20 December 2017). Gravel Cycling: The Complete Guide to Gravel Racing and Adventure Bikepacking. VeloPress. ISBN 978-1-937716-98-1.
- ^ "Photo Gallery: Grit and Gravel at the 2018 Dirty Kanza 200". Cyclocross Magazine. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Extreme Race's Allure Is Simple: 200 Miles of Gravel". The New York Times. Associated Press. 23 May 2015.
- ^ a b "2020 Garmin Dirty Kanza Postponement & FAQs". Dirty Kanza. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020.
- ^ Farrel, Sean Patrick (11 June 2013). "Neither Wind Nor Gravel Will Stop These Grinders". The New York Times.
- ^ Taylor, Tom (14 June 2017). "What it's like to race in the Dirty Kanza 200". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Ian Dille (7 July 2015). The Cyclist's Bucket List: A Celebration of 75 Quintessential Cycling Experiences. Rodale. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-62336-446-5.
- ^ "Dirty Kanza 200 Quick Facts". Dirty Kanza. 2018-01-23. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ The 2019 Dirty Kanza Could Be the Toughest in History; May 29, 2019.
External links
- Official race website
- 2018 DK200 race footage (example of race and road conditions)
- Highway maps: Emporia city map, Lyon County map (includes Emporia), Kansas map.