West Texas Showdown 2026

Please visit the West Texas Showdown website for more information about this event and routes.  

West Texas Showdown

Terlingua, TX | Dec. 4th - 6th, 2026

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 – 390 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.” Will quite literally be a desert oasis for riders.
• 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: ~390 miles | 60% unpaved / 40% paved

Slowdown – 290 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: ~290 miles | 48% unpaved / 52% 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 slightly more approachable way. This route is not to be taken lightly, the distance is shorter, but the miles are hard. A good option for those with experience bikepacking, but want to try something more extreme.

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:

• Long stretches of gravel roads and dry arroyos inside Big Bend Ranch SP
• Nights spent under some of the darkest skies in North America
• Bring your big tires and probably suspension

Stats: ~85 miles over 3 days | 80% unpaved / 20% paved

Schedule

Thursday, Dec. 3rd

• 12–8pm: Rider check-in & tracker pickup
   
• 8–9pm: Pre-race meeting at TBD

Friday, Dec. 4th

• 7am: Showdown & Slowdown & Lowdown - Grand Departs

Saturday, Dec. 5th

• All day: Ride Your Damn Bike

Sunday, Dec. 6th

• All day: Celebrate finishers at Temple of the Bird
   
• 5pm: Hoedown starts w/ live local music
   
• 7–8pm: Awards + raffle
   
• 10pm: Party winds down
   

Host City & HQ

Our host town is Terlingua, TX — a once-thriving mercury mining hub turned ghost town, now home to a small but eclectic community of artists, adventurers, and desert dreamers. Nestled between Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park, Terlingua’s ruins, shacks, and quirky dwellings create a setting unlike anywhere else.

Race HQ will be at the Temple of the Bird and it'll be our home for the weekend.

Getting Here

Terlingua is off the beaten path — there are no direct planes, trains, or buses. The nearest airports are in Midland or El Paso; from there, it’s a long desert drive. If you’re arriving via Alpine or Marfa, you’ll also pass through a Border Patrol checkpoint before reaching town.

Rider Notes

• Bike Choice: This is MTB country — rocky climbs, rugged singletrack, arroyo crossings, and rough gravel. Leave your gravel bike at home.
• Self-Supported: Riders must carry food, water, navigation, and repair gear. Resources are extremely limited.
• Leave No Trace: The desert is fragile. Pack it in, pack it out. No catholing. Carry a waste bag.
• Risks: Remote terrain, wildlife, weather extremes, and isolation. This is not an event for the faint of heart or the unprepared.
   

FAQ

Why don’t the routes go into Big Bend National Park?
Bikes are not allowed on singletrack trails inside the National Park. All riding is on roads only. Big Bend Ranch State Park offers far better opportunities for rugged, off-road adventure.  The National Park is also not open to these types of events…yet!

Will I pass through a Border Patrol checkpoint?
Yes. If you’re driving in from Alpine or Marfa, you will pass through a permanent Border Patrol checkpoint north of Terlingua. Have your ID handy.  You will also have a Border checkpoint if you are doing the Showdown or Slowdown heading into Marfa.  

What’s the weather like in December?
Riders should be prepared for temperatures ranging from below freezing overnight to warm, sun-filled afternoons. Weather in Big Bend Ranch State Park can change rapidly, and strong winds, cold rain, and freezing temperatures are all possible. Conditions may vary dramatically across the route due to changes in elevation, terrain, and exposure.

? What bike should I bring?
This is MTB terrain. Wide tires, suspension, and durable gear are highly recommended. Gravel bikes will not cut it here.

? How self-supported is this event?
Completely. Riders are expected to carry their own food, water, tools, and navigation. Resupply points are limited, so plan carefully. Rescue vehicles will be available to extract riders off course if needed, but when you're riding, you're on your own!

? How do I handle waste?
Big Bend’s desert ecosystem is delicate. Riders must follow Leave No Trace principles. That means packing out all trash and carrying a waste bag — no catholing allowed.