Make sense why they didn’t force me to us the Crew for Hire when I signed up like they did in previous years. Also, seems like the 100 and 200 will have a different course since the first checkpoints are different.
On the 100, I like the 77mi checkpoint to refill water to dump on me if its hot for a big push at the end.
Not sure why a 94 mi checkpoint, maybe where some of the other routes converge?
Think that’ll be allowed? It looks like a great solution.
Joe
I have just been using zip ties and wrapping the number around my head tube and no one cares (never had timing issues either). I also bring a hole punch/scissors just in case. I have seen plenty of people do major surgery on their number plates.
On another note, scored a dorm off the wait list, so no longer need to stay a hour away.
Looks good, just make sure you get something to cover it when not grabbing. Particularly if there is rain/mud in the forecast. And a lot of that mud is actually cow crap, always tales of people getting sick after unbound from cow crap getting on their bottles. I have no idea if that’s a real thing or not, but there are a lot of cows and cow byproducts around.
Certainly for the amateurs there are far too many people for race organizers to police the race plate.
but I really do wish more races would get on board with the smaller plate.
Is this course more damaging to tires than big sugar? Just trying to get an idea of how much tire to run. Planning on thunder burt rear super ground and race king front but if it’s gonna be super muddy I’ll switch to something more narrow in the back. I made it thru big sugar with a 45mm challenge strada bianchi TLR and was thinking about taking it along just in case of massive mud.
And what is the go to dollar store spatula for this race?
Joe
Next level of awesome and silliness. Want.
In my experience, significantly more risk of flats at unbound compared to big sugar. They don’t call them the “flint hills” for nothing. But I do think it’s a bit overblown. I’ve raced the 200 the last 3 years and have only had a flat once. I’ve also done the La Grind stage race around emporia 4 times and have never flatted, but have had a couple punctures that sealed quick enough to keep rolling on low pressure. They haven’t announced the 2026 course yet, and that can make a difference. Also, the 100 stays closer to town and that is much tamer gravel with much lower risk of flats compared to the 200 or 350.
I’ve flatted a race king and several pathfinders on the roads around emporia. The worst was a sidewall slash on a pathfinder and a slash is the biggest risk of ending your day. It’s a race where you really want to be watching your line and looking for “problem” sharp rocks. There are absolutely spots where you’ll just have to ride/climb through a section of heavy loose gravel that includes a bunch of flint and you just try to stay light on your bike and pray. Bombing through water at the bottom of hills is also a common way to do serious damage. Some of it’s just a crap shoot, no tire will hold up to a piece of sharp flint if you hit it wrong.
I just arrived in Emporia yesterday and pre-rode the first stage of the Stage race (for next weekend). I’ve done a week in Emporia (plus stage race) in late April the last few years leading into Unbound, hard to replicate the conditions where I live and it’s good to get the body used to the beat down. I always forget just how hilly and exposed it is. Got a few short mud sections today as well, but nothing too bad.
Most people just carry a paint stick for mud removal. That works, but honestly I find fingers much faster. If it is a muddy year, no amount of tire clearance allows you to ride when it gets bad, you just have to walk and clear mud a bit. The main thing is to have enough clearance to dig the mud out around fork and chainstays and seat tube (again, I find fingers much faster than tools, so I make sure I have enough room for fingers). I was running race kings today, not enough room to pull mud out with fingers, but it was just a few short spots.
The fitness is coming along nicely. I held upper endurance/low tempo pretty much all day today and felt pretty decent after.
Super helpful thanks! We’re on nearly the same setup except I’m running the nextie version and the 13 speed so that’s nice to see being my first time in Kansas. Have you decided on the tires you’re running yet?
At 237 norm for 6 hours this might not be a question for you but is there a 14 hour group? Like shooting to beat the sunset. Or is it more of a free for all the whole way?
Your screen shot post is actually pretty scary. If it takes 237 norm to go 6 hours for 100 mile then 7 hours will be less…but 4K of climbing vs. (1/2 of 10,000) 5K and I’m sure at 86kg I’m heavier…so the question is how much less. 14 might be a stretch!
Joe
Joe
I’ll run race king 2.2’s if it’s reasonably dry
This. At the start, you can line up at the 14 hour sign, but unless you have people you are explicitly going to stick with, it just sorts out naturally.
I wouldn’t read too much into those numbers. It was pretty windy/gusty yesterday and I spent very little time in the aero bars. I’m out there by myself and don’t want to risk crashing or destroying a tire, so staying off my aero bars when it’s gusty, taking it easy on descents, etc. Also, the course gets much, much faster as race day approaches as people are pre-riding/driving and smoothing out lines. Also, if you plan to ride with others on race day, the draft advantage buys a ton of free speed.
I’m not riding this year but curious for those doing the 200 what does your volume look like with a TR plan? Especially for any of the “less fast” masters athletes who just try to finish by midnight. Are you adding a bunch of endurance volume on top of the TR plan or just sticking to the TR plan?
That’s solid. Not at unbound but I’ve done some other gravel races where I managed to get in a good group and it made a world of difference.
Thanks for this, should be a lot easier to ave 15mph than > 19. Nice ride dude!
Joe
Keep in mind that speed vs. watts can vary dramatically based on the course and wind conditions. The 100 mile courses the last few years were much smoother/faster compared to the 200 courses.
I raced the La Grind Stage race on Saturday (100 miles) and Sunday (65 miles) and both days averaged about 19mph and required ~250w to do it. I’m about 163lbs right now and had aero bars on (and used them quite a bit when pulling). I wasn’t riding solo much either day, but was in a 2 man break for the last couple hours on Saturday. Saturday was a much, much chunkier course compared to Sunday, but wind was pretty low. I Think this year’s 200 course will share some of those roads based on rumors I’ve heard. Sunday was mostly fast gravel, but the wind was howling most of the day (similar course last year ran over 20mph on similar watts). I was in a decent group most of the day working well together to hit that speed.
Here’s my rides the last couple years in the 200. Both were about 220 NP and 17.x MPH and I weighed about 170lbs and ran aero bars. The conditions in 2025 were significantly faster, but I had a long mechanical early that resulted in me riding solo (chasing/catching) most of the day. If I didn’t run aero bars in 25, it would have cost me at least 30 minutes. I didn’t run them in 2023 and it cost me a podium (much of the day solo after everything broke up in the mud).
Sure appreciate the data!
OK so where are we with this thing? Specifically…has the route been posted yet? (maybe I missed it?) and are you required to have a support person this year or can you “live off of the land” at the aid stations? Thanks for any deets!
Joe
They said the route will be revealed next week. I assume the athlete guide should clarify your other question.
. thanks for the dimensions!
