There you are in what is hopefully the latter days of this corona crisis. Your cycling calendar is bleakly empty. Like last year, many events have been rescheduled or simply cancelled. You're in the mood for action and challenge. And then something new catches your eye on social media: Unbound/Rebound. Actually, it's not all that new, because last year there was the Dirty Kanzelled, same concept, different name. And so with an exclamation mark there is an event on your calendar: Saturday, June 5 Unbound/Rebound!

In Brief

Unbound, until last year Dirty Kanza (DK), is a four-day leading gravel event in Kansas. When the DK was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, Laurens ten Dam, a big gravel fan himself, came up with the Dirty Kanzelled. And now that it is impossible for many to participate in the Unbound this year for the same reason, the Unbound/Rebound is a nice alternative.

What does Unbound stand for?

The organization has articulated this beautifully and we can't say it better:

"To be unbound is to be unattached and uninhibited. The origin of the term predates the 12th century and evokes associations with liberation and escape. Those who are unbound embrace life without boundaries or limitations. The word has many definitions and derivations, but each ultimately reaches the same finish line."

In the long

You ride 160 or 321 kilometers unpaved. Period. That's pretty long. And cool! The rules of play, like graveling itself, are very simple:

• Date: June 5, 2021
• Start time: 6:00 a.m. sharp (in the morning!)
• Starting point: preferably from your own home. Travel as little as possible to a start/finish location
• Distance: 160 km or 321 km, nothing in between
• Route: self made, with as much unpaved as you can find. Komoot is a useful app to plan a route or refine an existing one.
• Feeding stops: you may have up to two eating stops to buy or get food and drink. The food and drink itself can be done at any time.
• Afterparty: mandatory.

Do you want to join us?

The weather promises to be very good, at least in most parts of Europe. The prospect of everyone reaching the same finish line beckons! So take part. And be sure to share your photos and videos on social media with #unboundrebound and tag @cycloworld.cc. Your reporter will also ride and report on it. The bike is eagerly awaiting your arrival and the route through Drenthe (160 km) is ready. Now all we have to do is set the alarm clock.