Dirty Kanza 200 bike riders were greeted by a mini-festival as they arrived back in Emporia on Saturday, after an exceptionally hot and hilly 200-mile bike ride through the Flint Hills.
The celebration — with a giant triple-slide for the kids, and music and food vendors for all who attended — was headquartered in front of the Granada Theatre, where the race had started around 6:30 a.m. The 800 block of Commercial Street was blocked off for the celebration.
The event was organized by Granada director Jessica Buchholtz, businesswoman Kristi Mohn and Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods, with what Woods termed “very supportive” assistance from a variety of other individuals and entities, including the city of Emporia and its police department.
One of the Dirty Kanza’s co-organizers, Joel Dyke of Kansas City, Kan., was pleased by the community’s welcome and by the rigorous route through the area.
“Gravel riding, it’s the latest boom in cycling,” Dyke said. “We’re kinda the big race.”
Registration for the race filled completely within 11 hours of its announcement earlier this year, and a waiting list was formed to fill spots that became vacant when some cyclists were unable to attend.
Dyke said that the 2010 race would be the last time the Dirty Kanza would use outside vendors — such as a marketing company that make event T-shirts — to provide for the race needs.
“We’re going to do it right here,” Dyke said. “This needs to be homespun.”
Dyke and his partner, Jim Cummins, were helped on the Emporia end of the race by Mohn and her husband, Tim, who took part in his fifth Dirty Kanza this year.
“Kristi and Tim are like our third man,” Dyke said, also singling out Matt Brown of High Gear Cycle and rider and professional photographer Eric Benjamin for their help in promoting the race. Benjamin recently started adventuremonkey.com, devoted to gravel riding, and has published his first issue of a biker’s magazine.
“He’s kind of Artist of the Day,” Dyke said. “His work is beautiful.”
A total of 195 bicyclists started the Dirty Kanza 200 around 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
The ride took bikers from the Granada, out gravel roads that eventually took a broad loop south of Bazaar, came up northwest toward Elmdale and Diamond Creek, through Council Grove, and on north to Alma, before circling back to Eskridge and on to Emporia over a course marked earlier by the Kansas City Jeep Club.
One of the cyclists, who dribbled in spasmodically throughout the evening and into the night, said the ride registered 202 miles.
“This is ranked one of the top 10 of its type in the country,” Woods said.
The gravel races are different from the Tour de France-type races, not only in terrain but in style, Dyke said. While the Tour more resembles a sprint, the gravel makes for endurance races.
“You either crack mentally or you don’t,” Dyke said.
The race by nature is physically demanding, too.
“Oh-oh. There’s the cramps,” Lance Andre of Florida said as he walked his bike from the finish line to stretch out on a church lawn in the 800 block of Commercial Street.
A little down time and an ample refill of water would bring Andre and other bikers back on their feet before too much time elapsed.
“He’ll start hydrating again. It’ll take his body a good two weeks to come around again. He has more than the endurance of a lot of those guys,” Dyke said.
Andre was the second rider to coast under the finish-line banner to the applause of the crowd. He arrived approximately an hour after Corey Godfrey of Lincoln, Neb., who made it back to Emporia first in about 12 and a half hours.
The third rider was Joe Fox of Kansas City, who was greeted at the finish line by his wife, Kathy, and sons, 2-year-old Levi and 7-week-old Max. The family had come to Emporia on Saturday afternoon to watch Fox roll in. He smiled broadly as he rose from the bike seat.
“Aw, man, that’s fun!”
Fifty other serious riders took part in the DK Lite, a 20-mile bike ride, routed to the first challenging hill in the Flint Hills, then back to the Granada.
Lite riders were treated to food donated by Country Mart on their return.
Woods joined the DK Lite ride, organized by Russ Bonitatibus.
Mohn sported a sunburn and a smile Saturday evening.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said, and the event’s reputation as a top ride is growing in the cycling world.
“They are definitely spreading the word about how great the event is, and how the community came out for it,” Mohn said.
Woods said that in addition to the fun and entertainment, the Dirty Kanza had brought in a host of people to Emporia.
“There’s 331 hotel room that were rented for this event,” he said. “Lots of tax revenue coming into town.”
He sees biking as a potential draw for a certain type of tourist.
“Colorado has skiing, and the coasts have boating and surfing,” he said. “We have one of the most beautiful and challenging biking areas in the country. You can do flat, you can do hills, pavement, ford streams, trail riding.
“This area will give you more types of bike-riding diversity than any place you can find.”
In addition to an afternoon movie, “The Sandlot,” at the Granada, the event included a beer garden, music by the Clifton State Bluegrass Band and The Co-Dependents, Pyramid Pizza, RuYi Asian food, a Tropical Sno stand, Dan’s Hands Massage and Bodywork, adventuremonkey photo booth and the Lil Red Caboose, which supplied a menu of funnel cakes, hot dogs, nachos, cheesecake and other finger foods and beverages.
The Sweet Granada adjacent to the theater stayed open late, keeping owner Kim Redeker hopping with orders for homemade sweets and handmade lemonades.
By 9 p.m., the crowd in the street seemed to be growing instead of thinning out. Like others, the success of the first festival brought the promise of an even-larger event next year.
“I’m proud of Emporia,” Redeker said.
admireed (anonymous) says...
Thanks for bringing this to the area. Come back.
Edward McKernan
June 7, 2010 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kira002 (anonymous) says...
This was a really fun event that takes advantage of our unique location. Looking forward to next year!
June 7, 2010 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Fun? I would have been on the side of the road before I got to Soden's Grove. These folks are in GOOD SHAPE!
Edward McKernan
June 7, 2010 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
What's "Soden's Grove"? Is that anywhere near McDonald's? :)
'enry
June 7, 2010 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
Congrats to all riders and supporters for this successful event! Congrats to my husband for making it 142 miles! He rode in to Alma and decided he had enough! This race is truly a test of endurance and pure heart. I saw riders being carted off in ambulances, suffering heat exhaustion and yet many determined souls still plugging away to the very end. It was a testament to the human spirit and limits of the body. This event has the potential to be very big for Emporia. Thanks to everyone who helped this year including the Mohn's, the Chamber, Main Street and race organizers, Jim and Joel. Can't wait for next year!
June 8, 2010 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Pollyanna
It was a great job by all the organizers and volunteers ! All those out of towners seeing what great people live in the Emporia area. It seems most left with a favorable impression of Emporia.
However did I miss something in the article?
What did the Chamber have to do with this event?
Just wondering?
June 8, 2010 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
I know the Chamber donated information packets to all the riders when they registered and in that packet were 2 free tickets to the Granada for the afternoon showing of The Sandlot. Maybe I am confused also about how much Main Street was involved versus the Chamber. I saw Casey Woods busting his tail most of the day helping to prepare and break down the street events. Whoever had a hand in it, we appreciated it all!!
June 8, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Was it the Chamber or the CVB. They are not the same.
Edward McKernan
June 8, 2010 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
It would have been nice if whoever was in charge had informed merchants on Commercial Street that the street was going to be closed down on Saturday afternoon. Great planning!
June 9, 2010 at 8:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
What have you heard, who's mad?
I recieved no less than
3 or 4 letters/e-mails explaining plans for the street closing and I'm in the 400 block. It was also in the Gazette prior to Saturday wasn't it? I don't know, I would have been tickled to death to have 195 riders and their families and friends surrounding my business.
June 9, 2010 at 8:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Plenty planned for all after Saturday bike races
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
It wasn’t difficult for Heartland Sports Promotions to sell bicycle enthusiasts on the 2010 Dirty Kanza 200 bike race coming up on Saturday.
Within 14 hours of announcing the event, the limited number of slots — 150 — were filled with riders and others’ names already were on the waiting list, in case of cancellations.
A 20-mile fun bike ride, the DK Lite, also is planned on Saturday, with evening activities open to the public.
All will be held in front of the Granada Theatre, with a block of Commercial Street closed to traffic to allow easy, safe access for participants.
“The DK Lite is a 20-mile fun bike ride for those of us that want to participate in the Dirty Kanza 200, but aren’t quite insane enough to ride 200 miles on a bike!” a Lite news release stated. “This bike ride is 10 times shorter and 100 times easier than the Dirty Kanza, but is still a lot of fun.”
People who want to participate in the shortened ride may pick up an entry form at Emporia Main Street, 12 E. Fifth Ave., or online at www.emporiamainstreet.com. The ride is free and is coordinated by Russ Bonitatibus.
Participants are advised to bring at least one water bottle and flat tire repair gear because there will be no support stops. Helmets are mandatory.
The 200-mile race is described as “an epic gravel road race” held annually in the Flint Hills.
“It is our vision that The Dirty Kanza 200 will become North America’s premier annual ultra-endurance gravel road cycling challenge,” the DK vision statement says.
Race activities will begin on Friday with a pasta feed at the Best Western Inn, where the riders’ meeting and raffle also will be held.
Riders will hold a controlled “roll-out” through town at 6 a.m. Saturday, before meeting for the Dirty Kanza’s start at 6:30 a.m. in front of the Granada Theatre. Check-in and registration will begin there at 5 a.m.
Special movies for families and support crews are planned beginning Saturday afternoon at the Granada, where “The Sandlot” will be shown. Tickets for those who need them will be $4 each. Each rider packet contained two free movie passes, courtesy of the theater.
Food and beer vendors, an inflatable super slide for kids, massage therapists and live music will be among the attractions at race’s end. The events are open to the public, with the Finish Line celebration scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
From 8 to 11:30 p.m., live music will be featured in the Granada Beer Garden, with the Clifton Street Bluegrass Band and The Co-Dependents scheduled to play. The awards ceremony for the Dirty Kanza will be at 9:30 p.m.
The Dirty Kanza is sponsored by High Gear Cyclery of Emporia, Salsa Cycles, Swiftwick International, Epic Ride Research, Routine Leg Works, The Adventure Monkey, BikeSource and Michelob, according to information from race organizers Jim Cummins and Joel Dyke.
June 9, 2010 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, I'm going to ask the people who complained and get back to you.Thanks for the article.
June 9, 2010 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Create,
Today crews are dropping off signs and barriers from 12 th ave south to 9th on commercial street for the water main replacement. Traffic/ parking on Commercial will be horrible for the rest of the summer. But please Emporia don't forget to patronize downtown businesses during this construction. It will be hard on some businesses and we don't need anymore closing down.
June 9, 2010 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The local folks, along with Main Street, who brought this event to Emporia deserve a
"PAT ON THE BACK"
from Chris and the rest of us.
Well Done!
June 9, 2010 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
This event, disc golf, softball and baseball tourneys, soccer, and other sporting events are far more likely to bring tourist money and out of towners and their money to town than a dog turding station or an ad in a national magazine ever will.
Great job to those who brought this event to Emporia!
June 9, 2010 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
I had to laugh at the comment that the bed tax was "not tax payer monies". HELLO????
June 9, 2010 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )