By Dan Murphy
Last year, we introduced you to Yonkers resident and Explorer Chev Dixon. Chev is a kayaker, biker, runner, and outdoor enthusiast. In 2022, Chev took a 335-mile journey of hiking, biking, running, and kayaking, from New York City to Albany and back. He called it the Hudson Valley Challenge.
Now, one year later Chev has completed the 2023 Hudson Valley Challenge, but this time it was 685 miles, of Kayaking, Biking and Hiking, from New York City all the way the Adirondack mountains to Mount Marcy, the highest peak in New York-and back to Yonkers and NYC by kayaking.
“We started on Juneteenth and finished on July 4. We had hikers, who had never explored NYC or Yonkers, join me for the hike up Mount Marcy. Last year it was over 300 miles, this year it was 685 miles. We kicked off with a 14-mile run at Pier 26 in Manhattan, and the kids that I have been training with in Yonkers showed up at the Yonkers Pier and joined me for the trip back,” said Dixon who has introduced many Yonkers teenagers to the beauty of the Hudson River through the Yonkers Paddling & Rowing Club’s Hudson Riders Program. The YPRC helps provide recreational access to and environmental awareness of the Hudson River for underserved communities through free kayak paddles, tours and training.
Chev uses his Hudson Valley Challenge to challenge young people in Yonkers and NYC to and show them that there is an alternative to the streets, and the violence and gangs that they may encounter. He also wants to show everyone in Yonkers and beyond how to challenge yourself by exercising and eating healthy.
“I want to encourage people to get out of their comfort zone and try something different, explore the great outdoors and all that New York State, and the Hudson River, has to offer. Getting healthier is the message, and I want to motivate our youth to channel their energy by getting outside and exercising. This trip and the hike was a challenge for me, and I don’t think that anyone has biked, hiked and ran from Manhattan to Mount Marcy and kayaked back to NYC before.”
A group, some from NYC and Yonkers joined Chev as he climbed Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in the Adirondacks and in New York State. It is 10 miles to go one way to the summit. “We had different people from Yonkers come up to join me on this hike, which I told them would be the hardest walk in their lives, but you will get something special out of it. It rained and some people lost their shoes, but when you reach the peak, it prepares you for whatever other challenges you may have in your life. It was beautiful to see people do it.”
Runners joined Chev on his journey, as did members of the Yonkers Bike Club. Dixon also met a group of kids in Albany, who he hopes “were inspired by what I was doing.”
The message of Chev’s journey this year is the same as last year. “I want to show black and brown people that they can be adventurers and explorers, and to show them the great outdoors that is right outside of Yonkers. I have been able to bring some of our youth out on the river with the Hudson River Riders. Now I want to take it to the next level with a journey next year with a group of underserved—young adults from Yonkers.”
Chev has filmed much of his journey and plans to turn it into a movie and share it in the Yonkers Public Schools, and with others beyond Yonkers. “I believe in the power of storytelling. It was a great time and I’m pleased about the turnout and engagement.
“There were so many good moments, which shows how important it is to take time to spend outdoors with nature. We have the power to take back our minds and bodies, to be better and stronger. Yes, there are challenges in some parts of Yonkers with food insecurity and eating healthy, but I want kids to take matters in their own hands and complain less. Focus on a mission and get it done. Be healthier and think about what you eat.
“I planned this trip for 9 months and trained for 5 months. I was emotionally ready for the trip but I had moments where I wondered if I could do it. That time I got lost in the Hudson gorge, but I knew that I had to trust myself, my skills and get through this.” A 14-mile run and 420 miles of biking were part of Chev’s Hudson Valley Challenge.
Now that Chev has completed the Hudson Valley Challenge on two occasions, he wants to bring between 10-20 kids from Yonkers on this journey next year. “I saw so many things that I want to share with kids in Yonkers, some who never got out of the city, and bring them into this environment where they can learn and challenge themselves. I hope to raise the funds to bring 20 kids next year, have them hike and bike and kayak over a few days.
“I want to show them that they have limitless power, and with some dedication, can learn about themselves and others. I want youth to have this experience, to connect with other people upstate, and see how beautiful NY State is, and how resilient our minds and bodies are.
“But for everyone in Yonkers and beyond, my message is to challenge yourself, get outside and try new activities. Run a half-marathon, participate in the Tour De Yonkers, train and eat healthy! Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself!
“We always see on TV or read about professional athletes or explorers who travel the world and tell stories. But I have a different story to tell, about how someone from New York’s third largest city can bike, hike, run and kayak his way to Mount Marcy and the length of the Hudson River from its source to sea and inspire others to get out and get healthy.”
Chev needs sponsors to take his ideas to the next level. He is already planning his next trip and wants to take 20 kids from Yonkers in 2024. Business sponsors are needed,
and we believe that the Yonkers community will rally together for this.
YonkersTimes.com and Yonkers Rising will join in this effort. Perhaps a golf outing at St. Andrews in Yonkers-Hastings as we write about the American home of golf, to help Yonkers Great Naturalist!
Thanks Chev, you have done it again. You have made me and others step away from our computers and our Netflix and get outside and enjoy the great outdoors!
