Was This The PERFECT Gravel Race Course For RACING?

[@bretprins4792]

VC, you're perfecting the art of making potencially boring ass Gopro footage in the middle of nowhere, enaging and super fun to watch through editing and a great writing. Love it

[@TheVCAdventures]

That is my art 😂

[@BeCreativePictures]

@@TheVCAdventures you're making the most motivational content i've ever seen.

[@djorzgul]

exactly my thoughts after 20min.... like, I am following and I am excited :)

[@editdroid99]

Rude.

[@JayRappa]

I would have had a meltdown seeing an intact chain outside of the deraileur. Great job creating such a unique video detailing what we all look for and enjoy in a race.

[@adamweb]

Unbound: ❌ Unchained: ✅

[@ianswart8052]

Don’t let dylan jawnson see your tyre choice

[@remipepelko9201]

ive got a suspicion that VC would be WAY faster on some conti race king 2.2s hes super strong, but it seems like no one else around him needs as much power as he does to stay in on the thicker loose stuff i also think vc focuses too much on power, not on speed

[@SpicyTrifongo]

@@remipepelko9201 idk how big he is, but depending on your size focusing on power can be more practical than focusing on speed. He also said multiple times in the video eseentialy - "I am bulkier and stronger than I was a year ago, this has hurt my Watts/kg". I got the impression he knows it's slower but prefers his body this way. Probably easier to maintain from a lifestyle perspective too. Peak cycling physique is brutal.

It's so tiresome to see everyone context-lessly assert that all gravel rides now need to be on 2.2 mtb tires regardless of anything just because a youtuber made a specific tire selection for a very specific "gravel" (TT-on-dirt) race :/ No, 34s were not the correct tire for this. No, 2.2s would not have been the correct tire either.

[@Avioto]

Hehe tiresome

[@tylerhasabike5043]

😂

[@adampburke1]

Mat Stephens as Joe Dirt(wife is Lauren, multi national champ) Emily Newsome as Joe Dirt sis (in the LifeTimeGrandPrix)

[@adampburke1]

Mat has won Unbound, Lauren has won the Elite women’s road and gravel national championship Emily has been off the front at Unbound, gotten third there and raced off the front of the ladies Belgian classics. We all live in Dallas- Fort Worth

[@TheVCAdventures]

Mat and I were bonded for life after chasing back on 4 times. Also, just want to say I mean no disrespect whatsoever, I’m not great with names and feel like nicknames are fun and it’s a way I can connect with strangers quickly.

[@adampburke1]

@@TheVCAdventures it’s funnier your way. I just wanted them to get recognized as the killer DFW talent around these parts ( Texan accent applied)

[@CharlesAllen-vy7td]

@@TheVCAdventures I don't think Mat would take offense at the Joe Dirt reference, probably thinks its funny too! And his wife Lauren won the women's race that day, she's the one in the stars and stripes jersey around the 12:15 mark. Great video! I need to get out to this race in 2025.

[@christophermehlman5293]

Haha thanks for adding my "I need to pee" moment in lol. Funny thing was once we hit that techy descent and got a gap and railed it, I forgot about having to pee. Also I 100% concur with how great the event was!

[@EverySingleSunday]

This has become my favorite channel. Got a little excited when I saw a new upload.

[@birdbro1990]

Me too

[@jreev335]

Same!!

[@wayneclement7201]

Amen

[@Filthy_Rich_556]

Same

[@Filthy_Rich_556]

That is the most bizarre mechanical I've seen.

[@ericnguyen1251]

Joe dirt (Mat Stephens) was the winner of 2017 Dirty Kanza btw. youre in good company

[@ShawnMcAfee]

Man I was just watching this saying… “uh isn’t that Mat Stephen’s??”

[@editdroid99]

the constant wind mills in the background felt so much like a 1990's video game. It was like California crusin' the whole race, but real. I loved it.

[@SydM-fk3ke]

Loving the dude near the 5 min mark basically rocking a full size Jan Sport backpack. Spirit of Gravel Award 🏆

[@Outsideville]

Had his race notes kept safely in his Trapper Keeper.

[@emannpro11]

Lauren and Mat Stephens are awesome! Lauren staying up with that front group of men is so neat to watch. Makes me so excited for the future of women’s cycling. Mat working with you to eliminate gaps to the front group was fun to watch as well.

[@toddgambol3230]

It was such a pleasure to meet and talk with you dude!!! I truly believe this is the best hosted and ran event for your money, live music all day/ weekend, open adult beverage bar truck, donation based, and 3 complimentary meals a day in a family friendly hospitable environment, and…and …. Cowboy hat 🤠 raffles, my Cowboy hats off to you Mr.King for an amazing gravel event!!!!

[@roddas26]

"I'm having a pitty rave dude"😂 That was GOLD 🏆

[@MMortens98]

recently discovered you VC, completely binged the channel and let out a big scream when I saw a new upload - love ya!

[@ten96cycling]

Dude. Your editing on thie video is FIRE. Super impressed man.

[@helgarivers6281]

Best riding channel on the youtube. And for some time now .

[@joe.laverick]

A great description of one of the best races of the year. Pleasure playing bikes with you.

[@dylanbrown9093]

I love that your videos stay positive about your experiences. Yeah mechanicals suck a big one, but you keep your head in the right spot. Love watching folks having good days on bikes.

[@crazypaulinquebec]

You're a pro storyteller dude! Thanks for this one!!

[@editdroid99]

freaking LOVE the graphics on this video! Mega! totally Mega!

[@2tap53]

So happy to see a new video !! Thank you for all of this, your sincerity, your stories and theses beautiful images.

[@richardhutchings1980]

Your mechanical is similar to the scene in Zoolander where they remove their underpants wothout taking their pants off 1st

[@anthony8890]

Let's go baby!! Man I miss watching you every week!

[@Harp4sho]

We love your video! First class editing and filming….your narration is phenomenal!! We are “Sneako’s parents”😅😂😂

[@dkw4par]

Looking forward to see you more on the gravel podiums Sir

[@justinl487]

My god that Chris Angel moment rocked my world. Thumbs Up as fast as humanly possible right there

[@miloontheready7814]

Thank you for putting these videos out. At 55, I have learned so much from your races and the issues that you have during the races. It has given me the confidence to enter my first 25 mile trail race. I don't expect to win, but finishing would be a major accomplishment for me. Your not giving up on the longer races shows me that giving up is not an option. I would love to see some videos on your bike setups for different races.

[@PK-qq1lz]

Dear Tyler, How are you? Hope you are fine. On sunday I was on a tour with my best friend. We climbed 5 alpine passes with 6850 m elevation gain and 280 k. Turned 50 this spring. I just wanted to know if I still can bring the juice. Made it. My wife said with a smile: typical male... That's what we are, right? We need adventures like that from time to time. I just wanna say, I love your vids and want to encourage you to keep going. Goods blessings ❤.

[@erichaselby8760]

Great race recap, and I echo your sentiments about the event. It was great hanging with you and we will see you again next year. Jenn and I plan to stay the whole week again… I’ll bring the coffee. 😁

[@andywoodruff6]

The Bob the Builder joke earn you a like from me!

[@onemorepereira]

Tyler, loved the recap, love the impossible route series, and generally all the content you put out there for us to consume! PS. Bro, don't take this the wrong way, but you need to slow down editing and pushing the upload button and spend just a jiff longer on proofing your edits. I cringe at the number of misspelled type you have now immortalized on YT 😂

[@isaactrujillo-gf5bk]

Best race! David king puts an event! It was great meeting you there.

[@RicardoRocha-lg1xo]

I watched the whole thing during an indoor trainer session... outdoors. In 80 degree weather. Thanks for making it bearable, VC!

[@s3nsej118]

I don't even ride bicycles but I enjoy watching your videos 😄You make it great to watch

[@mattmanning6788]

Don't ride bikes but I'm glued.

[@meatmotorendurance]

I live in Texas. Done most of the other TX ones, I want to do the Rattlesnake for sure now that I've seen this video.

[@stevenwilliams7845]

I love you, bro. I love Steph but you are a rookie. I’ve been riding for 40 years yeah and you’re rookie and I love you, man. You’re a good writer.❤

[@bchains]

musical interludes on point brah

[@kennethdarlington]

Seems like a case agains non-standard jockey wheels on a derailers for gravel to me.

[@hugobci]

Man! Great storytelling!! Visuals and text is spot on! Thankyou to put this to the world!!

[@DarynRod]

Going to have to try this one next year. Saw a lot of familiar faces in this video. Skyline Cadence 🤘

[@TheXcrayrun]

It's me!!!!😜

[@jeremyhammack5317]

Iam in abilene texas I did this ride it was amazing .Just got my first gravel bike .sold road bike iam beyond hooked . The tour de gap in coming July 27th its a road ride but holds my heart dearly riding past my father and mother graves. It's always a tribute to them .your video was amazing and your an outstanding cyclist . God bless

[@andrewschirmer3849]

Loving the old school computer game graphics on the video's bro. Bummed for your mechanicals but a great ride nonetheless. Course looks rad! 👊🏼

Very good job describing what makes a good gravel race. Needed especially now that everyone is obsessing about a certain not to be named tire shredding TT-on-dirt gravel race ;)

[@roeland_st]

Sneako has a sick bike not gonna lie

[@Normally_aspirated]

Racing beneath massive windmills is now on my bucket list

[@scottswenson5093]

Love the video!!! I can’t wait to ride this gravel race. Thank you!

[@JustinMcQuerry]

Excited for another round of ripping with you and the Rattlesnake Gravel crew again next year 💪🔥

[@serisingh]

These kinds of videos are my favorite. Love the format and narration is on point.

[@sigfreed11]

Have you heard about the upcoming indieVelo Grand Tour race later next month? It’s a 5 day stage race with 6 stages. GC, mountain, and sprint jerseys are all to fight for! It’s a team race, so you can find some friends and get team tactics going as well (or you can go solo). Would make incredible YT content!

[@Boglehill]

Very enjoyable content. Not just another boring GoPro ride.

[@melbournecyclingsegments7510]

It's like the dude at the carnival with those three rings. Simple magic

[@jhonnyrodriguez2944]

David King put on a blessed of a race. Close corse for the first miles and aid station almost every 10 miles.

[@julianghizdareanu7182]

You were definitely in good company with Joe Dirte(Mat Stephens) and his National Champ wife! Awesome video, you almost got a whaaa burger with french cries when your chain came off!

[@robertbennion4957]

I will confess that I spend a few minutes trying to workshop your building bridges joke. These videos don’t get nearly enough views. Great work

[@TheVCAdventures]

If I make it to the laugh factory I’ll credit you as a ghost writer for the jokes.

[@syc227]

You got the Beans above the Franks!

[@IWreckn]

Love you VC found your channel 4 weeks ago absolutely been watching. Glad to see there’s an awesome race down the street from me. I’m gear up for it!

[@holdsteadfast]

I love dude with the Forrest Gump answer. “I gotta go pee”

[@stevevarga8621]

Sounds to me like you need to be introduced to Loctite. A very commonly used adhesive for threaded fasteners. It keeps screws or bolts from loosening due to intense vibrations. One tiny little drop would have prevented this.

[@Nathan-ev2vh]

Almost did this as my first race, will have to put it on the list for next year.

[@tessierrr]

love these race videos 😄the format is great 👍

[@ChrisRudall]

VC!!! Love this vid! Cracking race. Well done chap

[@mitchellyouney9945]

The barbwire freak out got me😂 that's me all day

[@HarryTzianakisTheGodOfSpeed]

Great video Tyler . Those mechanicals were bananas 😆

[@eltonmuller2978]

"Bob the builder" you definitely was building them bridges 😂 out there VC🎉

[@NicholasReedCycling]

So rad! I need to get out to this race. Looks like a ton of fun!

[@craigcarr2202]

You are my hero so cool a proper dude ❤ from England

[@mrkent6522]

Thanks

[@JRd941]

Easy answer to the mechanical. SRAM reliability.

[@jayobannon5359]

The visualization of "the cream rising to the top" was a tuff one.

[@yetijoeyetijoe]

I still remember a few years ago when you said something similar to, "Who the hell wants to ride on gravel for over 100 miles?".

[@gregbrown3764]

A lowkey bit of content that would be interesting to see, is how you manage your bikes on the road in your RV.

[@ZenEndurance]

Yo, VC. Use your extra weight to your advantage. Let people outclimb you and then get super aero (aerobars would help a ton) on the descents and flats and you'll catch right back up. Works like a charm. Let them accordion in front of you and you fall off the back and catch back up over and over again. You'll get more draft affect than trying to be at or off the front and end up using less watts to go the same speed. And then at the end, pass them for the win.

[@justynalexiscariaga]

VC, Your videos are awesome! I've watched most of them, and there are so many times I just get up in the middle of your videos and go out and ride. Question for you though, what top tube bag are you running in this video?

[@eltribun]

the most impressive thing: you didn't quit after the SECOND chain issue....I had quitted yet the first time :D had called a chopper to pick me up .. before I had shredded the bike into small pieces

[@pantaniyurka]

really good job man! thanks for sharing 👍

[@reynicanor9908]

VC… WTF! my head was spinning trying to figure what happened to your chain coming off with your rear derailleur cage in tact but after you explaining what happened then I get it😮 then the wire getting tangled holy smokes what else could go wrong 🤬 glad you finished and still made it entertaining…thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@TheVCAdventures]

It took so long for my mind to come to terms with a fix, but then the fix being breaking the chain??? I felt like it was a glitch in the matrix and I was gonna fade into 1s and 0s 😂

[@hodl4life120]

I saw your big horn gravel video from last year, and signed up for it this year!

[@flattrack33]

Looking forward to another VC movie!

[@curtvaughan2836]

Thanks!

[@TheVCAdventures]

Thanks Bro! Really appreciate the support!

[@TheBRad704]

13:05 Man... you said "the thick boys" as I'm eating too many chips with lunch... I felt that.

[@TheVCAdventures]

I have now joined your club, I am a newly formed “thic boi”.

[@stoehni]

Dude, with your experience and reach and knowledge, you might as well organize a few nice races in the future

[@paigeredman3465]

Broooo I was literally just thinking about this yesterday! With Unbound still in the air, I thought to myself, “that wasn’t my favorite race at all.” Not because it isn’t fun or challenging, but the course is boring I guess? Now I only did the XL route and it was hard af with the mud and rain. But as far as my favorite course it was far from it. So what is the appeal? Is it the pros racing there? Is it the bragging rights, that you spent all the money to go do it? Is it the media? Or the spirit of gravel? So I’m happy you made this video because I couldn’t really put it in my own words.

[@jflood82]

This years Unbound was perfect !

[@TheVCAdventures]

I saw. I had some serious FOMO and was super bummed to miss it.

[@mozzyforest]

I check everyday for uploads before doing my indoor work outs dude, and always get so stoked when i see "new video" yeee yee be cool if you could do your own course one day! Cheers!

[@TheVCAdventures]

The last 3 years of the channel I focused on trying to create feature films and get on a streaming platform. I’m very happy with what I created but it took me months to drop a single video. My plan this year is to go back to the older style of simple videos but uploaded more often. I still have plans for epic films this year but maybe only 2 instead of 4.

[@AndrewG99]

GOT DANG the music is bangin'

[@lazlo2511]

What a ride… one minute you king, next you doing mechanical wizardry! That rear derailleur is shouting out… take me to church! 😂😂😂. Love the upload bro. I think it’s time you get involved in some course designs, really like your ideas, the sport needs this sort of thing. And on closing stay upright and carry on.

[@HenryReinosa-t2e]

Such a great video The boy band is back 😂

[@scottbraithwaite3143]

The OJ joke made my day. Norm MacDonald would be proud!

[@mistuhjawknee5505]

welcome to tx buddy, hope you brought some giddyup

[@LUISREYES-cf1op]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jasonkimes8552]

Great video…..love the content.

[@FantaconeBoxWorksCBG]

I was staring at my derailleur... how did you lose your chain? Asked before you explained.... As usual, great editing.

[@trajtemberg]

Great commentary.

[@GregBrady]

Dude, I thought you actually knew Mat Stephens 😆

[@FlyingGravelMan]

You can charge the gopro with a small powerbank in your top tube bag. 6000 MAh will do for around 5 hours ;)

[@TheVCAdventures]

I use a media mod for audio which blocks the charge port. I can’t charge is and use it easily.

[@danjo1967]

joe dirt and sneako - were looking at you tyler, the flashy looking guy in bright pink and blue from CA... and your name to them was hollywood

[@skchalk]

Ya cage plate came loose, and allowed chain to escape happened to me once on mtb. Good vid and race

[@MagicshineLights]

Great video!🤩

[@Noypi_cyclist]

That magical chain tho 😮🤯😅😅