Ruta del Jefe Returns March 4-6, 2022

Education

The event seeks to create lifelong advocates for the region by hosting talks by local Indigenous, conservation, and humanitarian aid organizations to give participants a greater context for the land they will be traveling within.

Advocacy

In addition, RDJ hosts an optional participant-led fundraiser that benefits the following organizations; Indivisible Tohono, No More Deaths, Cuenca Los Ojos, the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas, and the Arizona Trail Association. The fundraiser encourages participants to take an active role in learning about and advocating for the Sky Islands region leading up to, during, and after the event among their family, friends, and social networks.

Adventure

Participants have the option to choose between the following self-supported rides: a 135-mile adventure ride which largely follows the Sky Islands Odyssey East Loop, a 70-mile adventure ride, a 55-mile gravel ride, a 28-mile gravel ride, and a 12k run/ride.

Community

RDJ takes place at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch (AWRR) in Elgin, Arizona. The AWRR protects 8,000-acres of semi-arid grasslands from human impact as much as possible and measures what happens to a place and its plant and animal populations over time. As the venue for RDJ, the AWRR provides permitted access to an intimate and beautiful location for participants to camp and ride the surrounding dirt roads.

Festivities such as a bird and bikes ranch tour, live music, scavenger hunt, happy hour, yoga, and delicious vegan meals by Ruchikala bring people together throughout the three-day weekend.
Registration. In 2022, RDJ will require proof of vaccination to attend the event.

Registration

In 2020, registration spots for RDJ sold out in under 10 minutes. Therefore, to make registration more equitable, RDJ will open registration for the following groups at the following times on a first-come, first-serve basis.

November 21, 2021 – People who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of color). 25 person limit.
November 22, 2021 – People who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary). 25 person limit.
November 23, 2021 – Subscribers to the Sarah Swallow Dispatch. 25 person limit.
November 24, 2021 – General registration. 25 person limit.

If you identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+, you can sign-up to receive a priority registration passcode by filling out this short form.

BIPOC Scholarships

Understanding that systematic racism and other injustices have created more significant barriers to participation in outdoor recreation events among Black, Indigenous, and people of color, RDJ seeks to increase access and reduce barriers for up to ten participants who identify as BIPOC. Recipients will be given free registration to Ruta del Jefe (including meals and camping) and will not be required to fundraise or pay the donation portion of the event fee. You can apply for a Ruta del Jefe scholarship by filling out this form. Applications are due by November 17, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. MST.