Event Lodging
Stay right next to Spider Mountain at Thunderbird Lodge located on Lake Buchanan. Thunderbird gives you bike-in, bike-out access so you can be right next to all the action!
HILL COUNTRY DOWNHILL 2026 • Stop #3
December 11 @ 8:00 am – December 12 @ 4:00 pm
We’re incredibly STOKED for Stop #3 of Hill Country Downhill 2026 happening Dec. 11 and 12! This is the biggest downhill MTB race in Texas and a can’t miss event!
This fall, we’re running a new two-day format:
Friday, December 11: Seeding runs and open practice, then a fun, informal Friday afternoon activity (details to come). Only those who have a number plate on their bike will be allowed on course to preserve room for racers.
Saturday, December 12: Race day! Open practice for everyone in the morning. The courses are physically separate, so Cat 1 and Pro can practice while Cat 2 and Cat 3 race, and Cat 2 and Cat 3 can practice while Cat 1 and Pro race.
Riders 12 and under ride the lift free in every class, and their race plate is their lift pass. Race entry fee varies by category: Cat 3 – All Power Kids and Bobbleheads race free. Cat 2 and up – All ages pay the $95 entry.
The full timed schedule is [TBD]. Racing runs back to back, with podiums right after each class. The rider meeting from the previous day will be recorded and posted on our race director’s Instagram page, his whatsapp group, posted to the Wiredgravity website on everyone’s home page, and email blasted to all race registrants.
IMPORTANT: Registration link coming soon. Registration close date: [TBD].
Hill Country Downhill 2026 rules: Visit https://wiredgravity.com/hcdh-rules to view the full set of rules.
Full Race Day Schedule:
[TBD]
Full Fall 2026 Series Race Dates:
Race #1: 10/16 – 10/17/2026
Race #2: 11/20 – 11/21/2026
Race #3: 12/11 – 12/12/2026
Not racing? You can still ride! All non-race trails will remain open to the public and race spectators are WELCOME and highly encouraged. Please check-in at the ticket window for a spectator wristband and grab a cowbell to rally the racers!
Course Map
Course map coming soon.
Every class now has a course built for its level:
- Bobbleheads: Bobbleheads course (short and easy)
- Cat 3: Bottom Sidewinder only, a beginner-friendly, low-pressure first race
- Cat 2, Power Kids and E-Bike: Cedar Fever into Bottom Sidewinder, a real step up with more speed
- Cat 1 and Pro: the hardest line on the mountain, on its own separate course
Race Categories
All categories will race on Saturday with practice for all on Friday. Seeding for pro categories at 3pm on Friday.
Race order: Bobbleheads, Cat 3, Cat 2 (with Power Kids and E-Bike), then Cat 1 and Pro.
Racing Categories
Pro Men (18+), Pro Women (18+), Cat 1 Men 0-18 (Junior-X), Cat 1 Men 19-39, Cat 1 Men 40+, Cat 1 Women Open, Cat 2 – Power Kids (10-12), Cat 2 – Power Kids (13-16), Cat 2 – Power Kids (9 & Under), Cat 2 Men 17-39, Cat 2 Men 40+, Cat 2 Women 17+, Cat 3 Men Open (Beginner Course), Cat 3 Women Open (Beginner Course), Bobbleheads, E-Bike Open
For more info about each category: Registration link coming soon.
NEW! Girls Power Kids classes have been added.
Pricing
Race entry is a flat $95 for riders 13 and older (racing age = 2026 minus your birth year). Riders 12 and under race free and ride free, and their race plate is their lift pass.
Cat 3 – Power Kids (9 & Under, 10-12, plus Girls classes) and Bobbleheads: FREE entry and free lift. Power Kids now race the Cat 3 course (Bottom Sidewinder only).
Cat 2 youth classes (9 & Under, 10-12, 13-16, plus Girls): $95 entry, because these kids race the full Cat 2 course (Cedar Fever into Bottom Sidewinder) with the older riders.
– Every rider 12 and under rides the lift free, in every class. Their race plate is their lift pass.
Season and 3-month pass holders pay the $95 only (cabin-stay passes don’t count). Riders who need a lift ticket add it at checkout, not at the mountain. Your race plate is your lift pass, so there’s no lift ticket or wristband to pick up.
For full pricing details: Registration link coming soon.
Timing
We will be using a highly accurate and in-house developed photocell-based timing system that is all based off of your Plate Number for the season. Make sure to pick up your RACE PLATE and KEEP IT FOR THE WHOLE SEASON. Live results will be posted at wiredgravity.com, and the live stream now has its own page so results load fast for everyone at the mountain.
Series Format
Fall 2026 Series:
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- Race #1: 10/16 – 10/17/2026
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- Race #2: 11/20 – 11/21/2026
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- Race #3: 12/11 – 12/12/2026
Pro Cash Prize
$2,000 Pro cash purse: $1,000 for Pro Men and $1,000 for Pro Women, paid $500 / $300 / $200 to the top three in each.*
*Please note: The cash purse requires a minimum of 10 riders in each pro category. If there are less than 10 in any category, then the purse will be adjusted based on sign-up numbers.
Spectating
Texas, the birthplace of Tailgating, where fans make cheering as fun as the sport itself. Downhill Mountain Biking? No different! Even if you’re not riding, come out to spectate and cheer on our racers.
As a race spectator, we encourage you to stay in designated spectator zones marked with signage. Race maps and top/bottom area maps are on the Wired Gravity site at wiredgravity.com. If you wish to spectate outside of the designated zones, you MUST STAY AWAY from timing sensors on the track. Any timing sensors that are walked through can ruin the timing for a racer. All sensors will be marked with signage and caution tape.
