CHUSKA CHALLENGE 

MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

Chuska Mountains

September 15-17th, 2023

Yá'át'ééh riders!  Welcome to the Chuska Challenge! 

WEEKEND SCHEDULE – 

FRIDAY 

• Riders set up their campsites
• Bike tune-ups and minor repairs available throughout the weekend
• Local food trucks will be around for afternoon/evening meal and snacks
• Live music all evening: Red Hawk and Pinon Pickers

SATURDAY

• Chuska RACE and Chuska TOUR begin at 10:00 a.m. and 10:15, respectively. Both Race and Tour are a 20-mile route.  The Tour is a noncompetitive event, while the Race is a timed event with awards.  There are aid stations for both events.

  There is a BIKEPACKING event that is led by Jon Yazzie, beginning Saturday and finishing on Sunday mid-day.  This ride will give riders a unique perspective of the Chuska highcountry.  Riders will be carrying their own gear, with Jon leading the group in camping and cooking.

  
  The COURSE for both the Tour and Race will be a 20-mile route on rolling mountain roads.  The course is between 8300 feet elevation, approaching nearly 9000 feet at the highest point.  The views are stunning and sweeping, and riders will experience life in the Chuska highcountry with many sheep camps, wildlife and early fall colors.  There will be two aid stations on the route, which will be a rocky and mostly firm surface.

• Music Stage throughout the day.
• KIDS RACES begin at 1:00 p.m. 
  • Age categories: 11-12 (5 miles)   9-10  (3 miles)   7-8 (2 miles)   6 & U (1 mile)
• Lunch and Dinner is available from various food vendors throughout the afternoon/evening
• Night performance, 6pm.

SUNDAY

• Breakfast burritos and other breakfast options throughout morning
• Bike packing group arrives early afternoon.

REGISTRATION – Online registration for the weekend is now open through noon on Friday, September 15 of race week at the NavajoYES website: www.navajoyes.org   On-site registration will be held at the race site at the Chuska camp on Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday morning.  Registration includes long-sleeve performance t-shirt, course support, finisher’s medal (for racers), camping, live music all weekend and a chance at race awards. 

CAMPING – There are many good campsites available close to the Chuska camp.  You can camp anywhere throughout the meadow.  There will be portable toilets available around the campsite.  There will be wash stations, light snacks/Honey Stinger products and hot drinks available throughout the weekend.

Our campsite is located at just over 8500 feet elevation and race weekend is in mid-September, so plan accordingly.  Nights and mornings are likely to be chilly, and cold temps and rain or even early snow are possible.

LIVE MUSIC STAGE – Chuska weekend will be filled with awesome sounds of some of the best live native music around, including the likes of Rance Redhouse, Talibah Begay, Derrick Benally and Red Hawk. 

PACKET PICK-UP – Packet pick-up and on-site registration will be available throughout the day on Friday and Saturday morning.   

AWARDS – There will be overall awards and age-group awards for Saturday’s Chuska race.  The Tour de Rez Cup will also be presented on Saturday afternoon.

The Chuska Challenge is sponsored by the Navajo Nation-based nonprofit organization Y.E.S. for Dine’ Bikeyah (NavajoYES). The Chuska enjoys the support of Mesa Edge Bikes, Ancient Dunes MTB, SiiHasin Bike Program, the Navajo Rangers, Beclabito CERT, Bisti Bikes, Roof Butte Search & Rescue and Kokopelli Bikes & Board.

CONTACTS – For More Info:    

Josh (registration/timing) – info@rmtiming.co  

 Tom - chuskaman@yahoo.com  || 928.429.0345    

 www.navajoyes.org   || www.facebook.com/NavajoYES 

DIRECTONS – Our campsite is nestled in the towering pine trees in a scenic spot at about 8500 feet elevation.  Situated between the communities of Red Valley and Lukachukai, the site is just east of Buffalo Pass overlook in the northern Chuskas.  Below are the directions from a variety of locations.

From east (if travelling from Shiprock, Durango, Farmington, Cortez, T’iis Nasbas, etc.)  Head south on U.S. Highway 491 out of Shiprock.  Five-plus miles south of Shiprock will be the junction with Navajo Route 13, with signs indicating Red Valley, Cove and Lukachukai.  Turn right and head west on N13.  You will see the Red Rock Trading Post and school in 22 miles, then will pass by Red Valley Cove H.S. and NHA housing on your way to the mountain.  About twelve miles from Red Valley you will arrive at camp, which will be visible on the right (north) side of N13.

From south (Window Rock, Ganado, Gallup, etc.)   Travel 60 miles north on Navajo Route 12 from WR to the junction with Navajo route 13 at Lukachukai (aka “L.A.”), From LA, head east into the mountains.  From the junction, you will travel about 12 miles to Buffalo Pass, on your left as you approach the summit.  Continue one mile east of the Pass to our camp, which will be visible from the highway on the left (north) side of the N13.

From north (Kayenta, Shonto, Black Mesa, Tuba City, Monument Valley, Page)  Travel east eight miles from Kayenta on U.S. Highway 160 to the junction with Navajo Route 59 at the top of Church Rock hill.  At the junction, turn right and head south 44 miles – past Chilchinbeto and Rough Rock en route to Many Farms.  At Many Farms, travel 16 miles east to Round Rock on U.S. Highway 191.  At the  Round Rock, turn right and head south on Route 12.  Continue 15 miles to Lukachukai. From Lukachukai, head east on N13 toward Buffalo Pass.  Camp is just one mile east of the pass on your left (north)