The adventure you’ll find at Unbound XL isn’t something you stumble across on the gravel circuit every weekend. This is different. This is the kind of race that cracks the door open to multi-day, soul-testing rides around the world- the kind that scratch that deep, restless itch for adventure on two wheels.
The XL is a 350+ mile journey through the relentless, rolling hills of Kansas- a race that will tear you down, break you apart, and rebuild you into something stronger. Riders roll out of Emporia first, chasing the horizon, and return the next day looking like they’ve battled every mud puddle, cow pie, and pothole the Flint Hills can throw at them.
This isn’t just nearly double the distance of the 200-mile race. This is a different beast entirely. It’s about preparation and trust. Knowing your gear, your bike, and yourself when things get hard- because they will. It’s about stepping into the unknown and being ready for whatever the course, and the night, throws your way.
Out there, it’s just you, gas stations, and the unspoken bond between riders grinding through the same miles. No aid stations. No cheering crowds. No mechanics waiting in the wings. If something goes wrong, you fix it. If you’re struggling, you dig deeper.
If you want to make it back to Emporia, preparation isn’t optional, it’s everything. That means dialing in your gear and testing your nutrition on your longest training rides. Here are a few key areas to lock in before you take on the XL:
Bike Setup and Weight – Your bike won’t feel like your bike once it’s loaded down. Long stretches between stops mean carrying more water and gear than usual. Train that way. Feel the weight. Learn how your bike handles when it’s fully loaded- because your legs will feel every ounce in the final miles.
Lights – Darkness is part of the race. Make sure your lights are ready for it. You need enough power to last through the night, and possibly into another. Bring a backup. Then bring a plan for that backup. Helmet light, spare handlebar light, extra batteries, charging pack—don’t leave this to chance.
Mechanical Know-How – There’s no neutral support out there. You are your own mechanic. You won’t be ready for everything, but you can be ready for a lot. Flats will happen, maybe more than once. Carry plugs, tubes, CO₂, and a hand pump. Know how to use them all. Be ready to fix a chain. The extra weight might slow you down, but being unprepared will stop you.
There’s still so much about Unbound XL that can’t be put into words-what it feels like to spend an entire sleep cycle on your bike, to move through exhaustion and come out the other side. Racing it taught me that once I was torn down, broken, and built back up, I found a kind of quiet, hard-earned happiness I couldn’t find anywhere else.
The rest? That’s yours to discover.
When you find the courage to sign up, roll out, and chase your own unknown.
-Boundless Coach Alysha Davis
June 3, 2026