Chuska Challenge Mountain Bike Race

CHUSKA CHALLENGE

MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

Chuska Mountains

Date: September 26th, 2026

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

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday

• Campsites: Riders set up their campsites
• Bike Maintenance: Bike tune-ups and minor repairs available throughout the weekend
• Food Options: Local food trucks will be around for afternoon/evening meal and snacks
• Live Music: Live music all evening

Saturday

• Race and Tour: Both Race and Tour are a 20-mile route. The Tour is a noncompetitive event, and the Race is a timed event with awards. There are aid stations for both events, with the course on rolling mountain roads, ranging from 8300 feet to nearly 9000 feet elevation.
• Music Stage: Music Stage throughout the day!
• Youth Races: Youth races begin at 1:00 p.m. Distances and Age Groups will be determined based on registration prior to the event.
• Food Vendors: Lunch and Dinner is available from various food vendors throughout the afternoon/evening

Sunday

• Camping: Riders are welcome to camp on Saturday night and enjoy a relaxing morning at the Chuska camp. Light breakfast items available for campers and possibly from local vendors.

REGISTRATION

Online registration for the weekend is now open 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, 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, 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 Pinon Pickers, Talibah Begay, Derrick Benally, Navajo blues artist Nolan James, and drummer Gary Elthie.

PACKET PICK-UP

Packet pick-up and on-site registration will be available on Saturday morning from 8:00-9:45 a.m.

AWARDS

There will be overall awards and age-group awards for Saturday’s Chuska race, and all riders will receive a finishers medal. The Tour de Rez Cup will also be presented on Saturday afternoon.

SPONSORS

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 Immanuel Mission, Mesa Edge Bikes, Ancient Dunes MTB, the Navajo Rangers, Beclabito CERT, Bisti Bikes, Roof Butte Search & Rescue, and Kokopelli Bikes & Board.

CONTACTS

For More Info:

Josh: info@:rmtiming.co

Tom: chuskaman@:yahoo.com || 928.429.0345

Rygie: 505.686.2300 || bekay2002@:gmail.com

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

DIRECTIONS

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 traveling 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:

Travel 60 miles north on Navajo Route 12 from Window Rock, Ganado, Gallup, etc. 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 N13.

From North:

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).