1,500 riders will tackle LOTOJA this Saturday

LOGAN — It's the longest single-day bicycle race in the country, and it attracts close to 1,500 participants every year.

And if the 206 miles and nearly 10,000 feet of vertical gain won't be challenging enough, the temperatures at the LOTOJA (Logan toJackson, Wyo.) starting line in Logan are expected to be in the 30s at 6:30 a.m. Saturday when most of the racers hop on their bikes and head north.

That makes proper nutrition, fueling and dress almost as vital as proper training.

"One of the biggest mistakes people make in LOTOJA is not eating enough," three-time defending LOTOJA champ Cameron Hoffman said at a recent seminar for endurance cyclists. "They lose a lot of valuable energy trying to stay warm — energy that they need later down the road."

Hoffman said if the temperatures are cool at the start, cyclists should dress properly and avoid the mistake of thinking their active bodies will generate enough heat to propel them to the finish line. While that may be the case for many, those who want to be competitive should conserve energy whenever possible. Throwing on an easily removed layer of clothes, such as arm and leg warmers or a light wind vest, can keep the energy tank filled longer into the race.

"Energy is the most valuable resource you have on the bike," Hoffman said. "Shivering on the road burns energy that you will need later."

The race from Logan to Jackson has grown in reputation and popularity over the years and takes riders — both competitive and recreational — over three significant mountain passes in the first 110 miles before a long gentle slope to the finish line through Star Valley and the Snake River Canyon to the foot of the Grand Tetons.

After a relatively easy 40 miles through Preston, Idaho, the course take a sharp turn uphill for the longest climb of the day, with nearly 3,000 feet of vertical gain over about 20 miles to the summit in Emigration Canyon.

From there, the cyclists will enjoy a quick descent and roll through the farmland of Bear Lake County on the way to Montpelier. Most will then stop for some lunch and to recover before attacking the two final climbs over Geneva Summit and the Salt River Pass overlooking Star Valley.

Though the heavy climbing is out of the way, there are still nearly 90 miles of road ahead and some frequently difficult winds to battle.

Those who leave Logan at 6 a.m. and arrive in Afton at around 1 p.m. will still be riding in temperatures in the 50s. Afternoon conditions will improve a little, but the bodies will be starved at that point, and frequent fueling and hydration will be key to surviving the final four-to-six hours of riding.

"You have to eat constantly," Hoffman said. "Remind yourself to eat and drink at regular intervals. The last thing you want is to bonk with 100 miles left"

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com

LOTOJA Classic

Sept. 11

Logan to Jackson, Wyo.

Distance: 206 Miles

Elevation gain: 9,738 feet