Dirty Kanza 200

I am going as support crew.  It will be fun!

 Overview of Event:
Dirty Kanza 200 is intended to be a fun, yet extremely challenging ultra-endurance gravel road bicycling event. It has been called the “Ultimate Gravel Grinder” by seasoned endurance cyclists. Dirty Kanza 200 will use public-access gravel and dirt roads, through the Flint Hills region of east-central Kansas. This is a remote, rugged, and often unforgiving area. We stress to all participants they are totally on their own, and responsible for themselves. We will provide no rider services during the event. We will, however, supply course maps, as well as information we think participants will need to make informed decisions, such as the location of hospitals, food and beverage outlets, potentially dangerous highway crossings, and the like. We will also offer suggestions concerning appropriate equipment, clothing, tools, etc.

Course Description:
The course will be a 200 (plus) mile-long, single-loop route through the Flint Hills region of east-central Kansas. This area, once home to the Great Kanza Nation, is quite scenic and rich in history. It is also very rugged and remote. Often times, riders will see no signs of civilization for miles on end, other than the gravel (or dirt) road upon which they are riding. The course will be flat on occasion. At other times it will be extremely hilly. (Hint: It will be more hilly than flat.) The entire course will be on open public-access roads. Although some blacktop roads will be necessary from time to time, the vast majority of the course will be gravel and dirt roads. Some of these roads receive little, to no maintenance throughout the year and can be quite primitive in nature. This course will require a high-quality, well-prepared bicycle with a wide gear range and good tires. Participants should be prepared to suffer, and to have their physical, mental and emotional strengths tested to the full.
The event will start in front of the historic Granada Theater, 807 Commercial St., in downtown Emporia, Kansas. Participants will leave the starting line under police escort at 6:00 am. Each rider will have received a map at Friday evening’s Rider Sign-In. This map will direct them to the first of several Official Checkpoints. At each Checkpoint along the route, riders will receive a new map, directing them to the next Checkpoint. Although there will be a small number of course markings to assure riders they are still on course, participants must use the supplied maps, along with their own personal compass, to navigate the course. As a general rule, Checkpoints will occur every 45 to 65 miles along the route, and are normally located near a convenience store.  Note… This is an extremely remote area.  You will likely not pass through any towns, and therefore no c-stores between checkpoints.


: Dirty Kanza 200 Rider’s Bible