Leadville Sub-9 Strategy, Unbound XL Review, and the "No Data" Approach with Justin Cary | ShiftLess Ep. 69

In this episode, we cover:Unbound XL Review: Justin breaks down his 41st place finish (Top 25%) and how he navigated 350 miles with zero navigation errors. We discuss his "liquid-only" nutrition strategy using Maltodextrin and Fructose, and why he chose to ride the entire race looking only at distance—no heart rate, no power, no average speed.The Leadville 100 Preview: With less than a month to go, Justin shares his strategy for the Sub-9 Hour Big Buckle. We talk about heat acclimation (the Texas advantage), high-altitude prep in Keystone, and why he’s leaning toward the Trek Super Caliber for the thin air of Colorado.The Unconventional Setup: * Flat Pedals on Gravel: Why Justin is a "Faster on Flats" zealot and how he avoids the dreaded shin-strike.The 3D-Printed Saddle: Transitioning from the "Grandpa seat" to the Specialized Mirror technology.Gear: Running Pathfinder S-Works 42mm tires and the Fox Stepcaster 50mm gravel fork.Industry Disruptors: * The DJI E-Bike Motor: Breaking news from Eurobike on DJI’s 1000-watt entry into the market.Pinion MGU: The motor and gearbox unit that could finally make the derailleur obsolete.AI Suspension: A look at the SRAM Flight Attendant and its 10,000-adjustments-per-second capability.The "ShiftLess" Culture: From Nicholas Cage's performance in Raising Arizona and Pig to the tactical brilliance of Chinese ice skaters and the quest for the ultimate sandwich.Whether you're a data-obsessed racer or a grassroots explorer, this conversation is a reminder that the best way to ride is often the way that makes the most sense to you.Leadville 100 MTB, Unbound XL, Justin Cary, Trek Checkpoint, Trek Super Caliber, Flat Pedals Gravel, Maltodextrin Nutrition, DJI E-bike Motor, Pinion MGU, SRAM Flight Attendant, Leadville Big Buckle, Spinistry, Texas Gravel Cycling.For Justin to hit his sub-9-hour goal at Leadville, he’ll need to maintain a relentless pace across over 11,000 feet of climbing at an average elevation of 10,000+ feet. Here is a look at the historical split targets required to bring home the gold.Justin’s plan to acclimate by "pushing as hard as possible" for three days in Keystone is... bold. Do you think his unconventional approach will hold up against the "thin air" of the high Rockies, or is this where the "bro science" finally meets its match?KeywordsThe "Big Buckle" BenchmarksReach out and touch us: [email protected]