5.16.26
Authentic Grassroots Gravel.
Just West on I-70 from the gravel-famous Flint Hills, you’ll find a hidden gem - perhaps the best-kept secret in Midwest Gravel - the beautiful Smoky Hills.
Why do we love this area? And why is this race awesome? Let us count the ways:
🚲 These roads roll fast and won’t chew up your tires.
🚲 The hills are steep and relentless, but incredible views await at the top of nearly every hill - and some really epic descents.
🚲 Four “Ruler of the Mountain” competitions on the biggest hills on the course.
🚲 The course has almost no “empty miles” - the terrain is diverse and interesting from beginning to end.
🚲 The people. Really… bike people are the best.
🚲 Several wicked-fun aid stations on the course operated by our partners.
🚲 DNF Wagons to pick you up if the course is a bit too much.
🚲 The directors care about creating an epic grassroots experience with all the elements you love about gravel racing.
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Download your preferred file type based on your device specifications from RideWithGPS.
2026 ROUTES
LEGACY ROUTE
(PREVIOUS YEARS): -
Russell, KS Hotels (Start/Finish)
Midland Hotel in Wilson, KS (25 min. drive)
Hays, KS Hotels (30 min. drive)
Great Bend, KS Hotels (40 min. drive)
Hoisington, KS Hotel (30 min. drive)
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Participants will compete against each other on several long steep climbs, one of which reaches 23% grade.
Results for these climbs will be determined using Strava.
There will be four winners per hill climb:
100K overall male.
100K overall female.
50K overall male.
50K overall female.
Riders also must set their activity on Strava to public.
Fabulous prizes TBD!
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Interested in a partnership?
GREAT. We have a lot of options, from providing prizes for the hill climb competitions to providing merch or prizes for the overall winners.
Partners get THOUSANDS of positive impressions through boosted social media posts in addition to exposure to the racers on race day.
Send an email to steinertindustries@gmail.com to receive an information packet.
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Russell Main Street has pulled out all the stops in offering Wicked Wilson participants a post-race party with a beer garden, food trucks, family friendly games, a kids bike race and more!
RACE DAY DETAILS!
Hi Test,
Ready?! We are!
And we ordered up some absolutely prime weather for you.
Event Details
Date and Location
Saturday May 16, 2026
Registration and check-in is at Chet's Place
719 N Main St, Russell, KS 67665
This is right next door to Waudby's, which was last year's check-in.
Start Times
6 a.m. Registration & Check-in opens
7:30 a.m. 100K Start!
8:30 a.m. 50K Start!
9:30 a.m. Kids Races Start!
10 a.m. Suds Run (Wicked Fest)
Parking
Please do NOT try to park on Main Street. It will be closed off for Wicked Fest, the party hosted at the start/finish.
The green areas are great for parking.
The red is the area that is closed off for Wicked Fest.
Orange = the Start/Finish line!
Routes and Maps
These are on RidewithGPS.com. You can use the Ride With GPS App or export the file format of your preference for your GPS device. Typically you want a GPX Track.
Aid Stations
The 100K (63 miles) will have 3 aid stations at miles 23, 42, and 51.
The 50K (32 miles) will have 2 aid stations at 10 miles and 20 miles.
Emergency Contacts
DNF Wagon Leader: Jason - 620.797.1727
Of course if you have a real emergency, please dial 911!
Other Rules
Brakes: You must have functioning front and rear brakes or you will be disqualified. No coaster brakes allowed. Some of the descents are VERY steep with twists and turns included. It's part of what makes this area special, but it's also cause for caution. Be sure you're not hitting the downhill curves too hot!
Bib numbers: Bib numbers must be attached to the front of your handlebars or the timing chip might not register. We'll have some twist ties for you to use. Do not bend the bibs.
No Support Vehicles: In the interest of safety, the only vehicles allowed to patrol the course are our DNF/SAG wagon volunteers. Feel free to drive to an aid station to watch your loved one ride by and cheer them on, but do your best to use non-course roads to get there.
That's it for now! If you have questions, feel free to respond to this email or hit us up on Facebook!
Again - thank you for choosing to race with us! We're excited to have everyone out on the course.
Food and Beverage
Enjoy a 20% discount at Waudby's! Just bring your race bib in with you!
Our partner Dry Lake Brewing will be on-site slinging beer as well.
Please take full advantage of all the vendors on Main Street for Wicked Fest!
2026 PARTNERS
