BUFFALO PASS, Ariz. – This past weekend, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren joined riders from across the Navajo Nation and beyond for the Chuska Challenge Mountain Bike Festival, held September 19-21, 2025, in the stunning Chooshgai Mountains.
The event took place at Buffalo Pass on N13, where crisp mountain air and sweeping high-country views set the stage for a weekend of endurance and community.
The Challenge featured a 20-mile course with roughly 1,900 feet of elevation gain. Riders navigated rolling mountain roads, rocky sections, and scenic ridgelines, climbing nearly 9,000 feet at the highest point. Along the way, participants experienced sheep camps, wildlife, and the first signs of fall.
One of the most talked-about moments of the weekend? The grueling, rocky climb to the legendary “Top of the World.”
Riders pushed through the challenge and were rewarded with stunning panoramic views that made every climb worth it.
This year’s festival also included a Kids Bike Race, giving young riders their own chance to join the fun and feel the excitement of mountain biking in the Choosghais.
President Nygren proudly completed the 20-mile route in 2 hours and 40 minutes, conquering the climb, rolling hills, and rugged terrain alongside riders from across the Nation.
Special thanks to Y.E.S. for Dine’ Bikeyah, the Navajo Nation-based nonprofit that organizes this event each year, the nonprofit Silver Stallion for bike rentals for President Nygren and First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, and to every rider who came out to challenge themselves, enjoy the high country, and celebrate Diné Bikéyah.
Congratulations to everyone who raced, toured, and crossed the finish line. See you in 2026!
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