Riders from age 1-92 will be part of the biggest Unbound Gravel in history the weekend.
Organizers say over 5,000 riders are coming to Emporia for the annual gravel cycling showcase — or they are already here.
All the Unbound activities to come were part of KVOE’s Morning Show this week. With all the riders in and around town, Life Time Marketing Manager Kristi Mohn thanked residents for their patience as riders get acclimated to their surroundings.
Activities are already getting started with a merchandise sale at Unbound Gravel HQ, as well as activities for the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, including a group ride before noon and the banquet at 6 pm at the Emporia Granada Theatre.
The All Things Gravel Expo launches at 1 pm Thursday and continues through Saturday. There are more shakeout rides, more music and more check-in activities Friday. KVOE will have Talk of Emporia at the Lyon County History Center from 11 am to noon Friday, followed by more reports between 12-1 pm.
New this year is live music and the Kids Crit, geared specifically for riders up to age 10.
Rides will have different launch times:
*XL 350 launches at 3 pm Friday from Eighth and Commercial.
*The Elite Men 200-mile category starts at 5:50 am Saturday, followed by the Elite Women at 6:05 am and remaining 200-mile riders at 6:30 am.
*100-mile riders launch at 7:30 am.
*50-mile junior riders begin at 8:30 am, followed by other 50-mile riders at 9 am.
*25-mile participants launch at 9:30 am
Much of Saturday’s events will be livestreamed, according to Life Time Marketing Manager Mason Mohn.
Finishing, according to four-time 200 champion Dan Hughes, is unlike anything else in cycling.
Speaking of the finish, the annual Finish Line Party goes from 11 am to midnight.
Awards will be split between Saturday and Saturday, with riders in the 50- and 100-mile rides getting their awards Saturday afternoon at the Granada Theatre. Riders in the XL and 200 will get their awards starting at 8 am Sunday at the Granada.
