From Deseret News archives:
Logan to Jackson Cyclists eager to tackle grueling LOTOJA Classic
It represents having finished what is the longest single-day, United States Cycling Federation-sanctioned bicycle race in the country.
"It's kind of a pride thing," Brent Chambers, whose Epic Events company organizes the race, said. "Finishing that race and putting that sticker on your car, it means something to a lot of people."
This year it means something extra.
The LOTOJA Classic, short for Logan to Jackson, is celebrating its 25th running on Saturday and will have 1,000 cyclists hitting the road trying to complete the 206-mile journey to the base of the Teton Mountains outside Jackson, Wyo.
For many, it is the perfect cap to a long summer of training if they can finish.
LOTOJA began as the brainchild of David Bern and Jeff Keller. The two Logan cyclists were big fans of the bicycle races in Europe and wanted to bring a little of that to the Rocky Mountains. In 1983, the pair hosted the first LOTOJA Classic with only nine cyclists covering the grueling route. Bob VanSlyke won that first race with a time of just more than nine hours.
In less than 48 hours all spots in the race had been snapped up, and several hundred cyclists had to settle for a place on the waiting list hoping someone would drop out.
A year ago, Smithfield's Kirk Eck won the Category 1 race in a time of 9:16:56. Holladay's Nate Pack, racing as an unlicensed rider and starting later in the morning, crossed the finish line with the day's fastest time 9:15:20.
The race, undoubtedly one of the strongest tests of individual fitness, is also one of the most popular. To avoid the possibility of race slots being sold at inflated prices and to reduce insurance liabilities, registrations are nontransferable.
Though the course has changed over the years, this year's course is its traditional route. With three significant climbs, cyclists will push themselves to the limits as they hope to cross the finish line before dark the time race officials close the course for safety reasons.
Weather is not a concern. Rain, snow or gale-force winds do not prevent the race from running.
In 2005, a pleasant ride turned into a life-threatening adventure as a winter storm surprised many cyclists and sent dozens to area hospitals suffering from hypothermia.
Recent comments
Nate Pack is #1
Anonymous | Sept. 7, 2007 at 5:48 p.m.
Good luck to all LOTOJA racers. I'll be there next year.
Oh,
and...
Anonymous | Sept. 7, 2007 at 8:50 a.m.
Unfortunately I won't be able to ride LOTOJA this year. I live on the...
Kaysha Gurell | Sept. 7, 2007 at 6:49 a.m.
- Talich quarter delivers expressiveness 11:39 p.m.
- War declared on Utah Lake weeds 11:27 p.m.
- Utah universities to get $24 million 11:27 p.m.
- Utah GOP opposes ethics initiative 11:27 p.m.
- Utah County balances budget 11:26 p.m.
- State prepared for emergency 11:23 p.m.
- USU to add pre-engineering 11:13 p.m.
- S.R. 193 project to get $27 million 11:13 p.m.
- Commercials to promote Utah 11:12 p.m.
- National news briefs 11:11 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
195 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
132 - BYU records with win
132 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
130 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
109 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
And this surprises someone? It's too easy in Utah to deceive the masses....
I grew up in SLC and have always been a huge BYU fan. Honestly I can say most...
These are not essential government programs needed to ensure our national...
Much of the arrests that are made are people that are not placing others at...
I have been a huge Wasatch fan over the last couple years but I have to put...
This is about 2009, not leap year. The thing about NCAAF is that unlike the...
It would be great to see Donny win! As has ben stated, his style, grace and...
What kind of music did he do?
Not mistakes. True he abused more than one child. But what it sounds like...
4A polls are missing two of the top teams! Missing Timpanogas and Woods...

