EP8 - Benjamin Perry - "The Unbound Mudfest, Traka Heartbreak & The Privateer Reality"
From The Gravel Paddock · 01:02:12
Show by Antonin Liverset
From a spectacular European spring campaign to the brutal reality of the Kansas dirt. We sit down with Canadian globetrotter Ben Perry to debrief the absolute mudfest of Unbound Gravel and the extreme highs and lows of the 2026 season.We cut through the noise to discuss his heartbreaking crash while fighting for the podium at The Traka 360, the heavy mental and financial toll of a DNF in the biggest race of the year, and the harsh reality of the privateer hustle when factory teams are deploying 4 AM recon crews for the mud. Finally, we ask the ultimate question: what is the most valuable career path for a gravel privateer today, and why does winning Unbound change your entire life?In this episode:00:00 The Transition from Road to Gravel03:07 The Logistics of a Globetrotting Privateer06:24 Building Form & The Traka 360 Heartbreak12:42 The Evolution and Speed of the Front Group14:04 Unbound 2026: The Mudfest & DNF Reality30:40 Tech Check: Surviving the Mud & The Bike Setup38:09 The Privateer Dilemma & Flaws in the Gravel Series53:55 Bouncing Back & The Next Targets58:20 Why Winning Unbound Changes EverythingFollow Ben’s globetrotter journey: On Instagram: @benjperryThe Gravel Paddock takes you inside the professional peloton. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddock.
More episodes of The Gravel Paddock
More episodes
- EP13 - Stella Hobbs “Big Sugar Win, The Powerline Attack & Double Life at the Shop”
- EP12 - Tobias Kongstad - "Falling Leaves Win, Double Life at PAS Racing & The Future of Gravel Teams"
- EP1 - Gustave Orain - “The Rookie Season Launch”
- EP2 - Simon Pellaud - “Privateer Shift, Colombian Prep & Injury Battle”
- EP3 - Annabel Fisher - "The Leadville Crash, 2000m Altitude Life & Dual-Sport Pro Reality"
- EP4 - Julian Siemons - “CX Transition, 351W at The Hills & Euro Racing Focus”
- EP5 - Nicole Frain - “The UCI Winning Streak, Women’s Peloton Dynamics & 1x Setups”
- EP6 - Karolina Migoń - “The Traka Rollercoaster, Pas Racing Dynamics & Defending Unbound”
- EP7 - Nathan Haas - "Coaching the Dirt, Over-Fueling Myths & The Comparative Mindset Trap"
- EP9 - Alex Miller - "From Olympic MTB to Gravel, Namibian Roots & The Swatt Club Vibe"
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