"Regardless of the expectation, a good base of 100 plus miles a week for the previous three months seems to be a good predictor of completion," writes 21-year LOTOJA veteran Carl Blair on the LOTOJA Web site. "It's important to do at least several century rides that include the type of hilly terrain you'll find in the LOTOJA."

For many, a century is the signature cycling accomplishment. For LOTOJA participants, a century doesn't quite get you halfway home.

"Training for LOTOJA is such a fickle task," Ogden's Mike Caldwell, a seven-year veteran, said. "July through the first week of August I try to get in at least four days per week of riding with at least one ride in the three- to four-hour range. I do all the local centuries and basically build up my ... endurance. If you eat smart and force yourself to drink enough water, your muscles will keep firing. But if you can't sit for a long period of time, and if you don't learn to stretch a little while riding, you suffer. Four weeks from race date I do a 100 mile-plus loop with some significant climbing on three of the weekends."

Training rides, of course, will vary depending on your location. Along the Wasatch Front, there are numerous canyons to attack as you prepare for the long climbs from Preston to Montpelier and then into Star Valley, Wyo. Taking advantage of those canyons during the long weekend training rides will help a cyclist much more than simply riding fast and long over flat stretches of road.

"I'll have to adjust it," Hoffman said. "In July, I'll put on the bigger, longer miles. ... I have to put in the miles to acclimate my muscles to do an eight- to nine-hour race."

Hoffman may be able to average 25 miles per hour over the 206-mile course. Fairchild's effort might be more in the 15-20 mile per hour range.

"I'm trying to get in a century almost every week, and I'm bumping up the miles as the race gets closer."

Regardless, finishing the race is the ultimate goal for all participants.

And in addition to lots of miles on the wheels, there are other training tips that will make the event a successful one.

"Plan on forcing yourself to drink constantly, even when you don't feel the least bit thirsty," Blair said. "Your legs will thank you later in the day."

With a bevy of volunteers handing out food and drinks at designated feed zones, LOTOJA is designed to help racers — whether Category 1 experts or those doing a 200-mile "rolling picnic" — finish the race safely.

A healthy meal loaded with carbs is a traditional way to fuel up the night before a big race. Day-of-race fueling usually consists of a normal breakfast and lots of water or sports drinks along the route. Energy bars, gels or other forms of easily digestible food is an essential way to keep the body primed for exertion over the long haul.

"You race this on your terms," Caldwell said. "For many it is an end of season, beautiful ride with the leaves turning, dramatic mountain scapes, loved ones and great accomplishments. For others it is a measuring stick, heads down and seeing stars for eight-plus hours. Regardless of how you approach it, there is usually nothing but smiles that beautiful autumn Sunday morning in Teton Village.

Proper training for LOTOJA, or any other endurance race, will help ensure a level of satisfaction regardless of how fast you go.

"Don't forget to take time to look and marvel at the beautiful scenery on the ride," nine-year LOTOJA veteran John Hernandez says. "No matter how many times you have seen the Teton Mountains before, they will never look as majestic as they do when you finally see them coming down the home stretch riding into Teton Village to finish LOTOJA."

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com