EAT

Sometimes you just have to slow down, have a nice cup of joe before starting your adventure. Enjoy the atmosphere in one of Emporia’s independently owned coffee shops. Gravel City Roasters (608 Commercial St.) hand roasts their own beans and crafts signature drinks like

PHOTO CREDIT/Christopher Nichols

Frank’s Crowbar.

OTHER GRAVEL EVENTS LUNAR KANZA This 50-mile gravel leisure ride takes place under the full moon. Riders get to explore the Flint Hills at sunset and under moonlight. The ride finishes with a late night block party featuring live music and food trucks.

FREEDOMFEST

TOUR DE LYON COUNTY This 105-mile gravel ride/relay snakes though every town in Lyon County and proceeds go to charity. Or opt for the 20-mile fun ride.

RUSH THE RAILS Rush the Rails is a fondo ride and relay run along the Flint Hills

A number of rides and runs take

Nature Trail. The full distance event

place during this November event

begins in Osawatomie and ends in

to support veterans, including

Council Grove. You can opt for the

the Spur Ride, a unique 5k run

1/2 distance or 1/4 distance, too.

and gravel grinding ride that will

This event aims to celebrate the

challenge any athlete.

culmination of the hard work of

LAP THE LAKES Lap the Lakes Gravel Grinder is a 120-mile gravel road race fundraiser for Emporia’s Camp Alexander that takes riders around three different local lakes. This fast rolling ride has a 65-mile course too.

creating one of the longest rails-totrails in the US by enjoying the fruits of labor on two wheels and two feet.

LA GRIND La Grind is a two day gravel stage race through the Flint Hills. Ride on approximately 130 miles of iconic gravel roads with proceeds going to charity. Or ride the 35 mile fun ride.

PLAY

Explore the Flint Hills Nature Trail by bike, hiking or on horseback. It is the seventh longest rail-trail in America, and the longest trail in Kansas. Trail heads are in Admire, Allen, Bushong, and Council Grove. Cap your day with a stop at Mulready’s Pub (717 Commercial St.). This cyclist friendly favorite is the place for craft beer and scotch aficionados with over 70 craft beers, and 140 whiskies, scotches and bourbons from around the world available.

SINGLE TRACK TRAILS Emporia has more than gravel. For mountain bike lovers, Camp Alexander features 4.3 miles of singletrack trails with a wide variety of terrains. Ride the Cottonwood River Trail, with the trail head at the All Veterans

SHOP

No trip to a cycling-oriented city is complete without a stop at the local

Memorial, or the Campus Trails at ESU.

bike shop. Emporia is home to three!

BIKE STATIONS

is a specialty bicycle shop where

Unexpected flat or need a quick repair? Bike repair stations are located

bikes. Gravel City Adventure &

around town, including at the All Veterans Memorial, Emporia State

Supply Co. (716 Commercial St.) is

University and the parking lot at 8th Ave. and Merchant Street.

your adventure headquarters. From

Eclectic Bikes (823 Commercial St.) you can rent or buy vintage road

beginners to pros, they will help you find the right bike and gear to tackle the Flint Hills. High Gear Cyclery (520 Commercial St.) offers big city selection and small town service. With a passion for cycling, they will help PHOTO CREDIT/Courtesy Jason Ebberts

visitemporia.com

you find the bike of your dreams.

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