GENERAL NEWS: #DIRTYKANZELLED
Posted By Gravel Union
On 27 May 2020
Dirty Kanza is arguably the gravel race that defines the entire genre of gravel racing. Running since 2006 in the Flint Hills area of east central Kansas (USA), the DK has gone on to become one of the most popular and most infamous gravel races in the world. In 2019 they had 3400 participants signed up – a huge number for a challenging 200mile/321kms single stage event. The DK takes place every year around the end of May and is the highlight in the calendar for many gravellistas.
The problem in 2020 of course is that Covid19 isn’t taking any notice of all the months of preparation work that go in to putting on big sporting events and gravel races all over the world have been cancelled, re-scheduled or postponed to 2021.
The 2020 DK race hasn’t been cancelled, it’s just been postponed until September 12th but for many gravel racers (including some top pro riders), the last weekend of May is always DK weekend, so in tribute to the DK, a Covid19-compliant DIY event has been set up instead – welcome to the #DirtyKanzelled.
#DirtyKanzelled is designed as a self-run gravel event, following roughly the ethos of the proper DK event. You can choose whether to do a 100mile or 200mile route, which you plan yourself using the komoot route planning app. The aim is for participants to ride from their house (or as near as possible) to avoid any unnecessary travel, with everyone starting at 6am. Participants must comply with all local Covid19 regulations including riding solo (or as a pair where local regulations allow) and the aim is to include as much gravel in your route as you can.
There’s loads of good information, tips and ideas on the event website You can enter for free and there’s lots of good prizes to be won.
Just remember (as the organisers state) – stay safe, have fun and don’t do anything stupid! Oh, and don’t forget to have a small beer when you finish to celebrate doing a great job.