đŸ”„ Full Spine Field Notes: “Back for Mud — Unbound 2025

đŸ”„ Full Spine Field Notes: “Back for Mud — Unbound 2025

đŸ”„ Full Spine Field Notes: “Back for Mud — Unbound 2025”

“I was four hours and ten minutes faster than last year. Same mud. Same legs. Different rider. I was caught in one crash and behind three more. I chased back every time. I rode with strangers, I flatted, I fixed it, I found my rhythm again. I sprinted on a 38T chainring—spoiler, there was no sprint. Just vibes. But after the disaster of 2023, I came back to Emporia and got it done. It wasn’t perfect. But it was progress. And that’s enough for now.”

Tags: Unbound Gravel, Crash Recovery, Flat Tire Fix, Race Positioning, Female Elite Field, Flint Hills, Mud Stick Ready, Bike Check, Cinnamon Rolls

đŸšŽâ™€ïž Gear Setup – Real Rider Loadout

  • Bike: La Sagler, tuned for post-race Kenya trip
  • Drivetrain: 38T chainring + 10-50T cassette (not ideal for sprinting)
  • Tires: Panaracer GravelKing X1, 45c
  • Bags: Apidura top tube + saddle tool roll
  • Extras: Mud stick (handheld), DynaPlug, OT nutrition
  • Computer: Coros Dura
  • Saddle: Selle Italia Gravel SLR

✅ What Worked

  • Mud prep: “I had my mud stick ready, and I’m glad I did.”
  • Tire choice: High volume helped on wet Kansas terrain.
  • Feed Zone: “We did a really efficient feed. I rolled out ahead of the group.”
  • Community Feeds: Neutral aid stations with Coke, water, pickle juice—“actually the highlight of my day.”

❌ What Failed

  • Crash Zones: Multiple pileups due to early flat terrain and bad positioning.
  • Flat Tire: “Pushing 300W just to stay on, turns out my rear tire was completely flat.”
  • Sprint Finish: “I had a 38T chainring. There was no sprint. Just vibes.”
  • Weather Delay: “Everything’s closed. No pool. No coffee. Just more cinnamon rolls.”

🧠 Rider Lessons

  • “Positioning early is everything. I burned too many matches chasing back.”
  • “You need people. It’s too long to go solo.”
  • “Luck is part of the Unbound equation.”
  • “Improved normalized power, better fueling, better recovery mindset = stronger ride.”

đŸŽ„ Ride the Story

đŸ”„ Final Takeaway

“From DNF in 2023 to four hours faster in 2025. That’s the story. That’s the grit.”

Real Grit Trust Storyℱ Gear.

Built for moments like these.
Trail tested. Crash tested. Puncture tested.
Because Unbound doesn’t care who you are — but your gear better.

This is your moment. Ride With Us Awhile.

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