There will be time to tell more stories from the road, but for now, this section takes a closer look at Balutia 2026: The First Edition in Pictures.
The first edition of Balutia brought together 55 riders to tackle the 870 km route along the ancient frontier of Balutia. But before the grand departure, there was time to ride together, share stories, and finally put faces to the places that, for months, had existed only on a map.
This social ride gave us the chance to meet some of the participants, test bikes, and sample a few of the tracks and stream crossings to see how the terrain was shaping up. A 45 km loop through the dehesa landscape that served as the perfect introduction to the adventure ahead.
For the occasion, we enjoyed a selection of Iberian delicacies thanks to the support of Ibéricos COVAP, produced in Los Pedroches. We did them full justice beside the Sanctuary of Virgen de Luna and later again during the evening reception.
Registration, rider check-in, and distribution of the participant pack and the Follow My Challenge tracker used for live rider tracking.
A rather unconventional tavern, a special place that represents a vital connection for us between the land we call home and its cultural ties, both with neighbouring towns and with distant parts of the world.
Right in the heart of Pozoblanco, at La Costanilla, we had the opportunity to welcome all participants, carry out rider check-in, and hold the race briefing, where we explained the rules of Balutia, the challenges ahead, and both the demands and rewards of a route that had been carefully crafted over more than a year.
This unique corner also provided the perfect setting for riders to spend time together, talk about bikes, discuss strategies, and speculate on the pace they might need to complete the adventure. After all, none of them knew whether they would see each other again once the journey had begun.
Built from recycled irrigation materials, the Parthenon of Don Benito is an unusual structure that has served as an event venue, an informal gathering spot, and, during Balutia, a shelter for riders spending the night. As César Merás later told us, it even became his roof for a few hours of sleep before getting back on the bike.
We often emphasise that Balutia can be ridden at full speed or approached at a more relaxed pace.
That’s how we came across Rudy Vitek, camped beneath a viaduct on the shores of the La Serena Reservoir, settled into a lightweight yet comfortable tent and ready for a good night’s rest before continuing his journey the following day.
The riders’ data, pace, stops, speed, withdrawals… the trackers tell the story of every participant’s journey across Balutia.
If you’d like to relive the first edition, the Follow My Challenge website allows you to replay the event and watch the dots move across the map in accelerated time.
Balutia is an ultracycling gravel event that follows a predetermined track that will be sent to participants two weeks before the start. The start and finish will be in Pozoblanco. The route is a large circular loop.
It is mandatory to follow the track. If for any reason you need to leave it, you must return to the point where you left it to continue.
Balutia is a single-stage route of 870 km. This means you must complete the entire route, from start to finish, within the established time limit (133 hours).
You choose how, when, and where you sleep throughout the entire adventure, but booking accommodation for the route before the start of the event is prohibited.
The route is 870 km long and has 11,000 meters of elevation gain.
The route is 40% gravel and 60% tarmac. You will find some sections rougher than usual; don’t underestimate the route.
There are no major mountain passes to climb. However, the undulating terrain and some medium mountain passes along with steep gradients will present a significant challenge.
In some remote sections, the distance between towns exceeds 50 kilometers. It is important to study the route carefully to plan water and food resupply. The rider’s manual we’ll send to all participants before the event will help you with this information.
Although Balutia is a self-sufficiency adventure, it has rules to ensure that participants are safe and supported at all times. You can check the Balutia rules here.
You will encounter a dry Mediterranean climate. Since it’s spring, you won’t experience extreme temperatures. However, it is highly recommended to bring clothing for all types of conditions. Make sure to check the weather forecast before the event and get ready accordingly.
