BorderLands Gravel has always been about more than miles on a remote gravel road. It was designed as an invitation. An invitation to travel with intention. To slow down. To see a place that rarely shows up on a cycling bucket list.

That experience does not stop at the U.S. border.

Just steps from Douglas, Arizona, the city of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, offers a cultural counterpoint that helps define the BorderLands Gravel experience.

For 2026, we are excited to share an important update. Our pre- and post-race venue is moving to Raul Castro Park in Douglas, Arizona.

Raul Castro Park sits in the heart of the community and has long been a gathering place for celebrations, art walks, performances, and family events. With shaded green space, open plazas, and room to spread out, it gives BorderLands Gravel the opportunity to bring everything together in one place and create a fuller race weekend experience.

I arrived in Douglas early, just as the sun was rising over the mountains to the east.

The timing wasn’t planned. My car raced down the highway from Bisbee into town. Color rolled across the sky. Long shadows stretched through the streets. Everything was quiet and still.

I was there for BorderLands Gravel, but standing in the early light, it was clear Douglas was already offering something more.

In 2026, Arizona gravel racing will add something it has never had before: a true, standalone state championship.

The Arizona Gravel Championship will be contested as a single-day event in the borderlands of southeastern Arizona, hosted and produced by BorderLands Gravel. No points. No series math. No accumulation across multiple races. One day. One course. One set of champions.=

That structure is intentional. It mirrors how Arizona crowns state champions in road, criterium, mountain bike, time trial, and other cycling disciplines. Show up. Race. Titles are decided on the day.

For gravel, that day arrives on November 14, 2026.

When riders line up at the start of BorderLands Gravel, most are focused on the miles ahead. The wind. The terrain. The wide-open stretches of gravel that make this race what it is.

What often goes unseen is what happens off the bike.

Thanks to everyone who traveled to Douglas for BorderLands Gravel, this year’s race generated approximately $200,000 in economic impact for the local community.

After every BorderLands Gravel race, we take time to listen. This event has always been rooted in people first. We care about the riders who show up, the volunteers who give their time, and the community of Douglas that welcomes everyone in. When the race is over and the dust settles, your feedback helps us understand what worked and where we need to grow. Many of you shared thoughtful reflections this year. Some comments encouraged us. Others challenged us. All of them will shape how we move forward together.

We want to share what we heard and how we plan to improve.

At 6 am, we gathered at the port of entry between Douglas, Arizona, and Agua Prieta, Mexico. The sun had not yet cleared the horizon. Months earlier, when we planned the international parade lap, no one realized how dark it would be at that hour. The air had that familiar desert chill, and riders rolled in one by one, some with lights, others trusting the street lamps to guide their way.

BorderLands Gravel continues to grow because riders like you keep showing up with a sense of adventure and curiosity. Now we need your help as we plan for next year. Your feedback shapes the race experience, but it also plays a key role in how we work with Douglas, Cochise County, and Arizona tourism to measure the real economic impact of the event. Your time in Douglas matters more than you think. Tell us about your weekend and help us keep building something meaningful.

It is officially race week in Douglas. The weather looks good, the desert roads are ready, and riders are starting to roll into town. Before you head out, here are a few final updates for the weekend, including a new SEAL-IT recharge station at Art Car World, Strava segments with prizes, rooms still open at the Gadsden, and fresh BorderLands Gravel gear from Mumu.

Race week is almost here, and Douglas, Arizona, is ready to welcome you to BorderLands Gravel. On November 15, riders from across the region will gather at the edge of the borderlands to take on miles of rugged, remote desert roads and experience the spirit of adventure this event was built on. Whether you’re racing, supporting, or spectating, here’s everything you need to know for race weekend.

The race is just around the corner, and with all hotels in Douglas currently booked (it doesn’t hurt to check), it’s time to start thinking creatively about where to stay.

Here’s your guide to making it work, whether you’re rolling into town with a tent, your trusty van, or an Airbnb tab open on your browser.

Get an early taste of BorderLands Gravel with a special Day of the Dead pre-ride hosted by race organizer Mike Miller. The group will roll out from the historic Gadsden Hotel and ride through the John Slaughter Ranch and San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge. Meet the community, preview the course, and experience the desert in full color before race day.