And they’re off. The first of several Unbound Gravel distances, the XL 350 mile ride, has left the downtown corridor.
The pack of riders left the 800 block of Commercial right at 3 pm to a tremendous roar of encouragement from a sea of onlookers.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for Unbound activities with all other distances set to launch tomorrow. The 200-mile riders begin launching before 6 am from Eighth and Commercial. Lawrence Moss of Vail, Colorado, is in his first 200. He enjoys the freedom he feels while on a bike.
Also in the 200 is Emporia teenager Keilara Owens. She is hoping to finish before midnight Saturday.
The full schedule is as follows:
*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
The annual Finish Line Party goes from 11 am to midnight Saturday.
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.
Over 5,000 riders are involved, with hundreds more vendors, support staff, family, friends and fans all in town for Unbound.
