I don’t know if a DK spot is a medical issue or something to do with triathlon.

Dirty Kanza 200 lottery. Didn't enter this year but I'm guessing a lot were out of luck.

I was selected in the lottery. I'm about an hour from Emporia and finished the 200 last year so maybe that's a factor in my selection however I suspect the biggest reason is that I purchased and kit with my entry. It would be pretty convenient to select anyone who's credit card they could charge more for upon selection first.

I currently don't have any lodging available and am not sure I'm willing to pay over $500 for a two night stay a Best Western like last year. There are so many great Midwest gravel races and others across the country that are more scenic and tougher I honestly think the DK hype will die down drastically in the next few years.

A friend of mine didn't get selected but wants to do the 200 so if anyone's not able to participate please PM me. His wife got in and I think he'd rather ride than SAG.

Actually, your little theory has been debunked by a lot of people posting that they got in the race but did not buy the kit.

I got in the DK50. I’ll be sleeping at Dad’s house and riding to the start.

CS - did you get in?

---

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

No entry for me. We had about 6 of us apply and only 1 got selected.

Starts as a psychological issue that turns into physical issue

Yeah, I’m in, so long as I get to start line...

Agreed. I did Dirty Kanza in 2014 & 2015. The course is good, but nowhere near good enough (compared to other gravel races) to justify the price & hype. There are also too many people for my tastes.

---

Steve

"If you ain't first, you're last." Reese Bobby Talladega Nights

I entered on a whim, thinking i would not get in. On a whim i even made a motel reservation last Friday.

First think Saturday morning I was wondering how my luck was...moments later I got the email that I has been selected for the 100 !

I guess my early season training has been established!

... Anyone in Colorado have some favorite rides they want to shore?

My 5 teammates made it in, but i got rejected. 5 out of 6 really isn't bad. I'm sure that people will be selling slots in a few months, and I'll be able to get in.

I really wish there was some sort of qualification process in addition to the lottery. IMO it takes a little prestige out of winning if the fastest guys who want to race it aren't able to get in. Even the winner from last year wasn't guaranteed a slot, although he did make it via the lottery.

No real "specific" route but all the stuff North and East of I-25 & I-70 out by DIA is great for lack of traffic, rollers, dirt and (surprise) wind. Have friends in the Springs that spend a lot of time in the Elbert/Kiowa/Deer Trail/Limon area. Can ride for days out there.

I see all the great courses out West and wonder why anyone would go to DK.

There are a lot of good rides out west but DK is it's own animal.

Why would anyone want to go to Kona or Wildflower or Alcatraz?

Indeed. None of those races interest me.

Gotcha. Maybe you should start a separate thread about races that don't interest you since that was the subject of this one.

Having grown up in NorCal, I know where you're coming from. But that said, there is something about long hours on the gravel in some of the intense (but totally different) beauty of the Midwest. Here a taste of another cool Midwestern gravel ride, the Almanzo100:

https://vimeo.com/47963412

---

Advanced Aero TopTube Storage for Road, Gravel, & Tri...ZeroSlip & Direct-mount, made in the USA.
DarkSpeedWorks.com.....Reviews.....Insta.....Facebook
--

I'm in for the 200. Did the 100 last year and was pleasantly surprised to get the email on Saturday. I booked a room at the Candlewood Suites back in July.

That one's also on my list. In fact, the list is too long.

No thanks. I asked what the attraction of DK is because it's relevant to this thread.

You're the one who brought up races than don't interest me... so you should go start a separate thread.

Nice share. The NW IL area also has absolutely fantastic gravel riding too. I didn't get into DK, but I'm not too upset since Ten Thousand is the week before. If you don't mind driving a little west, it's an amazing route out of Freeport, IL. Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. 120ish miles and 10k ft of climbing. There's a couple shorter routes too. I think this is year number five.

No DK for me but I will be riding the inaugural Michigan Coast 2 Coast... 209 miles of gravel racing the sunset over Lake Michigan!