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.

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:

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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

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.

[outdoorlife]

Best video on Badlands out there. Instead of a bunch of disconnected clips without context (like most people post), you made it feel like I was going through the event with you. Great job!

[chrisbrodroy]

You stepped up another level. After Atlas i thought "How is this guy able to ride such extreme races and still manage to tell this story while doing it" and this videos just topped the previous videos. As a bike rider and photographer who simply can't do both at the same time, you are pure inspiration - big time!

[callanrobison]

I actually just can't get my head around finishing in such a fast time whilst vlogging and checking in throughout the whole event. Unbelievable! Well done Tristan. You are my inspiration xxxx

[GardieJackson]

As in all your videos, Tristan, you deliver raw insight into the experience and your honest, unabashed style of telling a story is beautiful. We, your followers, are grateful for that. Please continue to share as it gives us inspiration from races like Atlas and Badlands to see what the human body can do.¡ Gracias por todo!

[Mathieucros]

Surreal to watch Tristan . My anxiety comes from being sick and not being strong enough to be a good dad for my 3 kids . I certainly don’t do efforts like yours but I did find strength in a modest 2 or 3 hours “ efforts “ . Watching you fighting sickness on an effort out of your comfort zone absolutely shock me and where I currently have my mental limits on . If you had any doubts on combining filming but racing please be assured you have done the job ❤

[farilhou]

"Is not just you documenting your life mate" We appreciate a lot all of your content, it must be a real struggle to do something like that and film something with this kind of quality. Thanks very much for doing it for us, you truly inspire us! I know it must be hard sometimes but always remember that you are doing amazing content, you must be proud of what you are doing! Regards from Perth!

[TheNWaite]

Did Badlands 2021… hot as hell (51C) … watched countless vids in preparation and have watched countless since. Your honesty and genuinely open humility make this short film the best of the lot. Congrats on the achievement of the race and the effort you put into producing this film. Both Outstanding .

[AdamLewis-gujq]

Put your anxiety to bed Tristan! You did a fabulous job of recording and telling a thoroughly interesting, insightful and honest story. The editing was Bob on to 👍
Massive kudos to your parents. Having spent 6 years riding around the world on a motorcycle, I fully understand what their first journey gave them, and why they would want to sail around the world again in retirement. Aged 56, I too lol forward to doing it again, only next time it’ll be on a bicycle 😉. Chapeau to all 🙌🙌🙌

[enriqueortiz]

Wow i salute you sir. Having a stomach ache in badlands is unimaginable. Good job for finishing it

[_________]

Thank you for your dedication and effort put into preparing this video

[Yocambio]

Loved it. Could not have been better, both as a film and as a story. Thank you very much for creating so much enjoyment for so many of us.

[sethrossinow]

Tristan, having watched all your videos, this was by far the best. Your vulnerability during that climb was so real. Just an awesome ride and video. Thank you for sharing . “Crack on” is my favorite Aussie saying.

[davidtyler]

This was next level cycling Tristan. Congrats mate. Rode and pushed through as a true Aussie does. Sensational videography and content. Deep respect mate for you and all that rode 👏🚵‍♂️💪👊🤙🥇

[iainedgar]

I’m in awe ! Can’t find the words to describe how I feel about your experience, the quality of the blog says more than words.

[chrikim]

Epic storytelling and editing 👍 One of, if not the best, account of Badlands, that I have seen so far... Thanks for sharing 🙂

[thomaskuhn]

Wow, what an awesome achievement, not only completing the race in under your target time, but also to document it in a way that made me feel the emotions you were experiencing. Great job.

[a.g.]

Thank you for sharing! I used the video to stay motivated whilst spinning. I'm 49 and will try my first gravel race in 2024....Take Care!

[simong]

OMG Could not agree more with the other comments. Just brilliant. I have watched other Badlands video and whilst many are enjoyable yours is just a step above. Similar to previous Ultra you did you capture the essence of the route and race but also your personal story with the associate challenges. Documentary film making is your calling. All the best. Aussie old boy from Subiaco (like Ben) now living in St Pol de Mar.

[aoe]

40:56 it was a hard ride for Josh Reid as well one can see 😂 you are all savages. Great filmning 👌😊

[kostaspapazoglou]

The transcending battle between your inner "goodlands" journey vs the outer Badlands journey, succinctly narrated and vividly documented! Cheers from Melbourne.