LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – The annual event has been running for decades and is now back at the Sandhills Global Event Center. Gravel Worlds is taking over northeast Lincoln and roads across the county.

The sound of bikes heading out onto the road is a welcome change in Lincoln. Gravel Worlds is an annual event that brings together cyclists of all ages and experience levels to race over a range of distances.

This year there are nearly 1,500 participants and organizers expect 3,000 to 4,000 visitors to the event, which will generate over $2.4 million in revenue for the city and surrounding communities.

“It brings people from all over the world together to experience Lincoln NE and visit Nice,” said Jason Strohbehn, Chief Experiencing Officer of Gravel Worlds. “We have people coming here and being treated well and celebrated here in our hometown.”

A total of 48 states and 17 countries are represented at the event this year. An organization from Florida is represented and is called Adventure for All. Their goal is to introduce young people with autism or Down syndrome to the world of cycling and to teach them how to ride a bike.

How they came to Gravel Roads in Lincoln is a story that children with disabilities experience all too often.

“We called around to Josh, our athlete, probably 10 to 15 gravel races, but nobody wanted to take him because he’s an exception,” said Alli Williams, head cycling coach at Adventure For All. “He was diagnosed with autism and they thought it was a liability issue or they wanted to organize another race for him.”

Gravel Worlds was the only event that could accommodate him without restrictions. One of their other athletes is from Lincoln. Lukas Coon trained with the organization while they were in town in the summer of 2023 and raised money last spring to be able to compete in the event.

“Garmin Gravel Worlds is for everyone,” said Sofia Gibson, Gravel Worlds’ Deputy Chief Event Manager. “Whether you’re in first place or last place, we’re throwing a party from first to last on Saturday night, with a live DJ, bubble and fog machine, red carpet, 360-degree photo booth, free Casey’s pizza and discounted drinks. It’s truly going to be a party.”

For more information on routes and schedules for the event, click here.

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