Pony Express 120 gravel dash/Marysville Kansas

I thought I would give a shout out for this ride.

https://www.bikereg.com/ponyexpress120graveldash

I can't say enough positive things about this ride. It's what to me is a grass roots ride and the town really gets behind the ride. Last year there were about 120 riders. Entry fee this year is $45 and yes the hotels in the town don't up their prices for this ride. This was my first major gravel ride/race and it kind of spoiled me for all the other gravel rides I have done since. The 1st mile is blacktop and the rest of the ride is gravel. They have a beer challenge about 50 miles or so into the ride called the Brewsky challenge. You climb the small hill without putting your foot down and you win a free beer. They want you to win the free beer.

I flew in from Pa and Brenda(I think that is right) from the Chamber of Commerce couldn't have helped me more and answer all my questions for a new excited gravel rider.

Finally another stand out of this ride is the free swag they gave away the night before the ride. They gave away a $1500 or so bike and the giveaway was a good 1/2 hr. to 45 minutes. A lot of the giveaways was sponsored by the Pathfinder Bike shop in Manhattan Kansas. I was really hoping to win a set of the bar mitts for traveling the farthest not in the cards though They also gave a set away for the 1st registered male/female. I really don't know how you could go wrong with this ride. After I get a few more rides in under my belt I am going to fly out and do the 120 miler. For those who don't have support with you they also have drop bags that you can send ahead to the aid stations.

I also have a ride report over at Gravelcyclist under the racing tab. 75 miler Pony Express by Larry Brenize. I almost forgot they had pro photographers out on the course and let you steal your photos after the ride. You could go to their facebook page and see some great photos of last year ride to get an idea of the ride.

Zman

As a photographer for the Pony Express 120 Gravel Dash I must say this is a beautiful, challenging, fun filled ride!  I have not meet one rider that didn't look happy or have anything bad to say about this ride.

The Pony Express 120 Gravel Dash changes its course every year which brings you back to new adventures!  I will try and attach a few photos!

I can hardly wait to get out and see and photograph this event again.  I have meet amazingly nice people with a huge passion for cycling from all over the United States!   

             

Wow, that 4/5 photo is a serious hill!

simplemind wrote:Wow, that 4/5 photo is a serious hill!

simplemind this course has a little bit of everything but so much fun. The hills are steep at a few places but very short.

Zman

My Wife is from Manhattan, and we look for reasons to get back to visit.  This would certainly be a reason for me!

Mzilliox wrote:My Wife is from Manhattan, and we look for reasons to get back to visit.  This would certainly be a reason for me!

Mzilliox from what I know Pathfinder the bike shop from Manhattan was the main sponsor of all the swag giveaways(was a lot) at the riders  meeting the night before the ride/race. You won't regret going there for the ride/race.

Zman

I just checked the registration page and not too many folks have signed up.  It must be very hot at that time of year.  Looks like a great event.  I really like KS and wish I lived closer.

DerekJ_MI wrote:I just checked the registration page and not too many folks have signed up.  It must be very hot at that time of year.  Looks like a great event.  I really like KS and wish I lived closer.

Generally temps are reasonable in September. Last year it got into the mid-80s but the humidity wasn't bad so it was tolerable. 

DerekJ_MI wrote:I just checked the registration page and not too many folks have signed up.  It must be very hot at that time of year.  Looks like a great event.  I really like KS and wish I lived closer.

Derek the reason you don'r see many people signed up this isn't the DK200. Last year they had a total of 120 riders for both rides. I measure all the other gravel races I have done since to this ride and none have come close.

1. 1st mile is hard road the rest is gravel.
2. more free swag give away at the riders meeting than any other race I have seen,
3. The town really gets behind the ride and no hotel prices aren't jacked up and the Chamber of Commerce(Brenda) did anything she could do to help me and answer any questions before the ride.
4. low entry fees
5. will let you use drop bags and so you can have your own support out on the course without paying for it. This is what I did last year.

I really didn't think it was that hot last year but it did get somewhat warm in the afternoon but most of my 75 mile ride was in by then.

I think you know this already but I have a write up over at Gravel cyclist(under racing tab) if you wanted to get more of a feel for the ride.

Zman

I'm considering this as I am moving to Kansas next month, but there are other events that might conflict with this, and they are easier travel-wise.

jmal wrote:I'm considering this as I am moving to Kansas next month, but there are other events that might conflict with this, and they are easier travel-wise.

jmal This was my first real gravel ride/race and I have done plenty since. None has come close. The free swag give away the night before the ride at the riders meeting is well worth the ride itself. The entry fee is low and for sure it is a grass roots kind of ride. It would be worth the travel.

Zman