Following days of pounding rain, thunder, and lightning, Saturday, September 27th broke beautifully fresh and clear—perfect weather for NPC Friends & Family’s 13th Annual Pedal the Petrified fundraiser cycling ride through Petrified Forest National Park. While a few folks were deterred by the weather leading up to the event, over 200 riders still took to the road to explore the beauty of the magnificent National Park while raising funds for scholarships for students at Northland Pioneer College.
The event brought in over $42,000 for scholarships and emergency support for students in need, and it brought in many new friends of the college as well. Riders ranged from 21 to 81 years old and came from across the state and country: California, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico…and even Washington, Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The event is staffed by volunteers, many of whom leave their homes by 4:00 a.m. to travel to the park and prepare to welcome and celebrate the riders. “The volunteers truly make this event special,” noted Jesse Reeck, Executive Director of NPC Friends and Family. “So many of the participants commented on the enthusiasm and professionalism of our volunteers, with quite a few saying that this is the best-supported ride they’ve ever attended. Being new to Pedal the Petrified myself, I credit my Development Director Karen Zimmerman, NPC’s remarkable Maintenance Department, and all of the broader NPC Family that takes such ownership of this event and of sharing their passion for our students and this community.”
Cyclists chose either to complete a 31.5 mi/50 km ride from the north end to the south end of the Petrified Forest and be shuttled back to their cars, or to turn around and cycle back north to complete a full 63 mi/100 km ride. Some riders pedal straight through the full metric century, but there is no winner, and most riders enjoy a more leisurely tour, pausing to snack and visit at the many sag stops along the route. The stops offer tasty snacks and silly fun: Take a photo with an alien, a dinosaur or the stars of Mario Kart! Enjoy a pickle “shot” or a homemade cookie!
Cyclist Gail Johnson of the Trilogy bicycling club out of Peoria, AZ said this was the group’s first Pedal the Petrified event. The 55+ group completed the full metric century ride. “We all had a wonderful time,” she said. “The ride support was fantastic and we stopped at almost every rest stop for the views and to visit with those supporting the ride. Everyone was so kind and friendly and appreciative of all the riders. The food was also great, and we loved how each stop had a unique theme.” She added, “I still have my alien key chain.”
NPC students and scholarship winners were there to greet riders at the pre-ride check-in the night before and as they came across the finish line at the end of their long pedal. These students were able to speak to the critical importance of scholarships in their lives. One explained that “my NPC Friends & Family scholarship enabled me to focus on my studies this semester without having to apply for a second job to afford the resources that I needed to be successful,” and another commented that the scholarship ensured that “I don’t have to choose between feeding my family and reaching my educational goals.”
Pedal the Petrified is much more than a bike ride, it is a celebration of Northeastern Arizona, Northland Pioneer College, and the beautiful NPC Family of students, faculty, staff, and community volunteers that make this such a vibrant, extraordinary place.
