More Than Miles: Why BorderLands Gravel Is a Ride That Stays With You

You won’t find cheering crowds or confetti cannons out here. What you will find is dust on your legs, wind in your face, and a silence so complete it hums.

This is Douglas, Arizona—where the pavement ends and something unexpected begins.

BorderLands Gravel isn’t your typical gravel race. It doesn’t try to be. Out here, nestled against the international border, you ride through a landscape that’s as raw as it is beautiful. The Geronimo Trail doesn’t flatter you—it challenges you. A primitive Cochise County road with no bells, no whistles, just wide-open space and the tenacity to carry you through it.

Last year, many riders—some lifelong Arizonans—admitted they’d never been to Douglas before. That’s part of what makes this event special. You’re not just signing up for another ride. You’re discovering a place that too many have overlooked. You’re showing up in a town that’s ready to be seen.

Douglas is a community shaped by its history, culture, and geography. A place that’s slowly but surely finding new life through events like this—small sparks of tourism that can ripple outward.

This race is part of that story.

Because gravel cycling isn’t just about covering ground. It’s about connection—to land, to people, to purpose. And when riders come to towns like Douglas—stay in local motels, eat at family-run restaurants, grab coffee, camp under stars—they’re part of something bigger. Something that matters.

So if you're looking for a race with heart, soul, and an edge of the unknown—this is it.

Come ride the Borderlands.

Registration is open now.
Cap is limited on the long course. The grit is not.