2,000 bicyclists test their limits at 111-mile ULCER extravaganza

MIND OVER MOUNTAINS: Perhaps the toughest cyclists in the area will gather in Park City on Aug. 25 for the Endurance 100. The third leg of the E 100 series, this race is a solo marathon designed to break down all but the heartiest of athletes.

Starting at 6 a.m., mountain bikers will depart from The Canyons and ride through 100 miles of the most beautiful single track trails in the country. Featuring 18,627 vertical feet of climbing, the E 100 will attract many of the top athletes from the country as they race for thousands of dollars in prizes.

Utah's Bart Gillespie holds the course record, completing the 100 mile solo adventure in 10:09. Monique Sawicki holds the women's mark at 10:48.25.

If 100 miles sounds a little too ambitious, there are shorter options of 67 or 50 miles. Registration is limited to 500 cyclists and is still accepting applications. Visit TheE100.com for more information.

CYCLOCROSS OPENER: Take a mountain bike, cross it with a road bike and throw it onto a criterium-style off-road course with short, steep climbs and a variety of obstacles like logs and mud puddles and you have cyclocross.

Roadies and dirt riders alike will open the Utah Cyclocross Series on Aug. 25 at the Wasatch County Fairgrounds in Heber. Racing starts at 9:30 for the newcomers and juniors while the veterans get busy a little later. For more info, check sportsbaseonline.com for more cyclocross information.

RIDE OF THE WEEK: While endurance events seem to be the flavor of the month, there are certainly plenty of other bike rides to join. The Bonneville Bicycle Touring Club is the best friend to Utah's cycling community and will be holding its annual picnic ride before the club's general membership meeting. Rides ranging from 25 to 60 miles begin at 8 a.m. with a potluck lunch at the end. Meet at Fitts Park (3050 S. 500 East) or visit bbtc.net to join the fun.

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com