The Biltwell 100 isn’t just a race we cover — it’s one we race. This year LiveTheGnar owner Josh lined up at the gate in Ridgecrest, California aboard his Ducati Desert Sled, #422, in the Desert Sled Expert class. Not as a spectator. Not to take photos. As a racer — number plate bolted on, gear strapped up, ready to go.

The Start

The Biltwell 100 uses a rubber-band Grand Prix start — classes release in waves, fastest first, each scored within their own class. Josh got off the line clean. Better than clean, actually. He launched hard, threaded through the pack, and found himself at the front of the Desert Sled Expert class before lap one was done. Out there on the Mojave desert floor, #422 was leading. That’s a feeling you don’t forget.

Then the Desert Spoke Up

The Mojave doesn’t care what position you’re in. Hitting a gnarly rain rut at speed, Josh blew out his rear shock. Race over after lap one. Brutal when you’re running at the front, but that’s desert racing in its purest form — you’re always one rut away from a DNF. No amount of preparation fully accounts for the terrain.

“Had a killer start and was leading my class until I blew my rear shock hitting a gnarly rain rut. Bummed to cut the race early but was stoked to race the sled again.”
— Josh, LiveTheGnar

Good Times, Not Lap Times

At the end of the day, that’s what the Biltwell 100 is about. Not podiums. Not lap times. Getting out there on real terrain, with real people, on bikes that mean something to you. The Desert Sled Expert class ran two laps through the Ridgecrest desert — about 50 miles of raw Mojave. Josh got one of them in clean and at the front. We’ll take it.

Huge thanks to Good Times Racing Family and 100s Motorcycle Club for the pin support out on course. And to the LiveTheGnar crew for getting last-minute tires sorted before the gate dropped — you know who you are.

We’ll be back at the 2027 Biltwell 100 with the suspension sorted and a full lap to show for it. See you in Ridgecrest.

Get race-ready — shop dirt tires at LiveTheGnar.com →