Eighteen hours of driving, four drivers, and one goal: reach our destination safely
- 3Cats Cycling
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
Drive Out Thursday
The adventure began in the early hours of Thursday morning. After waking up at 3:30 a.m. EDT, our crew, Bill, Matt, David, Sam, and Nathan, rolled out of town by 4:30. With the van packed to the roof, there was no room for disagreements. Eighteen hours of driving, four drivers, and one goal: reach our destination safely.
Setting Up Camp
Thanks to Sam, our camp setup was flawless. No neighbors meant plenty of space and a prime lakefront spot. The bathrooms and showers even exceeded expectations. Spirits were high as we settled in for a night of rest.
Race Prep Day
Friday was all about preparation. Sam made the rounds to every tent, and we got to meet Marley Blonsky of All Bodies On Bikes, which was a definite highlight. Adventure Hydration handed out a nifty 3D printed tool, which came in handy when Nathan needed to clean his tire on the go. Schwalbe’s customer support was top-notch, helping David get his tire remounted. Lunch was a treat at a local gluten-free spot, and after a practice ride on the course, Nathan made a last-minute tire swap in a Dillan’s parking lot.
The day wrapped up with a rider and support meeting at the restored Emporia Granada Theatre. The message was clear: respect the land, watch for cows, and expect tire-shredding Flint Hills rocks. We laid out our race kits, packed post-race clothes, and prepped feed bottles before heading to bed.
Race Day
We woke at 5:30, excitement and nerves running high. After arriving in Emporia around 7:10, we ensured all race plates were ready, so there were no last-minute panics. Sunscreen was applied (though it didn’t last), and by 7:30, we rolled off under clear skies.
The weather had other plans. Rain, hail, and lightning swept the course not long after the start. Nathan and Sam’s mountain biking skills helped them ride through muddy sections that others had to walk. The 3D printed mud tool proved invaluable, and David even got stopped by a train at one point.
At the Mile 53 aid station, the skies finally cleared for David, who was rolling strong despite a dropped chain soon after. Nathan and Sam arrived as the rain returned, but their bikes were holding up. Spirits remained high: Sam called it “Type 2 fun,” while Nathan embraced the mud as an adventure. Drawing on Wilderness First Aid knowledge, Nathan even used a water bottle to wash off his drivetrain with muddy water.
As the rain ended, the heat arrived. Despite the challenges, everyone finished the race safely and without major mechanical issues. Mud was everywhere, so everything went straight into a blue commercial trash bag for the ride home. Along the way, the women’s 200-mile leaders passed Nathan and Sam, offering encouragement even as they raced.
The Journey Home
Back at camp, we discovered our tent hadn’t survived the wind, so we booked a last-minute Airbnb in Kansas City. Our only run-in with the law was a warning for a burned-out taillight. The trip home included a Waffle House lunch and a traditional Chipotle stop in Louisville, Kentucky. Google Maps’ toll-free backroads route through West Virginia proved less than ideal, but Sam handled the van like a pro on the final leg.
We finally arrived home around 1:30 a.m., exhausted but grateful for the memories made. Unbound was a test of endurance, teamwork, and adaptability: a true adventure from start to finish.
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