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Cara Dixon

@_caradixon

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"right hand dominant, fit and well lady"
Badlands 24 👸
@merida.bikes @tailfincycling @velocioapparel
Mother to @thelonglostday

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I went back to Badlands.

790km, 16000m, 49hrs

Andalusia has such an incredible draw, The scarred deserts, formidable mountain ranges and wild coasts, and moving between them all in one ride is an unforgettable experience.

Badlands is one of the most challenging gravel events in the world, the combination of heat exposure and the unforgiving terrain can be almost impossible to overcome. Yet, to get the opportunity to do it twice is something I am incredibly grateful for.

Last year I spent almost the entire race on the back foot, chasing 1st but always just out of reach. This time, with another year's worth of events and training behind me, I was a lot more confident in my own abilities.

To come away from it as the 1st Woman and for the second year in a row making it into the top 10 overall is such a fantastic feeling. I'm proud of everything I have managed to accomplish.

Huge thank you to @badlandscc for the amazing event, everyone I met at the start who offered many incredible words of support. @velocioapparel for the kit and opportunity to do it all again.
and of course @amityvil for the shower and bed at the finish line 🫶

📷
@athleticaffair
@juananb.m

#cyclinglife #cycling #gravelride #gravelbike #gravel #ultraendurance #bikeracing #thisgirlcan #fromwhereiride #femaleathlete #gravelrace by @_caradixon

Badlands has always been a formative experience for me. It has pushed me to the limits of what I can do, and in those moments I have discovered parts of myself I didn't know existed.

Winning this race last year was an accumulation of months of rigorous planning and training. Nights spent meticulously looking over the route map, and days dedicated to getting my body as prepared as it physically could be.

Even with all that preparation the race itself almost killed me, never letting up, always pushing to increase the gap. For two days straight I rode my heart out.

Looking back at previous winners of this race, I don't think any of them have come back. It's not that the route is not awe-inspiring, but that the physical and mental determination needed to compete for the top spot is unmatched.

It's not a mystery why I returned again, part of me wanted to relive last years achievement. To feel like I had earnt something exceptional again. But I didn't want it this time, at least not enough to put myself through all that misery.

I was leading when I stopped, it wasn't my body that gave up. But in these races it's your head that holds you back more than anything.

The decision was the right one, I don't have to justify it to anyone. I need to work on my life behind the scenes before I can return to the foreground.

With all that in mind I am still glad I came back to Granada, the community around this event fills me with so much love. I have never felt more wanted at race than I have returning here. To have people know my name and talk about me with such renown is an incredible feeling. In a sport where it's hard to feel that I'm wanted this gives me joy.

Thank you so much for all the messages, I am sorry that I haven't been able to reply to them all but it brings me to tears all the love and kindness I have received.

lots of love

Cara

❤️

#cyclinglife #cycling #gravelride #gravelbike #gravel #ultraendurance #bikeracing #thisgirlcan #fromwhereiride #femaleathlete #womenscycling #ultracycling #badlands #badlands2025 by @_caradixon

October lights ✨
Shorter days really make me grateful for every hour I get to spend with these amazing people 💕 by @_caradixon

The days are getting shorter, but there's still time to escape to the woods on a long gravel ride. Just remember to pack you lights!

Remembering Norway in summer, when darkness was the last thing on my mind.

Photo from @leanne_bentley_ by @_caradixon

Wonderful weekend with the extended @tailfincycling family. With @adampalin and @drummondphoto always knowing how to make me smile. And @dily_viz_ butt scratchies ❤️

📸
@drummondphoto
@samtaylorphotos by @_caradixon

Oh did you miss me? 🚴‍♀️ by @_caradixon

I've taken some enforced rest over the past 2 weeks after getting side swiped by a VW driver. Luckily I didn't break anything, but with some soft tissue damage that I tried to ride through I was just making things worse.

I'm not oblivious before to how much I rely on this sport and the social rides for my mental health, but battling through one of my hardest months of my life without this escape really emphasised it. I don't know if there is an end in sight for that but I'm hoping to get back riding soon. To atleast enjoy some of this bit of September sun we have been blessed with. ❤️ by @_caradixon

Second year in a row at Tailfin Detours, and again it's was so easily my favourite event of the season.
Camping just 90km from home on the first night, with Pizza, music, and friends arriving from all over, this set the tone for the weekend.

On saturday morning we set off with 10 checkpoints in mind between Talybont and Fforest Fields, with people riding mountain bikes, gravel and road. Everyone with their own plan to cover the distance and visit as many checkpoints as they wanted.

I chose to take it easy by sticking to the "smooth" Welsh pavement as I was still sore from the car crash last week. My only goal was to reach the checkpoint at the top of Devils staircase, the one I was unable to get last year, and hopefully back to camp before the worst of the rain hit.

Cue 100 miles of amazing Welsh scenery, moody valley roads, and brutal +25% climbs. I loved the ride even more than I did last year, and made it to the second night's campsite with enough time to relax and enjoy some well earned puppy sitting time!

Just a massive thank you to everyone at @tailfincycling for making this happen! ❤️

📸 @poppymarshallphotography by @_caradixon

I'm just exhausted. So much of my life has been spent fighting for control over my own body, to have ownership over my health, my choices, and decisions about my future.

It's utterly draining, being consumed with this struggle whilst watching others free to chase their dreams.

I am tired of fighting.

tired of it all. by @_caradixon

Finally, a poster reveal for 'Grit'. Excited to announce the finished film 🙌🏼

Thanks so much to everyone who volunteered their time or donated, this couldn't have been done without you! And an extra big thanks to @_caradixon for sharing her story ❤️

Watch this space for festival news and screenings.

_____

Grit (2026)

"Driven by a love for adventure, ultra-endurance cyclist Cara Dixon pushes the limits of mind and body. Though her relationship with the sport began as a means to control her weight during a difficult battle with anorexia, it quickly became her sanctuary, igniting a passion that opened the door to recovery."

Film by @scottdixon.camera
Featuring @_caradixon
Original score @eyammusic
Sound editor @nickbaxteraudio
Camera assistant @thebabzy

#indiefilmmaking #filmposter #documentary #adventurefilm #ultracycling by @_caradixon

Totally not totally holding it together 💚🤍 by @_caradixon

It's hard to put into words how much Badlands has meant to me over the years. It has shown me repeatedly how far I'm willing to push my body when I am happy to see it disintegrate in front of me.

My life has been spent resenting this body and everything it represents. Ultras have just been another method I have used to mask it, where self destruction is rewarded.

Maybe one day this will all be fixed but that's looking increasingly unlikely.

This is a very self centered post about my relationship with a race I am not even starting this year.

But for everyone who is starting tomorrow morning. Remember, have fun, look after yourself, you are all beautiful by @_caradixon