Cottonwood Road & Gravel 200

OverviewThe Cottonwood 200 got its name in 1976 when a hearty group of cyclists from the Kaw Valley Bicycle Club were searching for a way to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday. Looking at their maps, they realized a round trip from Topeka to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas is 200 miles, and covers some of the best cycling in the state. The ride is held every May on Memorial Day weekend and is in its 50th year.The ride now begins and ends from Council Grove High School (129 Hockaday Street), with different route choices available to riders on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Memorial Day weekend. Riders can choose to ride all three days or select one or two.There will be long and short routes and both gravel and paved road options–so bring both your bikes! These routes will cover some of the best cycling terrain in the state, including through the celebrated Flint Hills.The ride is open to riders of all ages (but those under 18 must have a parent riding, too). The Cottonwood 200 is an excellent way to train for longer rides later in the season (such as BAK), so join us for a great weekend!Touring KansasThere are multiple historic sites to visit in and around Council Grove. The history of the area is diverse. Some of the towns the paved loops will visit include Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, Alta Vista, and Alma (among others). Paved road riders will also have the opportunity to visit the historic Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.Gravel loops will include historical sites surrounding the Santa Fe Trail including ghost towns and Santa Fe trail crossings. Most of these places you can only get to on gravel and are not seen from the highway. There will be stops at Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park (site of the Kaw Indian Reservation), railroad ghost towns, Santa Fe trail ruts and creek crossings, and a ghost town founded by Exodusters in the late 1800s. The gravel routes will also ride through Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, Wilsey, and Allen (among others).A more detailed description of the routes (mileage, maps, and historic sites to see) will be updated this spring, so stay tuned to the Cottonwood 200 website and Facebook page for additional updates. The current routes posted were planned with the known road construction projects in mind, but changes may be necessary if additional (previously unknown) construction begins. If any changes are made, we will announce it on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and post the new routes here.Entry FeesRegular 3-Day Registration: $2153-Day Registration for KVBC Lifetime Members: $205If you are unable to complete the full three days, we also have the following options for those riding one or two days:1-Day Entry: $802-Day Entry: $160Registration includes the following:1-year KVBC membership.Live entertainment to celebrate our 50th anniversary.Yoga classes throughout the weekend with Madeline Wiseman.Acrylic painting class with Doug Burris on Sunday evening, May 24 (limited to 30 participants).Guaranteed t-shirt included for 3-day registrations when you register by May 1, 2026. Extra t-shirts may be purchased for all other registrations if ordered by May 1.Fully stocked SAG (rest) stops on each day with food and water.Sweep vehicles traveling the routes each day, able to assist and transport riders if needed.Mechanical support for bicycles.Air-conditioned overnight accommodations with showers at the Council Grove High School on Friday evening (after 6 pm), Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning. You may sleep inside the high school or camp on the school grounds. The high school will be open to all registered riders and volunteers.A catered meal each day.Photo slideshows of riders on each day. These photos will be available for free after the ride.T-ShirtsFree t-shirts are included for those who register for the full three days if you register by May 1. You will be asked your size during the registration process and do not need to order separately in the merchandise category.1 and 2 day participants may purchase t-shirts separately by May 1 and should order in the merchandise category.The cutoff date for ordering t-shirts is May 1, 2026. There will be a limited number of t-shirts available for sale the weekend of the ride.50th Anniversary Jersey and BibsAs part of our 50th anniversary year of the event, we will be offering a new jersey and bibs for sale through Primal Wear. The cut-off date for ordering these items was April 6, 2026. This deadline has now passed, and jerseys and bibs cannot be ordered in time for the ride.However, we have opened a second Primal store for the jersey only for those still wanting one. The ordering deadline for these jerseys is June 15, 2026. Jerseys will be shipped directly to the address of your choice by July 31.Click here to go to the new store: https://via.primalcustom.com/collections/ts-16379Rider LimitsThis ride is limited to 200 riders. The Cottonwood 200 website and BikeReg will be updated to note that the ride is CLOSED if the registration exceeds 200. If the website does not have such a posting, then the ride remains OPEN. Registration closes on May 8, 2026.Refund PolicyA $20 processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. There are no refunds after May 8, 2026.More InformationMore information will be added as we get closer to the event at the Cottonwood 200 website and the Facebook page. Once you are registered, you will receive direct email communications. Please include your email address during registration to ensure delivery of these messages.Questions? Email us at kvbctopeka@yahoo.com.