Stagecoach 400 Documentary Series, Episode 5: It’s Definitely a Race

Filmmaker Gregg Dunham has released the fifth and final episode of his Stagecoach 400 Documentary Series, coinciding with today’s 2026 grand depart. The latest installment, titled "It’s Definitely a Race," chronicles the final, arduous miles of the Stagecoach 400 bikepacking event, depicting exhausted participants crossing the finish line, transformed by the experience. This concludes a series that has offered an intimate look into one of bikepacking’s most challenging routes.

This series matters because it elevates the narrative of bikepacking from mere endurance to a compelling human drama. The Stagecoach 400, a self-supported 400-mile loop through Southern California's diverse terrain, is a benchmark event in the bikepacking calendar, known for its brutal climbs, technical descents, and vast desert stretches. Dunham’s commitment to documenting this specific event over multiple years provides invaluable insight into the physical and mental toll, and indeed, the allure, of ultra-distance cycling, appealing to both seasoned riders and curious observers.

Ultimately, Dunham's series serves as a vital chronicle, proving that while the clock may not be the primary adversary for many, the inherent challenge of the Stagecoach 400 always ensures it’s very much a race against oneself.