Gran Fondo Badlands 2026

Gran Fondo Badlands 2026

Presented by TransRockies Race Series · Updated July 2025
Road Cycling
Drumheller, Canada
Jul 4, 2026
Solo Timed Ride Long Rolling Paved Mixed Surface

50km

Distance
50km
Terrain
Rolling badlands
Short

75km

Distance
75km
Terrain
Rolling badlands
Short

100km

Distance
100km
Terrain
Rolling badlands
Mid-Distance

162km

Distance
162km
Terrain
Rolling badlands
Long
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About This Event

The Gran Fondo Badlands 2026 in Canada is a unique road cycling event with the starting point located at the world’s largest dinosaur, a 26.2 meters (86 feet) fiberglass Tyrannosaurus Rex. Founded in 2011, Gran Fondo Badlands quickly gained popularity when it moved to the Drumheller Valley in the heart of the Canadian Badlands and thanks to the great riding and scenery, including the Dinosaur Trail, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Bleriot Ferry, hoodoos, historical villages, and many bridge crossings. Strambecco rates the event as one of the best road cycling events in the Northwest.

For the next event, several improvements have been made: additional signage will be in place to keep everyone on track, timing mats at the 75km, 100km, and 163km turnarounds will provide more accurate tracking, and the event village will feature more vendors. Additional photographers will capture key moments, and gear ordering has been simplified—participants can now order their Gran Fondo Badlands jerseys and socks during registration and pick them up at package pick-up.

Gran Fondo Badlands 2026 offers four distance options from 50km to 162km for riders of all experience levels. No matter what distance you ride, you will see lots of hoodoos, long river and coulee vistas, and the unique “badlands” scenery of the Dinosaur Valley. Take in the scenery, enjoy the ferry ride across the Red Deer River, and pedal up some short but serious hills. Every year, as part of the route, they have the Ferry Hill Climb, a 1km timed segment after you get off the ferry. All riders will be timed on this segment, and a King and Queen of the Mountain prize pack will be awarded for each distance.

Gran Fondo Badlands is now part of the TransRockies Race Series and is operated by the same producer, which has been operating challenging and unique endurance events since 2002. The TransRockies Race Series operates 11 events over 40 days annually in Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Utah.

TransRockies Race Series

Event Organizer
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The TransRockies Race Series is a unique multi-sport event series spanning Road cycling, MTB, and Trail events throughout North America.  Many of their events are multi-day, and all take place in spectacular destinations. It currently features 10 events over nearly 40 days annually across Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Utah. TransRockies Events feature best-in-class participant support and a fun social atmosphere. TransRockies Race Series has been operating challenging and unique endurance events since 2002. Starting with the TransRockies Challenge mountain bike stage race in 2002, it added the TransRockies Run trail running stage race in Colorado in 2007. The TransRockies Run, a multi-day, point-to-point trail running race that invites runners to challenge themselves on the rugged trails of the Colorado Rockies, has become one of their most popular offerings. Participants cover distances ranging from 120 to 200 miles over the course of several days, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

TransRockies Race Series sets itself apart as an event producer by its geographic coverage and the quality and uniqueness of the single and multi-day events it runs. The series is also known for the Moab Rocks Mountain Bike Stage Race, which combines classic Moab single track with slickrock and magnificent desert scenery, offering a fun and challenging experience for mountain biking enthusiasts. With a focus on providing a unique race experience, the TransRockies Race Series has become a staple in the endurance racing community, attracting athletes from all over who seek adventure, camaraderie, and the satisfaction of completing a demanding physical challenge.

The TransRockies Race Series currently operates ten events over 40 days annually in Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Utah. Strambecco covers several of their events, including Moab Run the Rocks, Moab Rocks, Moab Fondo Fest, which includes the Gran Fondo Moab and Gravel Fondo Moab, Golden Rush, Gran Fondo Badlands, TransRockies Single Track-6, TransRockies Run, TransRockies Gravel Royale, TranSelkirks Run, and the Golden Ultra.

We consider their races and events to be some of the best out there and have been featured in a handful of our popular ‘Best’ articles, including the best road cycling race events in the Southwest, the best MTB race events in the Southwest, the best gravel cycling race events in the Rockies, the best Mountain Bike Events in the Northwest, and the best cycling race events in all of Canada.

 

 

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