2011 Coyote Classic Cat 2 Course

2011 Coyote Classic Cat 3 Course

2011 Coyote Classic

Spring is right around the corner and so is the New Mexico Off Road Series Opener. The annual Coyote Classic is number 1 on the series happening on Sunday March 20, 2011. The classes will be the usual: Cat 1 (Pro/Expert), Cat 2 (Sport), Cat 3 (Beginner) and Single Speed Open. All classes will be divided between male and female riders and into USA Cycling age categories: Juniors 18 and Under, Ages 19-29, Ages 30-39, Ages 40-49 and Ages 50+.

The course will be on the north east side of the Franklin Mountains on State Park and Bowen Ranch land. Mileage will be announced as soon as the course is finalized, but, you can expect the usual challenging and fun single track with a touch of jeep road here and there.

It is $25.00 to race as long as you register before Monday March 14th. A $10.00 late registration fee will be added there after. Online registration will be hosted at www.newmexicosportsonline.com and ends Friday March 18th at midnight. All racers must have a USA Cycling License or purchase a $10.00 one day license. Cat 1 racers must have an Annual USA Cycling License. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION!

Race T-Shirts are $10.00 each. Sizes S M L XL.

Packet pick up is Saturday March 19th, at The Bicycle Co. 3800 N Mesa Suite D-5 El Paso, Texas 79902 12:00 - 6:00 PM. (915)544-2453.

Camping will be available to all racers and spectators Saturday March 19, into Sunday evening, for the low price of $5.00. There will be a designated bonfire area, we ask that all open fires be controlled in a grill(Propane or Charcoal). Alcohol is permitted.

Bowen Ranch has been kind enough to allow the mountain bike community to host races year after year at their beloved ranch. We ask that everyone treat the ranch with the utmost respect and leave your area cleaner than you found it.

Directions to Venue:
The venue entrance is located 2.6 miles north of U.S. 54 on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Farm to Market Road 3255) on the west side of the road. Driver's will be greeted by a large sign that reads BOWEN RANCH. Below is a Google Map of the general area. If you follow the link to the larger map, you will find that the venue is located on what is called E.P.N.G. Pipeline Rd.


View Larger Map

Here is an aerial view of the race venue at Bowen Roundhouse:


View Larger Map

Check back for more info. Thanks

The Puzzler is January 16, 2011

poster designed by Chris Oaxaca

"The puzzler is the hardest, most challenging mountain bike race for sure, and if you finish you deserve a -EXPLETIVE- load of beers." - Tyson Brown

Registration is now open, you can register online here, or in person on Saturday December 18 at The Bicycle Company from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. For more information visit www.elpasopuzzler.com.

Educate Motorists

El Paso became the 5th Texas City to pass the safe passing ordinance on Tuesday December 7. Ironically, within 24 hrs of this winning legislation, long time cyclist Gabe Perez was hit early Wednesday during his morning ride.

Although the safe passing ordinance will help many cyclists and pedestrians, educating motorists and cyclist of proper road usage, is key to safe shared use of our city roads.

Even then cycling on the road presents dangers that we can only hope to be avoid. I wish Gabe a full and speedy recovery.

You can read more about the new city ordinance and Gabe Perez at the following links:

El Paso Times Gabe Perez Article

El Paso Time Ordinance Article

12 Hour Photos on Flickr

photo taken by Chris Oaxaca

If you haven't seen the photos of October's 12 Hours of Old El Paso, posted on the Facebook Page, here is a link to the set on Flickr. Sorry it took so long.

Here are links to the results as well: Solo Results and Team Results

Tis the season to be riding...

If you are still fumbling over which bike to buy this season, stop sweating the investment and join us for two days of riding 2011 model year bikes, the Trek Demo will be in town offering up their bikes for free test rides at the Franklin Mt. State Park. The demo will be rolling in for a weekend stay on December 11th & 12th, 10:00 am - 3:00 PM daily, at the Chuck Heinrich Park in Northeast El Paso. If you are unfamiliar with this area, exit I-10 heading north on Highway 54, exit Highway 54 at Martin Luther King Blvd proceed north and take a left at the traffic light onto Jon Cunningham. Chuck Heinrich park will be located at the end of the road. This is the access point for the east side of the Franklin Mt. State Park.

The Bicycle Company will be providing food and drinks. All you need to bring is a valid picture ID, a helmet, and pedals if you'd like to use your own. Call the Bicycle Company at 915-544-2453 for any other information you might need.

Riding For Suz

Suzanne Nolan pictured above left.

Suzanne Nolan is a fellow mountain biker. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will not be racing at this year's 12 hours of Old El Paso. Instead, she will be fighting to overcome this disease. Although you will not see her racing, you sure will see her team of supporters, in fact you will hear her name a lot. Suzanne has become the inspiration of a new direction for 12 Hours of Old El Paso.

October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 12 Hours of Old El Paso 2010 is dedicated to those riders among us who are kept off of their bicycles due to cancer. Although we are focusing on raising awareness for breast cancer, we will be donating money to the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation in hopes that our small effort can ripple into a larger positive effect on the fight against cancer.


The above jersey is being raffled off at The Bicycle Company

Todd & Jan Haugen have kindly donated a Bicycle Company Jersey autographed by professional cyclists Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Johan Bruyneel, Jason McCartney and Floyd Landis for raffle. Raffle tickets will be $5.00 each, or five for $20.00. All proceeds will be donated to the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation the Nolan Family's foundation of choice.

We will also be raffling off a pair of Oakley Sunglasses, and Crank Bro Egg Beater SL Pedals. All raffle tickets will be sold at The Bicycle Company and Race Stagging Area during race day. Drawings will be held October 23, at the Bowen Ranch Roundhouse, during the award ceremony. You do not have to be present to win.


Crank Brothers Egg Beater SL Pedal Set in Pink


Oakley Commit Sunglasses Breast Cancer Awareness Edition

Race Day is Closing In...

In fact, there are less than 9 weeks until race day - Yeah, that might seem like a long way off, but 2011 is practically here - That being the case, I thought I would start getting you all acquainted with the race rules. Don't worry, these are more like guidelines to a happy ending for our 12 hours of Old El Paso.

Race Rules
1. Have fun and be nice to your fellow competitors - Don't take yourself too seriously - cause in the end you're just riding a bicycle in spandex.
2. Make it a goal to leave no trace other than tire tread marks on trails, don't leave anything behind, litter bugs will be squashed on sight.
3. Follow instructions given by Race Officials, Staff, Park Rangers, Police and Volunteers. These people are there to make this event enjoyable and safe for everyone.
4. Wear you're helmet while riding your bike, racing or not, on or off the course, it might even be a good idea to keep it on once the kegs are tapped.
6. USE YOUR LIGHTS. Once the sun drops behind that mountain, the desert gets dark, all riders will be required to use lights on the course during night laps.
7. Each team member is required to complete at least one lap.
8. Any attempt to cut the course will result in disqualification of the cheater and their entire team.
9. All co-ed teams - this one is obvious, but you'd be surprised - are required to have a minimum of one person of the opposite sex.
10. Passing on the course will happen, the overtaking rider is responsible for passing safely, please be courteous. Also, if you are the rider being passed, move over when asked the first time.
11. Only one member of each team is allowed on the race course at any given time, no half lap trade offs.
12. All protests must be made during the protest period and must be submitted in writing by the team's captain.
13. On ground campfires are not allowed, we will have a main bonfire for the enjoyment of all, if you must have a fire make sure it is in a contained above ground contraption, such as fire pit, grill, etc. We are in a desert and dry plants catch fire quickly.

If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, please leave them in the comment section below, or on our Facebook Page.

Pre Art Show BIKE RIDE... Friday the 13th