Different organizers, same ride for PEAKS to Conga fundraiser

The future of the annual PEAKS to Conga appeared bleak in February when longtime organizer Laurie Stoelk and the nonprofit People Everywhere Are Kind and Sharing organization announced that they would not be organizing a 2025 event after raising more than $450,000 over a 14-year period.

Reports of its demise, however, turned out to be greatly exaggerated.

 The event returns for its 15th year Saturday, June 21 with an entirely new group of organizers but the same 66-mile, fully-supported bike ride followed by live music, games and vendors under the shade trees in the heart of Shell.

Emily Reed, a spokesperson of this year’s event, said the announcement that Stoelk and PEAKS planned to step aside caught many off guard, but that their shock was soon replaced by resolve.

“A bunch of us were like, ‘We can’t let this end.’ It’s such an important fundraising entity and so many folks in our community rely on those funds to offset costs during treatment.  

“We just felt like, because it’s been a really important event that happens every June and so many people love it, it would be really sad if there wasn’t anyone to keep it going.”

 Reed said this year’s event is coming together nicely, with excellent support from sponsors. 

“We’re pretty close to our fundraising goal for this year, which is great, and we have 113 registered riders so far and are expecting 20 or more between now and the ride,” she said earlier in the week. “We always get a big influx of riders right before.”

Riders are scheduled to depart from Cody Coffee Roasters at 7 a.m.

Reed said the afternoon “Shellebration” will feature lots of vendors, food from the Shell Store and new Shell Bar, massage therapists and yard games. Live music will run from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., with Jimmy Rush, Justine May and Jane Bell scheduled to perform. 

No silent auction is planned, but items will be raffled, she said.

The purpose of PEAKS to Conga has always been to raise money to help cancer patients in the Big Horn Basin with the non-medical expenses including food, gas and lodging that they incur while undergoing treatment.

Reed said she has ridden in the event several times, but admitted, “It was not as much about the fundraising component as it was just being a young person who loves to ride bikes. For me, I thought of it as a training opportunity (for upcoming races). The fact that the registration fee went to help community members with cancer was just the cherry on top.

“But the older I’ve gotten, I’m come to know quite a few more people who have been diagnosed with cancer, or whose family members are going through the treatment process.  The other big factor, I’m a research scientist by trade and I’ve seen a ton of research saying cancer diagnoses are increasing, especially among women. That, paired with the fact that there have been massive cuts to cancer research, motivated me to ensure there is a local entity that can provide funds for local cancer patients.”