Badlands - Europe’s most extreme mix of gravel roads, climbing, desert landscapes and vast emptiness. A total of 820 km and 15,000 meters of elevation. Exactly the kind of terrain that shows no mercy, where your choice of wheels can make all the difference.
For our friends of The Bike Pack this would not only be a physical challenge. It’s also an adventure where you have to be confident with the material you use. The DRIFT PACE showed exactly what it is intended for.
Our FFWD wheels, Drift pace, proved to be the perfect choice for Badlands; light on the climbs, strong on rough terrain, and precise on long, technical descents. In an adventure like this, reliability means everything
From Granada to the Desert – The First 300 km
At 8 a.m., 300 riders rolled out through the quiet streets of Granada. The energy was electric, nerves mixed with excitement. The first climbs came quickly, stretching the field before the real challenge began, the Gorafe Desert.
The heat hit hard. The landscape turned orange and dry, and shade was rare. We ran out of gears, walked the steepest parts, and finally collapsed under a small olive tree just to cooldown. Other riders stopped to check on us. Small moments of kindness that mean everything when you’re deep in the wild.
That’s Badlands.
Through the Night and Into the Mountains
As the sun went down, the world transformed. Silence, stars, and the sound of gravel under our wheels. We reached Gor after midnight. Exhausted but happy. Refueled with fries, Coke, and chocolate. Then came the long, cold climb up toward 3,000 meters.
We rode through the night half-asleep, chasing the horizon, waiting for sunrise. When it finally came, lighting up the mountains in gold, it felt like a rebirth.
After 24 hours, we’d covered 300 km, a third of the journey, and already a lifetime of memories.
The Coast Dream – From Desert to the Mediterranean
By the next morning we descended toward Agua Amarga, and the smell of salt hit us long before we saw the sea. After days of heat and dust, the blue water felt unreal. We took off our shoes, dipped our feet in the Mediterranean, and laughed like kids.
From there, the route along Cabo de Gata was breathtaking; white villages, cliffs, and endless ocean views. The legs hurt, but the heart was full. This was freedom on two wheels.
The Final Push – Over the Sierra Nevada to Granada
Leaving the coast meant climbing again. Through Almería, Enix, Felix, Abla, and La Calahorra. The heat returned, the climbs felt endless, but the bikes kept rolling strong. The FFWD DRIFT PACE handled everything: rocky descents, soft sand, and the long
mountain switchbacks that define Badlands.
As night fell, we entered survival mode. Little talking, slow progress, just focus. Then, finally, the lights of Granada appeared in the distance. The last descent was fast and emotional. We could feel the finish before we saw it.
After 84 hours and 40 minutes, we crossed the line. 19th place out of 50 teams.
