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Hardest Gravel Cycling Ultra? Watch Alistair Brownlee Tackle ‘Badlands’

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Europe’s infamous Badlands gravel challenge is an unsupported cycling tour that crosses 466 miles of wild terrain and gains 52,500 vertical feet. Is triathlon’s golden boy up for it?

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee may be the greatest triathlete of all time. But in his early thirties, the British endurance star started looking for new ways to challenge himself. Gravel cycling — dusty, rough, unpredictable — stood in stark contrast to the comparatively clean and contained tri world.

So, on little more than a lark, Brownlee signed up to ride the Badlands gravel bike challenge.

This short film by Scott Sports documents the lows, highs, and epiphanies of Brownlee’s Badlands journey.

Runtime: 5.5 minutes

 

man on Kana Libre bike

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