The West Texas Showdown isn’t just a race — it’s a battle against the desert itself. Big Bend delivers jagged singletrack, endless horizons, and conditions as raw as they come. Wild, unpredictable, and unforgiving — this is where legends are made.
The third stage of the Texas Showdown Series and the crown jewel of the Texas Showdown Triple Crown. Set in the Big Bend region of Texas, this event promises to test every ounce of grit, skill, and determination.
This is mountain desert country — wild, remote, and raw. The terrain is rugged, the weather unpredictable, and resources are scarce. Nearly everything in the desert either bites, pinches, stings, or grabs. Don’t be scared — but don’t come unprepared.
Big Bend – Home of the Showdown
Big Bend Ranch State Park and the surrounding desert country embody the spirit of West Texas: wide-open basins framed by volcanic cliffs, deep canyons carved by the Rio Grande, and horizons that shift with every mile.
It’s one of the most remote places in the lower 48, where solitude comes naturally and silence is as striking as the scenery. Out here, self-reliance isn’t optional — it’s survival. By day, the desert unfolds in stark beauty: ocotillo stretching skyward, hidden springs tucked into arroyos, and dirt roads that climb to vistas you’ll never forget. By night, you’ll ride under one of the darkest skies in North America, the Milky Way blazing overhead in a show few places on Earth can match.
Event Options
Showdown – 420 miles of Glory & Pain
This is the flagship route: long, raw, and unrelenting. It starts with a paved rollout from Terlingua before plunging straight into the wilds of Big Bend Ranch State Park. Riders will grind up gravel park roads, hike through rugged arroyos, and battle through stretches of singletrack where “rideable” depends on your skill, stamina, and stubbornness.
Highlights:
- Marfa (Mile ~200): A quirky West Texas art town, home of the mysterious “Marfa Lights” and the famous Prada “storefront.” A perfect place to refuel and rest.
- Pinto Canyon: One of the most dramatic landscapes in Texas. A twisting, jaw-dropping descent through volcanic cliffs. Sunrise or sunset here is unforgettable.
- Rio Grande Stretch: Long paved miles along the border, with Mexico just across the river. Stunning views and a glimpse of life in the small border towns.
- The Death Loop: A 50-mile finale north of Terlingua that will test what’s left of your legs and your willpower.
Stats: ~420 miles | 63% unpaved / 37% paved
Slowdown – 300 miles of Dust & Determination
A shorter, but still fierce route through Big Bend. The Slowdown trims the distance but keeps the character: gravel park roads, rough country tracks, stretches of arroyo riding, and just enough singletrack to keep you honest. This is a full-on bike expedition into one of the harshest and most beautiful places in the country.
Highlights:
- Remote gravel stretches deep inside Big Bend Ranch SP
- Rough, sandy arroyos that force you to wrestle with your bike as much as ride it
- Expansive desert views that make every climb worth it
- Just enough pavement to catch your breath before the dirt pulls you back in
Stats: ~300 miles | 58% unpaved / 42% paved
Lowdown – The Gateway to Big Bend
The Lowdown is our non-competitive, guided bikepacking group ride — designed to introduce riders to the magic of Big Bend in a more approachable way. Based on the “Otherside of Nowhere” route (Bikepacking.com), this three-day adventure is a perfect entry point for bikepacking-curious riders.
Ride leaders and sweepers will help guide the way, but this is still a self-supported trip. You’ll need to carry your own food, water, and camping gear. Along the way you’ll experience the vastness, solitude, and starlit skies that make Big Bend unforgettable.
Highlights:
- A loop around the Solitario, a giant collapsed volcanic dome that feels like another planet
- Long stretches of gravel roads and dry arroyos inside Big Bend Ranch SP
- Nights spent under some of the darkest skies in North America
Stats: ~111 miles over 3 days | 80% unpaved / 20% paved