ALBUQUERQUE – Leaders of Enchantment, the podcast created to inspire New Mexicans on why the Land of Enchantment is the land of opportunity, will be the official media partner of the 38th Tour of the Gila April 23 – 27, 2025.  Since its founding in 1987, Tour of the Gila has become renowned worldwide for its notoriously challenging courses. Over five days, athletes follow routes leading from the town’s colorful streets, through the region’s rich history, and along the edges of the nation’s first designated wilderness.

Sanctioned by both the global (i.e., UCI) and national (i.e., USA Cycling) governing bodies of cycling, Tour of the Gila provides a rare opportunity for amateur competitive cyclists to compete on the same courses (and on the same days) as the pros. The Tour of the Gila is America’s only UCI stage race for men and one of just two women’s UCI stage races in the country. For amateur competitors, Tour of the Gila offers five USA Cycling-sanctioned races: a four-day format for Men 1,2 and Men 3 along with a three-day format for Women 1,2,3,4; Men 4,5; and Masters Men 3,4,5. 

The winners of each category receive handmade trophy bowls crafted in the style of Mimbres black-on-white pottery and using some of the same process as the prehistoric people who thrived in southwest New Mexico between A.D. 1000 and 1130.

gila 99.tourofthegila mediapartnerOne of Leaders of Enchantment podcast creator Doug Campbell when he raced Tour of the Gila in the late 1990s.Doug Campbell, the founder and host of Leaders of Enchantment, is a retired pro mountain bike racer. He also raced in the Tour of the Gila early in his career. With the Tour of the Gila media team, he will bring the unique stories of competitors and the community that hosts them to life.

kkp0646.tourofthegila mediapartner Recent photo of Campbell mountain biking in New Mexico.“Tour of the Gila is a unique jewel of the state of New Mexico,” Campbell said. “My cycling connection, and my love of New Mexico, made this the perfect opportunity to use my podcast to amplify the event and share New Mexico with the world.”                                                                    

This year’s event will bring in a dozen international teams in addition to another 16  men’s and women’s teams. Last year, amateur competitors came from 15 states and two countries.

Find out more at Leaders of Enchantment and Tour of the Gila.

 

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Tour of the Gila is the road bicycling stage race based out of Silver City, New Mexico. Since 1987, Tour of the Gila has become renowned worldwide for notoriously challenging courses. Over five days, athletes follow routes leading from the town’s colorful streets, through the region’s rich history, and along the edges of the nation’s first designated wilderness. Sanctioned by both the global and national governing bodies of cycling, Tour of the Gila provides a rare opportunity for amateur competitive cyclists to compete on the same courses (and on the same days) as the pros. The 38th Tour of the Gila will run from April 23-27, 2025.