It is Unbound Gravel week. And judging from the interest, this will be an Unbound week like none other in the event’s history.
On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Tuesday, Marketing Manager Kristi Mohn confirmed nearly 5,000 cyclists will participate. Over 1,400 volunteers are already on board to fill various roles. And the equivalent of Emporia’s population — around 25,000 people — could well be packed into the downtown area for all the activities Saturday. Mohn, a Gravel Cycling Hall of Famer, says people continue to be attracted to Unbound and Emporia for one simple reason:
It’s a far cry from the very first race in 2006, which had all of 34 riders — including fellow Hall of Famer and 4-time winner Dan Hughes. He went from a “terrible” experience running a marathon as a teenager to long-distance cycling. He needed a challenge, and he found it through Unbound and its predecessor.
Hughes will be a content specialist for Life Time this week while his fiancee rides the XL 350.
Unofficial shakeout, or group rides have been underway in and around Emporia. More shakeout rides are taking plaec Wednesday through Friday before the launch of the XL 350 at 3 pm Friday in front of the Emporia Granada Theatre. After the rider’s meeting at 4:30 pm Friday, all other race lengths will launch from in front of the Granada beginning with the 200 men’s race at 5:50 am Saturday and the 200 women’s race at 6:05 am Saturday. The finish line party begins at 11 am Saturday.
On top of all that, the All Things Gravel Expo will take place in the 600 and 700 blocks of Mechanic from 2-7 pm Thursday and 10 am to 5 pm Friday.
Mohn says more volunteers are welcome. Residents can go online to unboundgravel.com/volunteer/ for information.
More information is available at unboundgravel.com. KVOE will have a special Talk of Emporia beginning at 10:06 am Friday for rider check-in, followed by full coverage of the rides Friday and Saturday. Tagan Trahoon will also broadcast from the finish line party Saturday afternoon.
