Unbound Gravel reveals 2026 route with south and north features combined to include ‘potentially muddy’ sections

Just a little over two weeks before the 20th anniversary edition of Life Time Unbound Gravel presented by Shimano unfolds, routes have been revealed. The signature Unbound 200 race will deviate from the recent pattern of either heading out from Emporia and into the Flint Hills of Kansas largely to the north or south, with the showcase event on May 30 taking in a bit of each this year as it racks up 206 miles (331km) with over 9,000 feet (2,743m) of climbing.

The race headed out of Emporia into the north the last two editions, but in 2026 will run south from the start with a similar opening section of the route to the last one that ran south, the notoriously tough, peanut butter mud edition of 2023, but cuts out a slightly altered path. Riders will hit Yy road at 15 miles in for a rolling uphill section towards what locals know as the ‘Towers climb’ with chunky gravel, creek crossings and perhaps mud if it rains.