Unbound 2024: Less Mud, More Gravel

Who could forget the 2023 race, dubbed the Mile of Mud? It was a brutal test that decimated bikes, thwarted competitors, and left many racers trudging home in defeat. The true victor was the course itself.

Fast forward to 2024. The weather loomed large in everyone's minds. Leading up to the race, we saw forecasts hinting at trouble—a two-day rainstorm was set to drench the area just before the event, promising mud that would challenge even the new rockier, better-draining North Course. The specter of peanut butter mud haunted every rider.

On the eve of the race, one woman stood by the course, her bike encrusted in the first mud section. A modest rise and descent had already clogged her chainstays and fork crown. She scraped away the muck with a silicone spatula, her shoes transformed into heavy blocks of mud and rocks, like a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream gone wrong.

Pre-Race Excitement

The pre-race atmosphere was electric. The Gravel Hall of Fame welcomed new inductees: Jay Petervary, Linda Guerette, Selene Yeager, and Shimano expert Nick Legan, all celebrated for their contributions to the gravel community.

The expo was buzzing, with the new GravelKing X1 tires flying off the shelves, perfect for the rugged North Course. Our team was busy at the OBED booth, fine-tuning bikes for race day. One rider even got a last-minute cable routing overhaul on his trusty Boundary.

We also unveiled our new endurance road bike, the RVR. This versatile machine boasts a comfortable geometry and a 35mm tire capacity, making it perfect for graded gravel and road-heavy courses alike. If you haven't seen it, check it out here—it's built to perform on diverse terrain.

Race Day

Race day dawned under dark, dry skies. The mud from the previous day had dried, transforming concern into relief. Dust replaced mud, a welcome change for all riders.

Our OBED Racers

Michael McNair: Our ace mechanic and ever-positive ambassador took on the 100-miler. Michael’s strategy was camaraderie—he teamed up with a rider whose bike he'd adjusted the day before, sharing the effort in the late miles. They crossed the finish line together, embodying the spirit of gravel racing.

Audrey Mace: One of our content creators, Audrey tackled the 100-miler with Beyoncé powering her through the miles. Starting at the back of the pack meant a slow start, but she relished passing countless riders throughout the day, making up for lost time.

Chris Brown: We have to give Chris a bit of a ribbing here. A former top mountain biker and Cat. 1 roadie, his lungs and legs are legendary. Yet, family commitments saw him enter the 50-miler—a move some might call sandbagging. Nevertheless, he finished fifth overall and won his age group, the only one of us to bring home a trophy. Sandbagger or not, chapeau!

See You Next Year

Whether it’s rain, mud, or shine, we’ll be back next year, ready to tackle whatever the course throws at us. We hope to see you there, sharing in the grit and glory of gravel racing!