East Texas Showdown
A two wheeled Showdown in the East Texas Piney Woods.
Welcome to the Bullet Grill House in Point Blank, Texas — home of the East Texas Showdown. This event blurs the lines between gravel racing, adventure cycling, and bikepacking, with several distances and both competitive and non-competitive options. Whatever route you choose and however you choose to ride it, you’ll be celebrated at the finish!
The Trees are Calling
When: March 26 – 28, 2027
Where: Bullet Grill in Point Blank, TX
Registration: Opens Sept. 25, 2026 @ High Noon
2026 Tracking
Routes
Texas has a shortage of public land, but the East Texas Showdown takes advantage of two rare, expansive stretches: Sam Houston National Forest and Davy Crockett National Forest.
Known for their towering loblolly pines, these woods are part of the region often called the “Texas Pine Curtain.” The routes were designed to take riders deep into remote East Texas, following the most obscure and forgotten backroads we could find. We avoid major cities in favor of rural towns, small communities, and places well off the beaten path.
We want even the locals wondering, “What the heck are y’all doing way out here?”
From the beginning, our goal was to create a safe, fun, and approachable event centered around building community. What we couldn’t have imagined were the hundreds of friendships that would form, and grow stronger, year after year.
Ask anyone who has been, and they’ll probably tell you the same thing: the East Texas Showdown has become one big family gathering. We can’t wait to welcome that family back in 2027.
EAST TEXAS SHOWDOWN
The East Texas Showdown is a traditional, self-supported bikepacking race. Riders are timed, and awards are presented to the first, second, and third place finishers.
400 miles | 17,000 feet of climbing | Two national forests | 60% unpaved / 40% paved | One million dogs to help you go faster | 100% East Texas
This is your opportunity to look yourself square in your own damn face and find out what you’re made of.
EAST TEXAS SLOWDOWN
The East Texas Slowdown is for riders who want to slow it on down…at least a little. Riders are still timed, and awards are presented to the first, second, and third place finishers.
Looking for something slightly less extreme? This 273 mile route gives you a little more time to enjoy the scenery, soak up the experience, and maybe stop to pet the dogs.
273 miles | 11,000 feet of climbing | Two national forests | 60% unpaved / 40% paved | Only 666,000 dogs | 100% East Texas
EAST TEXAS LOWDOWN
Introduced in 2023, the East Texas Lowdown is not a race—it’s a bikepacking ride. We won’t track your time, and we won’t care how fast you go. Your mom might still care, but we won’t.
On Friday evening, Lowdown riders can gather at the designated group campsite at Ratcliff Lake. We’ll have food, drinks, firewood, great vibes, and plenty of camaraderie and storytelling. The Bikes or Death team will also be there to join the fun.
Group camping is optional, but the more, the merrier.
Awards include: Best Dressed, Best On-Course Photography, and Raddest Bike.
Gravél Throwdown
Choose between 69 and 42 mile options through the infamous “Death Star” portion of the East Texas Showdown route. Riders will race beneath towering loblolly pines and across some of the best gravel roads in Texas on a unique course featuring three separate loops.
Do it the fastest. Make your mom proud.
This isn’t your traditional gravel race. We’re bringing the self-supported spirit and grassroots ethos of bikepacking to gravel: no aid stations and no outside support. If something goes wrong, fix your own damn bike—or walk it back in shame. Either way, we’ll celebrate you at the Hoedown.
It’s not gravel. It’s gravél. Come experience the difference.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, March 25th
5:00pm ~ Racer Check In
7:00pm ~ Pre-race meeting
8:00pm ~ Go to sleep or grab a beer
Friday, March 26th
6:00am ~ Late racer check in
7:00am ~ Grand Depart neutral roll out
(NEW TIME THIS YEAR)
Saturday, March 27th
All Day ~ Ride your Damn Bike
Sunday, March 28th
8am ~ Gravél Throwdown Race Start
6pm ~ After Party Starts: Live Music, Raffle, Awards
8pm ~ Fin officially*
*The Bullet will remain open till 10pm
***There is no deadline or cutoff for the race***
BULLET GRILL HEADQUARTERS
The Bullet Grill in Point Blank, TX serves as Headquarters for this event. Their facility, staff, food, and beer are the perfect paring to our event.
Camping: Most people will be arriving for ETS on Thursday night, which means you’ll need a place to camp that night (and possibly additional nights throughout the weekend). The Bullet Grill House was gracious enough to clear an area behind their restaurant for us last year and it was perfect for car camping for our riders. However, there is not capacity for all 200 of you beautiful people to camp, but we’ve rounded up a few other options in the area. The Bullet will be first come, first serve, so if you know you’ll be arriving late Thursday or will need a spot another night over the weekend, you might want to check out these other options.
Four Notch Hunter’s Camp – This is primitive camping in the National Forest with no fees associated with it and lots of space.
Big Woods Hunter’s Camp – This is primitive camping in the National Forest with no fees associated with it and lots of space.
Wolf Creek Park – A variety of camping options, but you’ll need reservations and there are fees associated.
Huntsville State Park – A variety of camping options, but you’ll need reservations and there are fees associated.
Double Lake Campground – A variety of camping options, but you’ll need reservations and there are fees associated.
On the Lake (Formerly Lake Livingston KOA) – A variety of camping options and cabins, but you’ll need reservations and there are fees associated.
Of course, there are other camping or lodging options available around the area. If you have any further questions about this, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Showers: Bullet Grill has installed an outdoor shower for event participants to use before or after their ride.
Restrooms: There are port-o-potties onsite for all participantsFood & Drinks: The Bullet serves some damn good food and drinks. You can check our their offerings here.
Live Music: On Sunday night we will have live music featuring some of the best local artist.
Weather
Light rain has historically been part of day one of ETS on the past years. The good news is that even with significant rainfall the course is still 98-99% rideable, there may be short periods of hike-a-bike, but nothing too crazy. Just enough to keep it interesting!
More good news, you can see the updated route forecast using the link below.
