Unbound Gravel Week

Unbound Gravel week is here, and both businesses and regional citizens are busy helping our guests get acclimated to our area. Below is the quick guide to what you need to know for this year’s Unbound Gravel:

• There were 5,000 athletes that registered for this year’s races/rides. They represent basically every US state and over forty foreign nations. The athletes aren’t coming alone; many are accompanied by a team or support crew, and some bring their families to the area.
• The Mechanic Street sections of the Expo will shut the 600 and 700 block area off to traffic on Wednesday morning. The Expo takes place on Thursday and Friday, but they need some additional time to set up vendors and amenities.
• The 350 mile “XL” launch will take place on the 800 Block of Commercial Street on Friday. This is a change from years past, and will necessitate a street closure on the 800 Block of Commercial Street on Friday, but the spectator experience on Friday afternoon should be much better.
• The rider launches on Saturday morning will start at 6:00 a.m., and riders will launch NORTH on Commercial Street. The launch will take place in the 900 Block of Commercial Street, and you should get a great glimpse of riders leaving in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Commercial Street and from the ESU Campus.
• The layout for the Emporia Main Street finish line celebration will look much different this year. All food vendors will be in the 600 and 700 blocks of Commercial Street. From the 800 Block of Commercial to 12th Avenue, the street will be blocked basically from curb to curb with sidewalks open for pedestrian traffic. The new configuration will allow for a wider chute and promote rider safety.
• The Emporia Main Street finish line celebration will take place from 11:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. There will be food, bike vendors, cowbells, a large beer garden and more during the day.
• Please be patient with cyclists on roads this week. Remember, the vast majority of these folks aren’t from here, and many aren’t even from the United States. Traffic laws and customs can differ from location to location, so let’s give folks some space, take our time on the roads, and watch for cyclists.
• Advocate for local businesses this week (and the rest of the year, too). Cyclists may wonder where local bike shops are located (we have three downtown) where to get a cup of coffee, where the expo is, downtown restaurant options, where to get a beer, where the History Center/Granada Theatre are, and more. If you see someone with zero body fat walking around like they don’t know where they are going, offer to help.
• Make a connection with our visitors. We want visitors to come back even when there isn’t a big race. Talk about the unique elements of our history. Point out the cool local places of interest, and let people know you are glad they are here.
• Hype up mementos. Emporia Main Street has merch, race maps, and cowbells, but PLENTY of other local businesses have unique items from the region. Several shops have “Emporia” or “Flint Hills” merch, local artwork, or unique “made in Emporia” items that we want folks to take home so they have a chance to talk up the area.
• Invite your out-of-town family and friends to the Saturday festivities! Watching world class athletes speed to a finish while enjoying awesome food and a stellar atmosphere helps showcase the best of our community. When you invite your family and friends, you help spread the good news about Emporia!

A couple of websites you need to be aware of are:

CLICK HERE for Unbound Gravel.

CLICK HERE for Finish Line activities

Do you have any other questions? We don’t promise to have all the answers, but we will do our best to help. CLICK HERE to email the Emporia Main Street office.