FAQs


WHAT IS BADLANDS?

Badlands was created to encourage the gravel cycling and bikepacking in Eastern Andalusia, a unique place in Europe where its only deserts meet deep forests, the Mediterranean coast and its highest mountain pass.

Once per year there is a common start for riders coming from all over the world, but it is not a race: Badlands is a personal challenge where you must complete the official route totally unsupported.


WHAT ABOUT THE ROUTE?

You must complete the official route from the start to the finish line. If you abandon the route for any reason, you must restart the ride from where left off.

The distance is about 800km, where the elevation gain is an issue to be considered: the route includes some challenging mountain ranges, such as Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Huétor, Sierra de los Filabres, Sierra de Alhamilla and Sierra de Gádor, with a total gain around 16.000m.

About the weather, be ready for both extremes. Please take in consideration you’ll ride through deserts at temperatures close to 40C but also overnight beyond 2.000m close to 0C.


IT’S EASY TO FIND WATER AND FOOD?

If you prepare the route properly you won’t have any problems to find water and food enough en-route. But remember, try to ride with enough autonomy and to fill your bottles whenever you have the chance.


CAN I BOOK ANY SERVICES BEFORE THE START?

It is prohibited to book services that you will use in Badlands before the start, this includes accommodation. Everything you need during the event can only be booked by your once it starts.


CAN MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS CHEER ME EN-ROUTE?

Family members and friends are warmly welcome to Badlands, but they must do so only at the Start or Finish.


WHAT IF I GET LOST?

Ask local people, use your GPS device or find the route with your mobile…but don’t call home or any base-camp. This is self-sufficiency, use your own power and resources to find the right way.


WHAT IF I BREAK MY BIKE?

Try to fix it by yourself. If this is not possible go to a bike shop using any kind of transport, and after the repair go back to the same point you took the transport from.


WHAT IF I DECIDE TO ABANDON?

Unfortunately this is a huge route and we can’t cover it with our resources. As we won’t be able to bring you back, you must do it by yourself.


ANY PRIZE FOR THE FIRST FINISHER?

Following the bikepacking events tradition, there is no prize for the fastest rider but the honour of being first. Remember that Badlands is not a race. This is a personal ride against yourself, not against others.


DO I NEED AN INSURANCE?

You must have valid liability, death, accident and health insurance valid during the event, covering emergency extraction and repatriation insurance.
You must be also at least 18 before the start.


WHAT IS THE MEDIA LICENSE?

The Media License (ML) is required only when you want to use your participation in Badlands to promote your own sponsors or brands.The purpose is to control the unsupported spirit of Badlands and to preserve the support of the official sponsors that make it possible.

The ML is not required when you tag these brands in your own SM, but in other cases, such as sharing your content with them or bringing your own media staff, you must apply for the ML contacting us to info@badlands.cc explaining the project and the brands involved. Please be aware that the number of MLs is limited and that the applications could be refused for technical reasons.


HOW TO ARRIVE TO GRANADA?

Granada is one of the most populous cities in Andalusia.
The Granada Airport is close to the city center and well connected by Bus.
Granada is also connected with Madrid by Train and Bus, and with Málaga by Bus.