It is go time! If you like to nerd out on prep and logistics, THIS IS FOR YOU!!

👋 Good morning and happy Friday. I’m Scott and feel free to reach me here.

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Unbound Gravel XL. TODAY

At 3 p.m. CT, I’ll roll out for Unbound Gravel XL — the 360 mile, self-supported test of mind, body, and everything in between.

You can track me here. and follow me here and here → @frontpacksports or @scotty_tris.

What needs to be completed in 36 hours (or it is a DNF) will hopefully take me around 27 hours (if I’m lucky). Only 47% of people who start this race actually finish, so the odds are against me.

But the weather? Things have been downright nasty in Kansas this week. BUT since we arrived, sunshine and beauty.

But what will dry out and what wont? The course has seen a lot of wet and heavy rain, and is bound to be absolute hell in places. I’m preparing for lots of hike-a-bike, 50 degree nights and lower 70’s during the day. On top of that I’ll be carrying everything I need, fix what breaks, eat what I packed, and hope I don’t get swallowed by some unforeseen scenario.

And to answer the question I get most, NO, you do not sleep. It is straight through or bust.

So how are my nerves? Actually ok right now. But who knows. All I keep telling myself is that of the 211 people who are hitting the XL start line, we will all face the majority of the same issues. Some will have it worse, some not so worse.

For myself – I’ll just keep pedaling. Through the mud, gravel, river crossings, pitch black darkness; I’ll dig so fucking deep, I’ll make it out of the Flint Hills of Kansas.

And I stupidly could not be more fired up.

I’ve done some hard things in my life. But this will be the hardest. Soul snatching, sure. But that finish line will never taste sweeter. No doubt.

So What’s in the Tank

I’ve been putting in serious mileage for months, testing gear, learning from mistakes, running mental dress rehearsals over and over. The plan is dialed. The excitement is real. The nerves? Not there yet (as I sit in my comfy home).

This is the type of ride where you’re not racing anyone else — you’re racing your ability to stay sharp, stay steady, and just keep moving forward.

My Kit

This race is going to be all about comfort and I’ve tested a lot the last few months. All paid for by myself. No sponsors, etc. I’m rolling with:

• Pactimo ‘12-hour’ cargo bibs – These came recommended by a 4x Unbound XL athlete and I’ve always had a good experience with Pactimo so I purchased these. They’re the company’s ultra endurance bibs and have been amazing. Super thin but all high quality. And then the cargo side pockets are a must. I absolutely had to have these for gels, tools, and whatever else I’ll stash and need easy access to.

• Peoples Endurance Apparel Pro Mesh Jersey – Started by my friend, Elliot, he’s launched an amazing cycling brand in the last year and has put together the most badass jersey for the money. I went with this mesh jersey in light blue because I want as much airflow while staying aero as I can. Elliot travels the world to find the best fabrics and manufacturing.As a young father, husband, and someone who believes in what he is doing, not only is this jersey in line with the best stuff you can get from Rapha, Maap, or PAS; I just really want to support someone who is betting on themselves. Like I am with this race. And you should too!

• Maap Team Base Layer – Its so comfortable and it’s what I know. And it doesnt rub me the wrong way. Gotta stick with comfort.

• Peoples Endurance Apparel ProPerformance Socks – Light, breathable and very nice fabric. They’re white so they’re going to for sure get ruined but I’ll at least have happy feet. If you decide to order a jersey or bibs, throw in a pair of these too.

• Pactimo Summer Sleeves + GOREWEAR Windbreaker Jacket – I wont start with either of these on but if I get wet and the sun goes down, I need to keep my core temperature up! These should help with that.

• USWE Hydro 9L bag – I actually wanted to go much smaller and use my USWE 2L race pack but because I had to go with a full frame bag on my bike, I am losing 2 water bottles. So to make up for that, I went with the 9L bag which has a 3L bladder.

• MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC Shoes – You can’t ride road shoes in a mud fest, and I absolutely adore these shoes. They’re so comfortable and after countless miles have never given me an issue. I used to have Fizik gravel shoes and they would destroy my feet. They were too narrow and the dappening of hitting the bumps and dirt and rocks was nonexistent. The Gran Tourer shoes are a dream. Plus, they are absolutely gorgeous.

  

My Bike & Tech

• Lauf Siegla Rigid – With the SRAM Rival electronic components. I wish I had their front shock but alas, I’m on the rigid fork. Great bike, monster wheel clearance up to 2.2 mountain bike tires.

• Vittoria Terreno Zero Gravel Tires. Size 47 – I ran MAXXIS rambler 50’s last year and they were good but slow. I’m going with these Vittoria’s this year on the recommendation from a really really fast XL athlete. 23 PSI. Fingers crossed!

• Coros Dura Bike Computer – The solar edition has a MONSTER battery life and with Ride with GPS maps, everything has gone smoothly since I purchased it last year.

• SRAM Wireless Blips on the aero bars – Get comfortable and stay that way. Shifting in aero is wonderful.

• Garmin Fenix 6X watch and WHOOP MG – My Garmin watch will actually just be that, a watch. Unless I start hiking with my bike, I’ll actually track that as a workout! The WHOOP MG is their brand new device and I’m just really interested in combing through the data when this is all over.

My Nutrition Plan

Fueling this kind of race isn’t just about calories and sodium — it’s about strategy and survival. I’m going in with a solid system:

• RAW FUEL + REPLENISH hydration mix

  • In total, I’ve mapped out 3,420g of carbs and 57,000mg of sodium. Individualizing it all per stop in separate bags, and shoving it all into my frame bag.

• SIS (Science in Sport) gels + isotonic fuel and caffeine

  • Instead of 30 gels in my frame bag, I’ve condensed it all into 5 – 150ml hyrdoflask softflasks. They still take up a good amount of space but no trash to worry about and as I finish them, you can roll them up super small and put them away. I’ll take a sip every 20 minutes.

• Clif Bars, Clif Bloks, Chomps — the gritty essentials that you actually chew. Chomps = protein.

• Frame bag, top tube bag, jersey pockets, top tube stash — all packed to the gills.

Funny thing. I’m so glad I did a dress rehearsal this past weekend because I absolutely could not fit everything into the 2.4L frame bag I was prepared to use. A quick few clicks and I panic ordered a larger one from Amazon. I wouldn’t have picked this one if I had infinite time but we’re getting to the wire here. But alas, all my nutrition, bike lights, paint sticks and butter knife now fit. Crisis averted.

And then it’s all about hitting my planned refuel points — because once the sun sets, it’s a whole new world.

My Gas Station Strategy

(Hopefully) Skip the early stops (miles 40, 59.6 and 66.6). If I’m riding smooth and have enough fuel and water and a group, I’ll stretch it. But will also play it cautious. Going from 66.6 to 108.2 is a big stretch and if the roads are bad, this could spell early disaster. I cannot get stuck on course with no liquid.

First stop (Hopefully): Mile 108.2
If I’m with a solid pack and havent burned many matches and am feeling good and have plenty of liquids, here’s where I top off everything heading into the dark of the night.

Water only at Mile 164
Quick stop from a spigot. Just water and dump in my fuel. Get in and out and keep it moving through the night.

Real Food Stop at Mile 199.7
Sunrise. Refocus. Refuel. Eat something hot. Mentally reset. This stop is key because the next isn’t for 77.9 miles.

Final big stop at Mile 277.6
Less than 100 miles to go after this but 67.4 miles until the next water station. Hopefully I can lock in, spin the legs, and bring it home.

Water-only at Mile 345
Top off, grit it out, you are almost there!

Mile 359 – Finish Line
Cross. Cry. Lie on the ground until someone can pick me up.

Follow the Madness

Again – If you want to follow along for the full 27–36 hour rollercoaster — you can track me live below, starting Friday at 3 p.m. CT.

👉 https://www.followmychallenge.com/live/unbound-xl

My Ask

I’d honestly love to hear from you throughout the journey. Seriously. Drop me a comment or something. I’m doing this alone but need the help from anyone and everyone.

• If you have my number, text me.

• If not, hit me on Instagram: @frontpacksports or @scotty_tris

It could be 2 a.m. and I’m dragging my bike through mud in the middle of nowhere — that’s when a message might hit the hardest.

Stay moving. God speed.
Scott