Testing Limits at UNBOUND

Landscape near the start of UNBOUND Gravel 2022.

““Okay, guys. Here we are. I know we have a winner in this car. You’ve all done the training, now it’s time to run. Remember that this is a marathon. You mustn’t go too fast at the beginning. But you need to stay in touch with the leaders. You know you can do it.””

—Running with the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth by Adharanand Finn https://a.co/dWXhb0O

I read these words on the flight to Emporia, Kansas on Thursday. I needed to pass the time and prepare for UNBOUND Gravel, the world’s largest gravel race, which I signed up for months prior. I planned to compete in the 100 mile event, a slightly racier race than the main endurance attraction, the 200.

Although a 5-7 hour gravel race is a few hours longer than my usual 3-3.5 hour road race, I selected the UNBOUND 100 to be immersed in a large competitive field, similar to what I think a European classic might be, and to push myself beyond my limits. Unlike the oppressive heat of years past, this year’s weather forecast looked good too: 65-70 degrees, overcast, and with a good change of rain and thunderstorms. Perfect for someone who likes a little grit. ;)

Pre-riding on Friday.

On Saturday morning, we rolled out behind the neutral car before it released us on to 104.6 miles of gravel. In the first 1.5 hours, I positioned well and navigated the rideable lanes, ditches, sharp rocks, and hills. I eventually found myself in a pretty good group of 10-15 men and women (containing Marisa, Marjie, Jess, Amy, and maybe another). I felt good. From memorizing jerseys at the start, I could tell there was at least one women, Raylyn, in a mixed group ahead but we had her in sight and we were rolling at a good pace.

I planned to stop at the first water checkpoint because I didn’t think I could make it to the next without it, especially if it started to rain and the course became slower. I should have kept going though because I quickly discovered that no other women in our group stopped. I never saw them again and that group went on to win. I guess it was just something that I had to learn and let go.

My frustrations soon turned into awe as the three-time world champion, Peter Sagan, and his legendary lead out man, Daniel Oss, rode up behind me. I tacked on to their small group and felt I could barely muster up a few words to chat. I just tried to hang on and soak up the experience. Around this time, some guy and a women named Karen blew past us but I could not hold their pace.

Riding with Peter Sagan (second from the left) and Daniel Oss.

At mile 65, my group rode into the Madison checkpoint where riders could connect with their support crews and refuel. Peter threw a couple of wheelies and skids before hanging it up to smooshze for a bit. I checked into the Crew-for-Hire station where I planted my feed bag and switched out my bottles and grabbed a Coke. I left solo but soon rode with various groups of men and women.

The rain came down in the last 20-30 miles and thankfully my group had already booked it through the soon-to-be peanut butter mud pit that would destroy the 200 field. The gravel turned into a gritty, muddy soup which made it difficult to see, let alone eat, drink, or race at our previous pace. It was here that we caught the early women’s race leader. It was also here where I may have caught Giardia…?

Weather system over the race.

Around mile 95, we crossed a wooden bridge that was about 20 feet tall and stretched across a river. Someone next to me hit one of the wooden planks at an angle and went down. He quickly slid to the side, slipped under the railing, and flew off the bridge! In the blink of an eye, I saw this guy’s life flash before my eyes! A few of us stopped to see him swim to side of the river and climb up the bank a few yards downstream. Thank God he did not hit rocks. Apparently the river was only full due to flooding last week. We alerted a car ahead to send help. Believe it or not, he was totally unscathed. We all caught our breath as a cargo train stopped us up ahead.

After that near-death-experience, I had nothing left. Some women from our group had gone ahead and I couldn’t hold the wheel of the one that stayed. Crossing the finish line, I was just happy to be done. I could say that I accomplished my goal of pushing my limits. Plus I was fortunate to not have any mechanicals or crashes, despite a weird stomach and some body cramps. Thank you to the rider who saw me shivering in the bike wash line at the finish and gave me a blanket! Thank you to the entire Velocio // Exploro crew for letting me crash with them this weekend! They were so kind. Congratulations to Cynthia of their team who won the UNBOUND XL! She raced 350 miles in 22 hours 25 minutes straight and set the fastest women’s time ever! Thank you to my coach, Jane, and CTS for helping me prepare for this season and event!!

Before and after shots. Also, I lost my sunglasses at the porta potties at the start. Good thing there was a bike shop next door. I bought some cheapies and raced with those!

Later that evening, we returned to the finish to cheer on the rest of their team and some other racers. I could see the raw emotion of these people coming in from the 100, 200, and 350 mile events. They just folded at the finish line in the dark, caked in mud. You could tell they went through some serious s*** (cow and otherwise). It was clear everyone had a story. And many traveled from all over the world. I felt grateful to experience that.

Lights projecting into the sky for late night racers.

At the awards ceremony the next day, we couldn’t wait to cheer for Cynthia. Midway through the ceremony, I heard my home town being announced and then they called my name. I technically got 5th in the Pro Woman’s field. A happy surprise!

Podium ceremony at the Emporia Granada Theatre.

Thank you, again, to everyone that helped make this weekend possible. If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Ride on.