Central Texas Lowdown

When folks from out of state imagine what Texas is like, they’re probably envisioning the Texas Hill Country. Known for its rolling hills, spring-fed rivers and lakes, and diverse ecosystems, this region of Texas is truly special. Due to extreme Texas heat, this route is best ridden between October and May. It’s designed to be approached as a 3-day, 2-night, bikepacking trip with two campgrounds positioned to break up the trip nicely for an epic weekend on the bike. The riding is straightforward and takes place on county and FM roads. The gravel roads vary based on weather conditions and county road maintenance, but all of them are rideable. You will have some sandy sections, rough gravel, washboards, and “champagne” gravel. The paved sections are equally as remote and offer some fast miles and a little reprieve from gravel. Don’t be discouraged by the pavement on this route; a lot of the paved sections are backcountry gravel roads that the county has paved over.

The route starts/ends at the Castell General Store in Castell, TX. A unique little town with only 13 residents, it’s quintessential Texas. You’ll want to grab a burger there when your ride is over, and maybe even before you start! In general, this area of Texas is very remote and has very little resupply options, so plan accordingly! It’s intended to be ridden clockwise, which places your first resupply option in the town of Llano at mile 40, which is known worldwide for its BBQ. From there, you only have 20 miles left to your first camp at Oxford Campground, which has first-come, first-served primitive camping available. No reservations are available or required, but it’s a huge property, and you shouldn’t need to worry about getting a spot. But calling them ahead of time may be a good idea. At Oxford, they have a shower/restroom that is available to the public. On day 2, you’ll have a 70-mile ride with no resupply until you get to Dos Rios campground, where you have the option of primitive camping or renting a small cabin. Public showers/restrooms are available on site. Across the street from Dos Rios is James River Icehouse, where you can grab some food and resupply for the final leg of the trip. I’d recommend confirming their restaurant hours when planning your trip. You’ll be camping right on the Llano River, so pack a swimsuit if weather permits! On day 3, you have a scenic 43-mile ride back to the Castell General Store, don’t forget to grab a burger…you can thank Patrick later!

The riding on this route is pretty straightforward, a gravel bike is probably the best option, with 48mm tires being a sweet spot, but the route can certainly be ridden with any type of bike. We recommend not going out with anything less than a 32mm tire.

• Paved: 54%
• Smooth Gravel: 40%
• Rough Gravel: 6%
• 4×4 Road: 0%
• Singletrack: 0%

• Riders can park and leave a vehicle at the Castell General Store – check in with staff to let them know you’ll be gone for a few days.
• This route is pretty straightforward, just be mindful of your resupply options (as they are limited) and make sure you carry enough food/water. Miscalculations could be costly. This entire route is pretty darn remote with very limited resupply. It is recommended to call ahead to verify store hours at any POIs you’re intending to utilize.

This route is part of the Central Texas Showdown: building on our success with the East Texas Showdown, Bikes or Death is proud to present the Central Texas Showdown.

The event duplicates the blueprint that has made ETS successful: Multiple routes, choose your adventure: race or ride, a Death Loop, and a Hoedown. This time it’s set in the Texas Hill Country with its iconic views, endless hills, and rugged beauty in abundance. Grab some friends and enjoy a weekend in the Texas Hill Country or sign up to participate in Central Texas Showdown with a bunch of new friends!

Patrick Farnsworth created and stewards Central Texas Lowdown.

He would like to thank Maxwell Johnston for introducing him to this part of Texas by way of his Texas Hill Country Overnighter.

He lives around 3 hours away from the route. Patrick has years of experience creating the routes, leading rides on, and organizing bikepacking races as a part of his Texas Showdown series.

Patrick is the host and creator of the Bikes or Death podcast, “At its heart, Bikes or Death is more than just a podcast. Bikes or Death is a lifestyle. It’s the idea that a life without bikes is a life not worth living.”

Patrick has offered to be available to answer questions if you are planning a trip on this route.

Please also get in touch with any updates on route conditions that may be relevant to other riders.

Please submit your questions and comments on the route via the contract form below.

This route traverses the traditional lands of the Apache, Comanche, and Kickapoo.