Unbound 200.

An entry by Raylyn Nuss.

Hello Friends,

I write this journal entry from the comfort of my parents home in Warrenton, Missouri while sitting in a recliner with my feet propped up, sparkling water in hand, and ceiling fan whirling at full speed. Ahh - It feels incredible to be able to relax. It’s still just 36hrs after one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced on the bike, and I am tired. This is a long ramble of an entry because well, a lot can happen during the prep and go of a 205 mile event.

I arrived in Emporia on Wednesday after a fun and uplifting road trip up from Texas with my good friend, Dominique Powers. We stopped at the Bazaar Cattle Pens for a shakeout and chance to get to see some of the open range sections of the course. I was quickly reminded why this event is so special. The land here is STUNNING. As I head out on my ride I received a warm Kansas Flint Hills welcome by roughly 100 curious and confused cows blocking my path. I was actually scared for a moment that they might charge or stampede (I actually called Dominique to see if she had any cow knowledge and did a quick google search), but realized if I rolled slowly enough and talked to them they would move out of the way…*noted* as a very important discovery in case this would happen on race day. Indeed cattle on course.

There’s somewhat of a silent buzz in Emporia. Yes, it’s loud and thousands of cyclist pour into this small Kansas town from all over the world, but there is still somewhat of a soft energy as trains continuously roll through town and the expo is propped up. This also may have just been my brain tricking myself into staying relaxed. I had a lot of people ask me how I felt about going into the race on Saturday. I may have mostly been in denial about what I was about to face, but my response to everyone was that I was just preparing myself for a big adventure day on the bike with a group of Elite women. Keeping that mindset helped me stay calm throughout the week.

With Pas Normal Studios and Trek shakeout rides on Thursday and Friday I had more of a chance to see other areas of the course. This is always good peace of mind to make sure I have the right tires and pressure for the type of gravel I’ll be facing.

As I sat eating my pre race dinner with the Trek Race Shop crew that chef Biju Thomas and Brad Huff had prepared (a mix of friend rice, chicken, salad, and salted potatoes) the rain began to pour. It had been raining somewhat intermittently over the past few days since my arrival, but this rain was different. Certainly harder and a little more serious as it continued to rain throughout the night. I headed back to the Pas Normal Studios Airbnb and finished prepping all of my nutrition and bottles. This process really made me appreciate those pre cyclocross race nights where all you need to do is have a good dinner, do a little yoga, and put your feet up. The night before a 12+ hour event can be quite a lot getting all your gear organized and in place.

Race morning. 4:15am wakeup as I scurried down the stairs of the home I was staying in to walk out to my van and prepare oatmeal and a pour over coffee. Thankful for my van so I could have a moment of silence and peace to begin getting in the right mindset. I walked into the house and one of the Enough Cycling Team members showed me an instagram story of one of their XL riders and said, “this is going to be a good day for you!… MUD”. I still don’t think it hit me that I was about to take on 200 miles until I rolled into the start grid, and that’s when I took a deep breath and massive sigh… this is going to be a long day.

The race rollout was special as the Elite women had their own start for the first time in the history of the event. This new factor actually lead to a lot of question on how the race would start, and immediately I was thankful for racing the Joe Martin Stage Race just a few weekends prior to this event. We started fast! At mile 11 we made a right turn onto a “Minimal Maintenance” section and there it was - the start of the mud pit. The highlight of my day. I was at home - it was time to put those cyclocross skills into action!

Chaos. We quickly caught the back of the Elite men’s field in the mud. I was thankful for my mud proficiency on what to ride, what to dismount and run, and when to stop and make sure my pulley's were cleaned out so I wouldn’t have a derailleur ripped off my bike. As I heard many people around me breathing hard from running or franticly cleaning their bikes, I was able to stay calm and laugh to myself. I would get to the end of a section and look down and peer off to what looked like an endless road of mud… “this is absolutely hilarious” I said out loud several times. People were scattered everywhere.

Images - Dominique Powers

Making it through the mud I was able to settle in as the sunrise gifted an incredible golden hour over the rolling hills of the cattle pens. I felt good! Working a bit with Crystal Anthony and a few other riders that would come and go, I began to slowly pick off riders. It then became a matter of staying on top of my fuel to get to mile 78: Feedzone 1. Where I knew my amazing crew, Chris McGovern and Charlie Backus, were eagerly waiting with a pressure washer to give my bike the bath it desperately needed. I rolled into the checkpoint in a solid chase group. Formula one style - as I swapped hydration packs and stuffed a rice cake in my mouth the crew got my bike cleaned and handed back to me in a minute’s time and I was off. Cyclocross skills for the team all around.

Images - Tommy Meyer

My next mental goal was to get to mile 100. I felt like if I could get there and be halfway through the race it was technically all down hill from there. I found myself fighting in the top 5. I held on for dear life until I knew I needed to back my pace off or I wouldn’t be able to finish. The sun began to crest into the middle of the sky and it got HOT. I continued fueling and chewing my salt tabs. I went through a 2L bladder in my hydration pack, and both bottles in just over 2hrs after leaving checkpoint 1. This was when I began to come apart. Clinging to the hope of the “Water Oasis” at mile 124, and the realization that my body just is not used to these long days.

Rootbeer, water, and pickles. I stood at the Oasis for 10-15 minutes deciding whether to quit, or press on. I still had 80 miles to go. My body was empty and the thought of 5 more hours in the heat was terrifying. “Well… I’ve made it this far. May as well try to get a little further.” I told myself as long as I could ride endurance I would keep going.

Back in the cattle pens, and open range. You could see for miles in a 360 direction with oil wells and lush green rolling hills scattered throughout. It was like a dream. There were storm clouds in every direction and you could see lightning out in the distance. “At least it’s pretty,” I kept telling myself.

As I hit “The Judge” a very steep hill, it began to rain. Both annoyed and pleased because it massively brought the temps down, but getting rained on while you’re miserable just isn’t the most fun. At roughly mile 150 I came to a full stop. It’s pouring rain (like actually cats and dogs style). It’s thundering, and I’m hungry. I stood alone on the side of some double track and ate a Snickers bar while I cried. An enthused, Ellen Campbell, rolled passed me and yelled, “Yeehaw! Let’s go Raylyn!” It was so great to see her. Ughhh okay.. I hopped back on my bike and had a bit of fun after my pity party.

10 miles at a time. That was my trick to keep myself moving. I can ride 10 miles. Just get to mile 166! My friends would be there with a warm welcome waiting to offer encouragement. I was so emotional rolling into that final checkpoint. I was done. I had nothing left, and wanted to quit. My entire body was in pain and wanted to shut off. The mix of friends and support I had in that feed zone was everything I needed. They let me vent, and then told me to keep going. As I stared at my bike before swinging my leg over, the entire feed zone began to cheer me on. I tear up thinking of that moment… this community is just so supportive and has my heart. I wouldn’t have gotten back on the bike if it weren’t for everyone there.

I continued with my 10 mile at a time mentality. At times barely able to pedal.

Finally, mile 200. I was actually quite upset when I hit this point because I wanted to be done. I still had 5 more miles to go. The longest 5 miles of my life.

As I crossed into that final stretch… the tears were flowing. This race had me in the most vulnerable state I’ve ever been in. Stripped down to nothing, but still able to press on. I had won the battle against myself. “I’m in so much pain,” apparently the first words out of my mouth as my pal, Dylan Buffington, hugged me as I continued to let the emotion flow.

My sister lost her 4 month old son exactly one year ago. She has wanted to give up on life, but hasn’t. She’s pressed on and made a lot of positive changes to her life. My 205 miles and the pain I pressed through was nothing compared to what my sister has gone through. I couldn’t give up. I am really proud of myself for getting to that finish line.

What a day.

Shoutout to my crew: Chris McGovern, Charlie Backus, Z, Tommy Meyer, Dylan Buffington - you all were incredible.

My equipment was perfect. No mechanicals or flats. Everything held up like a dream: