Hell of the North Texas 2026 — Gravel Cycling in Paris

Routes and distances

The Hell of the North Texas is built around the kind of gravel terrain that makes riders earn every mile. The event offers multiple route options, each starting and finishing in Paris near the Love Civic Center. The flagship distance — 125 Miles of Pure Hell — starts at 7:00 AM and takes riders on a grueling loop through Lamar County's back roads and gravel surfaces.

Other distance options include the Heavenly 75 (75 miles), the 45-Mile Purgatory Grind, and the 30-Mile Limbo. Longer point-to-point routes stretch up to 175 miles, taking riders from Paris toward the DFW area through Dodd City and surrounding communities. Segments of the Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) are used throughout, and GPS files are provided for navigation on the untimed routes.

Registration and fees

Registration is open through BikeSignUp.com. Fees vary by route — the 125-mile option starts at approximately $80. Club Spinistry members receive significant discounts: Steel members save $50, and Titanium and Carbon members get free registration for all distances. Water stations and snacks are provided along the course, and post-ride festivities include a bonfire, cold drinks, and Spinistry Chow.

A weekend of cycling in Paris

The Hell of the North Texas falls on the day after the 42nd Annual Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally, making July 18–19 a stacked weekend for cycling in Lamar County. The Tour de Paris on Saturday is a community-focused rally with routes from 14 to 80 miles, while Sunday's Hell of the North Texas shifts into a harder, gravel-centric endurance format. Together, the two events bring hundreds of cyclists to Paris over a single weekend — filling hotels, restaurants, and downtown venues.

For commercial property investors, a weekend that draws regional athletic tourism to Paris is a weekend that demonstrates the city's capacity to host, serve, and attract visitors. The gravel cycling community is growing fast across Texas, and Paris is staking its claim as a destination.