The 2024 Lifetime Unbound Gravel weekend was an amazing experience. It all started on Wednesday when I got a front row seat at the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame induction ceremony thanks to Jeremy from Lauf Cycles. It was capped off by a finish in the Unbound Gravel 200 – 2024.
Editorial Note: This article on the Unbound Gravel 200 – 2024 is a recap of the race itself. An additional article will follow with pictures from the long weekend. Another article(s) will follow with tips for those looking to better navigate to, around, and on-course in Emporia.
Unbound Gravel 200 – 2024 Course
The Unbound Gravel 200 – 2024 edition was run on the North course. The event switches directions out of Emporia every two years. This was the first of two on the North course. It is said to be more difficult than the South – terrain-wise (chunkier gravel/more technical) and climbing-wise (more elevation gain/steeper, shorter pitches). I haven’t ridden South, so I can’t say. However, the often talked about characteristics of the North are accurate – gnarly for sure.
The Start to Mile 40 Water Oasis
The 6:30am 200 start in front of the historic Emporia Granada Theatre was epic. The crowd was massive and the energy electric. We rolled out of town and hit gravel less than two miles in, and were on gravel and dirt for probably 90% of the day. The first 40 or so miles rolled on fairly smooth roads, but for the E Kaw Reserve. The temps were on the cool side, and it was a bit overcast. A fast, comfortable start that wouldn’t last.
Divide Road to Mile 70 Aid and Beyond
Just after the first water oasis in Eskridge, the course hit Divide Road. This road started as a rutted out, steep ascent. It traded between ascents/descent, but remained rutted throughout. I saw more blowouts and tire issues on this stretch of road than any stretch of road ever. My pics don’t even begin to tell the story of the gnar – it took everything to keep the rubber-side down on this stretch so I didn’t get any content from the completely rutted out/tire destroying sections. I ran MTB tires for these sections/overall comfort (not to mention they roll faster than gravel-specific tires), but more on my setup in another post. . . .
Divide Road was the start of the quintessential North course characteristics, which didn’t relent until we were near the infamous Kahola Hill at around mile 175. The cumulative impact of the constant chunky/loose-over-hard gravel and rutted out descents made the course super difficult. At times, you wondered whether you were actually on a road or a cattle crossing over a farm field. There was little ability to carry speed and often only one line, so you were at the mercy of other riders (who all seemed to inevitably give it hell on the climbs and brake or slow roll on the descents/rollers). This made it more challenging for me as I dosed my efforts and paced with a power meter, trying to keep my power even throughout.Â
The Train
What’s worse, just before hitting Little Egypt, I turned a corner only to see a train motoring by and blocking the course. I was one of the first handful of riders to be stopped. About 5-10 minutes later, we were clear, but not before more than 50 riders had caught back on, which made the immediate sketchy ascent and entrance into Little Egypt that much more of a challenge.
The Weather
Another big factor was the weather. No doubt it was fairly ideal for race day, but it was still a factor. As indicated above, it started out overcast and cool. But, at about 10:30am, the sun came out and remained all day. The temps were in the low 80s and there was little-to-no wind. Many of the roads were very light colored and seemed to reflect / magnify the sun (an example above).
The combination made it feel like you were in a frying pan. On top of that, there were only four spots on course for hydration/food resupplies. One water-only oasis at mile 40ish, an aid stop at mile 70ish, a water-only oasis at mile 113ish, and a final aid stop at mile 148. However, it could have been worse. I preferred the weather we got over rain and mud and/or brutal headwinds. From what I understand, there are sections on the North course that are just as bad as the mud sections on the South course (one defining characteristic of the South). Also, the back 100 miles trends south, and the winds in early June come from the South. We were pretty much spared of brutal headwinds.
Little Egypt to the Second Water Oasis
I exited the 2.5 mile Little Egypt section (mile 107.5ish), and finally started to feel the effects of the heat and pounding of the day. Although Little Egypt was rough, I didn’t think it was too bad, especially as compared to Divide Road (and Des Moines Road later in the race). Regardless, at the time, I was pretty much out of water. For whatever reason, I thought the water oasis was coming up at any mile, so I skipped an impromptu water/Coca-Cola stop set up by “trail angels”. Man did I regret it, even though I only had five miles to the water oasis in Alta Vista. I entered the water stop in need of shade and water. The oasis was just what I needed. I filled bottles, dumped water on my head to cool off for a minute, lubed my chain (I use the Silca waxed chain system but the dust was making my easiest gear sound like it was going to snap my chain– more on that in another post), reapplied sunscreen, and was off.Â
Mile 113 Water Oasis to Mile 150 Aid
I felt rejuvenated. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t last. The next 30 miles to the last aid stop in Council Grove at mile 148 pretty much encapsulated the day. The initial several miles were fast and somewhat smooth. The next 20ish miles were on chunkier gravel (Des Moines Road at mile 131ish rivaled Little Egypt) with constant ups and downs. The closer I got to Council Grove, the more weather beaten and torn I felt. The course hit the Flint Hills Nature Trail for what should have been an easy, flat cruise into Council Grove and the last aid stop. I stood up to stretch the legs and the looming cramps went full blown. My legs locked straight and I was writhing in pain. I had to literally force my legs to bend so that I could sit on the saddle and pedal.Â
I willed myself the next two miles into the last aid stop. At the aid stop, I tried to gather myself. I walked around stretching the legs, resupplied, and was off within five or so minutes (my aid stops were a bit longer than usual – more on that in my subsequent tips post). Although pulling out was never really an option given the resources/time/energy I put into this event, I did allow the thought to creep into my mind. I worried that the cramps would halt me altogether.
I knew the remaining miles were likely going to be rough. If you have read any of my other posts (like the Wilderness 101), you know that I battle with cramps (which I wish I could figure out – as do many). For me, historically, once the cramps set in, I battle them until the finish. This day was no different. The next 55 or so miles were defined by pain. Pretty much every pedal stroke to the finish was agony. Many will say that ultaendurance events are defined by highs and lows, and that neither will remain. While that is often the case, I was in a pretty dark place for most of the last 55 miles. I couldn’t stand to stretch or relieve saddle pressure. Every time I tried, the cramps warned me to sit.
Lake Kahola to Americus
Fortunately, my power and pace didn’t drop too, too much. I just kept telling myself to keep moving – slow is better than stopped. In addition, other than the infamous Kahola Hill at just over mile 175, the course was somewhat rolling-to-flat on tame, straight as an arrow gravel roads. Most of the miles to Kahola were a blur. From a podcast, I remembered the race director saying Kahola would be the last hurdle for riders, so it was in the back of my mind for miles.
Kahola Hill turned out to be a course highlight for me. Most of the course is very remote and isolated. Kahola is a buzzing lake community/resort. It reminded me of the mirages people trekking across a desert see. It was beautiful, and such a treat to see people other than fellow cyclists. Boaters screamed and cheered. There were race spectators cheering as well. There was even another unofficial aid stop with super nice people handing out water, pickles, and other food. I actually felt fairly strong on the climb and there were several people partying and cheering as I reached the top. It lifted my spirits a ton!
The next 10-12 miles were rolling, but had less steep pitches than prior rollers. At mile 187 or so, we hit the town of Americus. At that point, I was finally confident that I’d finish. Initially, my goal was to make the “Race the Sun” club, which means that you finish before sunset. The event organizers set 8:45pm as the deadline. This year that was made more difficult as the race start was pushed 30 minutes to give the pro men and women their own starts. This meant rider times had to be 14 hours, 15 minutes or less. Cramps on top of the five-to-ten minute train delay made my goal even more difficult.
Americus to Emporia State University
I gave it my all though. I pushed on the pedals as hard as I could, but sunset hit at about mile 195. Nonetheless, I soldiered on and kept pushing on the pedals with everything I had left. I didn’t even bother to stop to pull out my headlight or turn on my taillight. Most of the remaining miles were during twilight. I rarely ride then. It was beautiful.
Twilight turned pretty dark once I neared the Emporia State University campus. I was still hammering the pedals as hard as I could. The new goal was to try and finish in my own Race the Sun club time – 14 hours, 45 minutes, which would have been the official time had we started at the traditional time of 6:00am (and the actual sunrise). It would be close. I gritted my teeth, worked through the cramps and whole body aches, emptying the tank.Â
Highland to the Finish
The last bit of gravel ends at mile 201.7, which is the back side of the parking lot to the ESU athletic fields. Just after, you hit a short tunnel under Interstate 35. A quick left and right on pavement, and I was on Highland Street. Highland is often talked about. Although this short climb is usually nothing, it certainly serves as the last of a thousand cuts from the day. My adrenaline must have been running pretty high as I made it up Highland uneventfully. Feeling fairly strong actually. After the climb, Highland trends down.
After a right on E. 12th Ave., I hit the finishing straight on Commercial Street. As I approached I could hear the rumbling of the crowd, music, and voice of the finishing announcer. At that point, it was dark, but strobe lights from the event and city streetlamps brightened it up. I had a straight and flat .2 miles on Commercial Street to the finishing banner in front of the historic Emporia Granada Theatre where I had departed many hours earlier.
I was so close to the new goal, and gave it everything I had. The atmosphere as I approached the finishing line was electric. It was simply booming! Like no other finish line I had experienced (although the Leadville Trail 100 MTB was close, just not at night). The announcer shouted my name, hometown, and finishing time as I crossed the line. . . . My chip time – 14 hours, 45 minutes, and 38 seconds. Although I missed the official and self-imposed Race the Sun club time, I am thrilled with the accomplishment.
At the finish, I was so wonky that I felt like I was on another planet. That happens in most ultras, but the Unbound Gravel 200 – 2024 felt like the usual wonkiness on steroids. As people socialized and partied around me, I thought to myself, I will never, ever do anything like this again. How ridiculous! Now, I am thinking about where I can shave time for the next one and make that Race the Sun club. . . .
Unbound Gravel 200 – 2024 – Map
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