Camp Spinistry: Bikepacking Kickoff Weekend 2026 — Gainesville, TX

Welcome to Camp Spinistry! Whether you are kicking off your fall riding season or your very first bikepacking adventure, this weekend is built for you. We’ve designed a multi-day experience that blends collaborative education with real-world trail application. Non-Members: The full amount paid for this class will be available as credit toward an annual Club Spinistry membership of your choice. Current Members: Steel Level saves $125 Carbon Level saves $175 Titanium Level saves $300 The Philosophy: Education, Not a Guided Tour This weekend is primarily educational and designed for all skill levels, but it is important to note: this is not a guided tour. All riders are considered self-supported and must carry everything they need to cover their daily distance. While we will never leave anyone stranded in an emergency, please do not ride expecting a SAG vehicle to fall back on. Having to deploy an extraction vehicle disrupts the weekend activities for everyone. There is no single "right way" to bikepack; every rider has different needs, experiences, and focuses. We highly encourage multiple approaches to the same challenges. Experienced riders are greatly appreciated and encouraged to sit in on our roundtable discussions to share their own "theory of bikepacking." The Weekend Blueprint Friday: Gathering Location: Thirty-Five and Liberty (Gainesville, TX). Secured weekend parking, showers, and restrooms are available on-site. Lodging: Participants are responsible for their own Friday night accommodations. RV camping is available on-site, and there is a Hampton Inn immediately adjacent to the property. (Note: "Basepacking" with a spouse or partner for the weekend is absolutely an option!) Evening: We will host an informal, optional "campfire" meet and greet to kick off the weekend. Saturday: The Application Saturday Morning: We kick off with an introductory classroom roundtable geared toward true beginners. Intermediate and expert riders are welcome to attend and share their expertise, or they may roll out early to get a head start on the longer routes. The Ride: Self-navigated options of ~30 or ~60 miles. Distances are planned to allow plenty of time for all riders to finish, set up camp, and relax before the evening discussions. The Overnight: Camp is at 4R Ranch Vineyards and Winery (showers and a vault toilet are available). Tent camping is available for all riders. If you are basepacking with a partner, you will need to reserve your own primitive campsite directly. Meals: Riders must arrange their own meals and cooking setups. Spinistry will provide supplemental water, snacks, and cold drinks at camp. Evening: Post-ride roundtable discussions at camp to debrief the day's setups and trail experiences. Sunday: The Return Sunday Ride: A "choose your own adventure" return to Thirty-Five and Liberty. We will put together multiple route options based on rider requests to get everyone back to their vehicles. Registration Options 100% Self-Supported: $125 Gear Shuttle: $175 (For those who have standard camping gear but do not yet have bikepacking-specific bags to carry it on the bike.) Full Setup: $300 (Includes Spinistry-supplied camping gear and shuttle service.) Club Spinistry Membership Perks Your registration can pay for itself! More details soon...