Edgewood Lions Club Marks 5th Milestone Bicycle Rodeo with Youth Skills Challenges

The Edgewood Town Hall parking lot transformed into an asphalt obstacle arena Saturday as the Edgewood Lions Club hosted its 5th Annual Bicycle Rodeo for youth from across the East Mountains and Estancia Valley.

The 5th Annual Bicycle Rodeo brought riders ages 3 to 18 from across the East Mountains, Torrance County, and the Estancia Valley to the Edgewood Town Hall parking lot for a full day of skills development and obstacle course racing.

Presented in partnership with the Edgewood Police Department and Boy Scout Troop 640, the free gathering offered local youngsters a rural twist on bike safety.

Event chairman Debbie Bryan founded the event five years ago seeking constructive outdoor activities that could bring area families together in the wake of a local tragedy. While researching cycling programs, Bryan drew inspiration from a Lions Club ride in Tucson, Arizona, but recognized a standard road course made little sense for rural central New Mexico.

“The club decided we needed to get the kids out in the fresh air, playing and having fun,” Bryan said. “I contacted the Tucson Lions and they hold a big bike ride. Well, that wouldn’t work in Edgewood. So I started thinking rodeo — pole bending, barrel racing, and so on. When I took my idea back to the Edgewood Lions, they said, ‘Let’s give it a try.’”

The Town of Edgewood provided the municipal lot, and the Edgewood Police Department assisted in designing and overseeing the courses.

Riders navigated age-bracketed courses adapted directly from Western equestrian competitions. Division winners took home brand-new bicycles, while the top three finishers in every class earned gold, silver, and bronze medals. Every participating child received a gift bag.

Between heats, Edgewood police officers ran safety clinics while members of the Sandia Mountain Lions Club, the New Braunfels, Texas, Lions Club, and Duke City BMX provided courtesy tune-ups and mechanical checks.

Division-winner bicycles and foundational backing were sponsored by EPCOR Water, Rich Ford, and Tillery Chevrolet GMC. Proceeds from the event’s annual raffle were earmarked directly for youth outreach initiatives serving Torrance County and the East Mountain corridor.

“This is a free event for the kids,” Bryan said. “This event helps teach sportsmanship, fellowship, friendship and leadership, but fun is still the main thing.”