166 riders are registered to participate in the 2022 Unbound XL, a 350-mile self-supported and self-navigated gravel race in Emporia, Kansas that’s set to start on Friday, June 3, 2022. It will be Jeff Kerkove’s third attempt at the XL after a 5th place finish in 2019, and a DNF in ‘21 due to stomach issues. According to Jeff, his bike for Kansas is “a perfect blend of comfort, functionality, reliability and durability”. Below are several pictures of Jeff’s newly acquired Canyon Grizl along with a full gear list he provided us ahead of the race. In addition to the items listed below, Jeff will carry food, his phone, ID, cash, credit card(s) and a SPOT tracker in his Sportful jersey pockets. Unlike most riders, Jeff has opted not to use a hydration pack or aerobars. A total of 6 resupply points (convenience stores) will be on course, giving riders generous options every 60-miles.

GEAR LIST

BIKE Canyon Grizl CF SL, size M

WHEELS DT Swiss GRC 1400, 700c

TIRES Maxxis Rambler, 45c, Tubeless Ready, SilkShield

SEALANT Stan’s

SHIFTERS Shimano GRX 2x11

BRAKES Shimano GRX

CRANKSET Shimano GRX, 48-31, 172.5

CASSETTE Shimano 11-34

ROTORS Shimano Dura-Ace, 160mm

PEDALS Shimano XTR

SADDLE Ergon SR Allroad Pro Carbon, size M/L

SEAT POST Ergon CF Allroad Pro Carbon

BAR TAPE Ergon BT Gravel, 3.5mm

STEM Ritchey WCS C220, 90mm

HANDLE BAR Ritchey Venturemax, 46cm

SADDLE BAG Topeak Burrito Pack (5 tubes, tire levers, spare tire plugs)

TOP TUBE BAG Topeak Toploader (food, Topeak mini tool, small bottle of Finish Line lube)

GPS Garmin eTrex 32x

FRONT LIGHT Lupine Neo 4 with 10.0Ah SmartCore battery

REAR LIGHT Topeak Redlite Aero USB

TIRE PLUG (on downtube) Topeak Tubi Pod X

BOTTLE CAGES (frame) Shuttle Cage 3K Carbon

BOTTLE CAGE (down tube) Topeak Ninja Cage

BOTTLE CAGES (fork) Topeak Fezā Cage MT16

STORAGE BOTTLE (down tube) Topeak Escape Pod, size M (CO2, pieces of old tire sidewall, tire plugs, small Leatherman tool, small pen light, 2 sets brake pads, tire sidewall sewing kit, Park Tool tire patches, 4 links of chain, 2 AA batteries for GPS)

FRAME PUMP Topeak Mountain TT Guage

SPARE TUBES Tubolito S Tubo CX/Gravel All - qty 3, Tubolito X Tubo CX/Gravel All - qty 2

WATER BOTTLES GU 26oz - qty 4

Photos by Jeff Kerkove

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Learn more about the event at Unbound Gravel

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