I didn't get in to Unbound XL...Now What???

[@JoeCincotta307]

Dude, you’re going to love bike packing so much. Such a cool way to see some cool sites on two wheels. Huge fan of yours and really looking forward to that content and your adventures to come. Sending you love from Long Island, New York.

[@TysRides]

Joe, thank you so much! I am really really excited about the bike packing thing. I've got that big trip planned in June but some ideas for several smaller outings before that. Thanks for following along!

[@pandatactical4530]

Awe Man I am sorry to hear that. I'm not sure how Unbound makes these decisions but you should be in you have earned it! I was also sweating it out yesterday and was relieved to get in for my second Unbound 200. Keep up the great work I really enjoy your channel!

[@TysRides]

It's all good. There are a lot of strong riders out there who love crushing gravel who deserve a shot to compete in the event. I have done the 200 twice and I am fortunate for that. Hopefully me not getting in means someone who has never had the opportunity got in. Enjoy the event and go crush your second 200! And thank you for following along! Glad you are here.

[@MagnusIronside]

Keep your head up - looking forward to a series of bike packing videos from you more than another race video anyway. Will follow along every step of the way.

[@TysRides]

Awesome! Thank you! If I am being completely honest, I do love making the race videos but I kinda feel like I need to mix it up and do something different. I will for sure still make race recap videos when I attend events but I feel like mixing it up with bikepacking content is going to keep more interested in making videos and I am really excited about that. Now we just need to get through these cold dark winter months so spring can get here lol

[@AndrewTucker-jg1kl]

I'm excited for you to start your backpacking adventures. Even more excited to follow along! Golden Belt Bicycle is my local bike shop in Great Bend, KS and is on the route should you need anything. Todd, the owner, is a great guy. And a Church in Great Bend has a campground for cyclists if you end up doing an overnight there. You're the man!

[@TysRides]

Yes! That sounds freaking awesome. I am so stoked to get in to the bikepacking. Been a dream for a long time. This is really good info. I am still figuring everything out and need to get a few more items. I am about to get this one man bikepacking tent and then just need a few more miscellaneous items. After college when I got that first bike I actually joined the Adventure Cycling Association when I was gearing up for this trip. Back then they just had waterproof maps. Now you can actually purchase the GPS routes and they also have info for grocery stores, campgrounds, bike shops, etc...If it works out I will for sure check out Golden Belt Bicycle and camp at that spot. I plan on posting daily on my Istagram stories as I go as well.

[@AndrewTucker-jg1kl]

I might just have to get with the times and finally get an Instagram account then lol. You'll be my first follow if so. Your enthusiasm is contagious!

[@TysRides]

@@AndrewTucker-jg1kl thanks man! I just really really enjoy anything that involves cycling. Bikes make me happy. Get that instagram and follow along! That is where I will be posting daily updates and then after the trip is really when I will start editing the videos. I will not be bringing a computer with me to edit. Will probably just have my phone and a go pro for the trip. I have smaller DSLR camera I may bring as well. Not sure on that yet.

[@frankwinters3732]

So glad you are moving forward. Thanks for all you did as a coach.

[@TysRides]

Thank you, Frank. Football has been a huge part of my life since I was in 4th grade but it is time to close that chapter. I am still coaching wrestling!

[@zacharyelgin6194]

TY, im so sorry for your loss! You deserved the opportunity to win the 350! 💔💔💔

[@TysRides]

I am pretty devastated over the whole ordeal, honestly. I just knew if I had the opportunity to get in, I would easily win the 350. I would have won by hours. No one would have come close to beating me. Not even the pros! 🤣🤣🤣

[@EmersonsWorld]

Thanks for putting Carlos in this video! You should take him on a bike ride if that’s possible!🐱

[@TysRides]

Thanks for watching, Emerson! I would like to get a backpack I can carry him in and some goggles to wear while I ride, but unfortunately, he is terribly afraid of cars. It would be fun to get him his own little tent and take him on camping trips, though!

[@deannadulle9283]

Keep looking forward. Proud of you. ❤

[@donwasinger6654]

Looking forward to the journey

[@michaelsrealm9365]

Ty, what you said is parallel with my quest and goals in training. I was not selected for the 3rd time for the 200. Bummed yes ✔️ New plan in the works. Have fun bikepacking!

[@TysRides]

Sorry you didn't get in. Unbound really is a cool experience and I feel like it is a must do event for anyone who loves crushing #biggravelmiles, even if you just experience it once. But that being said, there is a lot of other fun stuff to do. The idea of being able to adventure by bike and camp just sounds like so much fun. I have done a few short trips on the Katy trail but those were one my heavy steel bike with a rack and panniers. I am really looking forward to using these new bags on a lighter bike and taking a more minimalist approach. Have fun!

[@FastOnFlats]

You can still get on wait list or check out the charity option

[@swimbikerunwithmike]

Bummer Ty, love the vids... if you come out and do Bighorn Gravel in Gypsum, CO in late June, you got a place to stay

[@TysRides]

I appreciate that! I need to look in to that event. That area is a beautiful place to ride.

[@ryantye85]

Channel looks great bro keep it up.🚲🚲🚲

[@TysRides]

Thanks Ryan!

[@AdventuresWithDaniel]

Not sure I had Ty's Rides Bikepacking on my bingo card but this is gonna be sweet!!!!! I'm hoping to connect with you if you come through Colorado on the way!

[@TysRides]

Thanks Daniel! I am so freaking stoked!

[@donaldstubbings82]

See you at all the other grassroots gravel races in Kansas!

[@TysRides]

Hell yes you will!

[@wcrawford927]

Dang. Was hoping to meet you there. I’m in the 200 and from the STL area. Hope to catch you at a MO gravel event.

[@TysRides]

@@wcrawford927 for sure. I'll be around. Good luck on the 200. Crush it!

[@danielrussell9416]

There is a Cannonball 550 bikepacking event that starts and stops in Emporia.

[@TysRides]

I just looked this up. My friend Peggy did this once I think. Looks like it is the end of September. I am interested in this!

[@danielrussell9416]

We also have Flint Hills Gravel that puts on three or four separate races. It, as well as the Cannonball 550 are organized by Bobby Thompson, he is an Emporia local. Also, the High Gear bike shop in Emporia puts on La Grind which is a two stage gravel race about a month before Unbound. There is lots of racing in Emporia beyond Unbound. Good luck.

[@TysRides]

@@danielrussell9416 yep! I've done Flint Hills Gravel Ride and LA Grind each of the last 3 or 4 years. FANTASTIC events!

[@bennetthasty7886]

I got in for the 50 but sorry you didn’t get yours ❤the across the country sounds epic 🎉🎉

[@TysRides]

Congrats! You will enjoy the event. The whole atmosphere with the vendors and everything going on is pretty special.

[@99cobra2881]

Wicked Wilson in Russell, Ks is the weekend before Unbound. 100k of fun with some hills that will challenge any rider

[@TysRides]

I have been to that area once. BEAUTIFUL!

[@99cobra2881]

@ My wife and I rode it two years ago and it was an awesome event, missed this years race for a makeup NICA race but planning on making this next year If you havent watched back of the gravel packs video, you should check it out I know this next years race is going to start downtown vs in the past it started/finished on the northeast side of town at the Rec center Brandon S the race director is trying to get more excitement and attendance numbers up!!

[@anthonyagee8737]

4 of my cycling friends applied, all 4 were denied. It's a lottery ticket Ty. So many other things to do!

[@TysRides]

Absolutely! It's a special event that brings a lot of attention. I am fortunate I got to experience the 200 twice so I can't be too upset. Like you said, there are a lot of other things to do. Hopefully your buddies get in one day.

[@danielleland1074]

Gutted for you, how about joining me on the BC Epic 1000? Timing would work, late June

[@TysRides]

I will be going on my cross country trip in late may so I may not be back in time. But that is an event I definitely need to look into!

[@stevekelly6544]

It’d be fun just to go check out all the product booths and hang out, and ride some of the course for free sometime. That is one expensive event…

[@TysRides]

For sure. There have been a few years where I have gone out there and just camped, checked out the expo, and ridden old routes on race day and then partied after. It's definitely a fun atmosphere!

[@stephenauckly]

Sorry you didn't get in. I didn't even enter this year. I've seen a lot of posts that also didn't get chosen, wonder if there were a lot more that applied this year.

[@TysRides]

I think the event just keeps growing and growing! I get it. If you are a cyclist who rides gravel, I imagine it is on a lot of buckets lists.

[@lexington476]

There are other gravel races. You don't have to do just Unbound 🙂.

[@TysRides]

Absolutely! And I am going to continue to venture out and hit some races I have done before.

[@fifthcircle1]

Not at the table Carlos! Also, I'm way more interested in your journey to bike packing than Unbound XL. Watching Gravel Worlds go big money has me turned off from the big gravel races. The little ones that you are always going to are SO much more the real spirit of gravel. 🤘🏻

[@TysRides]

Those big events ARE special. The whole vibe at them is cool. BUT, I would agree that those smaller events are just as fun, if not more fun at times. They may not have the same expo and there may not be pros there, but the atmosphere around the events is a blast. Dude, I am so excited for the bike packing. I remember being about 20 years old and talking to this guy who was graduating at semester. He told me about his whole plan to ride across country. I thought that idea of that sounded like such a cool adventure. That is honestly the whole reason I got that first bike. To do a trip like that. Well, that was about 17 years ago. Time to make that dream a reality. And I have many other ideas for shorter trips in my head as well. Thanks for following along!

[@jered2177]

Purty Tom cat

[@TysRides]

He is awesome! Wondered into the garage as a stray kitten and wouldn't leave lol. We have no idea where he came from.

[@himynameisandrew]

Cowboy it!

[@TysRides]

Ha! I have considered that before. I would feel pretty shitty doing that. Last year we did an old 100 mile route thinking it would completely avoid the current year route and we found ourselves riding with the 350 and 200 riders for a few miles.

[@4961Studebaker]

Sucks not being selected, entry into this one is such a crap shoot, used to be a top wish list event for myself, it’s faded. Enjoy the heck out of the bike packing and exploring new areas.

[@terrillford7784]

Don't let that shxt get to you

[@CoolAirVw]

Do you do jj at kracken?

[@TysRides]

@@CoolAirVw I'm not sure what that is?

[@terrillford7784]

Didn't know you was a fellow coach

[@TysRides]

Yep! Currently in my 13th year coaching HS wrestling.

[@terrillford7784]

@TysRides my man

[@bail22]

Raid on Unbound 2025

[@jamesenloe2791]

I am bummed for you bud. I am at a point in my life and career where I am constantly thinking about jumping ship and doing a cross country bikepacking trip myself. I would definately be down to see what training for something like that is.

[@TysRides]

Thanks James. When I opened the email I was pretty bummed but then I started thinking about the bike packing trip and realized now I get to start that a week sooner and I am pretty excited to do that. For the bike packing trip I am not really going to specifically train. I am just going to keep riding like I do. I typically ride about 10-15 hours a week during the spring with some big rides on the weekends mixed in so I will be ok. Also, I feel like on a trip like that you kind of gain fitness as you go as well. It will be about 2,000 miles and I would like to average about 100 miles a day. Some days more, some days less, depending on conditions. I will also mix in a few rest days.