In three years, the Flint Hills Gravel Ride and Run has grown to nearly 800 participants and six different event lengths — three each for cyclists and runners.
Saturday saw the biggest turnout yet, with people coming to Americus from as far away as California. Organizer Bobby Thompson says a longer preparation window helped things go smoothly.
Among those participating was Tammy Mercado of Kansas City, who was riding in the 88-mile option.
On hand for the 128-mile Adventure ride was Joshua Lundgren from Omaha. Like several other riders, he has Unbound Gravel in mind for early June.
Emporian Kerry Moyer, also in the Adventure ride, was impressed by the wide reach of the event in such a short period of time.
Thompson was pleased with the day, the turnout, the growth of the event and the potential for the event.
Cyclists had options of 35-mile, 85-mile and over 110-mile rides, while runners and walkers could participate in a 6K, 10K or 21K. Nearly 800 people took part in those activities, many wearing masks or gaiters as a way to offset a lot of smoke from grass fires across Kansas and Oklahoma during the event. Photos are online at KVOE.com.
Looking ahead, Thompson is organizing a “bike-packing” adventure involving a better than 1,000-mile ride in the Flint Hills from Emporia south into Oklahoma. This event will launch during the Memorial Day weekend, and it may take some participants better than two weeks to finish. Rock Ridge Gravel, an event similar to the Flint Hills Gravel Ride, will take place in Alma in July.
