We’ve been out to the Badlands Gravel Battle a few times, with the crew covering all 3 of the race distances (120, 80 and 40 miles) over the years. It was a mud fest this past year, but the crew still all had great rides, avoiding any tire punctures unlike my first year out to the Badlands. You can use the table of contents to jump ahead to whatever info you are interested in.
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Results
2024 Results
Lynn (40 mile) – 7th in 3hrs, 9min
Reid (40 mile) – 11th in 2hrs, 32min
Kyle (80 mile) – 7th in 5hrs, 34min
Steve (80 mile) – 4th in 5hrs, 0min
2023 Results
Lynn (40 mile) – 7th in 3hrs, 14min
Reid (40 mile) – 14th in 2hrs, 40min
Kyle (40 mile) – 6th in 2hrs, 17min
Steve (80 mile) – 8th in 5hrs, 16min
2021 Results
Steve (120 mile) – 11th in 8hrs, 45min
Course Notes
All Badlands Battle Gravel courses were out and back this past year with aid stations setup up at 20, 40 and 60 miles out. The 40 miler turns around at mile 20, 80 milers turning around at mile 40 and the 120 milers turning back at mile 60. On the way back, the 80 and 120 milers stop back in at the aid stations again, so you have a check-in aid station every 20 miles, regardless of your route. I’ve enjoyed the course every year.
I do believe the out and back was new for the 120 milers this past year. When I did the 120 miler in 2021, it turned back with the 80 milers at mile 40 and then split off course around mile 70 (10 miles from the 80 mile finish) for 50 miles that looped back around to the finish on another route.
Race Notes
2024 Race Notes
Rain made for tough conditions at this year’s Badlands Gravel Battle with wet roads and very muddy sections from rain the day before, overnight and some rain during the race. Stepping it up this year, Kyle jumped up to the 80 miler this year and had a great race and finish. This would make the 80 mile Badlands Gravel Battle, Kyle’s longest ride or race up to this pint. It’s so awesome to watch these kids develop and super proud of them for putting themselves out there. Kyle and I saw each other coming in and out of a couple of the checkpoints, but he rode his own ride, took care of himself out there, owned it and got it done with a 7th place overall finish.
Lynn and Reid both went faster this year in the 40 miler, even after Reid got held up by cows in the road on 2 occasions. I also had the opportunity to see Reid coming in/out of the 20 mile checkpoint and he had a big smile on his face. He looked like he was in his happy place. I think Lynn is liking the monster cross / drop bar mountain bike set up. It made for confident descending on the long gravel decent. It put a smile on my face when she said she could use a bigger chainring…! She has a need for speed! She had a great ride and there was a good group of women at the race with Lynn coming in 7th!
Both boys were excited that their recorded top speed (40+ mph) was a smidge over mine, although not sure Lynn was excited to hear that. I had a good ride myself with a 4th place finish in the 80 miler. I decided to take the Bianchi Arcadex, even though my first ride on it was the week of the race, but I really liked the bike. I like it even more after the race. We really like this race. It’s low key, but organized and run very well. The ride is beautiful and Medora is just a cool little town!
2023 Race Notes
This was Lynn, Kyle and Reid’s first gravel race. I did the 120 mile Badlands Gravel Battle a couple of years ago and wanted to come back again. I’d like to do the 120 again, but I really enjoyed the 80 and still had the afternoon to hang out with the crew. I also got to see Kyle and Reid coming into the 20 mile aid station as I was headed out, which was their turnaround point. They were smiling! Good times and another good weekend of bike races!
2021 Race Notes
2021 was my first Badlands Gravel Battle, I need to do the 120 miler again sometime as I put 2 sizable holes thru a tire with one of them being on the sidewalk near the bead. My Stans plugs didn’t work out and then my CO2 inflator broke. I ended up putting a tube and tire patch in and glad I had a back up hand pump! Other than that and a bit of time loss on the side of the road, it was a beautiful ride and a fantastic event.
Bike Setups For Badlands Gravel Battle
2024 Bike Setups
Reid
Bike: Niner RLT 9 RDO
Wheels: HED Emporia GA Pros
Tires: 43mm Panaracer Gravel King SK
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 810
Kyle
Bike: Niner RLT 9 RDO
Wheels: HED Emporia GA Pros
Tires: 44mm Vittoria Mezcal Gravel Endurance
Drivetrain: Sram Force XPLR
Lynn
Bike: Drop Bar MTB – Niner AIR 9 RKT w/ Sram Force & GX Eagle
Wheels: Bontrager XXX rim w/ DT Swiss 240 Hub
Tires: Vittoria Barzo (front) / Mezcal (rear)
Drivetrain: Sram Force Controls/Crank, GX derailleur w/ XX1 Cassette
Steve
Bike: Bianchi Arcadex
Wheels: HED Emporia GA Pros
Tires: 45mm Challenge Strada Bianca Handmade Pro
Drivetrain: Campy Ekar
2023 Bike Setups
Reid
Bike: Niner RLT 9 RDO
Wheels: Stans Grail CB7
Tires: 38mm Schwalbe G-One Bite
Drivetrain: Shimano GRX 810
Kyle
Bike: Niner RLT 9 RDO
Wheels: Stans Grail CB7
Tires: 36mm Donnelly X’PLR MSO
Drivetrain: Sram Force XPLR
Lynn
Bike: Salsa Warbird
Wheels: Bontrager Aeolus 37V RSL
Tires: Vittoria Barzo (front) / Mezcal (rear)
Drivetrain: Sram Force Wide 2x
Steve
Bike – Cervelo Aspero-5
Wheels – HED Emporia GA Pro
Tires – 40mm Vittoria Terreno Dry
Drivetrain – Campagnola Ekar 13sp
2021 Bike Setups
Steve
Bike – Salsa Warbird
Wheels – Bontrager Aeolus 37V RSL
Tires – 40mm Bontrager GR1
Drivetrain – Shimano GRX 810
Fuel/Hydration
2024
Steve
I used SIS powder mix in my hydration pack and a couple SIS gels for backup. I filled bottles at mile 40 and 60, but used most of that to flush the mud from my drivetrain and chain stays while riding.
Videos
2024 Videos
Steve has GoPro from the first 20 miles and the last 20 miles that he still needs to dig up and post on YouTube. Will share here once it’s posted.
Strava Activities
2024 Strava
2023 Strava
2021 Strava
Other Links
Maklin Bike Shop – Hit us up at the shop if you have any other questions or need anything.
