Meet the 2023 Eliel Athletes of Unbound Gravel:
Derek Teel
Is this your first Unbound? Yes
What will your Eliel kit consist of? El Capitan Bibs and Jersey
What is your nutrition strategy for the day?
Bringing a 2 Liter pack that will have 200 Grams of Carbohydrates + sodium (amount dependent on the temperature). I'll also have Rice Bars and Gels ready to hit 100g of carbs per hour.
1x or 2x? 1x
What tires are you running?
Specialized Pathfinder 42's
What is your favorite post ride food?
Tacos with extra Lean Protein + rice & beans
What one segment of the event are you looking most forward to?
Taking in the energy of the biggest gravel race in the world.
Give one piece of advice you wish you had been told prior to your first event:
Ask me afterword...haha
What is one thing you don't leave home without?
A lacrosse ball for deep tissue work.
Rank the top 5 priorities in your life:
Faith, Family, Dialed Health, Riding, Solitude
Do you have any habits outside of cycling?
Strength and Mobility Training. I love moving some kettlebells!
What is one thing about you that would surprise our readers?
I grew up racing Downhill mountain bikes despising all things lycra.
Is there a coach or athlete you look up to as a role model? Why?
Where do I begin! I look up to some athletes purely for their ability on-the-bike and others for their life off-the-bike. Currently most inspired by a triathlete Lionel Sanders.
Kae Takeshita
Is this your first Unbound? No
What will your Eliel kit consist of? Eliel Custom Suit
What is your nutrition strategy for the day?
Drink before thirsty, eat before hungry
1x or 2x? 1x
What tires are you running?
Panaracer GKSS+ 43c the same for many years
What is your favorite post ride food?
Anything that’s not bike food
What one segment of the event are you looking most forward to?
Last mile
Give one piece of advice you wish you had been told prior to your first event:
It’s gonna be along day, for real
What is one thing you don't leave home without?
Good happy positive attitude
Rank the top 5 priorities in your life:
Work/life balance. Enrich life experiences thru cycling everywhere. Be Successful at work. Ride well and strong. Ride and race more.
Do you have any habits outside of cycling?
Thinking about bike outside of cycling time
What is one thing about you that would surprise our readers?
If I tell you it won’t be a surprise so not telling ;)
Is there a coach or athlete you look up to as a role model? Why?
Every hard working person with goals and ambitions is an inspiration and I’m grateful that I’m surrounded by many
Starla Teddergreen
Is this your first Unbound? Yes
What will your Eliel kit consist of? Custom Distance To Empty Kit
What is your nutrition strategy for the day?
HOURLY GOAL: Food: 2 gels and ½ package of mashed potatoes. Hydration: 16 oz minimum . Fueling options– maurten gels (100 calories), precision fuel (120 calories), spring gels (100-180 calories), enervit (120 calories), mashed potato packet (250-300 calories) 70 oz hydration pack - Calories in hydration Carbo Rocket, Scratch, Flow Formulas 2 x 24 oz bottles - Calories in bottle 1 - Water in bottle 2
1x or 2x? 1x
What tires are you running?
Maxxis Rambler with FinishLine FiberLink Tubeless Sealant
What is your favorite post ride food?
Recovery Drink then anything that sounds good, Often potato chips.
What one segment of the event are you looking most forward to?
The finish line
Give one piece of advice you wish you had been told prior to your first event:
Fueling your effort is your number one priority.
What is one thing you don't leave home without?
My bike
Rank the top 5 priorities in your life:
My relationship with my husband, Training, Being a good dog mom, running Distance To Empty, being a mentor.
Do you have any habits outside of cycling?
Keeping an organized home
What is one thing about you that would surprise our readers?
I don't like cake.
Is there a coach or athlete you look up to as a role model? Why?
Jessica Cerra is a role model in all aspects of her life, from being an impressive athlete who shows kindness and appreciation to her teammates and competitors, a loyal friend, a business owner, and a gravel race organizer that gives back to the community, she grew up in. She strikes a beautiful balance between work and life, pursuing adventure and being an incredible cheerleader to others.
Ivy Audrain
Is this your first Unbound? Yes
What will your Eliel kit consist of? Eliel Gravel Team custom kit
What is your nutrition strategy for the day?
SLIM JIMS AND TEQUILA
1x or 2x? 1x
What tires are you running?
TBD, maybe IRC Bokens or Panaracer Gravel Kings. Prob 40c
What is your favorite post ride food?
Cold beer and salty chips
What one segment of the event are you looking most forward to?
The Ventum finish line party ;)
Give one piece of advice you wish you had been told prior to your first event:
I love seeing so many folks try racing for the first time! When I first started out, I wish someone would have advised for me to make my goal and intention for race day my very own. There's no need to put pressure on yourself for race day; wether you're brand new or an experienced racer. There is too much we aren't in control of on race day, and when you're new to cycling, so many aspects of racing can feel outside of your comfort zone. That's a great thing to allow yourself to feel, and something we don't get to experience in many other areas of our lives. Racing presents a really rare opportunity in that regard, and setting an expectation to simply have fun, see if I can find a new limit within myself, and learn something about myself as an athlete would have brought me so much more joy as I was getting started. As you keep racing, you'll realize those are soft-skills that you can apply later when you're ready to push it and try for a result, and will ultimately lead to success regardless of the outcome of that race. Racing is about you and your experience, hold onto that and protect it!
What is one thing you don't leave home without?
Dynaplug and Haribo gummies.
Rank the top 5 priorities in your life:
In no particular order: caring for my friends and loved ones, building new memories and sharing experiences with them, helping folks feel more able and excited about getting outside on the bike, and then of course a couple ‘need’ priorities like making sure I’m healthy and safe and have space to take care of myself.
Do you have any habits outside of cycling?
Sewing! I love to make frame bags, totes, and musettes for my homies.
What is one thing about you that would surprise our readers?
That riding and racing did NOT come easily for me. A lot of folks who are in the sport for a long time found success quickly, that’s not the case for me and I’ve loved the process of growing and improving throughout my career.
Is there a coach or athlete you look up to as a role model? Why?
I really look up to my teammate Travis McCabe. It’s been so cool to see him get so stoked about this new side of the sport, and I feel like he exemplifies what it means to be a solid member of the community who’s a homie to all. It’s super inspiring to see someone work so hard on and off the bike, and have so much good energy and stoke to share with everyone. A rider I aspire to be like for sure!