The most famous gravel cycling event in the world!

Participants may still be recovering from the 2023 edition and Lifetime Events already announced the next edition of the most (in)famous gravel cycling event in the U.S..

Unbound Gravel, according to the organizer “the world’s premier gravel grinder”, is a self-supported, endurance bicycle event along the gravel and dirt roads in the Flint Hills of rural Kansas, offering 5 race distances. The main course is the Unbound Gravel 200 (200 miles) with less than 10 miles of paved roads!

What started as the Dirty Kansas in 2006 with only 34 participants, attracts nowadays 4.000 everyday cyclists and high level professionals.

Unbound Gravel is known for unpredictable weather, flat tires (due to sharp flint rocks), mechanical issues, … and all kind of things out of your control, making the race extra hard. The 2023 edition will be remembered as a thick mud fest starting already at mile 11. The mud caked up on the tires that the bike no longer rolls and riders had to push or carry their bikes (then your feet were collecting mud) for several miles before they could start pedaling again.

“Hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life” is a common expression and it's considered an honor to finish, which can, with this year’s record of DNF (did not finishers), only be confirmed.

Still, being a part of it is such an incredible experience that this marquee gravel event should definitely figure on your bucket list if you’re looking for your next real gravel cycling challenge.

The next edition of Unbound Gravel will take place on Saturday 1 June 2024 with departure in Emporia (nicknamed the Gravel City) ... read more

Due to high demand you have to enter the lottery and hope … . A random selection process will be utilized to determine who will be allowed to participate. Life Time members (after six months of membership) get access one week before the event registration opening to the general public or guaranteed registration in lotteries. And if you are not selected in the lottery, there are other options!

Unbound Gravel is the second event on the Life Time Grand Prix Series calendar, a series of iconic off-road cycling events in the United States.

Check out the top 10 most popular gravel events in North America (according to our worldwide audience)