No Do Overs: Taking On The Dirty Kanza

For those that don't know, the Dirty Kanza 200 is an unsupported race through the Flint Hills of Kansas, where riders leave Emporia at 6AM on a 200 mile race through two other towns before returning to Emporia. 95% of the race is on gravel roads (most with minimal maintenance) and the only support from teams is allowed in the 3 check points approximately 50 miles apart. Its typically hot and humid and most of the course is the definition of remote.

For some reason this sounded like a fun time after reading all of the stories and blogs from the last few years. Maybe not "fun" in the traditional sense.  More like fun in the challenge of finishing something this insane.  Two friends, John and Phillip, were also stupid enough to think this was a good idea and signed up with me. Phillip wised up and changed his entry to the 100 mile race a few days before the race (there’s always 1 in the group).

Added bonus: At 3 AM on the morning of the race, we were awaken by the thunder as a storm came through town and it poured rain for close to an hour.  When we woke up the sky was clearing and there wasn’t any standing water, so we figured we were good to go. We may have underestimated that slightly.

Granada Theater Sign-  This is the old time theater on Commercial Street in Emporia.  This is where the riders meeting, start and finish 

The view of the start.  We were back alongside the Granada Theater sign. Photo: Dave Leiker

The neutral roll out started right at 6 and we were led the local police down Commercial Street and by a few miles of people cheering everyone on from their front yards. Before long the cars pulled over and a UTV led the riders out onto the dirt and that's when all hell broke loose. I hear a gasp in the crowd and look to see rooster tails of water coming off the back of the Rhino. The entire first straight was under water. What was even more impressive was when the leaders (including Ted King) hit the water all we saw was a massive splash as they were going at a fast pace through the water. All I've heard is how fast the first 10 miles of the Dirty Kanza are, but that day the water slowed everyone down and caused a big bottle neck as most tried to stay on the small patch of road that was above the water.  A couple of us took advantage of this and rode through the water to try to get closer to the front group.

I found this shot on Instagram and this is right after we turned off the highway.  A few of us went to the right and passed a bunch of people through the water.  The first 8 miles consisted of this, mud, or very wet gravel. Photo: way_beyond_the_pale