Unbound Gravel 2025 route

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The courses for the 2025 Life Time Unbound Gravel presented by Shimano were announced four weeks before the start in downtown Emporia, Kansas, which will be led by Unbound Gravel XL on Friday, May 30 and followed by Unbound Gravel 200 and three other distances on Saturday, May 31.

All distances follow a single-loop format that rolls on Commercial Street and into the Flint Hills of east-central Kansas, a second consecutive year for a north loop across open prairie, rolling hills and the sharp, tyre-slicing gravel. The terrain may only say 'hills', but there are a ton of elevation changes that add up to massive climbing. 

From Emporia, riders will proceed in a counter-clockwise direction, with the 350-mile XL course extending to the north just beyond Interstate 70. Unbound 200 does not go as far north, but is a few miles short of Interstate 70 on a section of gravel at mile 80. 

Once back in the city limits the last punchy climb is on tarmace at Highland Hill, along the edge of Emporia State University. This signals the final approach to the finish, with riders turning left on 12th Avenue for two blocks, then right for the final straightaway on Commercial Street. The final 1.5 miles of the course will be barricaded to protect spectators and riders, with a dedicated finish chute for the Unbound Gravel 200 riders to finish alongside the three other categories in the heart of the city.

Courses are not marked, and approximately 95% of the routes are on 'primitive' dirt roads, doubletrack and some singletrack. As noted in the Rider Handbook, "in the event of inclement weather, gravel and dirt roads can become mud roads" and participants are "encouraged to prepare their bikes, their bodies, and their minds to be ready for any and all possible conditions". 

More details about the routes will be provided closer to the race date.

Unbound Gravel 200 route

The 200-mile route comes in at 202.4 total miles with approximately 11,800 feet of elevation gain. The route is almost a full carbon copy, heading out into Wabaunsee and Morris counties to the same checkpoint and water oasis areas. Support crews can be positioned to resupply and repair equipment in Alma, at mile 70, and in Council Grove at mile 148. The two 'oasis' points on the route for water only are at mile 40 at Eskridge and mile 112 at Alta Vista. 

The technical, bumpy gravel beginning at mile 42 on Divide Road returns, which will keep riders alert, then the rollers on Prairie View Road need to be cleared to head into Alma. From there, it's gradual climbing from mile 70 to 88 on the northernmost section of the route.

The usually grueling Little Egypt arrives at about mile 104, but that section has smoothed out. Then the 200-mile course joins with the 100-mile course at the same junction as last year - Old K-4 Road and Des Moines Road, at mile 130 for Unbound 200 and mile 36 for Unbound 100.

At mile 148 riders have the option to stop for hydration, nutrition and technical assistance from their crews in Council Grove. From the lead group, however, there may be no need to stop, with only a rolling resupply of liquid or solid food on offer for the front to stay together. Another 29 miles on and headwinds tend to hang out on the long open stretch at Lake Kahola. 

From the dam at the lake under 26 miles remain. Attacks and counter-attacks then begin to fly as the contenders head toward the final ascent up Highland Hill back in Emporia and on the pavement to the straightaway on Commercial Street.

Unbound Gravel 100 route

The 100-mile route measures 109.7 miles and includes approximately 3,600 feet of climbing. This 'stepping stone' to the 200 event has one checkpoint at Council Grove, which is mile 54, and one water oasis, at mile 92 in Americus.

After the opening 26.8 miles, the 100-mile route will separate from the 200-miler and turn on Road 400 to continue north on Turkey Road. The route then has a high frequency of turns on a 10-mile south-west trek to the junction at Old K-4 Road and Des Moines Road where the two routes will reconnect - at mile 130 for Unbound 200 and mile 36 for Unbound 100. It is the same regroup as last year.

Once through Council Grove, the route swings a bit to the west then back east for the 35-mile approach to the longest climb, which arrives adjacent to Lake Kahola. This is an exposed and often windy stretch, which leads to the final 11 miles back into Emporia.  

Unbound Gravel XL route

The XL contest begins Friday, May 30, at 3:00 p.m. CDT, a day prior to the other four distances, so that all athletes in Unbound divisions share the finish line on Saturday back on Commercial St. in downtown Emporia. All riders have 36 hours to officially finish the course. 

The route follows the same track to the north for the first 45 miles or so, moving away from the 200-mile course beyond Eskridge. The route goes north to Maple Hill and then meanders south again to pass through Alma after 110 miles have been covered. Once passing through the most northerly section at Pillsbury Crossing, the route heads south and will reconnect with the Unbound 200 course for about 75 miles. 

Once through Council Grove, XL riders will head away from shared roads when the 200-milers turn on South 1400 Road and begin their final 45 miles. The XL riders have 150 more miles to cover, with a big counter-colockwise loop to the west and south, moving toward Texaco Hill that is part of the traditional south course. Once over a series of stiff climbs, the route heads back north and connects with the other courses just before Lake Kahola for the final 32 miles.