Competitive cyclists test skills in first road race

It's called the Hell of the North for a reason.

The first Utah Cycling Association road race of the year saw a couple hundred competitive cyclists show up to test their skills on a 5-mile circuit on the backroads of northwest Salt Lake City.

The state's best cyclists pushed themselves — and their bikes — to the limit as the course included a 1.75-mile stretch of dirt road that left many tires flat and took some athletes out of the race.

Bryson Perry earned the victory in the men's Pro Cat 1-2 division, completing 10 laps — 50 miles — in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 39 seconds. Fellow Seinna Development-Goble Knee Clinic rider Ryan Barrett was second, finishing just eight seconds behind, while Mark Santurbane placed third, barely edged by Barrett in a sprint to the finish line.

Heber City's Kathy Sherwin won the women's Cat 1-2-3 race, completing the 25-mile course in 1:22:41, outsprinting Salt Lake's Nisie Van de Kamp at the line.

The race was also the first competition of the year for local collegiate cycling clubs. The University of Utah hosted the Hell of the North, which was one of three races for the college cyclists.

In addition to the Saturday morning road race, the college club racers competed in an afternoon time trial and a hill climb up Big Mountain near Little Dell Reservoir on Sunday morning.

The Utes got a victory with Mitchell Peterson winning the hill climb. Fort Lewis State of Colorado swept the men's and women's 3-person team time trial races.

The next big local road race is the 60-mile East Canyon Road Race on April 28.

BIKE BONANZA: Of course, not every cyclist is looking for an excuse to grind out 50 miles of road with the fastest bikers in the state.

For those, REI in Sandy is offering a free Bike Bonanza on Saturday with a bike preparation and safety clinic. Starting at 11 a.m., cyclists can learn everything from how to fix a flat tire to preparing for long casual rides and basic bicycle maintenance.

A kids bike rodeo, test rides and a raffle will also be held.

Contact Kristen Kenley at 501-0850 for more information.

With warm temperatures now the norm, it's tempting to take your bike into the hills. On Thursday, REI in Sandy is also offering a free women's mountain biking clinic at 7 p.m..