Coal Miner’s Gravel Ride: Where Grit Meets Gravel in Southeast Kansas

Get ready to saddle up and kick up some dust—because the Coal Miner’s Gravel Ride is quickly becoming one of the Midwest’s most buzz-worthy cycling events, and it’s all happening on the open backroads of Southeast Kansas.

Born from the ambitious spirit of Renato Pinto, founder of The Running Collective, this gravel ride rolls through the coal-mining heartland of Crawford County and dips briefly into Cherokee County to showcase Big Brutus—at 16-stories tall it's the world's largest remaining electric shovel still standing in the United States.

This isn’t just a ride—it’s a tribute to the land, the legacy and the cycling community

Held each May (mark your calendars now!), the ride debuted in 2023 with just 65 cyclists. By 2024, word had spread like wildfire, drawing 218 riders from as far away as Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, and of course, the cycling mecca of Bentonville, Arkansas.

So what’s the draw? According to Pinto, it’s a mix of wide-open gravel roads, rural charm and a route that rolls through 8–10 small Kansas towns—including Weir, Franklin, and others rich in mining history.

“It’s not just a grind on gravel. You’re actually seeing the land, stopping in tiny towns, visiting places like the Miners Hall Museum—where people literally step off their bikes and walk through the exhibits mid-ride,” Pinto says. And yes, Big Brutus is on the course.

When riders stand next to it, they look like ants

The Coal Miners Gravel Ride is a good warm-up for anyone riding in UNBOUND Gravel (formerly known as Dirty Kanza) in nearby Emporia, or for those who didn’t get selected to ride in it. UNBOUND is considered to be the world's premier gravel event.

Distances range from a challenging 100-mile century ride to a 100K (62 miles) and a breezy 25-mile option for beginners or anyone just wanting to test their tires. The route evolves each year, with organizers aiming for more gravel, less pavement and new sites to explore.

But the Coal Miner’s Gravel Ride is more than just scenery and spokes—it’s community-powered and heart-driven. The event is hosted by The Running Collective, a nonprofit Pinto and his wife founded, with proceeds going toward purchasing bikes for children in need via the Pittsburg Area Young Professionals and Salvation Army’s annual holiday bike drive.

“Our goal is to raise $10,000 and give away bikes each Christmas. So far, we’ve been able to donate around $2,000. As the ride grows, we hope that number will grow too,” Pinto shares.

Looking ahead, Pinto plans to turn the Coal Miner’s Gravel Ride into a full-on festival—think food trucks, music, beer gardens and post-ride hangouts to keep the celebration rolling long after the finish line. So whether you’re a gravel junkie, a weekend warrior or just want to ride for a cause—there’s a place for you in the Kansas backroads.

Want in?

Registration for the 2026 ride is open now, with details posted on the official Coal Miner’s Gravel Ride page at  www.runningcollectiveks.com/coalminers. Don’t wait—this grassroots ride is gaining traction fast.

To find your route, visit https://gravelks.com/routes/  Gravel. Grit. Giving back. That’s the Coal Miner’s Gravel Ride.