DK race now named 'Unbound'
 

5 events over 4 days.
https://www.unboundgravel.com/

Cool. According to Wiktionary, unbound is an adjective meaning “not bound, not tied up”. Seems descriptive of both the race and the rename effort itself.

Un.....imaginative?

Forgetful for sure.

it's better than the (unintentional) connotation it had before, but they could have come up with something better. my favorite is still the Texas Chainring Massacre.

I suspect they decided to go with something anodyne so they didn't have to change it again.

I was guessing whoever bought the event didn't want to pay for the naming rights as well.

Lifetime Fitness bought the race back with it was the DK. They still own the race, name, etc.

I don't follow races, but what was the actual name (apart from "DK") before?

Edit: Found it, so nvm:

"Dirty Kanza" is an allusion to a racist slur referring to Native Americans. It's buried in a bit of history, so most people didn't realize the origins. I know many people are sick of "political correctness" changing things, but when you think about it, the name was egregiously offensive. Now that we realize that, it makes sense to move on with a different name that does not dehumanize anyone.

https://www.unboundgravel.com/an-upd...hq-in-emporia/

I completely agree. I didn't know the word (I'm Danish), but good for them for changing the name :thumb:

to be fair to Americans, most of us have never heard that word either. it's a very obscure reference that no one challenged for years. we've been rooting out racist stereotypes on a lot of things that are more obvious, but the word in question just sounds like a unique way to say "Kansas".

Ah, well, still good that they changed it :)

Yeah, even after learning Kanza is/was a the Kaw Nation, I still didnt think 'Dirty' was directed at the people(since it isnt/wasnt). Dirty clearly referenced the gravel/dirt roads that are ridden.
But hey- if the Kaw are offended, then it needs to be addressed.

Meanwhile, had the ride been called the 'Dirty Sioux' or something like that, I could see there being a naming issue before now.

Better than 'Unbound'-
Jayhawk Cup(JC)
Flint Hills Gravel Series
Emporia Gravel Race(EGR)

...or a lot more that describe the race/area.

it still sounds like a helluva a good time and I hope to ride in an event out there some day.

When they fired the former founder of DK, a lot of people asked Lifetime to change its name..
Im one of those people not riding this race anymore after this big corporation took over. They making races very expensive. Today I didn't bother to register The MidSouth when I found out that registration will cost me a hundred bucks.