Quitting was NEVER an Option! (My Unbound 200 race recap)

Unbound 200 is the new name for Dirty Kanza, a massive gravel race in Emporia Kansas. Pretty much all the top cyclists show up for a range of events. There is the 100 miles, the famous 206 miles, and then they have the crazy option of the unbound XL that is 350 miles. I rode the 206 mile option and this is my story of the Unbound 200.
I walk you through my race and how it played out. I talk about my emotions and mental state more than anything else. The problem with a cycling video for this gravel race is that there is SO MUCH to cover, this video could be 5 hours long and still not cover the entire story line.
Ive got to be super honest here, didnt really want to make this video. Talking about how I failed, AGAIN, is not really something I wanted to share. I also didn't find my flow on the edit and I feel like I failed on the video. But it is what it is and I hope you enjoy my recap of the Unbound 200 from Kansas.
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[@aascott86]

"Homies till we die!!!" One second later "I lost my two best friends" 🤣

[@ldpranzy]

that was funny AF!

[@J3SSEB]

I almost spit out my coffee at this bit.

[@forfunonly009]

that was fast. lmao

[@JohnDoe-sw9zq]

I'm using that line next race!

[@TheGagnonRx]

Goonies never day die.

[@nimanikaiyn3392]

As an avid road cyclist, honestly, somehow it’s become normal to have to need to show up for a 200 mile race and that shouldn’t be the case. This is really a massive accomplishment and in the heat is very dangerous. Good job on your effort and you have nothing to be ashamed of, this should be a personal badge of honor.

[@RogerWilliamsFTW]

"But you're gonna hear the story from an annoying vegan, who's way overhyped." Love you bro!

[@DSKHo1968]

So understated and self deferential, that why we love the VC!

[@inVINCEible64]

“Homies til we die!” following up with “I lost my two best friends”. lmao ☠️

[@OUTDOORS55]

Its a 200 mile 13+ hour gravel race. Stop talking about it like its a normal race haha! You are being way too hard on yourself for an extreme race like this. Great stuff as always 👍

[@raphaeltiziani7476]

That is so true. I will do a 200 km + 4300m climbing race in the weekend and thats huge for me and most guys I know. 300 km is just insane. To finish it is already so great!

[@octaviakf]

Who the hell came up with 200 mile race that’s crazy

[@davidv6803]

63 overall? That's f'ing amazing!!

[@Stephensry]

"These TT bars! I mean, on this downhill section you can just rail!" *riders fly by Tyler while he's on TT bars* LOL bro jk, awesome video, thanks for sharing the experience!

[@Ultegra10SPD]

The “Lance Jersey” Photochop. I’m ded lol. -U10

[@JordanGreenPNW]

"I'm not an athlete," proceeds to compete in a 200 mile gravel race lmao. Loved the bit about the future you mindset, I'm going to remember that one!

[@timroden6617]

You may not be on the Olympic team but you are an athlete. Don't forget it.

[@orion410]

I'm a mediocre swimmer on a mediocre high school team, who goes mountain biking on weekends. I may be terrible at all of my sports, but I still consider myself an athlete.

[@DaveCM]

When you were laying on the ground cramping up, I was laughing my a$$ off. Not because I was laughing at you but because I've been there. We have all been there.

[@nathanluther39]

I wanted to quit so bad on my run today. The last half mile was on a 4% grade and my body was telling me just quit but I just kept going and when I finished I was so proud

[@onlyfoolriding8223]

Me: Finishes 1.5 hr over/under on Trainer Road; I'm the best in the world. VC: I came in 63rd in a 200 mile, 13 hour gravel race; I'm a failure

[@budycelyn]

you talk your abilities down a lot man, you did great. finally a video about the unbound that's not 5 minutes long, love it, keep it up.

[@kevinwhite2601]

I rode with Tyler after the first stop for a decent stretch, I was the guy with rim brakes at 14:06. I am always anxious meeting people I follow online, you never really know for sure what someone will be like in person. VC blew me away with how good of a dude he is, he seems like the most genuine guy irl and it was awesome to ride with him. Huge fan!

[@TheVCAdventures]

Kevin, thank you so much for the kind words. We had a solid group there for a bit. How did you finish?

[@kevinwhite2601]

@@TheVCAdventures Limped in for 37th, I was flying high when I joined the group and then died around the water stop at 100. One silver lining is that if we get setups/nutrition right we could improve quite a bit. I was thinking during the race when I had all that time alone in my head it might be my last time lining up for this race but.....I live just north of Emporia so I can't walk away from it. Way to hang in there, this race is #builtdifferent.

[@TriathlonDan]

Genuinely been waiting for this to be posted for aaaages! YUH!

[@lipsterman1]

You and me both...

[@coreyreeder3549]

Right!

[@eva2k0]

Cycles 206 miles: "I'm not even really an athlete." Give yourself a break bro! You are an athlete!

[@briantruck2284]

😆

[@kas8970]

It’s insane - I wonder what he considers an athlete… because I know lots of athletes that can’t accomplish anywhere near these feats.

[@Mark-Huigen]

Amen! No shame in being hard on yourself, but denying your an athlete in this case is just wrong 😉

[@BikepackingAdventures]

Define athlete. We all have our own definition of an athlete, we all have people we look up to, we all have people we inspire to be. Whether it's someone with skill, speed or pure grit to finish something.

[@Mark-Huigen]

@@BikepackingAdventures athlete a person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise. "proficient in sports" ✅

[@guitarkis4969]

Thank you for doing this recap. Your video is outstanding and fun to watch, and your storytelling is engaging and motivational. I'm just a recreational 63 yr. old rider, but you are my favorite "biking" channel by far!

[@briantruck2284]

I agree !!

[@A.M03]

Hey VC I was the guy chilling in the chair by the dam. I’ve lived in Kansas pretty much my whole life, still can’t get used to the humidity here. On long rides I feel the same way, I think my sweat rate is very high and I just can’t seem to take enough in and before you know it you are bloated ASF with no power. It happens you did awesome ! Keep on rolling

[@bourkey222]

I've never clicked something faster, been excited for this one!

[@XKsavX666]

I agree

[@mayalman]

Never…been waiting. Upset that it’s only 22mins

[@amritsankar360]

“The mental strength that we all have ,and if you reframe your thoughts in a positive light dude you can really do anything “ Bruh I love your quotes…you’re a true champion…I’ve been waiting for this video it seems like forever….Thanks for sharing VC🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@ANOAFunnyVideo]

Quote of the day " Im not even really an athlete" Behave yourself, your an awesome example of an athlete, a strong mind beats a strong body any day, well done

[@luziantrapletti2212]

Dude, you are such a hero!!!

[@AndrewG99]

As a resident of Kansas, I don't even want to get out and walk in this heat, let alone ride 200 miles. It's brutal. You fucking rocked it, dude. Keep on killing it, and as always, thanks for the inspiration!

[@grantdoyle1259]

as someone from kansas, you really have to sip water slow and frequently in this humid-hot environment.

[@CycleCalm]

My biggest cycling accomplishment is just doing 50ish miles on paved roads (London to Brighton), and here this guy is doing 4 times the distance at a faster pace, and in heat on gravel! Really great commentary and motivational video, thank you!

[@w4yland3r27]

"look at this dude's quad. That's insanity!" Hahaha you are the best.

[@kevinthomson6324]

Watching the slow mo roll into bed I was worried there was going to be a dislocated shoulder injury recovery series coming up. Congrats on being to stubborn to stop riding. 👍 oh and that walk up the stairs. I know exactly how that feels.

[@btsouthside9060]

Not only are you an athlete you’re an exceptional person!! At Unbound Expo, you were clearly busy, but you took the time for a photo op and a hello you’re a genuine proper representative for graveling

[@crhayes]

"You're not that guy pal" I lost it. Meme game on point 🤣

[@ryanpetry2823]

@10:39, yep that section was gnarly. Concussed on the left of the trail, thats me! Thanks for documenting that Tyler

[@lexington476]

5:36 this bit is helpful for any competition.

[@eyleentorresdiaz]

shut up, you are an athlete! Love you dude!

[@justintrayweeks5875]

Literally a goat though. You may not be "talented" or "gifted" but hard work pays off more than that. You put in the hard work and it shows king

[@thedailycyclist9295]

Your humility, candor and brutal honesty is why I love watching your videos, Great job Tyler!

[@Northwindbreeze]

Whatever the video is not at the level you wished for us, your spectators, the insight this video brings in this brutal race is awesome.

[@StreamBikesNL]

I clicked the like buttons like 50 times but could only give one like. Impressed. And the short shots at ending were brill too.

[@kchall5]

Dude, you've already proven you can hold your own against the big hitters. You just need to have a little more belief in your abilities.

[@mydearriley]

This is a moving motivational take - like, to tears. Your comments are really applicable to more than just racing and bike riding. Life is tough.

[@alextasch8114]

I like the way prepped your head for riding with world class athletes!

[@terrillford7784]

Great video my friend. I understand how you feel with the emotions. I didn't complete the Michigan C2C Gravel race about two weeks ago. Bike failed on me at mile 105 of a 210 mile race. Glad to see you crossed the finished line 🙌🙏

[@gordongood]

"Future Me" - heading into BWR w/insufficient prep, I'm going to keep this idea front and center. Thanks, Tyler.

[@gpobillo]

I've been waiting for your unbound race. Entertaining as always

[@robinellis6]

Have been so excited for this - worth the wait as always!

[@SLC801JAZZ]

Broooo! I instantly gained 1000watts on the trainer when the music hit at 6:59, but it only lasted for like 20 seconds ha…. But still. Always look forward to your race content, it’s by far the best out there. Thank you

[@PumpkinVillage]

This was awesome. What a great job. Congrats and take care, Al

[@wombatfeeder999]

Always appreciate how transparent you are....most of your thoughts I've had in my mind in a race, at some point or other. Stoked I'm not the only one. Cheers!

[@happyjim8027]

Pure inspiration..so much good stuff here..thank you VC. Love the channel and all you are doing.

[@RGCastro7]

Beautiful storytelling, Tyler! Great insight into the power of a positive attitude and setting achievable goals. Thank you for sharing!

[@joerenner8334]

That is the most motivating video I have ever seen. Seriously. Thank you! I will try and use that for my fondo in September. Great job!

[@wattsupcycling]

The joy in your face is amazing my dude! Live your best life!

[@janebozinovski5005]

One of the best videos I've seen (and I've been watching VC since Breathe) - fantastic result and amazing humor and energy. Keep it up!

[@klyyoung2728]

Very inspirational, VC! Great video as always.

[@transverseuniverse]

Your timing is impeccable. Have a race this weekend and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks Tyler!

[@cleatwalters5029]

Thanks for posting! I've been waiting for this, and I was not disappointed. Thanks for the motivation for those of us who will never sniff the top 400 in a race like that, but love to hear the same thoughts and worries that we have, and how to turn those around. Cheers!

[@BustersonBikes]

Just wanted to send out a thank you for the inspiration! I'm a 53 year old in the Dallas area who has decided to give gravel racing a try this year. I have been doing a gravel race each month since January when I got in to the Unbound 200. I've been studying your videos (and those of a few others) about Gravel Locos and Unbound- never having done either. This past weekend I did the 111 mile Gravel Locos race in Hico and decided I was going to push harder than I have right from the start. I kept thinking about "the future me" who would be so happy I at least put out a huge effort. Thankfully it all worked out and I won first place female! Now on to Unbound 200 in 2 weeks! Thank you soooo much for all of the great advice and motivation! :)

[@Mickwhyer]

I really enjoyed this as I do most of your content. You have motivated me more than once to get out and ride when I was on the fence. Very motivating stuff. I will never understand why this channel does not have 1 million followers. I am considering getting a Grizl and would love to hear what you think about that bike. Thanks for the great content! Greetings from Germany

[@Nicky-Stiles]

The work that went into this edit… awesome. Thanks VC.

[@zoklaslodze]

You are such a inspiration! Thank you for sharing the experience.

[@sebastianboros3140]

Great story, VC! I also liked the editing and the positive attitude. Thank you for sharing this.

[@antspage]

this has to best re cap and coverage of this race - so accurate and honest and funny thanks VC!

[@proximityroars5149]

Honestly, this was a great video, in my opinion one of the best you’ve ever made, the jokes about the guys quad goals and the send it clip just made me laugh so much. Also after watching this video I wanted to go for a long cycle, so thank you. Great video

[@mantheycallnick]

Lol I’ve been waiting for you to upload this because I was in the tent next to you guys in the background at 16:22 I had to quit the race early unfortunately but it was really cool to see people such as yourself though it out! Im also from Emporia, so it’s just awesome knowing of all the places in the world, all these people come down here to ride their bike, crazy lol

[@lukehendrickson3669]

Great editing and commentary dude. Been watching your stuff on and off for years, but this one convinced me to subscribe. Also, the way that you talked about the mental game - SO TRUE. I'm 31 and doing better on runs and biking that when I was 21 because of improved mental tenacity. Keep at it and here's to 2022's race!

[@CanyonWanderer]

Thanks so much for not only sharing very nice in-race footage, but also the thought process you go through while riding, very honest and insightful!

[@timothyskattum950]

Love you VC. I find myself there at least twice a year. Actually, I’ve been completely nuked on three gravel Fondos this year. It’s frustrating... the whole body seizing is a real thing.

[@richcrompton6891]

Another epic! Thanks for sharing VC. I can’t help thinking that you’d be even more competitive if you weren’t recording your participation, but I’m so glad you do 😊 Too many hats on during an event like this. 63rd is brilliant considering you were shooting stuff on the way round and packing cameras, batteries etc for the half a day of competing. Awesome job.

[@jameshoey303]

Great vid showing all the pain and keeping it real...thanks for shareing your mental approach and mental journey to the finish line.....inspireational

[@ricky7396]

Awesome content as always. Editing is next level on this one.

[@mitchcallihan4978]

Man, great video. Appreciated your perspective! Dude. You ARE an athlete!

[@troyboone4893]

You are my hero Brother! Keep riding, keep rising🙏🏽

[@Enigma71559]

Yes!! Been waiting and waiting and waiting and....DUDE!! Great job!! You undersell your ability SO much. I'm just disappointed I didn't make it down to see you in person. I'm only an hour away. Next year fo' sho'!

[@rkoch2516]

Awesome recap Tyler, love the mental skills training part on reframing, excellent information for the endurance athlete. I saw you out there on the course, my friend from Cali finished the XL. What a day!

[@paulgibbs4936]

Love the honesty dude. Great vid as always.

[@richjames4094]

The way you describe mental strength, not just here but in other videos, about when you think you're at your limit, you're no where near your limit, has changed my training and riding mentality overall. Seeing others suffer, and describe how deep they need to dig, is so inspiring.

[@ianbarr4716]

Bro, I love you man. You are so friggen honest and open. Awesome job Tyler. You did you and that's all that matters. Cheers.

[@roebbiej]

Amazing ride man. I would love to try unbound once in my life. Also, kudos for showing yourself being defeated, embarrassed and in agony. Very humbling from you, and very motivational for us.

[@podladog0075]

Not the typical VC vid but absolutely worth the watch. You're an inspiration to everyone and we're proud of you.

[@ephemeralelement4665]

Always excited for your videos Tyler 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@pauldc779]

Really enjoyed this great video. Inspirational. Well done!

[@rosscads]

Man, you are hardcore! Those WT bros might have the legs but you have the heart. 💪🏻

[@allthingsTechrelated]

You have the ability to make people almost feel what you felt by telling a good story. Well done to finish. Yuh!!!

[@AndrewYeti]

Was riding my first 400k with the same elevation week ago on a road bike, and Maan, I felt all of those emotions. Fun to watch it, when you know how it feels, at least for a bit, cause I'm sure, that this gravel thing is waay harder to accomplish. Huge respect to VC, as always

[@c126nwarger]

Dude- The positivity you are espousing is really inspiring. This is what keeps me following you.

[@Tyler2534]

Nothing to be embarrassed about Tyler! You're followed because of who you are and because of your storytelling ability, not because we expect you to do 300 watts for 9 hours. That should be comforting during big events. We know YOU want a "good" finish, but in reality the only really "bad" outcome is one where you can't tell a story about it. This video is so, so much better and more inspiring than it would have been if you had had a perfect day and got top 10. How did Ian's day go? I already know! He felt great, rode well, didn't flat, and out-sprinted LTD at the end. Cool, but I'm not learning anything from that. Hearing about someone's perfect day can be fun, but the meaningful stuff comes from people's imperfect days.

[@tomfitzgerald890]

Great job! there are tons of riders who wish they could finish 206, never mind gravel and heat!!

[@joemartnz]

Great work VC! thanks for sharing the challenges and congrats on your 2nd wind to complete it.

[@alsosean]

Way to go! You and everyone out there is an athlete bro! I get that it wasn't the result you hoped for but you should be proud of just completing it it...especially overcoming that dark place in them middle where you were dying and wanted to quit. Pushing onward thru that dark sh*t is a serious deal. Good job!

[@Cold417]

"You wanna know how I did it? This is how I did it, Anton. I never saved anything for the swim back."

[@TheFitDragon]

As a triathlete i've learned long ago to never rely on feed stations. My entire feed plan is brought with me and executed at timed intervals.

[@judyboyyt]

Right on brother, that was some awesome inspirational advice... always find a reason to do it, not the opposite is what I tell all my people that are always on the fence! And praise on the Ridge Supply socks and full finger gloves bro!!!

[@madhavj1320]

Bro loving the content and its wierdly enjoyable seeing you struggle :)

[@medula]

You’re a very strong rider, a great communicator and an authentic person.

[@matthewrepucci3564]

Great work man, and great video, thanks for sharing the thought process.

[@jimmalone5851]

Good video. Glad for you finishing and being so honest about the difficulty! Kansas has unbelievable heat and humidity and some of the narliest gravel not in the Rockies !

[@ryanking1460]

Awesome. Doing my first Gravel Worlds in August. This was a great video to see to keep me on track!!

[@GCAJr]

Dude you are without doubt the funniest guy on YT, your commentary is fantastic and the footage is awesome. Incredible content creator, keep up the great work!!!

[@alexandertollman9575]

an epic ride. congrats on the accomplishment!

[@nienkerk1]

Best post yet!! Keep it up, you’re a huge inspiration for us mortals 🤩🙌💪

[@patrickprouty4415]

You are an athlete bro and now a motivational speaker. I loved that you didn’t quit and figured out that although you didn’t perform and get the result you were expecting you still had a successful race.

[@scarybear356]

Thanks for sharing your story! You're an inspiration👍