We are quite aware that Gravel Bikes are a super popular choice these days. Lots and lots of events ready made for them. Gravel bikes are inherently a versatile tool for multiple surfaces, and riders from the most casual to racers are choosing them. Long before Gravel specific events were a big thing, the Kansas… Continue reading Gravel Bike for CX
Category: Gravel
Turn And Face
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes Obvious, right? In the mid to late 90’s of the last century, local cyclo-cross races were starting to draw more than 25 racers per event. That was a big deal for a niche sport. Big enough of a deal that Overland Park was selected for the site of the 2000 USCF Cyclocross National Championship.… Continue reading Turn And Face
Gravel’s Enthusiast
Cycling on gravel. It’s a phenomenon that’s both very new (and very old). The modern renaissance of ‘B’ road racing and touring can be traced in a very large part to riders and events in the Flint Hills of Kansas. There is so much momentum and enthusiasm for riding gravel that the diversity of events… Continue reading Gravel’s Enthusiast
Gravel 2023
The arguably healthiest discipline of bicycle racing/sportif in the United States offers a full calendar of events in the Kansas City region. The information about events is a little diffused, but here are some links that we find helpful. KC Gravel Grinders Facebook page. Frequent postings for events and local group rides. GravelCalendar.com Lots more… Continue reading Gravel 2023
Unbound 2022
No argument that the Unbound Gravel is the flagship cycling event for our region. We’ve watched the ride grow from a small group of friends to International status with thousands of participants. Multiple distances, thousands of participants, expo, and live coverage make this the top tier of the gravel scene. Unbound Gravel Official website with… Continue reading Unbound 2022
Tiffany Burris: Building Confidence
We asked Tiffany Burris, founder of the Dirt Road Debutante Gravel Academy /Dark Early Coaching to give us her background story. “I am an endurance coach and athlete. I come from a running background, turned triathlete. Cycling was my weak link, so to get stronger I went to my local bike shop, Santa Fe Trails… Continue reading Tiffany Burris: Building Confidence
Stay Fired Up
Sunday April 24th, 2022 “The Stay Fired Up Gravel Grinder” will roll out from downtown Leavenworth. Kansas is a true heartland of gravel cycling and this event is a classic. We asked organizer Brendan Sheehan of Sante Fe Trails Bicycle and Coffee Shop to give us some of the background: “About 8 years ago we… Continue reading Stay Fired Up
March Gravel Rides
We’ve been scanning the Gravel Calendar KC for some of the upcoming events as well as other sources (See our Calendars page). Sunday March 13, 2022 is the Wakarusa Valley Rally. A new event starting at Lone Star Lake near Lawrence. Saturday March 19th the Nomad Trails Development folks are hosting MO Gravel! near Amazonia.… Continue reading March Gravel Rides
Mullet Ride/Finding Gravel
Gravel cycling events are continuing to grow in popularity. The explosion of rides in the last few years and the tendency of many to be grass roots affairs (without the traditional affiliations of a governing organization) can make it a challenge to find information. The upcoming Mullet Ride on March 5th (the historical version) is… Continue reading Mullet Ride/Finding Gravel
Dirt Road Debutante Clinics
We are fortunate to be in the heartland of gravel riding/racing. The calendar features local events nearly year round. We also have some excellent resources to help riders do their best in this challenging discipline. The Dark Early team led by Head Coach Tiffany Burris offers up Women’s Only gravel clinics designed for beginner and… Continue reading Dirt Road Debutante Clinics