May or October is pretty much the best bet for timing - anywhere in-between and risk it being too hot/dusty or smokey… But whatever and however it comes together, I’m in.
May has been unseasonably cool and wet this year. I’ve done exactly 4 outdoor rides so far this year. We had our first 70 degree day last week.
It’s actually getting kinda depressing. Major thunderstorm as I write this, very frustrated.
I went out for a long ride on Thursday and am so off my game I forgot my sunscreen.
Burned so badly I was out of commission for 3 days.
September would probably be the best bet.
Man, I really hope this happens, but even more than that, I hope it’s a huge success (like it sounds built to be). Not like the TR cycle clothing where everyone said they were keen but didn’t actually buy any.
I’d love to come do it one day, but it definitely won’t be in the next few years.
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That storm just passed over our area, Starting to clear to the east. Fortunately no Tornados this time.
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Grew up in Spokane and race in the Seattle area. Folks would definitely trek over for something like this. See the very popular Viscious Cycle “Gran Fondo” events as local evidence.
The Enduro format can make it a lot easier to build a quality course as you can link high-quality (and safe) segments with some road, highway crossings, aid stations, etc. to make a more inclusive event. Plus it gives the Joes a bit more chance of hanging with Pros. It’s the difference between doing 3x20 at Sweet Spot vs. 60m at Sweetspot. Rest is a thing it turns out.
The distance matters a bit less too with built-in breaks as most folks can certainly go farther on a ride than they could in a sustained race. Helps to keep it more social as well with kinda natural regroups along the way.
Do what you need to do to get some hitters there. That sorta thing is contagious and part of why any of us have heard of Unbound (or whatever) is because of who’s showing up to race it (not just ride it).
Between Bloomsday, Hoopfest, the CDA Ironman and any number of area athletic events, the region is used to some level of disruption to support stuff like this. Particularly if you’re gravel focused you’re not going to ruffle too many feathers, but worth acknowledging that some of those f"eathers you could ruffle" are the wrong kind if you catch my drift? Some people live on gravel roads for a reason. Worth consulting the locals for some of that expertise.
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That is sooo good! 
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I’ve ridden a bunch outside of Spokane on the road. At my current life situation, I’ll only ride there between June and August, maybe over Christmas (but that’s not a likely candidate for this ride). I’ll deal with the dry heat, pretty happily, but the smell of burnt pine IS something to get used to.
Out for this guy. Cross season if I’m lucky and too far too travel for a weekend during the school year.
I hope they do, for the events’ sake.
All podcasters are “hitters” in my book. Might has well have a target on their backs. I could care less if a former Pro-Tour guy shows up, even if he’s been in gravel for a decade.
True, but most of my negative ride experiences in suburban/rural Spokane area have been with carelessness behind the wheel, not maliciousness.
OH, and I bought a bike with a shimmy/wobble at 35 mph and there are real descents in and outside of that town.
Watching and old episode (364 from May, 2022)…and mentioned a “gears with chad” race. Segment winners, over-all champion, cold water bottles 
… tons of cool ideas. Did this ever happen?
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My guess is COVID happened. Plus, there was a while there that both Nate and Chad weren’t riding much.