PEAKS to Conga - WYld at Heart

Written By: Katelyn Parker

For ten years, people from all around the Bighorn Basin have been mounting their road bikes every June and pedaling from Cody all the way to Shell, Wyoming. 2020 would have marked the events eleventh year; however, they were unable to host the event like many events across the state and country. Some of these cyclists pedal because they are looking for recreation, others are pedaling to support the fight against cancer. This is an event that brings people together and supports a great cause. Tara Kuipers is one of their long-time participants, and she has been kind enough to tell us what PEAKS to Conga means to her.

Spoken From One of Their Own

 “For 8 years, I’ve spent a Saturday in late June riding my bike 68 miles from Cody to Shell, WY. This year, I finally figured out why. The ride PEAKS to Conga has a slogan: ‘Kick Cancer to the Curb.’ For 7 years, I’ve signed up for this ride to enjoy one of my favorite activities (biking) in one of my favorite places (the Bighorn Basin of northern Wyoming) with some of my favorite people.

 For 7 years, my reason for doing the ride wasn’t about cancer; it was about the recreation, the challenge, and the fun. Raising funds for patients and families impacted by cancer was a nice feel-good side benefit, but it wasn’t my main motivation.

I’ve known plenty of people impacted by cancer over the years; we all have. But this year it hit home for me - literally. Over Christmas, my father got sick and in early January he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. In early March, his battle ended with this awful disease.

For 7 years, I’ve pedaled these 68 miles taking in the scenery, sharing time with other riders along the way, stopping for breaks at the aid stations, and feeling the pride of accomplishment when I reached the end.

 This year, the miles were the same, but my perspective was entirely new. I rode every one of those 68 miles with my dad on my mind, and on my heart. I thought about his love, his wit and his overwhelmingly kind heart. I thought about the way he lived and, sadly, the way he died. I thought about all the ways my family has been supported and loved and lifted up over the past several months.

 And I thought about the promise and possibility of actually, truly ‘Kicking Cancer to the Curb’ - it motivates me and inspires me more than I ever thought it could.” - Tara Kuipers, 2019

Mark Your Calendars

Join PEAKS to Conga for their 10th Anniversary PEAKS to Conga bicycle ride June 26 2021! Without an awesome committee, sponsors, and volunteers this ride would not exist! Many folks have been affected by cancer and are inspired to ride or get involved with this event.

Be Inspired and Get Involved

This year we pay tribute to Flo Fuhr who was a motorcyclist that inspired residents of the Bighorn Basin to join her Conga line and inspired them to develop PEAKS to Conga. Join them for the ride &/or the Shellebration in Shell, WY. Non-riders are encouraged to come out and enjoy the food, music with Pat Reedy & The Longtime Goners, silent auction, raffle & more!

All funds raised through PEAKS (People Everywhere are kind & sharing) to Conga help cancer patients in the Bighorn Basin to offset non-medical expenses.

To sign up or find out more & how to help visit peakstoconga.org