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USA · GRAVEL

UNBOUND GRAVEL
TRAINING PLAN.

Unbound Gravel is the world's biggest gravel event — 320km (200mi) across the Flint Hills of Kansas on rocky unpaved roads. Lottery entry, professional field mixed with amateurs, 100mi + 50mi options. Mud years and dust years both exist.

320 km·2,800 m climbing·12-20 hours·June

PICK YOUR WINDOW

HOW LONG TILL YOUR UNBOUND?

Count back from your event date. Pick the weeks-out plan that matches your window. Each one is a week-by-week framework built around the demands of this specific course.

EVENT INTEL

WHAT THE UNBOUND ACTUALLY DEMANDS

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

  • ✓320km (200mi) flagship + 100mi + 50mi options
  • ✓Flint Hills rocks destroy tyres, wheels, and souls
  • ✓Mud years (historic): bike-carrying, abandonments, DNFs at 50%
  • ✓Kansas heat: 25-35°C with no shade
  • ✓Self-navigated (GPS) after the first 20km

COMMON MISTAKES

  • ✗Running tyres under 40mm — Unbound shreds light tyres
  • ✗Trying to ride from a sportive background without ultra pacing
  • ✗Underfueling because 'it's just bikes, not running' — 12-20 hours is ultra territory

PACING

Unbound is an ultra with a drop bag. Pace at 55-60% of your 4-hour FTP as a realistic all-day ceiling. The rocks force constant micro-adjustments; you don't hold steady power like on road. Drop bag at checkpoints 2 and 3 — strategise what's in each bag before the start.

FUELLING

80-100g carbs/hour for 12+ hours. Aid stations are official but crowded — own supply between them is faster. Heat means electrolytes dominate. Solid food at checkpoints, gels + bars between. Texan rule: if you're not peeing every 2 hours you're underfuelling.

KIT

Gravel bike with 42-45mm tyres, reinforced sidewalls (Panaracer GravelKing SK+, Challenge Gravine Race, Rene Herse Stampede Pass). Tubeless mandatory. 2-3 tyre plugs + CO2 + spare tube. Mudguards optional (but essential in mud years). Hydration pack optional but helps in heat.

FAQ

UNBOUND TRAINING, ANSWERED.

How long should I train for the Unbound Gravel?

For the Unbound Gravel (320km with 2,800m of climbing), most riders benefit from at least 12-16 weeks of structured preparation. If you've been riding consistently, 8 weeks of focused work can still be enough to transform your result. Pick the weeks-out plan that matches your window.

What's the typical finish time for the Unbound Gravel?

Most amateur finishers complete the Unbound Gravel in 12-20 hours. The spread is driven by climbing fitness more than flat speed — the course has 2,800m of vertical, and pacing the climbs is what separates a strong finish from a suffering one.

When does the Unbound Gravel take place?

The Unbound Gravel typically runs in June. That sets the training window: count back from your event date and pick the weeks-out plan that matches.

What's the biggest mistake riders make at the Unbound Gravel?

Running tyres under 40mm — Unbound shreds light tyres

How should I pace the Unbound Gravel?

Unbound is an ultra with a drop bag. Pace at 55-60% of your 4-hour FTP as a realistic all-day ceiling. The rocks force constant micro-adjustments; you don't hold steady power like on road. Drop bag at checkpoints 2 and 3 — strategise what's in each bag before the start.

WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?

READY FOR A PLAN MADE FOR YOU?

The framework above gets you in the right territory. Roadman coaching builds it around your FTP, your life, and your weeks remaining.

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