Cyclists reach Navajo capitol
15-day trek tests riders' endurance

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Move over, Greg LeMond the Tour de Rez bikers were on a blistering pace to reach the council chambers in time for the summer session last week.

"The race to the capital was on. Navajo tribal council delegates riding horses from around the rez left their communities on (July 9), heading toward Window Rock for the opening of the council session on the 16th," said Tom Riggenbach, director of the Youth Empowerment Services, and an organizer of the tour. The Tour de Rez bikers began a four-day sprint from Shonto to Window Rock.

The bikers tagged the first horse riders on Sunday above Ganado on the climb up the Defiance Plateau, he added.

There was a camaraderie among the riders of horse and bike, alike, he said.

"We had a really great time," Riggenbach said. "It was fun."

The bikers' arrival in Window Rock capped the final leg of the Tour's final 15-day stretch, beginning at T'iis Nazbas, through southern Utah and to Shonto to Window Rock.

More than 150 riders took part in various stages of this year's ride, Riggenbach said.

The most miles were covered by Rodney Zahney (50 days), Redmond Etsitty (29), Travon Richardson (21) and Dustin Smith (20).

The finishing leg included a sheriff's escort into town, tunes by the Navajo Nation Band and dinner with some of the most important leaders on the Nation, Riggenbach added.

"One of the finest moments of the final leg was biking through four states in 22 seconds," Riggenbach said. "That short ride was round the Four Corners Monument, of course!"

"Our Fourth of July party, 1,500 feet above the Goosenecks of the San Juan, was pure excitement," he said.

The desert trek through "No Man's land" and on to Navajo Mountain and Rainbow Bridge was an epic journey, the only way Hoskinnini and Teddy Roosevelt would have it, Riggenbach added.

"The quote of the week came from that hike, as I was encouraging a young hiker to put on my old Cubs hat to fend off the sun. 'Lots of character in that old hat,' I explained. 'And,' he replied, 'lots of sweat, too!'"

Riggenbach offered a big "ahehe" to all of the school, families and other supporters who participated in this year's the journey.

"It's dangerous to even start mentioning names, but a few stand out," Riggenbach said. He said special thanks need to go to Irene Dayzie, Kathy Block, Jim Crittendon, Single Track Bikes, Kee Dayzie, Esther Peaches, Toni Nez, the Gallup CHR Program, (Delegate) Jonathon Nez and the Shonto Chapter, Jim Phillips, Ganado Intermediate School, the Jones family, Keith Pertusio, Immanuel Mission, Jimmy Keith, Monte, Germaine, Jessica & Hardrocks Chapter, Monument Valley High School (Utah), Carmen Clark, St. Ann's Mission, Daryl Billy and the Navajo Rangers, Rebecca Cook, Natsisaan Community School, Darrell Joe, Mark and Marilyn Povich, John and Lois Neff, Henry Lane and family, Ed Leonard and Jesse Crane, Kelly Ruddis, Dilcon Christian Foundation, Fred Holiday, Irene and Kevin Bicenti, Black Mesa Bible Church, Pedro Dugi, (Delegate) Tom Lapahe, Virgie Begay, Norman and Locita Sneddy, Teri Hall, Rodney and Tanya Zahney, Charles and Laura Smith and Ron and Lou Barton.

There are many others he owes thanks to, Riggenbach said.

The post-Tour "Tales from the Trail" will be out in August, with a lot of pictures and stories, he said. "Tales" comes out four times a year.

There was a let-down after the tour, however.

"It was fun, being out there riding," Riggenbach laughed. "Then, it was back to the office! Oh, well."

With the Tour de Rez over, Riggenbach has turned his attention to some upcoming events.

The Y.E.S. benefit concert/auction featuring the group Ethel (www.ethelcentral.com) will be Sept. 14. Y.E.S. also sponsors a series of outings to Grand Canyon in the fall, beginning in September. The annual Chuska Challenge mountain bike festival is the weekend of Oct. 5-7, at the Dine' College campus in Tsaile.