BADLANDS 2023: The Untold Story of an Ultra Distance Bikepacking Race

At almost 800 kilometers in length and with more than 15,000 meters of climbing through the remote wilderness of southern Spain, over mountains and across Europe’s only desert, this was not a race for the faint of heart. This is my story of Badlands 2023. See the race on Strava: Follow me on Instagram: See my photography: Become a channel member: @tristantakevideo Cover image by Nils Laengner: Additional footage by Josh Reid: @Josh-Reid A special thank you to BMC, ATTAQUER, SUPERNOVA and FUEL for helping make this race possible, and to John from Science to Sport for coaching me in the lead up to the event. A few key products used during Badlands: My front light: The most comfortable bib shorts I’ve ever worn: The bike I rode: Grab a discount to help keep the channel going and videos like these possible! 20% off your next ATTAQUER order, use code CR-ATQTRISTANTAKE20: 15% off BONT cycling shoes, use code TRISTAN: (excludes sale items) 10% off your next FUEL nutrition order, use code TRISTAN: 00:00 Intro 02:45 The Start 05:00 KM32 08:39 Problems begin 13:40 KM173 20:13 The first night 23:06 KM455 27:03 Day Two 29:37 Coming undone 35:48 Night two 38:56 Interview with Badlands 2023 winner, Rob Britton 45:40 How the race ended Music from Epidemic Sound: (free trial affiliate link): Badlands is an ultra-distance gravel bikepacking race with both professional and amateur cyclists from around the world attending. The race involves huge amounts of bike preparation, understanding of bikepacking equipment, resupply, gear, nutrition, fitness and training, survival and resilience. The race starts in Granada, southern Spain, and heads into the Gorafe Desert and Tabernas Desert, to Almeria on the coast, and finishes halfway up the Pico del Veleta, the highest paved road in all of Europe. This year the race was won by Canadian professional cyclist, Rob Britton, with first female finisher Cynthia Frazier coming in just a few hours later. The race had over 300 riders start and over 250 finish. A big thank you to the organisers of Badlands for putting on the event, and the hospitality of the Spanish restaurant and shop owners who stayed open outside the regular hours to accomodate riders’ needs.