UNBOUND 200 - My Hardest Day Ever On a Bike... 

Riding your first Unbound is as much as much about learning how to finish as it is your time. Your pacing, fueling strategy and equipment are the key to gettin through the day. 🚴‍♂️

Good effort mate but sadly have been wondering what’s been happening with all of the DNF lately… Even with the Taupo gravel grind. It’s sad that you did not do the preparation with regards to hydration, nutrition and acclimatisation as well. Even then, this was your longest recorded ride on Strava and I thought you would have done more training before attempting such an event . Understandably you have the shop to manage etc, but if you are spending that much money to fly there, it definitely is worthwhile to be well prepared . I would recommend Jaselikesbikes with regards to his preparation for the Leadville .

Enjoyed the on-bike footage, gave me a feeling for the race I hadn't seen before

Nice ride mate! This was my first unbound too, so I took the fatbike. Looking at your splits, you were going pretty fast out there. Do you think you cooked it going too hard? I was alone and wanted to quit but had no support, so I just kept soft pedaling and ended up making it. Your breathing issue sounds scary for a young bloke, did you get it checked out back in NZ? It is awesome that you got to ride unbound though. The heat didn't look bad on the thermometer, but it really felt hot out there.

Bro KUDOS on the boots and hat haha epic

Nice work man, you were moving at a great pace

Don’t be disappointed, you may have risked a serious medical event if you didn’t stop when you did. The shortness of breath and some of the other symptoms you mentioned sound like you were in the onset of heat stress. Once that overheating has started it won’t stop if you keep up the activity no matter what you do. Worst case scenario is a life threatening heat stroke but even if that extreme is unlikely a trip to the ER could’ve been on the cards for sure. You did well to make it as far as you did given your interrupted preparation so just be thankful for the experience and for coming home unscathed.

I experienced the same breathing issues. My gut was okay so I pushed through it for a 13 hour finish. Tough day for sure. Definitely can relate.

Nice work lad

Watching this on the trainer prior to work -- nice diversion. Thanks for the coverage!

Hard luck mate. Don't be disappointed use it as a lesson on how to attack this beast of a race. Regroup, recover then revisit the race at a later date then harness that disappointment & smash it out of the park on your next attempt Tom. A great video nonetheless, great footage & really raw to see your emotions coming out as you suffered. You're a champion Tom & Don't ever forget that 👏👏👏👏💯💯

Great effort Tom despite the reality check. You did what a lot of people could only think about doing. This video sets itself apart from most others in that as viewer, we can enjoy it as "there's one of us giving it a crack" - making it relevant for those that either just enjoy gravel riding or compete in gravel races or just challenging ourselves. Despite your personal disappointment you can be very proud of what you actually achieved.

We ride, I'm gutted way more than most, but we are modern day cowboys, we get back up and ride better and harder than before. You did GREAT

All good lessons for next time! Stay after it Tom.

Gday Tom, it may not of worked out like you wanted but it was still an awesome effort mate. Hats off to you.

Great job!Great video~🙌🙌🙌

next year, brother. thanks for putting this up

You beat me....I chose not to even start!

why didn't you stop and pick up glasses?

Hey, im in your video! Orange shirt and black hat guy from (0:05) to (0:11) haha.

Given how much money and time you've invested in the project, I'm kinda sad that you didn't take hydration, nutrition and heat management seriously. All of these were easily avoidable problems. Also I believe you could have continued after taking a small break, cooling down and carrying more water for the last 100k. Quitting with 100k remaining is sad, especially when you have support. You're physically capable but mentally you could use some work. Finishing Unbound is all mental dude.

legend nice work! dust could have been a big contributor to shortness of breath. Very common for people with Asthma to struggle with dust inhalation... imagine 7 hours of sucking dust lol.

I feel your pain. Also had to DNF a few races due to heat and nausea.

Mud stick / paint stirrer from Mitre10 😄

Huge effort brother

kinda crazy that Dylan Johnson was carrying bottles JUST TO COOL HIMSELF. The under-jersey bladders filled with ice water as well.

Kudos for doing unbound. You have to have balls just to even try that monster of a race. You actually did pretty good and I think it was smart to stop when you started getting chest pains can you imagine just dropping dead out there? Do it again but next time bring food and you’ll be golden.

Sorry to hear that things didn't go to plan Tom - such is life but well done for getting out there!! Additionally well done for being open about what happened. Out of interest, if you've gone off gravel, can I have your bike ;-)....... kidding

Good effort!

You fly halfway around the earth for a race, your longest ride ever, but can't be bothered to understand the food situation? Seems kinda flaky and unrespectable.

Geez dude… that’s a bummer man. I would have stopped for the glasses however, so you loose a few minutes, you were dropped anyway. Not sure how you managed with the heat and dust?. Oh well, 2025 then. This happens in cycling, gotta take it on the chin bro. At least you had one amazing experience.

Whahhhhhh!

what happened to the pot brownie?

Great effort! Shame about the medicals. Cool vid tho! Everyone all powers along at the start eh! Easy to get sucked into an unsustainable pace. 10hrs+ is a long time on a bike!

Why are you wearing a hat inside?…super gutsy effort…no shame in that…tough as teak…congrats.

😂😂😂😂😂

Shouldn't have taken that vax bro