For our last installment of Monumental Loop Week we are highlighting the person who made all of it possible. Written by Patrick Farnsworth, because Matt’s too nice and busy thinking about everyone else, to do it himself. Thanks for reading!
The Monumental Loop is the brainchild of Matt Mason. He came to Las Cruces, NM in 2009 at a time when there was a lot of debate about the future use of the 500,000+ acres of the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument that surround Las Cruces. To familiarize himself more with the land in question Matt set off on foot to explore and learn about, and from, the land. Even as an experienced thru-hiker Matt found most of the land inaccessible due to the vast desert and lack of resources.
In 2015 he was introduced to fat bikes and his desire to explore the lands around him was reignited. By 2017 he had explored much of the desert and the first iteration of the Monumental Loop was born. Fast forward 5 years and I just got back from the inaugural NM Bikepacking Summit, hosted in Las Cruces, in conjunction with the DangerBird, a 250 miles celebration held on the Monumental Loop. This year over 120 people participated in the event starting with a meet and great and ending with a 250 mile ride in the desert.
As a spectator I was in awe of what I saw and experienced. The people were awesome, the community will literally open up their arms to you. It’s really a beautiful thing that’s not only beautiful to see and experience, but it is making a difference in peoples lives and the communities it touches. The whole time I kept thinking about Matt with an immense gratitude for what he had essentially created. Yes he has had a lot of help, and he’s “duped” others into helping, but no one will deny that Matt is the heart of the Monumental Loop. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know and become friends with Matt Mason, he is no profiteer and would probably never ask, so I’m going to ask for him.
Bikepacking and Cycling Friends, Matt has worked tirelessly to build a route and a community around that route. He has the support of the NM Government and is working towards getting the Monumental Loop designated as a National Trail. He also makes sure that local businesses, artist, frame builders, restaurants, etc. have opportunities to showcase their talents and products, but he has never made a dollar off of any of this efforts. Which says a lot about Matt.
I know that from being at the Bikepacking Summit and Dangerbird that many of you are grateful to Matt and I wanted to provide the cycling community with an opportunity to say thanks and support his current and future work on the Monumental Loop, DangerBird, the NM Bikepacking Summit, and probably some tires from time to time.
100% of The Monumental Loop Fund goes to, and is managed by, Matt Mason. You’ve seen what he’s been able to accomplish without any funding, imagine what he can do with a little walking around money!
Thanks Matt Mason!
