2026 RAT 1000 and Mini RAT

RAT 1000 and Mini RAT – Texarkana, United States

• Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
• Location: Texarkana, Arkansas, United States
• Distances: 1000 miles
• Event Type: Bikepacking Race, Stage Race, ITT

The RAT 1000 is a 1,000-mile mixed-surface ride that crosses the state of Texas, from Texarkana in the east to Tucumcari, New Mexico in the west. First run in 2014, the event offers several formats for participation.

Riders can choose between a nine-day stage race format, described as a "rolling festival of grit and gears" with group riding and shared overnight stops, or a self-supported Individual Time Trial (ITT) run under "Tour Divide" rules. For the ITT, the clock does not stop until the finish, and no private support is permitted. A "Mini RAT" option also allows cyclists to ride any portion of the route they choose without the pressure to complete the full distance.

The route is a journey through changing Texas landscapes. It begins in the "Green Tunnel" of the piney woods near the Red River, utilizing segments of the Northeast Texas Trail (NETT). The terrain transitions through the Cross Timbers region and into the more open ranch lands of North Texas. The middle section passes Lake Arrowhead State Park and through towns like Henrietta and Electra before reaching Vernon. From there, riders encounter the distinctive "Red Roads" of the Panhandle near Childress and Turkey before climbing the Caprock Escarpment to the High Plains at Silverton. The final leg crosses the Llano Estacado, passing near Cadillac Ranch and joining historic Route 66 for the final push into Tucumcari, New Mexico.

The nine-day stage race schedule outlines daily distances ranging from 98 to 139 miles. Some stages end in towns with services, while others require camping at locations like Lake Arrowhead State Park and Silverton.

The event was originally created as a 900-mile "gateway drug" to the Tour Divide. The route was later modified to what is now the "Permanent Route" and extended to 1000 miles in 2017. Club Spinistry members can participate for free. Full details and registration are available on the official event website.