UNBOUND STORIES: Training Rides Recap
- James Ion
- May 9
- 2 min read
Updated: May 16
Words James Ion
As part of our Unbound Stories series, we’re following a diverse group of riders preparing for Unbound Gravel 2025. Through their own voices, we’re hearing the honest, unfiltered stories that define the path to the Flint Hills. This edition brings dispatches from Fruita, Kiawah Island, and the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
Chris Fowler – 125 Miles in Fruita, CO at CO2UT ‘Utah Raptor’
Purpose: Equipment testing, Unbound-style endurance simulation, nutrition strategy trial.
Start Line Observations: “I swear I just saw someone roll out on 2.3” tires and aero bars. He’ll probably set a course record.”
Early Ride: Struggled with temperature swings—“Freezing at mile 0, melting by mile 20.”
Mid-Ride High: “I feel like I could win this thing! Must be the carb loading.”
Aid Station Experiment: “Pickle juice chased with Pepsi…not my finest combo.”
Sand and Suffering: “I told my bike I love it. Deep sand is real. If anyone doesn’t make it back, start the search there.”
Final Miles: Legs cramping, hills hitting—but still moving. “Just over 14mph average, and I’m upright.”
Takeaway: Loadout felt solid. Nutrition mostly held. Confidence gained.
Anna Ferguson – 45 Mile Solo Ride in Kiawah Island, SC
Focus: Endurance pacing, mental resilience, and nutrition calibration.
Conditions: False flats, sticky humidity, and a light headwind returning home.
Breakthrough: “Held steady power through mental drop zones—no self-bargaining.”
Fueling Misfire: Hydration was delayed. Nutrition too light.
Mental Win: “This wasn’t a summit day. It was a trust-the-process day.”
Takeaway: Next block will fix fueling. But something deeper shifted—no need for external validation to feel the ride counted.
Dave and Tanya Konshak – Bear 100, Laona, WI (Tandem Ride)
Focus: Gear shakedown, full-body endurance, tandem navigation in tough conditions.
Course Challenges: Post-storm debris, sleet, hail, and sub-35°F temps at the start.
Gear Highlight: Custom Cedaero frame bag with a hike-a-bike pad. “We used it—and it worked surprisingly well.”
Tandem Test: “Navigating a tandem on this terrain is a full-body workout.”
Next Step: Night ride simulation. “10pm to dawn, unpaved roads, little tandem night experience. Let’s go.”
Takeaway: Fitness strong. Body sore. Confidence growing—next up: light it up in the dark.
Up Next in UNBOUND STORIES:
Stay tuned as we explore how each rider is dialing in nutrition, tuning their mental game, and perfecting their bike setup for Unbound Gravel.
Follow their journey on Instagram for more behind the scenes content: @progravelmag
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