Before the well-established Unbound Gravel series of races next week, a brand-new — and completely different — gravel cycling experience launches from south Emporia this weekend.
The Flint Hills Ultra Gravel Tour begins Saturday from Soden’s Grove. Event developer Bobby Thompson calls this a “bikepacking” adventure.
The route goes from Emporia south to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, before going west and then looping back to Emporia.
The “Grand Depart” is at the David Traylor Zoo starting at 6 am. Sixteen participants have signed up for the debut event. Depending on individual goals, riders may go anywhere from 50 miles to 300 miles a day. The route is totally unsupported, so some riders may look for established lodging, while others may simply sleep behind downtown businesses or in road ditches.
More information is available through discovergravel.com and the Flint Hills Ultra Gravel Route Facebook page.
