Prologue: That LINE Message Was Where It All Began

Discover Ride is all about “authentic,” down-to-earth journeys. No overdoing it. No pushing yourself too hard.
That’s why it’s sustainable—and why it can inspire someone else to think, “Maybe I’ll try that too.”
I’m Tsucchi (Tsuchiya), just an average cyclist in my 40s. I’m not especially fast or strong.But if there’s one thing I won’t lose at, it’s my determination to enjoy the ride.

Then one day, I got a LINE message from Kenta.Then one day, I got a LINE message from Kenta.

“Tsucchi, want to ride Unbound?”
“Let’s tackle the 100 miles together.”

Wait—Unbound?
That Unbound—the world’s biggest gravel event in the middle of Kansas, where you ride covered in mud?
And 100 miles? That’s 160 kilometers…

I stared at the screen, frozen.
No, no, no. I’m slow.Even 50 km usually feels like a big effort for me.

But before I knew it, I’d already typed my reply.

“I’m in!”

I was scared. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could finish 160 km of gravel.
(Worst of all, I’d said yes without asking my wife… yikes.)

But at the same time, I felt something inside me start to move.

And so began a challenge that was far beyond my “authentic comfort zone”—a challenge for a 40-something cyclist stretching himself more than ever.

2｜A Slow Rider Steps into the World of UNBOUND

Even after replying “I’m in!” to Kenta, it still didn’t feel real.

But once I’d said “I’ll do it,” I knew I had to start taking action.

I immediately went to the UNBOUND GRAVEL website and wrestled with all the English, eventually managing to register for the 100-mile category.
While looking at the confirmation email, I remembered last year.

I recalled how Kenta’s first attempt at Unbound had been posted as a video on YouTube.

▼Kenta’s 2024 first attempt video

Behind his upbeat commentary, you could see just how brutally hard the race had been for him.The scorching temperatures, the unique atmosphere of an overseas race, the unfamiliar pacing.Even Kenta, with his strong legs, had only just managed to finish.

—And me, with my slow legs…?

Before I knew it, I was quietly closing my laptop.Maybe I just wanted to pretend I hadn’t seen it.
But the registration was already done. ($260 for the 100 miles—about ¥38,000.)

There was no turning back.

■What is UNBOUND GRAVEL?

UNBOUND GRAVEL, organized by LIFE TIME, is the world’s biggest gravel event held every June in Emporia, Kansas.
Started in 2006, it has grown into an international festival attracting over 5,000 cyclists from around the world.
For gravel bike enthusiasts, it’s known as the ultimate dream stage to ride at least once.

▼2024 UNBOUND Gravel | RACE HIGHLIGHTS

Participants can choose their distance depending on their skill and ambition. The main categories are:

• 50 miles (about 80 km): For beginners or those who just want to enjoy finishing.

• 100 miles (about 160 km): A popular category with a good balance of challenge and accomplishment.

• 200 miles (about 320 km): The signature distance of Unbound, where elite riders battle it out.

• XL (350 miles / about 560 km): An extreme ultra-distance category requiring you to ride through the night.

I’d signed up for what’s considered the “shorter” 100-mile division.
…But there’s nothing easy about it.

Scorching sun, sudden gusts, downpours—
and the biggest enemy of all: the mud known as “peanut butter.”
This clay-like muck clings to your tires, stops your bike, and tests your spirit.It drains your energy so much that having to get off and push your bike is almost inevitable.

And this race basically doesn’t have aid stations.

The defining feature of UNBOUND GRAVEL is its philosophy of total self-support.

You have to handle all food, hydration, and repairs on your own.
You’re required to carry at least two liters of water.
Tire boots, a multi-tool, spare tubes, and nutrition—all must be carried as a given.If you run into trouble, thinking “someone will help me” is just wishful thinking.

This is not just a long-distance race.It’s a journey where you confront nature—and your own weaknesses.

This is nothing like my usual down-to-earth trips…
I quietly closed my laptop again.

3｜Departure: A Two-Day Journey to Distant Kansas

今This time, I was fortunate to travel together with the team from Panaracer, Japan’s leading bicycle tire manufacturer.
They took care of everything—from flights to rental cars to accommodations—and I was truly grateful.

It was the most reassuring setup I could ask for.
Thanks to them, I was supposed to be able to “focus on getting ready.”But reality wasn’t so simple.
In the six months between registering and leaving Japan,I was buried in work and childcare, and managed to ride only about 200 km per month.
I could count the number of proper long rides I did on one hand.
Strength training, indoor trainer sessions—I must have written “do this” on my schedule dozens of times…

In the end, the day of departure came with nothing but mounting anxiety.

For this flight with connections, I used the trusted Scicon AeroComfort Plus 3.0 bike bag.
This bag lets you secure the frame without taking it apart, is relatively lightweight, and is easy to handle—a reliable companion for tough overseas trips.

At Haneda Airport, everything went smoothly, and I checked in my bike without any issues.Having traveled with my bike to places like Taiwan before, deflating the tires and protecting the parts was second nature by now.
Maybe the fact that I felt more practiced than nervous was a small sign of progress.

This time, I flew Delta—about 11 hours from Haneda to Detroit.Between watching movies, dozing off, and fighting a bit of jet lag, I finally saw the U.S. mainland come into view.

I had a long layover in Detroit.I wandered around the terminal in a sleepy haze, but what woke me up was the cost of everything.

I wandered around the terminal in a sleepy haze, but what woke me up was the cost of everything.

A single wrap sandwich was about ¥1,600…
I’d only stopped by thinking, “I’ll just grab a snack,” but the total on the register made me freeze.

In the end, all I could bring myself to buy was that wrap and a coffee.Rather than “fueling up,” I told myself this was a “commemorative meal” as I chewed the dense bread.

After another two-hour flight from Detroit, I finally arrived at Kansas City International Airport.

It was already past 9 p.m. local time.That night, we drove a rental car to a hotel near the airport and stayed over.

So I got into bed hoping to get some sleep early…
But between jet lag and excitement, I couldn’t sleep at all.

My body was tired, but my mind was already out on the course.

4｜Arrival in Emporia and Days of Preparation

After two whole days since leaving Haneda, I finally arrived in Emporia, Kansas—the stage of UNBOUND GRAVEL.

Our accommodations were a house that the Panaracer team rents out every year.
It was in a great location—close to downtown and about 10 minutes by bike to the event venue.
It had a spacious living room and kitchen, making it a perfect base of operations.

And on top of that, every meal was homemade by Panaracer’s president, Mr. Yamato!Burgers, pasta, curry, meat—it was an all-out, hearty American menu.And the taste was fantastic. When he said, “There’s more if you want,” I couldn’t help going for seconds.

It felt like every day was one big carb-loading party.Before the race, I was basically training my stomach to handle American portions.

The next day, I spread out my gear in the backyard and started assembling my bike.Doing it not in a garage but on the lawn felt so American.

Everyone opened their cases and quietly worked at their own pace.

Luckily, nothing was damaged in transit, and I finished installing parts and adjusting the disc brakes without any issues.

This time, Kenta was riding Cannondale’s latest gravel bike—the SuperX LAB71.A high-end racing gravel model with a lightweight, stiff carbon frame, engineered for incredible rigidity and precise handling.

Though designed for racing, it balances stability and responsiveness even on rough terrain, making it perfect for grueling 100-mile gravel races.

The glossy deep black frame with blue accents looked almost futuristic—so stylish and cool. (The color is called Black Marble.)

However, it was only assembled the day before departure. Test ride distance…1 km!

As for me, I was borrowing the Topstone Carbon 3 from Cannondale (Intertec Corporation).
It’s a versatile bike that combines comfort and capability for gravel riding.
The lightweight carbon frame features Cannondale’s unique Kingpin suspension, which absorbs shocks smoothly.

The Shimano GRX 2×11 drivetrain offered the reassurance of handling long rides full of climbs and descents.
It was truly a dependable gravel bike, suited for everyone from beginners to experienced riders.

However, mine had also only arrived two days before the trip—test ride distance: 5 km.

Both of us were going in practically untested. Seriously—was this going to be okay? Not really a laughing matter.
A first-time place, a first-time race, and a nearly brand-new bike—100 miles…
Even I had to admit it was a pretty bold way to prepare.

Still, the bikes were perfectly set up.

Supporting both our rides were Panaracer’s GravelKing X1 tires (700×45C).
And this time, we were using the 2025 limited color: “Honey Butter.”　The soft beige sidewalls blended beautifully with the Kansas landscape and looked as great as they rode.

We went for a short test ride around Emporia.Just riding along, people would greet us with a friendly “Hi” as we passed.
The whole town felt so welcoming to cyclists—it was really comforting.

We stopped at Gravel City Roasters, a café in the heart of town, for a break.We lined up our bikes out front, sank into orange chairs, and took a sip of cold iced latte.Time felt like it slowed down there—a peaceful, relaxing moment.

The climate was somewhat like summer in Hokkaido—dry and pleasant.But the sun was all American—blazing hot, burning my skin.
I was so grateful for any patch of shade.

All over town, people were working on their bikes or walking around in their kits.The atmosphere in Emporia was already 100% UNBOUND.

As I rode through town, it hit me:
“Wow—I really made it here.”
The day I’d stand on the dream stage of UNBOUND was definitely coming closer.

5｜Picking Up My Race Number and the Buzz of the Expo

The race number pickup was on the third floor of the County History Center in downtown.It had a classic brick exterior and a retro interior with exposed wooden beams—
Like a history museum, but with banners reading “100 MILE” and “200 MILE” hanging inside.

I showed the QR code from my confirmation email to a volunteer, and within seconds I was handed my race kit.
Inside were a participant T-shirt, socks, my number, and lots of information.

The moment I held it, my excitement rose.Receiving your race number always feels special.

The number plate was a single piece you attach to the front of your handlebar.
It felt sturdy and waterproof—typical of the world’s biggest gravel race, where even small details are well thought out.

Looking closely, I noticed a small notch at the top.
It was there to prevent the plate from interfering with the brake or shift cables.Once I attached it, I understood perfectly—such a small detail, but really helpful.

And one more thing—
At the bottom, it said “BEER” and “FOOD/DRINK $12”!

It was a voucher for a celebratory beer and meal after finishing.Just imagining that finish-line beer lifted my spirits.

…This was one thing I absolutely couldn’t afford to lose.

When I stepped outside, the Expo was in full swing right in front of me.More than 200 brands and organizations were exhibiting this year—double the size compared to last year.Standing there, you could feel exactly why UNBOUND is called the world’s biggest gravel event.

For reference, here’s the 2025 Expo schedule:

• May 29 (Thu) 1:00–6:00 PM (two days before the race)
• May 30 (Fri) 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (the day before the race)

Walking around, I saw brands like VENTUM and SCARAB—ones you rarely spot in Japan—it felt like touring overseas bike shops.There was no way not to get excited.

In the official merchandise area, hats, T-shirts, bike bottles, and all kinds of UNBOUND items lined the tables.The piece that caught my eye was a denim jacket with the UNBOUND logo ($140).
It was expensive, but so cool—I couldn’t help wanting it.

Naturally, Panaracer also had a booth.
The highlights this year were the limited GravelKing X1 colors—Honey Butter and Cranberry.

Seeing the Honey Butter tires on our bikes,Riders came up saying, “These are so cute! Where can I get them?”

Watching people study the tires in front of the booth,I felt a little proud.

It was a moment when I could feel firsthand that a product from Japan was loved by gravel fans all over the world.Meanwhile, Kenta spent a long time hanging out at the MOOSEPAKS booth.
With colorful, playful designs, this bikepacking brand was founded in 2015 in Boone, North Carolina.The founder, Matt Moosa, first made a bag for commuting, and even now the company still handcrafts everything in small batches.

After much deliberation, Kenta ended up buying a full setup.

Usually, Emporia is a quiet rural town.But during UNBOUND, the whole town transforms into a festival.Laughter, music, applause, high-fives, excitement—
Standing there, I realized UNBOUND isn’t just a race—it’s the culture and pride of this town.

At this point, all that was left was to ride.

6｜A Final Tune-Up Ride… with a Pro!?

The day before the race, I got the chance to do a test ride with a professional rider—like something out of a dream.

My companion was Takayuki Abe (VeloRian), who was racing the 200-mile category.

He was another racer from Japan—friendly and approachable, a reassuring presence.
I had the chance to ride about 20 km of gravel alongside him.

“Let’s take it easy,” Abe said casually.
His voice was calm and kind—but his legs definitely weren’t.

For him, this was just an easy spin to stay loose.Meanwhile, there I was, chasing after him on a bike I’d only gotten two days earlier, basically riding blind.

Conversation? I was too busy gasping for air to say more than “Hahh…yes…”

We rode side by side on a straight gravel road.Rice fields stretched out on one side, grasslands on the other, and endless sky above.Riding next to a pro in that landscape—how could it not feel special?

But part of me couldn’t stop worrying:
“If I get dropped… am I going to be lost alone in the Kansas wilderness?!”
But part of me couldn’t stop worrying:

Somehow, I clung on and made it back.
It was the longest 20 km I’ve ever ridden.But it was the best experience.

I never expected such a special moment before the race.UNBOUND GRAVEL really is something else.

…Though honestly, I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d already burned through my reserves.
But I decided to count it as a valuable experience—a true “final tune-up.”

All I could do now was pray I wouldn’t wake up with sore legs before race day.

【To be continued in Part 2.】