Rapha Gone Racing - Unbound Gravel XL

She started out riding her bike to work, then discovered she could get across town before eventually travelling all the way to the next city to see her sister. Now, Lael Wilcox is an ultra-distance racer renowned as a fierce competitor on the bike and one of the friendliest people you’re ever likely to meet off it. In an episode of Rapha Gone Racing that has been a long time in the making, we follow Lael to the home of gravel racing in Emporia, Kansas for Unbound Gravel, a race reborn after a year out in 2020. Only this time we’re going long…
With a 350-mile course, Unbound XL gets back to the self-supported spirit of gravel racing and requires riders to race through the night. In recent years, the event has been attracting increasing numbers of women and through her riding Lael hopes to encourage even more to take the start and believe that they can compete with the whole field, not just other women. That’s what Lael does and for any women out there watching, she has a simple message: “If I can do it, so can you.”
#GoneRacing
Music: Builder’s Tea - builders-tea.com/
Cover photograph: Rugile Kaladyte
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[@garyonnen7634]

It doesn’t matter how far in to a race it is lael always has a smile for however says hello to her. Thanks to Rapha for supporting her.

[@roadglide]

Most important. Thanks to the customers for buying Rapha products.

[@dmv4554]

Rapha makes the best vids. Looking forward to lachy’s alt tour recap

[@Nivacromcolumbus]

And over priced clothes

[@mattbibbings]

Honestly, who could give Lael a Thumbs-down? She's a legend.

[@robertbotta6536]

Only a loser would

[@cliffclermont]

I'll repeat. SHE IS A LEGEND.

[@r3awak3n]

@@Jordan-vf4up called story telling bro, they assume someone does not know Lael so they dip into her story a bit, it was like 1% of the video so your observation is not really correct. Also 10 minutes that you can choose not to watch, ain't life grand? It was a pretty good video, Lael seems like a nice person that is always happy.

[@markwells8798]

Who cares why, people are entitled to not like everything? It's not against the law yet🤣

[@TheYanchau]

Lael and Anton entering that shop and riding together... This would be my favorite duo to ride with !

[@bashanderson8018]

​as soon as the music started I knew it was gonna be a good one.

[@coreyburglar1639]

Dude, Rapha Films are killing it. Can't wait for the Alt Tour movie.

[@mtnbk71]

Have been able to ride with Lael a bunch of times over the last 5 years. Not only is she an amazing cyclist, but she's an even better human being. Thanks for sharing her story!

[@WheelsonaBike]

Lael is like the female version of Lachlan Morton or vice versa. Loves to ride, pushes herself and always comes across as grateful and giving.

[@helmiwijaya7]

she made it looks like a casual 100km ride

[@antspage]

"i could try" thats probably the best motivation, most will not reach top 10 finishes as this is a tough grueling sport but if it gets more people out riding with friends and family's then i think we have all come out better for this ...amazing video

[@gamby16a]

"If she could do it, I could do it." No, Lael. You're cut from a different cloth and have a much larger ability to suffer than I do. Awesome film and another incredible effort. Superhuman.

[@DRNeKky]

Im glad Monica Geller found something to do after Friends ended. Good for her

[@Zen_Cycling]

Gravel nowadays is going back to the roots of cycling races.

[@cliffclermont]

Agreed. To hear modern day roadie complain or be in awe of it is funny. I often refer to "gravel riding" as the [modern day[ roadie getting dusty.

[@fysh1945]

Lael is a genuine champion in every sense of the word. Congrats on your marriage, Lael!

[@EMC2Scotia]

Gravel racing seems to show a side to America that is very special.

[@thecashflowdoctor]

I love Lael's story. What a legend.

[@danfresca8033]

The inspiration here is off the charts! If this doesn’t make you want to ride a bike I don’t know what will 😂

[@samsabu540]

LAEL IS THE QUEEN OF MODERN DAY CYCLING. WE NEED MORE OF LAEL IN THE FUTURE... WE FANS COUNT ON IT!!!! WHAT A LEGEND

[@FrancoMonet]

She is so awesome because she is so damn awesome, what a gem, what a beast!

[@kubasznajder4871]

She is a real Terminator! Best whishes from Poland :)

[@jonnysteel3595]

So much love and respect for this amazing athlete.

[@tomdavis3443]

Lael Is the most inspiring athlete I’ve ever followed. What a beautiful spirit!

[@SpaceGhostLeni]

Lael seems so naturally open and warm. She’s without guile, just grateful to get to do what she loves. I’d love to meet her one day and tell her she’s been an inspiration to me.

[@evelinakamasheva9372]

love seeing women represented!

[@xgalvan1]

Man that Lael’s night mode edit was so ridiculously hot, whoever did that at Rapha has some skill. Wonder if it’s the same person who did Lachlan’s night mode when he was in Spain’s back country

[@JakeOlsonTheSnake]

Got stood up by a friend today and my heart hurts, but I have a bike-build to start and this got me duckin ready to go. Nicely shot, great story!

[@maxencelebreux211]

Such a gem ! That level of production is insane.

[@VeeVeeArcher]

I love all motivation. Lael Wilcox has to be the sweetest kickass motivation. I'm very thankful and proud of her accomplishments. Thanks to Rapha for assisting her pursuits.

[@samsonitte]

Lael is quite an inspirational rider and human being.

[@gamaro74]

Top-notch Lael and also filmmaking, to make her justice!

[@zippin1]

These films are so spectacular

[@wolframgarten4365]

Great shots, brilliant video..! So much fun to watch!

[@robertoambrosi6008]

Bellissimo video. Ed è sempre un piacere vedere Leal con il suo sorriso!

[@thetalkingfly]

Great video, a fine inspirational piece! Lael is amazing and the filmmaking is choice! Cheers, ttf

[@michaelmontalvo5757]

Agreed!

[@ohwell2790]

Glad it is raining today in Kingman AZ ( 10/12/21) surfing channels on riding and found yours. I am 77 and try to ride 1 hour every day on my trail bike. Keep the ridding up and good rides to you.

[@secretdaisy6484]

Hey Lael-thanks for being such an inspiration! I don't think I will ever do what you but I love riding my bike & 🚴‍♀️ & I often think about what you do & that helps to keep me going. 👍☮️🌞🌟🚴‍♀️

[@mynewcolour]

I couldn't dream up a nicer or more inspirational cyclist.

[@hobbybaschtler7896]

She's amazing! Gravel cycling is much like the oldschool races, I like!

[@SioLazer]

Hey Rapha! Lael did a rad scholarship a few years ago. It would be really cool to see someone with bigger resources keep the ball rolling with getting more diversity in cycling.

[@nayr497]

The planet is already underwater and on fire right NOW. Diversity is great, but as humans we need to stop pushings things that'll never happen, and don't really matter at this point (diversity in a niche sport that pretty much no Americans care about) and focus on what does matter. I get it. I'd love diversity in cycling. I'd love more people to ride bikes. Just commuted to my office in the rain, been on a bike daily for 20 years, work in bike/ped advocacy. At this point, a drop in the bucket of diversity in cycling is energy wasted on bigger issues. How about walkable communities for all, not diversity in gravel riding? And, it's Rapha. You know, Wal-mart. Not exactly the inclusivity brigade. They're too busy destroying American towns one day at a time...while Lael talks about how awesome small town Kansas is...while pitching Rapha. Slightly conflicted there, eh.

[@SioLazer]

@@nayr497 totally agree with that! Living in PDX and we're constantly met with obstacles in moving forward. We've had some big wins recently but for sure could use big name support. Wouldn't that be awesome?! My suggestion was based on Lael's pet project that actually put a young woman from India on a bike. Someone who is forbidden to ride a bike culturally. No amount of walkable/bikable city is any good to someone if they're worried they won't be able to marry for riding a bike.

[@nayr497]

@@SioLazer I can't argue with that, sounds like a good cause. Just a square peg/round hole thing. I've love to see more folks from all walks of life/parts of the planet on a bike. But when it's 103* in Seattle and Belgium is flooded, I have to think we'd all be better off if we focused on the most pressing issues.

[@supersixmikeohimod]

Incredible lady, athlete, and what a positive attitude, inspiring stuff. Well done Lael and Rapha Films.

[@playmoreguitar5393]

What a human... Not only inspiring woman but also me, a man, who maxes out at 150 miles. One day I will travel to Kansas to do Unbound, only 3 flights, 1 day and 6 hours travel away!!

[@mattdelcomyn8012]

Awesome film edit Rapha! Really beautiful moments brought to life by creative film editing.

[@robertbotta6536]

Lael you are just plain awesome and a total inspiration of how to be a better person always!

[@rsmiii]

Irrepressibly positive. Great work Lael!

[@vampirebatbite]

love it. give us more long-form content, rapha.

[@cliffclermont]

Lael is awesome. She has been at it for a bit now - and her efforts are incredible.

[@jswanson859]

Lael is always an inspiration. She always makes me want to ride my bike MORE!

[@lindacutler1324]

You should be commended for supporting such an awesome person!

[@millerprj]

Lael is awesome! Such and inspiration. I could listen to talk about biking all day.

[@themindunset]

Lael is such an inspiration. I can't get enough of listening to her approach on racing, riding, and the sheer enjoyment of what she does.

[@Finx5008]

What a LEGEND !

[@jbratt]

@ 5:24 That is an incredible drone shot. Well done 👍

[@susanbithell269]

You are an inspiration. Thx for your awesome positive attitude.

[@paths2go]

another great Rapha film!

[@DanielaAngulo]

Wow! what a badass cyclist :D Inspiring. Gonna keep riding my bike.

[@joachimjohansson8774]

Lael is such an inspiration! Super human!

[@johnpayne2465]

Great ride Lael... For the next 20 years girls & guys will say - I tried it because Lael made it look so achievable.

[@rswc55]

Ooof. Loved that. Thank you!

[@jacob_dbu]

I wanna see a Rapha video of Lachlan Morton and Lael Wilcox on a trip together. Good vibes only.

[@bosanderspublictheology]

Amazing video. Lael is an absolute inspiration. Thank you for this production. SO good.

[@warwickpoole]

Lael is such a beast on the bike, and so kind and joyful as a human being. Is Jay going to complain about the Rapha camera crew being out there on this race now?

[@Potz4pizza]

😂

[@rinrat6754]

Beautifully done.

[@2rthseeker]

Always a smile.

[@davidchomowicz7436]

Nice nod to the enduring genius of Saul Bass

[@CoreenMazzocchi]

Lael is so rad. The night time edit was rad too.

[@DevinWiles]

so good, thanks for sharing the story!

[@timporter8886]

Lael has such a beautiful soul, and so inspiring. ❤

[@dodginglions5163]

amazing … she’s a beast!!!

[@juancmunozr]

Awesome !!!

[@al_pastor]

Yes! I cannot wait.

[@1LeggedAdventures]

I was literally at hoosier pass less than a week ago!!!!

[@alessandromesquita5517]

Big fan of Lael

[@3400troost]

Read it wrong and have been pumped all day for the premier at 1pm……..2 days from now 😔

[@Volkmannx]

❤️ Lael!

[@arcoulant87]

Chapeau Lael

[@MrPhotodoc]

Now there's a woman living her life to the fullest.

[@themeatpopsicle]

The real MVP is the dude in the gas station just pulling out bottles of water for people

[@stuartarmstrong3846]

This was really wholesome content. Go Lael!

[@markwells8798]

She rejects biology and science though? 🤣

[@stuartarmstrong3846]

@@markwells8798 I'd reject both if I could ride 350 miles in under 26 hours lol. For some reason I also read this as defies lol

[@dannyzuehlsdorf3697]

Lael has that weird, unexplainable magnetic field of positivity surrounding her. Ride on!

[@devinj2401]

Lael needs to meet Courtney Dauwalter. Ultra bike and ultra run taken with the same smile and gracious attitude.

[@pedallingsquaresNZ]

Lael is the GOAT

[@nicholkid]

Lael for president

[@SashaLokhtin]

Cool that you’re adding non pro cyclists in gone racing series! Cycling is for everyone

[@conman1395]

Lael Wilcox is absolutely a pro cyclist....

[@smellyelle8422]

Woah, nice work Lael! Is that rig a Specialized Epic with gravel bars?

[@123Lucuzz]

4:39 Anton spotting!!!

[@roadglide]

100%. First you try. Then you get serious and try again.

[@joanneleyva4942]

Lael is my shero!

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Intrigued with the drop-bars on what appears to be a hard tail mountain bike frame rather than a gravel bike geometry.

[@majkl20]

Yep, Specialized Epic

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@majkl20 thanks for the info. I'm just an old road bike rider so I don't know much about this stuff.

[@joebob1994]

Lael is the best

[@pchykins6680]

Damn, I wish I can ride endurance like that! I'm just done after 120km...poor me :(

[@lmyers26]

I don't think anyone could explain gravel better

[@leesaunders7232]

Amazing stuff from her 👌But is it just me, or does that bike look a bit big for her? 👀🤔

[@pmpedalmotivated762]

anybody know what bag is that at 1:30 of the video????? I love it!

[@coverchick]

Freakin Rock Star!

[@MattMahon84]

Is that a Specialized Diverge with Rockshox SIDS she’s riding?

[@omarfernandez6196]

Anton Krupicka at 4:41

[@leonardfairground5937]

Surely Lael and Courtney Dewaulter were separated at birth. They both have this incredibly positive energy that’s so suited to their sports.

[@toddjamin]

Rad.

[@nateisnotemo]

Hell yeh.

[@yumyumhungry]

Night mode lael best lael

[@Tackforkaffet83]

4:40, is that Anton krupicka ?