2018 RAT 1000

 ***IMPORTANT*** Team Spinistry membership waives at least 50% registration fee for all categories.

Group Departure will be from New Boston, TX the morning of 10/6. Group Departure riders will do the Texarkana to New Boston segment on their own schedule to make the group start. Overnight camping will be available in New Boston on 10/5 as well as in Paris, TX on 10/6.

Please visit the Facebook discussion page for the most current info. https://www.facebook.com/groups/rat1000/

The RAT 1000 is a 1000 mile ride across Texas primarily utilizing dirt and gravel roads. The route also touches the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Resupply is rarely more than 50 miles away at any point and the route is designed to swing through towns/amenities as often as practical. Numerous state parks and other recreational sites are along and very near to the route. Riders are welcome to camp or hotel or whatever combination they prefer along the way.

Category Descriptions:

Self Supported ITT - Individual Time Trials can be attempted at any time. Options include East to West and West to East. Live tracking is a requirement to log an official time. This format essentially follows "Tour Divide" type rules. No outside assistance allowed unless available to all who attempt the route. The clock is always running until the route is completed. Team Spinistry members save 50%.

Self Supported Group Departure (Full RAT and Mini RAT) - Same rules as ITT but with a specific start time with our once a year Group Departure. 10/6 Overnight in Paris, TX is included and allowed for this group without penalty for outside assistance. Self Supported Group Departure riders also have the option to start on Friday and overnight with the supported riders in New Boston if they aren't "racing". Racers looking for an official time will start from Texarkana, AR Saturday, 10/6. Free for Team Spinistry members until 7/1/18, 50% off after 7/1. This includes both the Full and Mini RAT Self Supported options.

Semi Supported Stage Race - Classic, multi day stage format like Tour de France. Each day will be a specific segment (around 125 miles) and the clock only runs until the day's segment is completed. Best cumulative time for all segments wins. We will transport racers' gear from segment to segment but riders are responsible for making arrangements for overnights and meals. We will end each stage at a camping area (TBD). Team Spinistry members save 50%.

Guided 3 Day Mini RAT - Don't have a week+ to devote to a ride this time around? Looking for some guidance for multi day riding, camp setup and nutrition? We've got you covered with a special version of the route guided by bikepacking veteran Jan Bennett! Tag along with the stage racers for the first couple of days and get back to work on Tuesday. Enjoy the overnight festivities in New Boston, Paris and Bonham, TX. Slightly shorter distances each day and the final leg will end in either Farmersville or at the DART station in Rowlett at your discretion. Limited spots and we will have preride group meetings for those who can make it. If you prefer to ride self supported and on your own schedule just go ahead and sign up for the full RAT and ride whatever distance works best for you. Team Spinistry members save 50%.

Guide Bio: Jan Bennett's bonds with the outdoors started at a young age after participating in Outward Bound wilderness trips. She soon developed a love of cycling and established herself as a multi discipline racer with a focus on road events. Eventually she was sidelined from racing as a result of a back inujury. Because of her love of cycling she quickly developed a new and deep appreciation for bikepacking with a desire to encourage others to experience the hidden gems which lie off of the beaten path.

Some of her notable adventures have taken her to the Great Divide, the Baja Divide as well as in Cuba along the La Ruta Mala bikepacking route. She recently completed a multi year project where she mapped and rode the original Pony Express route from St Joseph, MO to San Francisco, CA. You can find her in Dallas when she's not out exploring gravel roads and trails across the country.

Self Supported Tiny RAT - Can't get away for more than a weekend? This one's for you. Looped route starts and finishes close to DFW so you you don't have to make shuttle arrangements. Meet the group for overnight in Paris on Saturday night and ride back to the car on Sunday. This is a fantastic intro to bikepacking and FREE for Team Spinistry members!

Stage Race Relay - Relay teams up to 4 riders on the Stage Race schedule. More details soon.