Susanne Rasmussen climbing the newly finished switchbacks to the north ridge of the Franklins Photo by Cesar Mendez
common as we discussed how difficult it was to get other riders to explore areas away from the trailheads, and how to organize users to build and maintain good trails. On the spot, we decided to put together the first El Paso Puzzler with the intention of challenging local riders and reorganizing the Borderland Mountain Bike Association.
In February of 2008, 28 riders showed up for a 46-mile test of endurance. We dubbed the race “The Puzzler,” and stashed four pieces of a bumper sticker throughout the course for racers to find. Only 18 finished that year. In 2009 we had a full 50-mile event and added a shorter, 35mile option. 65 riders began and only about 35 finished. The word was getting out, but it proved difficult to convince mountain bikers to race for over five hours in winter on some
of the most demanding trails in the country. The summer of 2009 would bring that to an end. Jennifer and I hit the road again that summer for some serious racing, dropping words such as “Puzzler,” “ass-kicking,” “50 miles,” and “toughest race you’ll ever do” into conversation. Every evening of the Breck Epic 6-day stage race, riders and their support crews would gather for awards, dinner and socializing. There were six Puzzler veterans there, and almost every night one of us wore the race t-shirt. People began to ask questions, and I went into promoter mode. Trek pro Travis Brown seemed interested, and may have even heard me say that no Coloradoan had finished our event, though three had attempted it. After returning home from another summer of racing, we really focused on The Puzzler. Going into its third year, The Puzzler was being touted as the toughest race in Texas. Continued >
XXC SEASON TWO: ISSUE SIX
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