| Option | Distance | Start | Entry | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Race | 3 mi | 10:00 AM | Free | — |
| 10 mi | 9:15 AM | $50 | — | |
| 15 mi | 9:00 AM | $70 | 28 registered | |
| 35 mi | 8:30 AM | $80 | 46 registered | |
| 50 mi | 8:00 AM | $90 | 39 registered |
Texas' toughest mountain bike race. Part of the Texas MTB Association Marathon Series 2027.
January 16 and 17, 2027.
El Paso, Texas
Bowen Ranch Roundhouse.
50-mile race presented by National Furniture Liquidators - 8:00 am Saturday, January 16th, 2027
35-mile race presented by Fox Auto Team- 8:30 am Saturday, January 16th, 2027
15-mile race Presented by Lauterbach and Borschow- 9:00 am Sunday, January 17th, 2027
NEW THIS YEAR! ? 10-mile beginner race - 9:15 am Sunday, January 17th, 2027
Kids race presented by Deadbeach Brewery (1-mile loop) - 10:00 am Sunday, January 17th, 2027
Garmin Courses:
50: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/524376555 35: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/524376513 15: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/524376500 10: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/524376461
GPX:
Strava:
50: https://www.strava.com/routes/3546187559572158236
35: https://www.strava.com/routes/3546208785446456506
15: https://www.strava.com/routes/3546203072176557242
10: https://www.strava.com/routes/3546193352674708548
Cash Prizes:
50-mile race, for top 5 overall finishers, both women and men paid equally
1st place - $1000
2nd place - $500
3rd place - $350
4th place - $250
5th place - $150
Prizes: Our prizes will be EPIC this year.
50 Mile Race: Along with the Cash Payouts listed above, Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in all categories.
Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for all categories in the 35, 15, 10, and kids race
Giveaways and raffles throughout the event.
Categories: Kids, Juniors (under 18), 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+ (race day age).
Get your El Paso Puzzler Custom Jersey here! https://ibexcyclewerx.com/puzzlershorts
New this year:
Elevation 3789’s King and queen of the mountain. The first male and female riders to reach Mundy’s Gap in the 50-mile race will be awarded $250!!!
Crazy Cat Cyclery's Women's Initiative launching in 2027 is the Puzzler Women's Initiative, a year-round effort focused on getting more women on bikes.
Programs will include:
• Beginner mountain bike clinics
• Women's downhill skills clinics
• Support Group rides and social events
• Mentorship opportunities
• Community-building experience
Safety Cutoff Times: For the 35- and 50-mile courses, each racer must pass these cutoff times or ride in the safety vehicle back to the venue. This ensures each rider completes the course within the allotted time and safely. These times may change slightly based on final course routing.
Category Consolidation: Race director may combine race categories if there are not enough registrations to support each category. We do not combine Male / Female categories.
Course Pre-riding: 99% of the El Paso Puzzler Course is within the Franklin Mountain State Park. Your race day entry to the park is included in your registration. If you ride the course on any other day, you must obtain a day-use permit ($5 per day, per user). Those permits can be obtained at the Iron Rangers (self-pay stations) at any one of these trailheads (Lost Cow, Roundhouse, or Chuck Heinrich Park), the park visitor center at the Tom Mays unit, or online at https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/franklin-mountains-state-park/r/deDetails.do?contractCode=TX&parkId=1200020
Merchandise: All merchandise purchased online will be available for pickup at packet pickup times or the BMBA tent during the event. No shipping will be offered, and any merchandise or packets not picked up within 30 days of the race will be considered a donation to the BMBA and used appropriately.
Parking: Parking is limited at the venue and will be first come, first served. Carpooling is highly recommended. $5 donation.
Spectators: All spectators entering the Franklin Mountain State Park will be required to pay the daily usage fee. That can be paid via the Iron Rangers (self-pay stations at the trailheads) or online at Here. If you pay online, please print the permit and keep it on your dashboard.
Camping: Primitive camping will be open at the venue starting Friday at 1 pm and closing Monday at 10 am.
E-Bikes: This is an endurance race, so no form of e-bikes is allowed. Any rider who shows up with an e-bike will be disqualified and not permitted to race even in a noncompetitive manner. There will be no refunds for disqualified riders.
Weather: Although the weather in El Paso is usually amazing in January, there is always the chance of race delays or cancellations due to weather. We will do our best to hold the race on the dates scheduled. If there is a weather event that does not allow for a safe race on Saturday or Sunday, the race will be moved to Monday. If the race is canceled due to weather, there will be no refunds as this is a not-for-profit fundraiser.
No refunds for individual cancellations: If there is a risk that you may not be able to attend, we highly suggest you look into BikeReg Refund Protection, which can be purchased during checkout. Make sure you review the details before purchase to see what cancellations are covered. BikeReg does offer individual participant cancellation insurance if purchased during registration; see here for details: https://www.bikereg.com/knowledge-base/104/Participant-Registration-Insurance--Allianz-Registration-Protection
All proceeds from the Puzzler support the Borderland Mountain Bike Association-, a not-for-profit run by volunteers. We support our mountain and trail system with every dollar raised!
2027 Sponsor Lineup
Sun City Shredding
Visit El Paso
National Furniture Liquidators
Fox Auto Team
Lauterbach and Borschow
Deadbeach Brewery
Gratton Westman Marketing
Crazy Cat Cyclery
Elevation 3789’
Border Bicycle
Rad Dog Bikes
Hammer Nutrition
Handske
Bike the 915
El Paso Trails
Desert Fox Cyclery
Mountain Star Adventures
Podium Finish Sports Boutique
Middle of Nowhere Fun
Ibex Cyclewear
El Paso Devo
Food City Super Markets
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