Faces Behind the Dots: East Texas Showdown

The East Texas Showdown is a bikepacking event put on by Patrick Farnsworth, the host of the Bikes or Death Podcast. Starting at Bullet Grill in Point Blank, Texas, the route features a 60/40 balance of gravel to pavement and the opportunity to ride through the Sam Houston and Davy Crocket National Forests. With three route options, participants can experience the event as an all-out race effort, as a leisurely overnighter, or something in between. The Showdown is a 400-mile traditional bikepacking race, the Slowdown is a bit shorter at 280 miles, and the Lowdown, a 160-mile route, isn’t a race at all. Lowdown riders will have the opportunity to camp together and swap stories at a designated group site at the end of the day.

Seventeen of the rad folks participating in this year’s event answer questions about their backgrounds and goals, and share some creative strategies for addressing the dogs who are rumored to inhabit the course. The event starts on March 17th. For more information about the event and to watch dots, check out the event webpage.

Alex Morrison (she/her)

Age: 37

Home: The Woodlands, TX (originally from Aberdeen, Scotland)

Bike: 2022 All-City Gorilla Monsoon

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Slowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I’m a fairly new cyclist, really only starting to ride a bike in January 2022 when I decided to train for the Texas MS 150 charity challenge, riding 160 miles across two days in the Texas Hill Country. My wife was super supportive from the moment I started training for the event, pedaling many miles with me and always making sure I have SAG assistance if required!

Around the same time, I came across Houston Gravel Collective on social media and went along to see what they were all about and to meet some like-minded people. Little over one year later and I’ve been riding a lot more, I had my Gorilla Monsoon custom built by amazing local bike shop Race Ready Repair in July 2022 with the aim of completing some endurance events like East Texas Slowdown. I have bikepacked a grand total of one time, fifteen miles to a campsite, and then seven miles back; can’t wait to do more of that this year on some longer local trips.

Outside of cycling and my full-time job that pays for the habit, I am heavily involved in the local community serving as vice president for The Woodlands Pride non-profit. We organize a festival celebrating LGBTQ+ folks once per year and, new for this year, we are holding a one-day summit in June, focused on uplifting LGBTQ+ voices and providing allyship education.

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

I’m looking forward to seeing parts of the state that I haven’t yet explored. As part of training I completed the 160 mile ‘Lowdown’ route as an overnight ride with friends who are also taking part in ETSD; it was a great confidence boost considering the furthest I had biked on gravel before then was 60 miles! I’m still intimidated by the distance and overall elevation gain but no longer see them as insurmountable challenges.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

Mostly try to outrun them! Met a few friendly doggos on the Lowdown ride so petting them is also not a bad strategy.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

I love my Outer Shell stem bags. They are so versatile; I’ll store a water bottle in one, snacks in one, my phone in a side pocket and probably a battery pack in another pocket.

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

My goal is to finish safely and to have fun doing it.

Andrea Roelofs (she/her)

Age: 34

Home: San Antonio, Texas

Bike: 2018 Kona Rove ST

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Lowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes?

I’ve been riding as an adult for over ten years now and bikepacking since 2018. Cannot believe it’s been five years since my first trip! I started riding bikes in college as a way to get around and join my friends that already rode. When I moved for grad school, I continued riding and it was the perfect way to explore the city and meet people. Over time, I continued to grow in and through cycling and plan to ride until I can’t anymore. I grew up camping every summer on the shores of Lake Michigan (my home state). When I met a couple friends that bike-camped, it felt like a natural transition to join. Most of my trips are weekend rides with my friends, this will be my first bikepacking event.

In my free time, I’m likely sewing clothes or bike bags or working on some sort of DIY project. Most recently I made my partner and I frame bags. I post most of my makes with the hashtag #alrworks. My full time job is doing public policy and program development for the state. I often find myself applying lessons from the bike to my job. I’m a social worker by training and March happens to be Social Work Month!

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

Honestly, I am just excited to be back in east Texas surrounded by tall trees! San Antonio is more desert than forest. I am most worried about rain right before the ride or during. When it rained the first year, it caused mechanical problems.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

 When I am bikepacking, I stop and pet them! Depending on the terrain and my speed, I may try to shout and outrun them.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

Hmm, that’s a hard question to answer. The me-made snack bag or frame bag are really convenient riding and helpful. Camping gear wise, I love my Big Agnes backpacking tent!

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

My goal is to have fun! 

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride? 

A big group of us are coming from San Antonio, I am excited to ride with my friends and meet new people along the way!

Carrie Eckermann (she/her)

Age: 36

Home: Austin, Texas

Bike: ‘Swarthy Steel’, a black Surly Disc Trucker with yellow accessories

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? *said in deep voice*  Lowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

My first rides were with training wheels to friends houses or with friends as a very small girl. Continuing to ride through college, I found freedom of just riding as far as I could (in Iowa) before I had to turn around to be back for work (I could miss a class or two).  I’d bike to the nearest towns (40 miles away). My grandparents lived a decent distance from my college apartment.  I LOVED biking to grandma’s farm house, ten miles beyond the city limits (plus ten miles in the city limits) with a little over six miles of Iowa country gravel on my Trek 5.2. Her meals were worth it. Cycling was the reason I quit smoking cigarettes.  I woke up one day after chain smoking two packs of cigarettes. I had three days off, I was going to bike as far as I could before I would have to turn around for work and I struggled to breathe during the first three flat blocks. So I knew right then, it was either cycling or cigarettes. I think I made the right choice. My first bikepacking included carrying an overnight bag to grandma’s house. I had experienced RAGBRAI by then, but I wouldn’t count my experience as “bikepacking”.  Later I would carry my 20-pound pup in a trailer behind me as I joined RAGBRAI, I realized pretty quickly why most people don’t bring their dogs to that massive spring break on wheels. I never realized there was any bike racing outside of Tour de France until I moved to Austin, Texas.  I met a coach and she forced me to race, I was pretty good, could be better if I tried (lazy brag). Through that experience I made a strong friendship with a gal who will be riding in the Slowdown. She LOVES planning routes and no idea is too crazy. We make a great pair because I have no concept of how crazy my ideas are until I start telling others what we plan to do. My favorite brag is 150 miles of river road ramble in four days. One thing I learned about myself upon completing those crazy rides is how soon I decided I want to do that again tells me how much I loved it.  There’s always a lesson to learn out there. Monumental loop taught me that I have to have a different bike altogether. My Surly disc trucker conquered RRR, but could not complete the Monumental loop in our planned time.  

Outside of bikes, I still get a whiff of bikes. I’m a Massage Therapist and work closely with my cycling community. I’m on the board of a local wtfnb+allies cycle team. I petsit animals of all sizes. I also crew for bike racers and bike teams. My first crew gig was following a dude I was involved with around Australia. He wanted to circumnavigate the continent, his friend with a van and myself, saw the coastal cities of OZ.  On a personal note, I wouldn’t suggest international travel for a dude who is not reciprocating your feelings. WARNING: Support crew is not for the weak. My flexible schedule and insane ability to sleep anywhere at anytime have been my greatest assets! I’ve since supported solo racers and teams from local 24-hour lap races to the big RAAM, as well as non-racing rides. I am currently typing this up during my downtime while supporting Chris Carlson Cycling Coach and his endurance training week in Fredricksburg, TX.  I hope this will be my life forever. 

Man, I feel like that was really braggy, but i’m not deleting it. I hope it’s readable! 🙂 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

Heh, uh much like all my adventures….I have not looked at ANY info. I usually fear that I don’t carry enough food, and I ALWAYS overpack.  I’m sure once I hear others fears of what’s on the route my pre-ride euphoria may sink.  I am elated to camp, like, where the fuck ever. The mere thought of making even *one* new friend swells my heart. And I’m always pleasantly surprised to see people there that I know. 

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

Yes.

…you gotta assess the situation. If it’s a climb ahead, the ‘outrun’ option is out. With my pet sitting experience, “Music has charms to soothe a savage beast” is legit.  I don’t want to escalate the situation, but I might try to serenade the dog with a mellow love ballad.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

Bandana!  I sweat a lot, so it’s nice to have the clean inside of the bandana to wipe my face. I also tend to have some breathing problems if it gets too dry (Texas, amirite?) so I like wearing it bank robber style to keep some moisture in my mouth area.  Also loose shorts, I love how my butt looks in lycra but it needs to breathe!!

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

My #1 goal is to complete it.  I believe a great ride only happens once you’ve experienced all the emotions. Happiness, anger, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, and hunger.  Expecting a great one, for sure!

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride? 

This is one for the books, for sure. My thoughts go directly to those who are so concerned with doing all the right things and having the right stuff. Just fucking send it. You’ll find out soon enough if you have the right things and did the right stuff, your resilience and resourcefulness will be your best bits of gear.  Don’t forget to SMILE! 🙂

Charlotte Green (she/her)

Home: Henderson, TX

Bike: All City Macho Man (not pictured)

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Lowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I recently moved to East Texas from Cincinnati, where I started riding bikes five years ago. At first I mostly just commuted to work and went on late night group rides. In 2020 I started working for the local bike courier company. It was really challenging work at times and made me push myself as a beginner cyclist, but I learned I was tougher than I thought and really solidified my love for riding bikes. 

Before the move I did some research on the area and heard about the showdown. At first I was just excited to hear there was that much gravel in the area, but when I saw the lowdown option for this year I knew I had to jump on it. 

I’ve only been on one bike packing trip before this, a one-night 100 mile route I did with my partner on the Miami river trail. He rode a track bike and I rode the bike I used for work and carried our gear in a mail bin on the front rack. Thankfully I’ll have a bit better set up for this trip and I’ve been going on lots of rides in the area so I’m feeling prepared for the dirt roads and the puppies 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

Looking forward to the group camp at Ratcliff and making new friends! 

A little nervous about potential rain and the road conditions and bringing the right gear

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

I bark right back at them and for the love of god keep pedaling. 

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

My Trash Bag Wastebasket hip pack

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

I’m hoping to get to know this region I’ve moved to better and to learn from the mistakes I’m inevitably going to make. But mostly just stoked to be on a big group ride in the woods!

Devin Cowens (she/her)

Age: 36

Home: Atlanta, GA

Bike: Built up flat bar Salsa Fargo

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Slowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I am connector, community organizer, and bikepacker. I manage Radical Adventure Riders ATL (RAR ATL), a cycling and bikepacking community for trans, non-binary, femme, and women riders of all experience and skill levels.

I was a bike commuter for many years living in DC prior to moving to Atlanta. Though I’ve been bikepacking since 2018, this is this will be my first solo self supported endeavor.

Outside of bikes, I am an event planner by day. I spend a lot of time outdoors and in nature. I enjoy running and hiking, spending time with my plants and in my yard, pouring into community, reading, music, Scrabble and puzzles. I’m also a big coffee nerd and love a good cold brew. 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

I’m looking forward to the meditative headspace and joy that comes from time on the bike.

I’m not a huge fan of unleashed dogs in rural towns so I would love for the universe to bless me with only slow running dogs who are kind

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

No strategy, just hopes and prayers. I aim to make them think I’m crazy so that they’ll run away from me instead of the opposite…

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

No favorite piece of gear but as a shorty rider, I’m grateful that everything fits on my bike and I don’t have to bring a backpack or hip pack. It’s always a game of Tetris getting everything to fit and I’m detouring from

my typical luxury bikepacker style for this ride! I left the portable Tushy at home…

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

It’s my first ultra endurance event – so the Slowdown was perfect for me. I’d love to complete it in 3-4ish days and not be wrecked at the end!

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride?

I’m excited to see the range of riders here and hope there’s a solid crew of non cis men!

Katie Dictus (she/her)

Age: 32

Home: Austin, TX

Bike: Breezer Radar Pro

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Lowdown!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I have never done any bikepacking, so this event was an opportunity to ease into it and I’m hoping to find other Lowdowners to enjoy the weekend with. Besides being a kid with a bike cruising around the neighborhood, I started really riding when I was car-less in college and bought myself a fixed gear. After moving away from that bikeable town, I only rode occasionally until I moved to Austin for grad school. I picked up a 1980s road bike off craigslist and started commuting to school, work, and other places around town, which got me into the cycling scene here in Austin. Outside of that, I am a landscape architect with a firm here in town and volunteer with our professional organization. My husband and I do yoga, hike, camp, cook, garden, spend time with our pets, and go to the Austin Bouldering Project together.

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

Everything intimidates me about this ride! But I’m looking forward to being out in the National Forest amid completely different plants and rocks than I’m used to in Austin.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

Stop for a pat and chat, ideally, but I’m sure I’ll feel differently when a massive one is charging me, barking its head off.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

My bike!

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

My goal is just to finish; no other expectations or pressure.

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride? 

I think it’s difficult mentally for any beginner to get out there and do a distance cycling event like this, when the consequences for underperforming can potentially be perilous. But it’s maybe less talked about that, if you’re not a cis male, there’s an added layer of trepidation that comes from just being alone on a bike in a rural area, especially in Texas, which isn’t the most hospitable place in the world.

Katya Morzhueva (she/her)

Age:  turning 42 day before the race 😊

Home: Katy, TX currently. I was born and grew up in Siberia (Russia). 

Bike: All-City Cosmic Stallion. Steel frame, Carbon fork. 

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown?  I’ve done both Slowdown and Showdown in 2021-2022, and now I am going for PR on the Slowdown.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I grew up in Soviet and post-Soviet Siberia, where summers are so short, and even then, the sunny days are numbered, so we as children spent all day long playing outside soaking up the sun. Some of my earliest memories are of me being a wee four- to five-year-old walking with my mom to a summer cottage in the woods through the forest path (as most Soviet families didn’t own cars) surrounded by huge pines, getting soaking wet by summer rain, but really enjoying it. 

Full disclosure, I co-own a bike shop, so bikes are literally my life. I love the training aspect of hard road rides and love doing my intervals on a road bike outdoors, but also I commute by bike, and I lead two gravel rides a week. I also participate in bike infrastructure advocacy, teach all ages to ride bikes, work with local schools, boy scouts, etc on all things bike-related. I started bikepacking during Covid as State parks in Texas opened up but were just empty, though I had been interested in bikepacking for a few years prior. In 2020 I did multiple solo overnighters around Katy/Houston, TX area. My most amazing bikepacking experience so far has been North West Arkansas 250 mile loop (it’s on Arkansas High Country Race 1000 course) which I did with a friend in three days in October 2022 at the same time as AHCR, while watching the race unfold in front of us and cheering on all the riders passing us (we were going counterclockwise, so we saw most of 1000-mile course racers as they were heading towards us). 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

I can’t wait to challenge myself and see how I can do this route in dry conditions (it was an absolute slog in 2021 after torrential downpours day before and during). And I really looking forward to riding my bike whole day and night long, listening to my fav tunes and enjoying the scenery. I’ll be car camping a night before at the race start and looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing my birthday vibes with all the cycling friends 😊 As far as intimidation, I am always fighting my demons on sand and mud. I broke my back cycling, and have lots of pins and rods installed, resulting in a bit of PTSD and limited mobility in my back, so I am riding pretty risk-overt. I am prepared for some hike-and-bike. 

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

I don’t remember any dogs on route that chased in my previous races. If dogs are attempting to chase, I might shout “Go home” while trying to outride them, or talk to them gently, or in the worst case, scenario, spray them with water from my bottle. I guess I choose my strategy depending on the dog 😊 Some of them just want to be friends or have a workout just like you 😊. Though, I typically carry sausages to snack on, so possibly the dogs are just smelling food 😊  

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

Aftershokz Bluetooth headphones to play tunes and podcasts. 

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown? 

Just have a great time on and off the bike! 

Lily Friend (they/them)

Age: 36

Home: Austin, TX

Bike: Salsa Warbird

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Showdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes?

I grew up in Boston, MA, and used my bike as my primary mode of transportation. My dad got me my road bike (a Bianchi Brava) for my 14th birthday. I did a couple short bike touring trips with him in high school. I worked as a bike messenger in Boston for six months after graduating high school. I have always ridden my bike to get around, and for enjoyment. When I moved to Austin in 2018 I started doing longer weekend rides with local cycling clubs. I joined a development team in 2019, and did weekly local crit races in 2021. I started doing gravel races in 2022 because I could register and race in the non-binary category. With the exception of one race, I felt very accepted and welcome at every gravel race I attended. In the fall of 2022 I joined Wild Composite Racing, a gender expansive team focused on increasing and promoting diversity in cycling. 

Life outside of riding bikes: I work for a non-profit in Austin teaching afterschool cycling programs in elementary schools. I have a miniature Beagle Named Abigail. I have been taking ceramics classes for the past year and now have way too much pottery in my house. 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

ETS will be my longest race, and the first one where I will need to take a nap during the race. 

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

Slow down and tell them they are a “gooooood dog”. If they look amped up, I slow down a bit and look them in the eyes and say “no!” If they look real mean, hightail it out of there. 

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

My Swift industries handlebar bag. 

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown? 

I would like to finish in under 35 hours.

Lindsay Shepard (she/her)

Age: 41

Home: wherever my van takes me

Bike: Custom Brew Bikes frame, currently set up SS

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Showdown

What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background?  What does life look like outside of riding bikes?

I’ve experienced countless beautiful places through bikepacking over the last ten years. Most of my adventures have come through racing, which I enjoy because I get to see a lot in a short amount of time while pushing physical and mental limits. I also regularly get out for overnighters and have done one tour: a cruise along the NM Off-Road Runner, a hot, dry, and isolated route from Santa Fe to Las Cruces. The landscape forced me to focus on the basics, like staying hydrated and taking time to rest on the cool earth in rare spots of shade. I enjoyed the explorative nature of touring and would love to put together an east-coast bike tour for 2024 to check out parts of the US I’ve never been to.

Outside of bikes, I’m usually outside doing something else! Hiking, disc golf, paddling, xc skiing, or just chilling in a park. I’m an archaeologist, so poking around abandoned buildings and historic sites is always a good time. I work remotely and live in my van, which allows me to pick a location and hang out for a couple of weeks, using evenings and weekends to explore.

What are you most looking forward to on the route? 

I’m currently wintering in the Midwest and enjoying snow sports. It’s been wonderful but I’m pretty excited to be warm again. Wearing a t-shirt and feeling the sun on my skin will be absolutely liberating. No balaclava, no hand warmers, no pants, can’t wait.

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the ETSD?

The highest number of miles I’ve ridden in a day is 205, so I’d like to pass that before my first sleep break. Generally, I’m excited to settle back into long days in the saddle, watching the scenery flow by. Looking forward to some beautiful sunsets and sunrises!

Editor’s note: check out Lindsay’s story about building her bike frame!

Lisa Cervantes (she/her)

Age: 29

Home: San Antonio, TX

Bike: Surly Long Haul Trucker

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Lowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your bike riding/bikepacking background?

Hi! I’m Lisa. I’ve been riding bikes for about 8 years now. Started riding with a fixed gear, and then got my first road bike in 2015. I raced road for a while before moving to cyclocross and gravel racing. Had my first bike camping adventure in March 2018. Have since stopped racing and have no hopes of returning. Just want to ride my damn bike and have fun!

Outside of riding I work with a local composting company in San Antonio called Compost Queens. I work at the farm processing food waste and turning it into compost. I love it! I also work at a restaurant in the evenings.

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

Looking forward to riding bikes with friends in the forest. We got a pretty good group coming from San Antonio. I’ve done the Slowdown before and learned a lot from that. Even though I’m doing the Lowdown this year which is less mileage I’m still intimidated by the idea of riding 160 miles. Going to have a plan B option in case I need to camp between Ratcliff and Bullet House Grill.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

To the mean dogs just yell NO assertively and really loudly. Have a water bottle in hand to squirt them just in case but last resort because water is precious.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

My favorite piece of gear is probably my front handlebar bag. It’s the biggish bag by Velo Orange x Roadrunner collab. Small enough to fit on my handlebars, and big enough to hold most of my things for camping or commuting.

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the ETSD?

I’d like to gain a better understanding of what my body is able to handle over course of two days. Can I finish the Lowdown in two days or will I need more time? My goal is to one day do parts of the Baja Divide route and I want to know how many miles/time (average) I can ride loaded up for route planning.

Lisa Wauters (she/her)

Age: 36

Home: Austin, TX

Bike: Surly Straggler

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Slowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I first got into riding bikes as a child in the suburbs near Fort Worth, racing my brothers down the street and then exploring the neighborhood with my very first all-girl bike gang in middle school. When I was 19, I rediscovered my love for cycling while living in Boston. I didn’t own a car, so I went everywhere by bike. I moved to Thailand to work as an English teacher in 2009, and I decided on a whim to dive into bikepacking. During our summer break, two friends and I bungeed backpacks and sleeping bags onto second hand bikes and spent weeks rambling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, taking country roads, gravel roads, and sometimes the unavoidable highway; sleeping under bridges during the hottest hours of the day and at night wherever we could camp for free or wherever a kind stranger offered us shelter. After that, I was hooked on all things adventure and cycling. I’ve since bikepacked in Vietnam, Mexico, and all over Texas. I lived in Colorado briefly where I first ventured into mountain biking, and then I really fell in love with trail riding in Central Texas. My favorite rides are when I can ride pavement, gravel and single track all in one go with the help of my trusty Surly Straggler. I love long, epic rides but also the short and sweet ones. And I’m still in love with the excitement of creating new routes and exploring rarely ridden roads or trails. 

Now I spend most of my time working towards a PhD at UT Austin in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, but I still make time for bike rides, as they bring me so much joy.

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

I’m looking forward to being in the woods for three days and really feeling like we’re out there. I’ve done plenty of remote bikepacking, so the remoteness doesn’t intimidate me so much, but the number of miles I have to put down each day does! I usually ride much more of a stop-and-smell-the-roses pace on my bikepacking trips, but on this trip I’ll have to keep moving and smell fewer roses. 

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

I don’t have a strategy yet, but I’ve been attacked by a dog while riding my bike before, so I probably won’t be stopping to pet any…

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride?

My hammock! 

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

I am participating to challenge myself and have a fun time. That’s why I chose to do the Slowdown this year – it’s definitely a challenge, but still at the level where I think I’ll have plenty of time to talk to people, observe the local flora/fauna, and relax in my hammock. Maybe one year I’ll go for the 400…

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

Bicycles came into my life informally when I was seeking transportation to Portland, Oregon from Tacoma, Washington, to present my Geology thesis. I borrowed a rack and rear panniers from a friend and on a recently purchased road bike, made my way by myself. This, plus biking across the country with my pal from Washington to Florida were so formative in the way I witnessed myself, the possessions I had around me, and the fluidity of my identity. These were both trips without cell phones, and I reflect on how amazing they were due to the fact that movement relied on myself/each other, instinct, film and paper maps. Today I ride my bike to go further, more slowly. I adore the place of a bicycle, it allows me get into a rhythm and acts as a “sit spot” for the regular routes I trek, observing how the natural world ebbs and flows from day to day. 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

I am most looking forward to observing fresh biology and along with that smells and sights that are new. I hope to get in some water and view some clear night stars! The unknown always puts a little pep in my step but I know there will be people around to help out if need it. 

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

Great question– I’m going to try acting out alongside them by making really loud unexpected noises and spray the water. I also might be the stop and pet kind. 

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

The pieces I bring with me no matter what are my enamel mug I purchased with my first earned money in Hungary probably around age ten, it has hearts all over it and still brings me so much joy. And my favorite yummy warm yellow merino sweater somehow perfect for all weather. 

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

I’d like to gain confidence in my own philosophies and methodologies of packing, gear, comfort, fun. There are infinite permutations of style, weight, feel on the bike and they all have their places for each person. Id like to remind myself that I have good ideas and know enough to propel myself forward.

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride? 

I am grateful to my local community bike shop, The Asheville Recyclery, where I have learned so much about the bicycle and built the majority of my current steed with repurposed parts from its donations. Bicycles are for everyone!

Maya (she/her)

Age: 28

Home: Austin, TX

Bike: Salsa Journeyer

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Showdown!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

Hi! My name is Maya and I’m currently living in Austin, TX. I grew up in Chicago and then moved to France for school where my mom is from. I’ve been biking my whole life; growing up my parents didn’t have a car so we biked to get around. Since then, biking has been my primary form of transportation. I didn’t start going on longer rides or bikepacking until I moved to Austin about five years ago. I’ve met most of my dear friends through biking, and though our friendships have now grown way beyond bikes, I’ll always be grateful for that connection point. Outside of riding bikes, I work for an affordable housing non-profit as a program coordinator. I love being at the pool, on my porch, dancing, and gardening.

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

I’m most excited to experience a whole new scenery: the plants, trees, birds, smells, small towns, all of it! It is also what intimidates me, the idea of riding so many miles in a place I don’t know. I’m used to going on rides on roads I know well and know what to expect.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

Fight or flight usually kicks in and I bike away as fast as I can. I also yell “go home” and carry a little dog pepper spray though I’ve never used it. I have never tried to pet them…and I’m sure they think I’m crazy!

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

I have a little Swift Industries top tube bag, it makes constantly eating snacks much easier!

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

To have fun and make it back on Sunday in time for the party 🙂

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride?

I signed up with two friends, Ella and Ethan, and we’ve been training together and even created a team – Car(e) Free. It’s been really nice hyping each other up and getting stronger together. I definitely wouldn’t be doing this without them.

Ruth Smith (she/her)

Age: 18

Home: Dallas, TX

Bike: Niner RDO

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Lowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your bike riding/bikepacking background?

My name is Ruth Smith and I’ve been around bikes for as long as I can remember. When I was two I got pulled around in a trailer and when I was five I got on the back of a tandem with the seat slammed and crank extenders. I do not have any experience with bikepacking but I’m here to give it my best shot. Most of my typical riding is hanging with friends, long distance events, or cyclocross. Outside of riding bikes, I’m a college student getting a degree in pastry arts, I like good food, good music, and good people. 

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

My two theories when it comes to dogs, are either sprint if you know you can make it or just chill out and roll by them indifferently like a car, its attention they seek.

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

My only goal for ETS is to enjoy the ride, I will be riding the Lowdown with my dad and little sister (they are on the blue tandem) and hopefully you too! I can’t wait to see you there! 

Stephanie Hall (she/her)

Age: 28

Home: Austin, TX

Bike: Otso Waheela-C

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Showdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I just want to see as much as possible while out there! I’m one to pet dogs, versus trying anything first. I’ve got a young pup at home and love all the doggos. When I’m off the bike I work for a biotech company, and I’m passionate about the potential impact to future patients. I’m also a type 1 diabetic, twin, and from Northern VA. 

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

This will be my second time racing this route, and I actually feel really calm, and confident in my training. I don’t really take training too seriously, and try to follow what feels fun or adventurous.  I’d say I’m intimidated by bad weather on this route, but I’d also welcome the true adventure that would bring. 

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

Everything I’m carrying is important, but if I had to pick a few favorites they’d be: Omnipod and Dexcom (insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor), my bike itself, and Apidura bags. 

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

My goal for any ride of this distance is to finish! Really excited to see so many friends out there and hopefully ride with a few of ’em! 

Tiphane Want (she/her)

Age: 33

Home: Conroe, TX

Bike: The Glorious Surly Midnight Special

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Slowdown

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I’ve been riding since January 2021 and just can’t get enough of it. What started out as a ‘let me challenge myself to a charity bike ride’ quickly turned into a love and want for everything cycling. When I am not riding a bike, I am sipping tea and reading a good book. If I get so lucky, I am working on sewing projects too. Shout out to the fun of custom bike bags!

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

This ride is beautiful and offers a great mix of gravel. The intimidating part for me is being out alone in the woods, especially at night. Yes, being out in the wilderness is magic, but being out in the wilderness alone is intimidating because it is so rarely experienced and embraced. This ride will definitely test some of my boundaries.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy? 

AIRHORN, especially if they look like they like the chase. I do love a good stop-and-pet session though.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

My toothbrush. I swear by it. Just getting a moment to get the dust and grit out of your mouth makes you a whole new person.

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

In 2022, I bikepacked this event – first time bikepacking, first time with back-to-back centuries too! As soon as I finished the event, a friend and I were so full of dopamine we decided right then and there that we were going to do ETS again, but with no sleep and to ride it through. The goal is to finish before I sleep!

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride? 

This event is for anyone who wants to ride their bike. Don’t let the distance fool you into thinking you can’t do it.

Vanessa Mitchell (she/they)

Age: 42!

Home: Austin, TX

Bike: Salsa Journeyer GRX 600 rolling 700c x 42mm

Showdown, Slowdown, or Lowdown? Slowdown!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your bike riding and bikepacking background? What does life look like outside of riding bikes? 

I’ve been an endurance athlete for over two decades with a big addiction to moving my body through space. I am primarily a runner with ten marathons (including one ultra) under my belt. I got my first road bike in 2004 and started bikepacking in 2021. I work in the legislature (very BORING). I co-lead a running group (@sportsbrarunatx on IG). I dance and sing in my apartment to my cat. I also love to craft all sorts of stuff… working on a string art of all my bikes!

What are you most looking forward to on the route? Is there anything that intimidates you about this ride? 

The whole thing intimidates me ha! I am looking forward to testing my will, however. I know I’ll cry here and there because that’s just who I am. Perhaps I’ll work through a few things. Can’t wait to see the sunsets and sunrises as I spend days on end on my bike. Mostly really looking forward to making new friends and strengthening bonds with current friends.

What’s your strategy for dealing with dogs along the route? Try and outrun them? Stop and pet them? Make them think you’re crazy?

TREATS. I’m going to bring a bag of delicious dog treats. And I shall employ a combination of your suggestions depending on the dogs. If they are already running? I’m running or spraying them with water and tossing treats. If they aren’t running, I’m going to give them all the kisses and treats.

Do you have a favorite piece of gear you’re bringing on your ride? 

That is a good question… probably my spur cycle bike bell. A bike is not complete unless it has a loud bell to alert pedestrians and signal to other cyclists that you are indeed cool and hip.

Do you have a goal or something you’d like to gain from the East Texas Showdown/Slowdown/Lowdown?

FRIENDSHIPS. I’ve never done a bike endurance event so I am just excited to be there and go with the flow.

Have I missed anything you want people to know about you or your thoughts about your upcoming ride? 

Probably should ask people if they are NUTS. Yes. the answer is yes.