2023 UNBOUND Gravel - Behind The Scenes

Behind the Scenes of Filming at 2023 Unbound Gravel

At the 2023 Unbound Gravel bike race, the sights and sounds on race day are spectacular. The energy of the riders, cheering spectators, and picturesque landscapes provide amazing footage for any filmmaker. But what goes into capturing those shots and creating a captivating story is often equally extraordinary, and this year was no exception.

The team at Terraform Creative had the privilege of working with Bodfish Films and BMC to film their athletes at this year’s race. We arrived several days before the event to scout locations and to shoot interviews and B-roll. Since the race spans nearly 200 miles through a variety of terrain, including gravel roads and challenging hills, we strategically placed ourselves at key locations to capture footage of the riders at their best.

Our team consisted of two teams, armed with RED’s, Gimbals, and the brand new DJI Inspire 3. Our goal was to tell a comprehensive story of the Unbound Gravel race focusing on BMC’s athletes, their training, and the race’s impact.

With 4,000 racers, the race brought a buzz to the small town of Emporia, Kansas. As the race officially started, our team was onsite at various locations, following athletes from start to finish. We captured the riders' intense expressions, endurance on the grueling terrain, and emotional celebrations as each athlete crossed the finish line.

The excitement of filming a race like Unbound Gravel comes from capturing that "perfect shot". But, it is never perfect without the team's hard work, dedication, and passion. We spent hours on location, traveling hundreds of miles to capture various perspectives, and are now in post-production with the piece. Check out the final project here.

BMC Athlete Michael Garrison trains on course for the race.

Colby and Drew get the DJI Inspire 3 dialed in before race day.