In the remote hills of Aragón, far from the noise of traffic and racing schedules, a group of cyclists gathered for a long weekend of exploration. The Border Bash Aragón Gravel Camp wasn’t about results—it was about discovering paths less traveled, meeting like-minded riders, and enjoying the kind of freedom that only gravel bikes and open landscapes can offer.
Our basecamp for the four day event starting on April 24th was the Camping Cañones de Guara Formiga, tucked between rocky ridges and lush greenery, a perfect launchpad for a gravel-packed adventure. The managers also run Bguara, a service that allows cyclists to find accommodation, cycling itineraries, and cultural activities in the Sierra de Guara mountain massif.
Mother nature at its finest
Our first route spanned 81 km with over 2,000 meters of climbing, taking us point-to-point from the camping to a refuge in Nocito. With sleeping gear and food for two days in our bikepacking bags, there was a quiet excitement as we rolled out under the morning sun.
About 20 km in, we reached the Embalse de Guara, the local reservoir swollen with rain from the previous months. It sparkled under the sky, peaceful and glassy—a contrast to what came next. Hours later, one of the river crossings was completely flooded, turning a planned hop over water into an unplanned detour that added time and effort to an already tough day.
The final third of the stage featured long tarmac climbs that demanded good legs, followed by rugged off-road sections where both rider and bike were pushed to the edge. Many of the participants were on randonneur bikes—reliable and well-loved, but not exactly built for steep gradients and deep gravel.
Throughout the day, we were spied by the eagles that populated the sky, which could probably sense our exhaustion from up there. Some riders didn’t arrive at Refugio Casa Lardiés until after 8 pm, but the effort was worth it. We were rewarded with a warm, hearty dinner of lentil and beef stew, a soft bed, and an atmosphere that felt more like a mountain hut than a formal lodging.
Sun and sandwiches on a terrace
The next morning, we were handed massive tortilla sandwiches to take as lunch, another small gesture by the people at the refuge that we really appreciated. We added that extra weight to our bikepacking backs and rolled out with 94 km and 1,750 meters of climbing ahead. To ease us back in, the route started on tarmac—smooth, fast, and perfect for spinning tired legs back to life. We passed several groups of road cyclists, who outnumbered the cars we came across.
Midway through, we devoured our tortilla sandwiches on the terrace of a sleepy village bar. The sun was on our faces, and our legs stretched out. This wasn’t just an organized event but a holiday on two wheels. We had planned smartly, packing light but intentionally, with compact bags that held just enough for two days on the bike without overloading us.
Later, we rode past the Castle Montearagón, located at the end of a buttery-smooth gravel path. The mood lifted even more, and an additional stop was needed to appreciate what surrounded us.
A short singletrack section brought a bit of technical challenge, and a well-timed flat tire gave us the chance to pause at a bar just as it opened. Drinks in hand, we waited while a few members of the group fixed the issue. It was the kind of delay you don’t mind.
Back at the campsite, we took some well-earned rest in our campervan before rejoining the group for dinner. For this trip, we partnered with Activans, a campervan rental company geared toward outdoor adventures. After a long stretch of more traditional accommodations on trips past, it was refreshing to return to life on four wheels.
The Activans vehicle van proved to be the ideal setup for this type of trip. It was fully equipped, with space to securely store multiple bikes inside—without sacrificing living or sleeping space. That meant no tedious loading and unloading every day, and no compromise on comfort. Having a cozy kitchen, a comfortable bed, and a well-thought-out layout made a big difference when coming back from a long day on the saddle.
A gentle finish and eager for more
The final day was a mellow loop—short and scenic, the perfect recovery ride. Some parts of the trail were familiar from past editions, but conditions had shifted dramatically. Paths that were once barely passable had become smooth gravel highways, while others had nearly disappeared. Nature, as always, had the final say.
We finished the ride with a long, relaxed lunch by the river. Shoes off, sun warm, legs tired in the best possible way. Later, after arriving back in Camping Cañones de Guara Formiga, we packed up the campervan, cooked a post-ride meal inside, and pointed our wheels toward home.
The events organized by Ondrej have created a core group of riders that migrate every year from their home country to Spain for the camp in Aragón, and then gather again in the Bohemian Saxony region in the Czech Republic for the Bohemian Border Bash. It is one of the next events we are looking forward to, and be sure we will let you know about it.
