Images from the 11th annual Dirty Kanza 200 bicycling event in Emporia, Saturday, June 4, 2016. The Flint Hills race is considered one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world.

photo by: Mike Yoder

At about the 30-mile mark, leaders race along a ridge and past cattle pens on Camp Creek Road in the Flint Hills during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200.

photo by: Mike Yoder

At about the 30-mile mark, leaders race over a hill on Camp Creek Road in the Flint Hills during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200.

photo by: Mike Yoder

At about the 30-mile mark, leaders race down a hill on Camp Creek Road in the Flint Hills during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200.

photo by: Mike Yoder

The early leaders crest a hill in the Flint Hills during the first 50 miles of the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200 south of Emporia.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Bicyclists ride east into the sun, early on Saturday morning June 4 during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Kae Takeshita competes in the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. Takeshita was the 9th female finisher in the grueling gravel road race. Over 50 women competed in the event and the 1st female finisher, Amanda Nauman, Laguna Hills, CA., was the 10th top finisher overall.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A bicyclist crosses the Flint Hills shortly after sunrise on June 4, 2016 for the annual Dirty Kanza 200. Averaging between 15 and 18 miles-per-hour, most riders complete the gravel road course in 12 to 15 hours.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Less than 40 miles into the race, Bailey Newbrey, riding a tandem with partner Allison Zmuda, both of Chicago, ILL., watches the long road ahead through mud-speckled glasses during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Cyclists kick up dust on gravel roads in the Flint Hills during the Dirty Kanza 200, June 4, 2016. Almost 2,000 bicycle riders competed in the DK200, DK100 events south of Emporia for the 11th annual event.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A cyclist kicks out his legs on a long downhill during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200, June 4.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Gravel roads of the Flint Hills were the path and the pain of about 2,000 bicyclists in the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. The annual event, considered one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world, takes place on public access roads in the Flint Hills south of Emporia.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A Blue Wild Indigo sits in a Flint Hills landscape as cyclists compete in the Dirty Kanza 200, June 4, 2016.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Amy Andrews and Steve Wasmund, Bountiful, UT. finished 1st for tandem team and 32nd of 559 overall in the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. They finished with a time of 13:47:52. averaging almost 15mph over the 200 miles.

photo by: Mike Yoder

About 2,000 cyclists participated in the annual Dirty Kanza 200, an event considered one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world. The event happens on gravel roadways through the Flint Hills south of Emporia.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Bicyclists encounter a herd of cattle running across their route on the open range of the Flint Hills during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. About 2,000 cyclists were estimated to participate this year in an event considered by some to be one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world, happens on gravel roadways through the Flint Hills south of Emporia.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A bicyclist crosses a cattle guard in the Flint Hills during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200, June 4, 2016.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Derek Prior (722), right, competed in 2016 Dirty Kanza 200 riding a single speed bicycle and finished in a time of 15:53:45, 9th among single speed entrants.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Bicyclists cross a creek bed during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200 cycle race in the Flint Hills south of Emporia, Saturday, June 4. About 2,000 cyclists participated in the 11th annual event considered to be one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world. Chief photographer Mike Yoder will show more photos and write about covering the event in a future Behind the Lens column.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Jennifer Brown, St. Peters, MO., carries her bike up a muddy creek bed during the DK100 event of the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. About 2,000 cyclists were estimated to participate in the DK200 and DK100 at this years event, considered by some to be one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Bicyclists walk out of a flooded creek bed and climb a muddy bank during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200 and DK 100 ride, June 4, 2016.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A bicyclist at left, rubs his leg muscles because of cramping, during a portion of the DK100 event of the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200, June 4, around Emporia.

photo by: Mike Yoder

After only 5 miles into the Dirty Kanza 200 bicycle race several riders encounter a mud and water crossing that sheared off some of their derailleur gears and put them out of the race. This gear cogwheel is pictured caked with hardened mud.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Bob Cummings, Rose Hill, speeds through downtown Eureka, past cheering crowds, as he completes the first 100 miles of the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. Cummings finished as the 7th overall finisher in the race and was 1st in the age group of males 45-49.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Support crew members for bicyclist Brian Jensen, Lawrence, greet him in downtown Eureka at the 100-mile mark of the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. Riders can stop to grab food, water and address mechanical issues with their bikes at the 50, 100 and 150-mile check-in locations on the route.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence resident Brian Jensen, leaves downtown Eureka to shouts of support after the 100-mile check-in stop to get food, water and mechanical support during the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. Riders can stop to grab food, water and address mechanical issues with their bikes at the 50, 100 and 150-mile check-in locations on the route.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Dillon Clapp, San Luis Obispo, CA., repairs a flat tire during the Dirty Kanza 200. Only 559 of 1,000 riders in the DK200 race were able to finish, due to issues like mechanical failures and the heat.

photo by: Mike Yoder

A bicyclist gets a ride off the course after a mechanical breakdown on the DK100 portion of the 2016 Dirty Kanza 200. About 2,000 cyclists were estimated to participate this year in an event considered by some to be one of the most grueling endurance rides in the world.