Gravel Hall of Famer Yuri Hauswald on His Unbound Return & Racing for Charity

In this inspiring episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, host Simon Stewart sits down with gravel legend Yuri Hauswald, a former Unbound 200 winner and Hall of Famer, who is making a dramatic return to racing at age 55. After a decade of teaching elementary school and stepping back from competitive racing, Yuri is back to tackle the 2026 Unbound 200 not for personal glory, but to raise $50,000 for the Lifetime Foundation. The funds will support youth movement initiatives in Emporia, Kansas, including building a new bike skills park and improving infrastructure to help kids access trails safely. Yuri’s comeback is structured around a unique fundraising model called 'Chase the Race,' where supporters pledge per rider he passes, turning the race into a dynamic, community-driven effort. With the help of his longtime friend and coach Serena Gordon, Yuri has restructured his training with power meters, nutrition science, and a focus on sustainable effort—leveraging his signature 'diesel engine' endurance. He shares practical gravel wisdom, from using a paint stick (aka 'mud stick') to clean mud from rims, to avoiding risky lines and carrying multiple flat-fixing tools. The episode is a celebration of purpose-driven sport, community impact, and the enduring power of cycling to transform lives—especially for kids.