Five Times Unbound XL: Rachel Wills on Ritual, Resilience, and the Allure of the Flint Hills

Detours: Bikepacking, Ultra-Cycling and Adventures by Bike

Every year, the Flint Hills of Kansas call Rachel Wills back to Unbound XL. At 350 miles, the race is a test of endurance: relentless heat, drivetrain-clogging mud, a horizon that stretches on forever, and a thousand sharp, punchy climbs that chip away at you one by one.

Rachel has lined up in five times: finished four, scratched once. And with each ride, she's uncovered a new experience. For her, Unbound XL has become so much more than a race. It’s become a ritual. A way of grounding herself in place, community, and the kind of effort that reveals something new every time.

In this episode, Rachel reflects on what’s kept her coming back and how the Flint Hills have shaped her over time. She shares about the power of all women’s spaces like Velocio // Exploro, lessons from big days in the saddle, why tandem wheels are surprisingly great to follow, and the descending advice she picked up from Rebecca Rusch.

Topics include:

• What makes Unbound XL so challenging (and so special)
• The emotional weight of scratching and coming back
• Growth through repetition and ritual
• Riding with Velocio // Exploro and the power of a women’s team
• Letting go of racing for results—and finding something deeper

Follow Rachel on Instagram: @rachelawills

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