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.

There’s something unforgettable about riding through Douglas, Arizona. The air feels different here. Maybe it’s the elevation. Maybe it’s the wide-open sky. But more likely, it’s the sense that every pedal stroke pushes through layers of history—and across an invisible but powerful cultural thread that ties the U.S. to Mexico.

BorderLands Gravel isn’t just a race. It’s an invitation into the shared story of two towns—Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora—divided by a wall but joined by a legacy far deeper than politics or geography.

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.