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.

When you imagine the start of a gravel race, you probably picture something like this: a quiet morning chill, the low hum of nervous pre-race chatter, and the sound of cleats clicking on pavement. What you probably don’t picture? A life-sized rhinoceros made out of chrome car parts. Or a VW Beetle transformed into a fire-breathing dragon.

But welcome to Art Car World, the official headquarters of BorderLands Gravel.

Gravel culture is taking the big screen. The short documentary “Get Your Gravel On: Gravel Racing in the Borderlands” will screen at the Tucson Film Festival on Saturday, October 11 at 5:30 pm. This Arizona premiere spotlights the community and landscapes that define BorderLands Gravel and the Douglas borderlands.  

Out on the Geronimo Trail, you quickly realize that gravel riding in the Arizona borderlands is a game of extremes. Crisp mornings give way to blazing sun. Smooth stretches of hardpack flip to rutted washboards in seconds. Out here, gear matters. That’s why I’ve been grateful to have the Rudy Project Egos helmet as part of my setup.

BorderLands Gravel returns to Douglas, Arizona, November 14–16, 2025. Join cyclists for the International Parade Lap, race day challenges, and a full weekend of events including a run/walk, Native American Festival, Mercado at the Gadsden Hotel, and guided tours of Agua Prieta. Race, explore, and celebrate.

When you come to Douglas for BorderLands Gravel, you arrive in the depths of Cochise County, a place defined by rugged landscapes, storied history, and miles upon miles of backroads that beg to be explored.

For cyclists, this is a dream terrain.