2016 Unbound Gravel 200 -- Rider Twelve: Ethan Frey

Please note: This blog post has been updated to reflect this event’s current name.

This year Salsa is sending the 13.5 riders to participate in 2016's Unbound Gravel 200. Ethan Frey is rider No. 12.

SALSA CYCLES: What is your goal at this year’s Unbound Gravel 200?

ETHAN FREY: This is my first-ever gravel race! I am looking to have a fun day on the bike and enjoy the scene. I’m a sucker for a good competition, so I’m sure I will get caught up in the moment and try to keep up with some of the faster groups, but at the end of the day I just want to finish without lights!

SC: What is your biggest fear going into the event?

EF: Just finishing. I don’t want to go out too hard and blow up. I’ve ridden very little on gravel and I’m not sure how it will affect my energy over the course of the day.

SC: What have you done to prepare and how are you combating that fear?

EF: My preparation has been poor to say the least. I am coasting on fitness from my last event back in March at the Florida Divide. It will be a race of attrition, and I don’t want to over exert myself too early, but I have the right equipment and hope my mental toughness will make a difference.

SC: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Unbound Gravel event?

EF: Hanging out and riding bikes all day! A day on the bike is always a good day; it doesn’t matter the weather or my fitness. Riding an epic event like Unbound Gravel will provide me the sense of accomplishment I need to keep pushing the bounds of my cycling experiences to new heights.