at Big Bayhorse Lake. Sunday's
rain-soaked run closed the week-
end in style with a dust-free,
super memorable
finale.
Routes were created to attract
both experienced single-track
riders and casual enthusiasts,
ensuring inclusivity without sac
-
rificing challenge.
Beyond the riding, the event
featured a star-studded "Ulti-
mate Bench-Racing Session" at
the Challis Community Center.
1993 500cc World Champion
Kevin Schwantz and motocross
legend Bob Hannah entertained
the crowd with candid stories
and insights, while industry icons
John Gregory and Eddie Cole
added to the atmosphere of
motorsports royalty. Altogether,
five AMA Hall of Famers were in
attendance, giving the event an
air of credibility that participants
appreciated immensely.
Schwantz also joined partici
-
pants on the trail, bridging the
gap between professional
legacy
and grassroots camaraderie.
Participants traveled from as
far as New York, Hawaii, Florida
and Texas, highlighting the
event's national reach. Limiting
entries to 120 ensured smooth
logistics and a close-knit atmo
-
sphere. Meals, receptions and
evening
banquets offered oppor-
tunities for friendships to form
as
easily as they did on the trail.
Harden Off-Road worked
closely with the Challis Chamber
of Commerce, local officials, the
Salmon-Challis Forest Service, and
the BLM to coordinate logistics
and minimize impact on public
lands. Local volunteers and the
Challis Community Trails Alliance
played key roles in execution.
The Rendezvous raised more
than $4000, $1000 of which
was donated to the Challis High
School sports programs, while
the balance was divided among
local Idaho trail organizations,
reinforcing its commitment to
leaving a positive footprint.
From Schwantz and Hannah's
stories to the lakeside lunch at
Big Bayhorse Lake, participants
shared a variety of memorable
moments. Riders praised Idaho's
diverse terrain—alpine meadows,
mining roads, and technical de
-
scents—while everyone agreed
the camaraderie
was the true
highlight.
"When we first started con-
templating doing this event two
years
ago, we could not have
imagined just how special it
would be," said Harden. "With
strong reviews and online buzz
already building, the Yankee Fork
Rendezvous is poised to become
a fixture on our 2026 Harden Off-
Road trail ride and rally series.
By combining world-class riding
with motorsports heritage and
community benefit, our event
delivered an experience that
resonated well beyond the trails.
We've landed on a pretty good
formula for putting on entertain
-
ing events. We will be back!"
CN
VOLUME 62 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 P31
The first Yankee
Fork Rendezvous
trail ride quickly
filled the 120-rider
cap. The cap is
expected to be
raised next year.
