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.

When riders line up at the start of BorderLands Gravel this November, they’ll be racing through more than just desert terrain. They’ll be pedaling through the economic heartbeat of Douglas, Arizona.

Outdoor recreation is big business, especially in Arizona. In 2023, outdoor adventurers pumped over $21 billion into the state’s economy, supporting over 200,000 jobs and generating $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue. It’s no exaggeration to say that every ride matters.