I've done it again. I signed up for the Dirty Kanze 200. A 200 mile gravel road race in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas. This annual event has grown from I believe about 45 particiapants the first year to now over 300, in just a few short years. My first attempt in May of 2009, I made it almost to the first rest stop. I covered 55 miles in about 6 hours. Heat, wind, but probably not training properly knocked me out 5 miles from the opportunity to get the map for the next 50 miles. Averaging 10 mph I should finish the 200 mile event at about 4:00 am. This year, a group of cyclist from Wichita have signed up and have a training plan in place to attack this event. The plan is to do long slowish ride, building up to the June 4th event.
This event which starts and finishes in Emporia Kansas has become what some say is North America's premier gravel road race. Training for this years event started this past weekend with 50 miles on Saturday and 40 on Sunday, both rides to Clearwater Kansas on mostly gravel roads. Saturday was a group of 8 riders, and Saturday was a solo ride. Casey's convienence store proved to be a good stop to refuel for the trip home.
