Race report:
The bike setup was perfect. I did manage to knock the FD out just before Aid 1. Dropped the chain, which happens occasionally. Never a real issue because I can just shift it back on with the FD. But it requires a bit of patience, which at that moment I apparently lacked. Chain jammed briefly against FD, I pedaled too firmly and tugged it out of alignment. Still shifted but the cage was rubbing on big ring. Didn't affect my position as it was just as I was rolling into Aid 1. Spent a few minutes fixing it, about 6 minutes looking at Strava. Same amount I lost by. Doh.
Race started pretty chill. Didn't get spicy until about 40 miles in when we started hitting the chunkier and steeper climbs. I started on the front row and stayed near the front pretty well. When the pace picked up, I slid back a bit, 25-50th I'd guess. Felt great after Aid 1 and started picking off riders. After Aid 1, I only got passed by maybe 4 riders, but passed maybe 25. Entering Little Egypt I got into a group that was going a good pace. I sat in with that group too long though. As time went on, I realized I was the strongest and was soft pedaling too much to stay in the group. So at around mile 115 or so I set out on my own.
Got a bit overheated just before Aid 2. There were high clouds most of the day and it was only hot for me between mile 135-175 or so. So at Aid 2, I took 2-3 extra minutes soaking myself in cold water trying to bring the core temp down. Both stops combined were about 11 minutes. The actual resupply part was no more than 90s each, the rest was bike repair or cooling off.
After Aid 2 my back started hurting to the point I couldn't make much power in the aerobars on stay in them too long. That dropped my speed maybe 1mph avg. I didn't know if I was ahead or behind Todd Hunsaker (M60+ winner) but knew I shouldn't back off either way. Looking at the stats, I entered Aid 1 with Todd, left 6 minutes behind. Closed to 2 minutes behind by Aid 2 then lost 4 minutes to the finish for a total of 6 minutes at the line. Todd said he was in a group or had help virtually all day. I was alone after mile 115 or so.
In the end, I'm happy with my race. I rode strong and fast all day. As always, little mistakes can make the difference though. Leading up to the race, my back had only hurt off the bike and felt fine while riding. I had been traveling quite a bit before Unbound and had not stuck to my daily mobility and stretching routine. That cost me. I also mixed my USWE pack a bit too lean. Got a little bloated the last 70 miles or so. Not terrible, just not as dialed as the previous two Unbounds. That moment of impatience guiding my chain back on might have been the difference. Shoulda, woulda, coulda..
Course was in fantastic condition, best ever. Weather was near perfect. No wind! No surprise everyone set scorching PR's. If these same conditions ever come again on the south course, the Pros will go under 9 hours. That I was so close to a sub 11hr time blows my mind. 11:10:50
I did all liquid fueling. Took in about 6,000 calories give or take. Skratch Hi carb with a bit of Hydration mixed in. 2x 30 oz Zefal bottles and 2L USWE. The third 26oz bottle under DT was supposed to be filled with water at Aid 1 for splashing. I felt good then and didn't fill it. Maybe next year I'll mix the USWE full strength and use one bottle with straight water just for cooling.
I ran 28/30psi in 45c Terra Speed on 25mm internal wheels with ~110ml Silca sealant
