Bicycling is a way of life for many living within the 29,500 square mileage of Navajo land in New Mexico—yet, there were zero bike repair shops in the area. Enter Silver Stallion, a group of bike enthusiasts who are making it their mission to serve the Navajo Nation at no cost.
Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works is traveling all across Diné lands to administer free bicycle repairs as a mode of COVID-19 relief. The shop received a grant last year to help cover expenses from the New Mexico Economic Development Department. In addition to the state's grant, the Southwest Indian Foundation donated a delivery truck, and the Catena foundation offered the Stallion a grant to cover the truck's operating costs.
From September to November, the Stallion crew held thirteen repair events, repairing 425 bikes in seven different communities across the Navajo Nation.
The Stallion's mobile repair center was a grassroots movement led by Diné mechanics and other riders. The organization used donated parts from companies like the Clif Bar Pro Team and Stans No Tubes, along with salvaged bike parts, to execute their repairs.
Their efforts were so popular—and the need for their services so great—that they had to cut off the intake of bikes early at almost every single event.
This spring, the Stallion hopes to continue free bike repair.