Elderly Woman Tackles Unbound 200 Challenge once more: "Despite potentially needing 24 hours, I'm determined to achieve it"
Seasoned Cyclist Fred Schmid, 92, Prepares to Conquer Unbound Gravel 200-Mile Race
Emporia, Kansas - For most cyclists, the grueling 200-mile Unbound Gravel race is a test of endurance, steep terrain, unpredictable weather, and relentless mileage that challenges both elite professionals and recreational riders. But for Fred Schmid, the event in the Flint Hills of Kansas is something more: a beautiful opportunity to ride his bike.
Schmid, who has previously attempted the Unbound 200 multiple times, exudes an optimistic attitude despite his age and past challenges. From Emporia, where he's doing some pre-riding and taking it easy just days before race day, he expresses his fondness for the region's roads, which he finds perfect for cycling.
However, Schmid's laid-back demeanor conceals a resilient spirit that has earned him over 49 national championship titles in various cycling disciplines. His cycling journey began in earnest in 1994, when his wife, Suzanne, gifted him a mountain bike for Christmas. Since then, he has raced and won across multiple disciplines, including mountain biking, road racing, and cyclocross, as well as claiming two Masters World Championship jerseys in mountain biking.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, Schmid has faced setbacks during his Unbound endeavors. In 2021, he made it to mile 115 before experiencing heat exhaustion and was forced to call for his wife to pick him up. In another attempt, he reached mile 120 but fell behind the time cut. Last year, he took part in the shorter 100-mile event and completed it successfully. This year, he's back for the full 200-mile race, determined to finish.
Schmid's health isn't perfect. He recently experienced arrhythmia-like symptoms, which tend to flare when he's extremely fatigued. While medical examinations couldn't find any structural issues, he is taking it easy and hoping to feel better by race day. If he doesn't, Schmid says he'll push himself to complete the race within 24 hours.
Suzanne, 76, is a retired neuropsychologist and fellow cyclist who supports Schmid both logistically and emotionally. She often accompanies him on rides, managing hydration, feed zone handoffs, and monitoring data from his Garmin. Schmid credits Tracey Drews at CTS Coaching, a longtime expert in guiding masters and senior athletes, for helping him plan his training around fatigue, recovery, and the challenges of racing at 92.
Schmid approaches racing like any other dedicated cyclist, paying meticulous attention to factors such as tyre pressure, rolling resistance, and fueling strategy. He rides a Cannondale Flash from the early 2010s equipped with a Lefty fork and 60mm tyres, chosen for comfort and reliability. He also employs a Garmin with hourly fueling alerts, a radar unit for car detection, and a carefully planned nutrition strategy consisting of 70-80 grams of carbs per hour using SIS Beta Fuel, with backup gels and the occasional Fig Newton for moral support.
Despite his age, Schmid does not see himself as competitive. Instead, he emphasizes his focus on enjoying life and riding his bike. The majority of his riding companions, like Whitney Fanning, are decades younger, but Schmid considers them friends rather than competitors.
The shared camaraderie and appreciation for the cycling and gravel scenes keep Schmid motivated and add to the enjoyment of his later years. Schmid and Suzanne acknowledge that people often mistakenly see the elderly as different from younger individuals. However, Fred underscores that the enjoyment of life doesn't change with age. He admires the wise words of fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne: "Show me someone over 40 with no pain, and I'll show you a liar."
This year's Unbound race could mark a redemption story for Schmid, with a quiet triumph if he completes the challenging event. Regardless of the outcome, Schmid has already triumphed in many aspects of life, finding long-lasting satisfaction in the simple act of being able to pedal his bicycle.
[1] Dietz, M. (2023, May 15). Unbound Gravel 2023: 92-Year-Old Fred Schmid Ready for Another Shot at 200-Mile Race. Cycling Weekly.
[2] Shanahan, A. (2022, June 22). 91-Year-Old Fred Schmid Prepares for Unbound Gravel 2022. VeloNews.
- Fred Schmid's participation in the Unbound Gravel 200-Mile Race is not just about endurance; it's a science experiment on health-and-wellness in aging, as he demonstrates the resilience of a sports legend at 92 years old.
- Despite his age and health concerns, Schmid's dedication to road racing and cycling remains undeterred, showcasing the joy of sports in the face of aging.
