Alex Wilds, a pro gravel racer, walks through his complete setup for the Unbound 200—a brutally demanding 200-mile race across the Flint Hills in Kansas. From tire pressure and drivetrain tuning to fueling strategy and mental prep, he breaks down the technical and tactical decisions that separate finishers from the field, plus reveals one unexpected piece of equipment he never races Unbound without.
Key Takeaways
- Run durable, wider tires (22mm Air Tracks) with sealant only—skip inserts unless conditions demand it. Bring backup options (45-50mm) for mud clearance if weather turns bad.
- Fuel consistently every 20 minutes with 50g gels (150g/hour) early in the race, ramping to one gel every 15 minutes (200g/hour) in hours 5-10 as glycogen depletes.
- Cheap plastic Tacx bottle cages ($20) outperform expensive titanium alternatives for bounce-out prevention on gravel; don't overthink it.
- Use Tire Wiz sensors to monitor live pressure and catch slow leaks or failed plugs—invaluable peace of mind on a 10+ hour effort.
- Shorter cranks (165mm) allow a lower hip angle and more aggressive aerodynamic positioning without power loss; pair with aero bars and hydration strategy that keeps weight off your back.
- Success at Unbound is effort-based, not result-based: focus on executing your plan, staying in contention through key sections like Little Egypt (5 hours in), and giving everything you have.
Expert Quotes
"Long ride is just like a short ride only longer. You just need all the same stuff. You just need more of it."
"If I cross the line saying, 'That was everything I had on the day and I just wasn't good enough,' then those are the races I'm most satisfied with."
"It's a 10-hour day at least, so you're going to have to have a durable bike and body. Eat and drink as much as you can and just stick with it—one foot in front of the other."