2022 Unbound Gravel activities came to a close Sunday with the annual awards ceremony inside of the Emporia Granada Theatre.
The ceremony recognized the top competitors across the 100, 200 and XL 350 mile distances including the tandem team of Emporia’s Ryan Balkenhol and Colorado’s Mike Murphy. The team was the top finisher in the 100-mile tandem division turning in a time of just over 7 hours and 30 minutes.
It was an emotional victory for both riders as they met only a day before the race meaning both riders had a very short time to form a strong connection. To make the win even more impressive, only one of the teammates, Balkenhol, could see the course.
Murphy, a US Army Staff Sgt., suffered a head injury during a nine-month rotation in Europe triggering a rare disease known as Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy resulting in his loss of vision. Murphy says he had full faith in his partner the entire distance.
Balkenhol says he was excited not only to ride with Murphy but to tackle a brand new challenge.
More than 4,000 riders from all 50 states and 44 countries came to Emporia to compete in the Unbound series of races this year. You can find full results and photos by clicking here.
