Just by chance we happened through this town (Cottonwood Falls, Kansas) during the Dirty Kanza. It's a 200 mile bike challenge through the Flint Hills of Kansas and all on Dirt Roads, hence the name dirty. Many of these roads are not maintained and are muddy from recent rains. If anyone is interested you view more images here:
2015 Dirty Kanza 200 images: first look - Adventure Monkey or on Instagram you can search #dk200 #dirtykanza #dirtykanza200 for some incredible photos of athleticism, stamina, and determination. Some bikers had to carry their bikes at times as the roads were impassible.
I got this image at a check point. They don't know the next leg of the race until they get a map at the checkpoint. I am not in to biking, but if I were, I can see how this would be an incredible rush.