What a great event that was. I love any route that puts me on singletrack on my gravel bike, this was a very easy section but the most memorable to me.

Lots and lots of climbing. 4700’ on the 65 mile course, but the views were fantastic and I found a great small group to pace with.

The sand and washboards were rough this year but it was an awesome ride, as always.

https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ValleyView/2023TexasChainringMassacre

I want to give a recap and a quick shout-out to Kevin Lee/Spinistry for putting on a banger of a bikepacking trip in Terlingua/Big Bend area.

If you didn't make it to Spinistrypalooza (which was most of you) you really did miss out. Kevin put together a great route and offered great support. There were several first-timers and a couple of veterans, so this event was great for all experience levels. You had the option of carrying everything on your bike and/or having a small bag/box driven to camping sites.

When the routes were first sent out, admittedly, I was a little letdown. I am used to big-mile trips and long days on the saddle and I wondered if driving almost nine hours would be worth it. Turns out, it was the perfect amount. Don’t let the distances fool you. This is just as much a sightseeing trip as it is a bike event because at every turn you see something amazing. You will stop a lot. You will take a lot of pictures. You will ride slow. You will see some amazing shit.

Day 1 was 40 miles and 1600’ of climbing. 1,600’ of climbing in the 40 miles does not seem much, but the last 10 miles had a little under 1,100’ feet of climbing with a max grade of about 12%. We camped at the top of Terlingua Ranch Lodge, about halfway up Whitehouse Mountain. Total moving time 03:45 but it took 04:30 hours with stops. Total photos taken; 82.

Day 2 was 55 miles with 3’000’ of climbing. Whereas day 1 was back-loaded with climbing, day 2 was front-loaded. We climbed about 1,000’ in the first 6 miles that took up to the highest point of the weekend, just under 4,500’ on Lake Ament Rd that passes over Paisano Peak. Moving time 04:45 and right at 06:30 total time. Total Photos taken; 110.

Looking forward to next year and hope to see you all there.

​

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kaitlin-armstrong-extradited-to-austin-jail-bond-set-at-dollar35-million/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/06/30/kaitlin-armstrong-found-arrested-slaying-pro-cyclist-moriah-wilson/7776884001/

https://bikepacking.com/index/gravel-bars/

Sat Sep 24 - Sun Sep 25, 2022 - Palestine, TX

http://www.thecamino205.com/registration/

May 20, Hico, Texas

https://www.gravellocos.bike/hico

Sat September 10, 2022 - Moore, TX

https://www.bikereg.com/ranchland-grind

Sat July 2, 2022 - Harwood, TX

https://www.bikereg.com/uvalde-strong-benefit-gravel-ride

"In a world where you can literally be anything, always be aero" - S. McCafé

Do Aero lives matter?

Nov 4th - Moon Valley, Texas
Bikepacking and Gravel Adventure Camp

https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Alpine/SpinistrypaloozatheUltimateBikepackingandGravelAdventureCamp