Camino 205: Texas Gravel Adventure

Be on the lookout for cyclists next weekend as the El Camino 205: Texas Gravel Adventure spins it’s wheels with the 3rd annual event on September 24, 2016.  The Camino205 is a long distance bicycle adventure ride through the Piney Woods of East Texas offering scenic views and a challenge to riders like no other!

Gravel adventures are taking off as new interest in this type of course offers a road less traveled.  Race organizer and director, Dave Morrow chose Palestine after “my friends and I poured over paper maps and Google Earth. We searched out the best unpaved roads with beautiful countryside yet accessible from population centers. We settled on the Piney Woods around Palestine, Texas. A couple of riding forays into the area confirmed what we had found on the maps: the area has some great riding. It’s not flat; the views change constantly; the countryside has a sylvan beauty, filled with pine trees; and the cars are few and far between. Spanish missionaries coming up from Mexico pioneered a road, El Camino Real, in the area centuries ago. In fact, one of our checkpoints is at the site of a Franciscan mission built in 1690.”

The El Camino 205 offers the race in multiple distances with the most grueling at the maximum of 205-miles.  In addition, there are also 105, 65 and 25-mile courses. Registration is now open for the race at www.camino205.com.  Race times begin at 6 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 24 in Old Town Palestine for the 205 mile ride.  The Camino 105 kicks off at 7 a.m. and the Camino 65 and 25 mile rides start anytime after 8 a.m.  A check-in celebration with food, music and fun will be held in Old Town Palestine at 301 E Crawford Street from 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 23.  

“The gravel road experience, day or night, is completely different than mixing it up with cars on paved roads – so much more relaxing and close to the land,” said Dave Morrow, organizer for the Camino 205. The Camino has about 7,100 feet of climbing over the 205 mile route - frequent short climbs to make things interesting but not impossible for a first time rider.”
Palestine is excited to host this event for the 3rd year in a row,” stated Mary Raum, Marketing Manager for the City of Palestine.  “A race of this caliber will draw people from all across the country and each year we have seen it grow.  With partnerships between the City of Palestine, Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and Ben E Kieth Distributors, this event offers a unique opportunity for outdoor tourism to Palestine.”

For more information regarding the Camino 205, visit www.camino205.com.