Four Mid-South cyclists will take part in a 200-mile endurance challenge next month. They are participating in the Dirty Kanza 200 in Emporia, Kansas, on June 4. This is a solo, self-supported and non-stop event on the gravel and dirt rodes of the Flint Hills region in east-central Kansas.
Shelby County residents taking part include Paul Hart and Jim Nabakowski, both of Bartlett, in the men’s 55-59 age category; Ed Garrison of Cordova in the men’s 55-59 age category; and Michael Hamm of Memphis in the men’s 35-39 age category.
The DK 200 brings almost 2,000 riders from eight countries and 44 states to Emporia and is recognized as one of the top five endurance races in the world.
The Dirty Kanza has gathered major media attention, including features in Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Fox Sports, The Washington Post, and Yahoo! Sports, as well as a front page sports article in The New York Times two years ago because of its unique race elements and finish-line celebrations.
There is also a 100-mile race that day, the DK 100 Half Pint, where riders take on 100 miles of the Flint Hills. The DK Lite 20- or 50-mile ride also takes place that day.
Starting at 6 a.m. on race day, riders can experience all extremes of the Kansas climate from scorching temperatures to freezing hail, to wind and rain, and then back to 100 degrees, all within the 24 hours of the race.
The course is secluded with the exception of the checkpoint towns and the occasional gathering of cattle on the side of the road (or on the road depending where you are).
Roads are minimally maintained. Roadbed consistency varies from crushed and graded limestone to fist-size gravel or dirt roads. And don’t forget the occasional creek bed that could be solid mud or bone dry because of the 100-degree weather.
In addition to the intense lay of the land, there is also about 12,000 feet of climbing if riders complete the course.
As riders cross the finish line, they are greeted by 6,000 spectators cheering and ringing cow bells to celebrate their victory. The celebration includes a rider’s chute for cheering on the finishers, live music, children’s activities, and a beer garden.
Throughout the day local businesses and area attractions offer activities, sales, and special DK menus for visitors and support crews. For more information, visit dirtykanza200.com.
Dirty Kanza Promotions was founded in 2006 by Jim Cummins, with the assistance of fellow cycling enthusiast Joel Dyke. At that time, gravel grinding was just beginning to catch the interest of the endurance cycling community. However, Jim had grown up in the Flint Hills of east central Kansas and had been riding gravel for decades. Inspired by some of the early gravel grinder events … and convinced the Flint Hills had the best gravel to be found, they decided to create Dirty Kanza 200.
Since then, the popularity of gravel grinding has exploded and is now the fastest growing genre in the cycling industry.
