‘This is the Super Bowl of gravel:’ Past Unbound champions reflect on experiences during KVOE Morning Show interview

At least for the next few days, Emporia’s population is swelling.

Around 4,000 cyclists from around the world are now in Emporia for the races and the Unbound experience — not to mention the thousands of family members, team members, vendors and gravel cycling fans here for the event.

Past champions Lauren De Crescenzo and Ian Boswell took time out of their busy schedules to join KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday. De Crescenzo says Emporia’s support of Unbound is unmatched.

Boswell agrees. He says Emporia is now the hub of the gravel cycling world.

The All Things Gravel Expo began Thursday afternoon in the 600 and 700 blocks of Mechanic Street.

Robert Hutmacher of Alchemy Bicycles in Golden, Colorado, is branching out his bicycle business that creates handmade bicycles either carbon or titanium fit best for riders.

Ben Coffey of Thomson based in Macon, Georgia, is making his first trip to Emporia for Unbound Gravel. It’s also the second race he’ll attend in two weeks.

Packet pickup begins at 3 pm Thursday but ramps up beginning at 10 am Friday at the Lyon County History Center. KVOE will broadcast live from the History Center Friday morning starting at 10:06 am.

The Unbound Gravel XL 350 race launches at 3 pm Friday, with all other race lengths beginning early Saturday. The Finish Line Party will be along Commercial Street. The awards ceremony is at 8 am Sunday at the Granada, the same time as route cleanup begins.

Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for Unbound coverage through the weekend.