BADLANDS 2023 Pre-race (Preparation & Equipment )

Prior to their first ever ultra-cycling gravel event (which starts 3rd Sept 2023) Mark and Caroline talk through the kit they have decided to take, bags they are carrying, and bike/wheel set up (details also below). The film includes a recce of some of the BADLANDS route, specifically a desert section (north of Gorafe) of this epic non-stop unsupported 800km (16,000m elevation) gravel ride.
Bikes: Orbea Terra (Caroline S, Mark M)
Wheels: Parcours Alta
Tyres: Pirelli Cintuaro Gravel RC 45mm tubeless
Running: Shimano GRX Di2 41/38T, 11/34T
Bags: Restrap, Rockbros, Rhinowalk mixture!

[@vesahurskainen7166]

Great filming, Mark. Good luck racing both. 👊🔥💪

[@dazza678]

All the best guys, I’m sure you will both smash it 👊🏻👍🏻🫡

[@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers]

Amazing picture and score.

[@thebricksession]

Have you watched the badlands film yet?

[@robinmacandrew103]

Super cool footage and info 🙏

[@thebricksession]

Check out the film we created after the race.

[@cathschofield7488]

So glad to have discovered your super films. The only ones I’ve seen that are on a par with Josh Reid’s

[@thebricksession]

Thanks for the feedback. It's a shame I din't get his numbers. Thanks

[@Steven-gf1ns]

Hi, thank you for taking the time and effort for producing these entertaining and informative films. Could you give me the route you took from Capillaries having dropped of your car, to Granada, I would be very grateful. Having watched your film, this is now my plan.

[@thebricksession]

Drop me an email [e-mail]

[@Steven-gf1ns]

​@@thebricksessionemailed you.

[@oliver.abroad]

Thank you for your interesting pre-race video and especially the race film itself! Very well made. One question: There's no organized transport from the finish back to granada? How did other riders get back? Thanks 🙂

[@thebricksession]

Oliver, that's a good question. So many riders didn't plan for this and ended getting an expensive taxi back to Granada. Some riders even rode back after a rest day. I also drove a few lads back when I went back to pick up our left luggage. The best and cheapest option is to drive to the finish a few days before the race start and drop off your post race clothing, etc with the car at the accommodation you have booked. Then ride back to Granada (80km) so around 3 to 4 hours, and mostly down hill. When you finish you have fresh clothing, accommodation and the car. Easy

[@EricPoly]

Hi Mark, about your prescription glasses, I presume you clip them on a kind of regular glasses, which brand do you use ? Thanks for the vid, full of precious informations.

[@thebricksession]

Eric, I actually made the glasses from an old pair of glasses I had. I then taped/glued and tied them into a large set of clear glasses I had. It worked really well and saved me a lot of money. Have you watched my badlands film yet?

[@miramoneric6988]

Congratulations first .I love your presentation.I plan to discover badlands alone,not in competition, I’m too old . Could you please help me to prepare the journey ,how long you spend to discover full sections,where did you stop for eat and sleeping during your preparation ? Seems you use your car ,I could do same. Regarding your bike ,if you do again did you change something ? So cool to share as you share .last question how many kilometers you are doing by year ? Tks for all

[@thebricksession]

Can you drop me an email please? Easier to then send you what we learned. Thanks [e-mail]

[@grahamogle6332]

Like you, I'm too old for a competitive adventure, but will be visiting Badlands next year using probably a mixture of routes from different years.

[@MrBrunobifs]

hi, great video and support!! cheers for that. What brand for your perscription glasses you're using? i usually use contact lens, but for this type of long rides etc i dont tnik thats the best approach. whats your suggestion? thank you

[@thebricksession]

I used an old pair of prescription glasses i had and just tied them to a cheap pair of clear sunglasses. They didn’t look that great, but they worked perfectly for me and it kept the cost down.

[@MrBrunobifs]

@@thebricksession ok, looks like a good approach!! thank you for your answer. Where is the next adventure?

[@thebricksession]

@@MrBrunobifs I’m doing the Ventous triathlon, then back to Chike to do the across Andes gravel race. 100km unsupported with 10.000m altitude p

[@MrBrunobifs]

@@thebricksession uhhh like a boss!! have fun!! thank you fir the catch up. Im planning to do my 1st ultra cycling race next year. Tks for sharing all this nice content

[@friedlif]

What kind of Handlebar did you ride to fit the Aerobar on it?

[@thebricksession]

I used these ones www.velozone.co.uk/products/deda-elementi-parabolica-uno-clip-on-bars-black?variant=37235144229033

[@samwordleyracing]

Squared 👊