So what are the alternative races to DK but still cover some of the same kind of roads? For those of us that maybe want the same challenge but not have to pay a fortune? List the rides/events or at least the ones that have been held in the past. I know there are a few.
Dip you tires in lake Huron in the morning, then lake Michigan in the evening. (and get your photo on Salsa's red couch before you finish.
Its been run twice, so its still very grass roots.
Chas: From what I know Salsa has discontinued the Salsa red couch. I think it just got too expensive to have a private photographer on site. Guess they also felt that they had enough publicity from it. Feel lucky to have had my pic taken at unPAved 2 years ago.
Just go and ride the event without registering. OK, so you don't get the cheap socks, crappy t-shirt and a beer glass if you finish. So what, at the end you can have fun counting the $240 still in your pocket. The expo is open to all and so are all the public roads the event is run on. Get support when and where you want. I mean, it's all about the town, the Flint Hills and wonderful gravel roads.
If you're open to traveling, or aren't located in Kansas, the DAMn (Day Across MN) could be a good fit. Has the fun race atmosphere and challenging distance (240 miles), with a slightly lower cost - 2020 race fee was $95, which includes some support during non-COVID times...
There are a few other events up along the MN north shore of Lake Superior, run by Heck of the North Productions, look them up for info.
There is the Filthy 50 in Southern MN too which has a lower fee. Think it was free in past years, but don't have a cost on their website.
That being said, if you are counting lodging/travel in the cost, that is highly dependent on whether you'd be camping/hotel/staying with friends and how far you have to go...
If you want to ride the DK roads, the Mammoth Tuff course, or Lost and Found, Almanzo or whatever, and you’re from out of town, the gas, food and lodging are still going to cost you, and the entry fee is just a small part of attending. If you want to do major events, do them. Pay the event fee, try to look past whatever it is that troubles you about the fee, and enjoy what makes that event special. If you aren’t actually interested in the zeitgeist of major races, and just want to ride some gravel by yourself, that’s great fun too, just different. And every state in the union has some, and you can surely find plenty within driving distance of where you live and do it on the cheap. There are thousands of miles of it within day tripping distance of me and Im not in a place like Kansas that has a surplus.
thumper88 wrote: If you want to ride the DK roads, the Mammoth Tuff course, or Lost and Found, Almanzo or whatever, and you’re from out of town, the gas, food and lodging are still going to cost you, and the entry fee is just a small part of attending. If you want to do major events, do them. Pay the event fee, try to look past whatever it is that troubles you about the fee, and enjoy what makes that event special. If you aren’t actually interested in the zeitgeist of major races, and just want to ride some gravel by yourself, that’s great fun too, just different. And every state in the union has some, and you can surely find plenty within driving distance of where you live and do it on the cheap. There are thousands of miles of it within day tripping distance of me and Im not in a place like Kansas that has a surplus.
I agree!! If you are going to ride a course on the day of an event, pay the fee. A lot of people have put a tremendous amount of time and money into making an event happen and riding it bandit is a douche move. If you absolutely must ride a course without registering, ride it on any of the other 364 days of the year.
One more vote for paying the entry if one is going to be on the course the day of an event and for choosing to ride it gratis under other circumstances.
The absolute freedom to be able to ride these high level courses for free when they are not being used for events is one of the great and equitable aspects of this pursuit.
Same type of road events? Maizies in May. La Grind in May. Lap the Lakes in October. Cannonball 550 in September. Bleeding Kansas in September. Flint Hills Gravel Ride in April.
All in the area. Different parts of course.
the DK 200 or Unbound I guess really gets you out there...the others above give you a taste but a good taste.
Or come to town anytime, hit me up or hit up the bike shop...we can get ya to the good roads.
But yeah...being on the 200 route amidst all the other tormented souls is a trip worth making at least once.
Same type of road events? Maizies in May. La Grind in May. Lap the Lakes in October. Cannonball 550 in September. Bleeding Kansas in September. Flint Hills Gravel Ride in April.
All in the area. Different parts of course.
the DK 200 or Unbound I guess really gets you out there...the others above give you a taste but a good taste.
Or come to town anytime, hit me up or hit up the bike shop...we can get ya to the good roads.
But yeah...being on the 200 route amidst all the other tormented souls is a trip worth making at least once.
enjoy.
Causalcyclist I might just do that after I retire end of next year. What shop do you work out of or is there only 1 in Emporia? Curious if you have ever heard/ridden the Pony Express 120 out of Marysville Kansas. That is the only race I have done in Kansas and was my 1st race 3 years ago. Very grassroots. I did the 70 miler. I had never heard of the Flint Hills Gravel Ride in April. Curious what kind of temps we are talking about in different years. Might have to come out there and try that to celebrate my birthday. Thanks for any info.
Absolutely. Been up to Pony Express the past two years. Director and his family are good people. Pulled my camper up this year and just kinda hung out for a couple days. Good area to ride. Marysville is a cool little town. Last year was perfect. Wind 10-15 and temps in 70’s. This year was tougher with wind above 20 and temps in 60’s.
