So what is Josh's goal? Finish in 27 hours. That means averaging a little over 13 mph for the entire ride, including stops, resupplies, mechanical checks, bathroom breaks, staring into the void, all of it.
Pretty casual weekend.
What is UNBOUND Gravel XL?
Most riders know UNBOUND Gravel for the famous 200-mile race out of Emporia, Kansas. It is one of the biggest gravel races in the world, and it has basically become the event that defines modern gravel racing. But the XL is the unhinged version.
UNBOUND describes the XL as a self-supported, overnight journey through the Flint Hills, covering roughly 350 miles through remote Kansas gravel. The shorter UNBOUND distances are already hard. The XL just asks a very simple question: what if we made it longer, lonelier, darker, and way more mentally questionable?
Unlike the shorter routes, XL riders are self-supported. That means no support crew waiting at official checkpoints. Riders can resupply at public merchants along the route, but they are responsible for managing their own food, water, lighting, navigation, mechanicals, and overall bad decisions.
That is part of what makes it cool. And also part of what makes it kind of awful. Perfect.
[button]Shop Gravel Bikes[/button]
Josh’s goal: 356 miles in 27 hours
Josh is aiming to finish in 27 hours, which is a big goal for a race where stopping too much can quietly ruin your day. Or your night. Or your second morning. Time gets weird when you are riding through Kansas in the dark.
To hit that number, he needs to average roughly 13.2 mph across the full route. That does not sound crazy if you’re thinking about a normal gravel ride. But over 356 miles, with almost 15,000 feet of climbing, rough Flint Hills roads, unknown weather, and limited support, it becomes a very different math problem.
At that distance, it is not just about being strong. You have to be consistent. Eat before you’re hungry. Drink before you’re thirsty. Fix little problems before they become ride-ending problems. Keep moving when sitting on the ground sounds like the greatest idea anyone has ever had.
The bike: Josh’s Trek Checkpoint
Josh will be riding a Trek Checkpoint, which makes a lot of sense for this kind of race. The Checkpoint is built for long gravel days, but UNBOUND XL is not just a long gravel day. It is basically a bikepacking race disguised as a gravel event, so the build matters.
[button]Trek Gravel Bikes[/button]
[button]Shop Gravel Frames[/button]
Tires: Schwalbe G-One R Pro
The Schwalbe G-One R Pro's are wide enough to provide traction where it is rare, but still maintain that efficient rolling feeling.
[button]Shop Tires[/button]
Drivetrain: SRAM Force
Need I say more? Lightweight, durable, this is the ultimate electronic drivetrain.
[button]Shop SRAM[/button]
Wheels: Zipp 303 XPLR SW
Designed specifically for gravel racing, these Zipp wheels have 32mm internal rims, and 54mm depth for all your aero and tire width needs.
[button]Shop Zipp[/button]
Cockpit: Profile Designs 52 ASC Carbon Extensions
When you're on the bike for hours, it is essential to be comfortable and this setup lets you do just that.
[button]Shop Cockpit[/button]
Bags / storage: Trek top tube bag, Apadura Aro frame bag
Snacks on snacks, and whatever else you may need. Tools, bandaids, motivation.
[button]Shop Bags[/button]
Lights: Exposure Six Pack 15 Light
Turn night into day with 6,000 lumens.
[button]Shop Bike Lights[/button]
Suspension: RockShox Rudy
Again, comfort is key. A RockShox Judy 40mm fork provides all the cushion you need.
[button]Shop Suspension[/button]
Why the build matters
For a 356-mile self-supported race, “fast” starts to mean something different.
Yes, you still want a bike that rolls efficiently. But after 15, 20, or 25 hours, the fastest bike is usually the one that keeps you moving. A tire that is slightly slower but way less likely to flat might be faster in the real world. A handlebar setup with more hand positions might save your shoulders. A light setup that lasts through the night is not optional. Neither is a drivetrain that can handle dust, mud, and a lot of tired shifting.
Final thoughts
We are all stoker to see someone from the TPC team take on a race like this. We spend a lot of time talking about bikes, inspecting bikes, selling bikes, and helping people find the right bikes. But at the end of the day, this is what all of it is for: doing big, weird, memorable stuff on two wheels.
Josh taking on UNBOUND Gravel XL is exactly that. It is a huge day, a huge night, and probably at least a few moments where he questions every choice that led him to Kansas.
But that’s also kind of the point. Goodluck to Josh!
