HomeGravel Races › Rule of Three vs Unbound Gravel 200

Rule of Three vs Unbound Gravel 200

76
Rule of Three
Bentonville, Arkansas · May
Tier 2 — Contender

Bentonville's three-surface problem: tarmac speed, sharp Ozark gravel, and climby singletrack on one bike.

VS
95
Unbound Gravel 200
Emporia, Kansas · June
Tier 1 — Elite

The Super Bowl of gravel. 200 miles through Kansas Flint Hills. Where legends are made and dreams die in the dust.

Course Radar Comparison

LEN TECH ELEV CLIM ALT LOG ADV Rule of Three: LEN:3 / TECH:5 / ELEV:3 / CLIM:2 / ALT:1 / LOG:3 / ADV:5 Unbound Gravel 200: LEN:5 / TECH:4 / ELEV:5 / CLIM:5 / ALT:1 / LOG:4 / ADV:5 Rule of Three Unbound Gravel 200

Distance & Elevation

Distance
115 mi
200 mi
Elevation
— ft
11,000 ft

14-Dimension Breakdown

Rule of Three Unbound Gravel 200
COURSE PROFILE
Length
Technicality
Elevation
Climate
Altitude
Logistics
Adventure
EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT
Prestige
Race Quality
Experience
Community
Field Depth
Value
Expenses

The Verdict

Unbound Gravel 200 scores 19 points higher overall (95 vs 76), but the right choice depends on what you value most.

Choose Rule of Three if...

"A technically serious three-surface race hiding inside Bentonville's friendliest strange bike party."

  • You prefer more technical terrain

Choose Unbound Gravel 200 if...

"The gravel race by which all others are measured."

  • You want more extreme weather conditions
  • You want a longer race (higher distance rating)
  • You want more climbing
  • Prestige and bucket-list status matter to you
  • You want to race against a deep competitive field

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder, Rule of Three or Unbound Gravel 200?

Unbound Gravel 200 rates as the more demanding race based on our composite difficulty score (averaging length, technicality, elevation, climate, and altitude ratings). If you're looking for the bigger challenge, go with Unbound Gravel 200. If you want a more accessible race, Rule of Three is the better pick.

Is Rule of Three or Unbound Gravel 200 rated higher?

Unbound Gravel 200 scores 95/100 compared to 76/100 in our 15-dimension Gravel God Rating. The overall score reflects course profile, prestige, race quality, community, and value.

Which is better for beginners, Rule of Three or Unbound Gravel 200?

Rule of Three is generally more accessible for first-time gravel racers, factoring in distance, technicality, and logistical ease. Check each race's full profile for distance options and beginner-specific advice.

When are Rule of Three and Unbound Gravel 200 held?

Rule of Three takes place in May and Unbound Gravel 200 in June. If your calendar allows, you could race both in the same season.

Where are Rule of Three and Unbound Gravel 200 located?

Rule of Three is held in Bentonville, Arkansas. Unbound Gravel 200 is held in Emporia, Kansas. Consider travel logistics, especially if you're flying in — check our full race profiles for airport and lodging details.

Still Deciding?

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