From Deseret News archives:
LOTOJA Classic
When: Sept. 8
Who: Registration filled up after only two days as 1,000 cyclists signed up for the 25th anniversary of the longest single-day USA Cycling sanctioned race in the country. Several hundred more cyclists are on the waiting list hoping for a coveted spot in the field.
Info: LOTOJAClassic.com
TRAINING TIPS:
1. It's now three months from race day. If you haven't already logged a couple thousand miles on your bike to build the leg muscles up, you better get busy. Take advantage of any organized ride in the area to build endurance.
2. Ride a lot. Weekly 100-mile rides are important, but so are the almost-daily 50-mile base builders. As race day approaches, cyclists should be logging 200-250 miles per week at a minimum.
3. Hit the mountains. LOTOJA has three long climbs over summits of more than 7,000 feet. Individually, they should be no problem for an experienced cyclist. Together, the three climbs will test even the best. Find a Saturday to climb Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon or even one of the stretches of road you'll be traveling during the race. There's no substitute for experience on long climbs.
4. Listen to your body. Lots of miles in the bank will be only one part of the equation. The others will be proper nutrition, rest and hydration. While riding, drink lots of fluids. Load up on carb-heavy food the night before a race to ensure an energy bank to use throughout any long ride. Stretching before and after a training ride might be the difference between finishing the race with a smile on your face and pulling out with a bad hamstring on the first big climb.
5. Tune up the bike. While your body is the most important piece of equipment for the race, the bike should be taken into a shop for a good overhaul to make sure the chains, cables and other moving parts don't break down, leaving you frustrated and alone on the roadside.
6. Prepare for the best and the worst of conditions. In 2005, an early snowstorm hit the area and hundreds of cyclists were forced to give up. Many landed in the hospital with hypothermia. Pack the warm gear regardless of the forecast and be prepared to use it. It's much easier to leave a light jacket with your support crew at one of the feed zones than it is to slip into some leg warmers you thought weren't important enough to bring along.
