UnTapped at Unbound

Cyclist riding on a gravel road with a plaid pattern overlaying the image

Starting today, UnTapped athletes are racing at Unbound, the world’s premier gravel biking event, held in Emporia, Kansas. We talked with them about their goals and how they’re fueling with UnTapped for this grueling endurance race.

Ted King, former World Tour cyclist, co-founder UnTapped

Distance: Unbound XL (350 miles); ninth time at Unbound

How was your training?
I’m not sure what the perfect preparation is for a 350-mile outing. Truth be told, I think that should involve a bivy, a gazettier, and three riding days. But here I am hoping I’ve checked at least a few of the boxes! Basically I’ve ridden as much as possible given the lanes in which I’m allowed, so to that end, I’ve done things right. More specifically, I haven’t raced nearly as much as I have at this point in years past. But I’ve spent time in a sauna, so maybe we call it a wash.

What’s your nutrition strategy for Unbound?
I feel like the XL is a whole lot of fitness, but then becomes a tactical race geared towards “who will be the last person to stop and refuel”. It’s sort of an arms race of who can carry the most hydration because once you need to stop, you’re watching other people ride away! That’s my experience anyway. So I’m planning to bring a lot of nutrition and hydration – mostly sticking to Grape and Lime Mapleaid and many, many packets of UnTapped Gels. I do a whole buffet, with Salted Cinnamon, original Maple, and Salted Raspberry being particular favorites. I eat and drink plentifully and often.

What’s your goal for Unbound?
I’d like to see the finish line. The weather doesn’t currently appear to be cool, sunny, and tailwinds. It’s looking damp, which makes this particular race a slog. Hopefully, the weather changes for the better and it’s a fast, fun race from start to finish! I’d like to do well – maybe top five, maybe top 10. There are so many variables during a race like this that it’s anyone’s guess how it shakes out. It’s just an enormous undertaking; even at 200 miles, you still have 150 miles to go!

Bond Almand sitting in a rocking chair in the woods with a bike next to them.

Bond Almand, ultra-endurance cyclist

Distance: Unbound XL (350 miles); first-time at Unbound

How was your training?
It’s admittedly been a bit all over the place. It’s been difficult to balance my academics with my athletic goals, while also trying to savor my last term of college and being surrounded by all of my friends in one place. But my numbers are better than they’ve ever and biking has been bringing me an incredible amount of joy recently, so I’m optimistic I can put down an effort I’ll be content with!

What’s your nutrition strategy for Unbound?
I’m going to fill a 30-oz bottle with straight maple syrup. I’ve found it difficult to fuel consistently while riding through the night. Particularly when riding in a pack on gravel, it can be difficult to deal with individual nutrition packets, so I’m hoping that it will be easier to take a swig of syrup straight from a bottle. I’ll fill my pockets with waffles to give my stomach some solid food.

What’s your goal for Unbound?
A top-seven would be pretty sweet, but my metric of success is throwing down an effort I feel proud of. If I can push myself to the limit and cross the line feeling like I gave it my best shot, that’s a win in my books. I’m really looking forward to riding with the best in the world. It’s a very special feeling to line up against the cyclists that I grew up watching. The opportunity to race Unbound is a gift that I do not take lightly.

Ian Boswell, former World Tour cyclist

Distance: 100 miles (guiding an athlete from the Death to Doubt team); sixth time at Unbound

How was your training?
I’m much less prepared than in years past. With some illnesses and the birth of our third daughter, my fitness and prep has taken a back seat. That doesn’t mean I’m not still excited to be there riding.

What’s your nutrition strategy for Unbound?
Given I’m less fit this year, my nutrition is even more important. Since I don’t have the depth of endurance, fueling with UnTapped is the one thing that I need to make sure I focus on and if I do that, I know I will have a great day out there!

What’s your goal for Unbound?
Safely guiding and finishing with Christian, a Death To Doubt athlete, and making sure he has a fun experience would make me proud. The bicycle has been such an important part of my life, so being able to share my experience with a young rider is such a gift. Unbound is so much more than just a race. It’s a gathering of cyclists from around the world and I’m looking forward to being back in Emporia and feeling the energy and excitement for what the bike brings to so many people.

Jenny Brown, cycling enthusiast, spouse of Roger, UnTapped’s co-founder

Distance: 200 miles; second time at Unbound

How was your training?
My husband entered me in the lottery and I got an email that said “Congratulations! You’re in!” which caused confusion, then panic, then a spark of excitement. I immediately begged Ted King to coach me and he finally caved. I also got a sweet new Cannondale for my birthday that fed the hunger. Since Jan 1, I’ve woven in a bunch of zone 2 carting my bike and trainer around New England while Roger and I chased our four ski racers/gymnasts/baseball/soccer players all winter and spring.

What’s your nutrition strategy for Unbound?
My nutrition strategy – maple, maple, and more maple – includes a lot of Lime and Grape Mapleaid (hands down, my two favorites), Salted Citrus, Mint, and Salted Cocoa Gels, and some Waffles along the way.

What’s your goal for Unbound?
My goal is to have fun for a (long) day on the bike. (Mine might go into a second day? I’m aiming to get to 206.9 miles somewhere around midnight.) But it may or may not happen how I plan it, so we’ll see where the day takes us. I’m feeling most lucky to have Roger riding with me, reminding me to eat and drink, and helping with any mechanicals – unless he sees someone take off for the 350 and he follows along like a puppy. A day for Roger and I on bikes is a gift!

Roger Brown, co-founder, UnTapped

Distance: 200 miles; sixth time at Unbound

How was your training?
My training has been limited to one quite pleasant cycling vacation – fifty-ish miles a day for six days, plus many bottles of wine. I do think about biking a lot, if that helps.

What’s your nutrition strategy for Unbound?
Fortunately, my nutrition strategy will overcome my training strategy. My plan is to drink a 30-ounce water bottle per hour with five ounces of UnTapped in each (generally two-three ounces of Mapleaid plus two to three more of Mint or Salted Cinnamon Gels), plus a Mint, Salted Cocoa, or Salted Cinnamon Gel each hour. (The goal being ~150 grams of carbs per hour). As a twist, I am planning to start trying to consume 75-100 grams of carbs per hour the day before the start to be primed and ready to go for my mission.

What’s your goal for Unbound?
Stay married! (I figure we have a good chance since at least we aren’t on a tandem.) This year I bamboozled my lovely wife Jenny into riding the 200 (if you think you can or you think you can’t you’re probably right) with me. I have had a lot of fun and adventure the last few years, and am excited to share it with Jenny. I think challenging yourself and pushing your limits to see if you can accomplish something that’s a little intimidating is a good thing every once in a while. Challenging your wife to push her limits and see if she can accomplish something a little intimidating – maybe also a good idea?