MIDWAY, Utah (August 17, 2023) — Soldier Hollow Nordic Center will host the Pan-American Mountain Bike Championships May 8 – 12, 2024 – an international competition returning to the United States for the first time in over 20 years featuring the best athletes in multiple disciplines vying for continental titles and crucial qualifying points for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
Alex Grant on the descent during the 2015 Soldier Hollow. Intermountain Cup. Alex is our co-Rider of the Year. Photo Dave Iltis.
Athletes from more than 40 countries in North and South America compete in the Pan-American Championships for coveted Pan-Am champion jerseys. Events include Short Track, Relay, Eliminator and Cross-Country in Junior, U23, Elite and Masters age groups. The event will blend aspects of the annual Soldier Hollow Bike Festival with the Pan-Am Championship races, including USA Cycling-sanctioned amateur races for youth and adults to provide an opportunity for all levels of competitors to take part in the action.
The opportunity to host the Pan-American Mountain Bike Championships furthers Soldier Hollow’s goals to host world-class trail events in the Heber Valley year-round – from cross-country skiing to biathlon to mountain biking.
The venue has invested in local cycling growth including Team Soldier Hollow’s mountain bike development team, youth cycling camps, and public bike lessons and rentals. Soldier Hollow also hosts approximately 15 mountain bike competitions per year including Union Cycliste Internationale, National Interscholastic Cycling Association, regional and local events.
“As a Winter Olympic and Paralympic legacy venue, Soldier Hollow has applied its expertise in world-class Nordic skiing, biathlon and mountain biking to create year-round opportunities for our local community, to support national governing bodies such as U.S. Ski and Snowboard, U.S. Biathlon and now USA Cycling, and to welcome the international cycling community to the Heber Valley,” Soldier Hollow General Manager Luke Bodensteiner said.
Kyle Knott, USA Cycling Director of National Events, added: “USA Cycling is thrilled to partner with Soldier Hollow for the 2024 Pan-American Mountain Bike Championships. This is an exciting opportunity for the U.S. to host an international cycling event of this caliber. To host the Pan-American Championships on home soil is not only an honor, but also a chance for our USA Cycling athletes to gain critical qualifying points for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Soldier Hollow has been pivotal in their support of cycling in Utah and it is exciting to see their hard work launching them onto the international stage with this event.”
Soldier Hollow has welcomed dozens of world-class international events since the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – including the 2019 IBU Biathlon World Cup, 2022 IBU Youth and Junior World Championships, 2023 FIS Para Nordic World Cup, and is scheduled to host the 2024 IBU Biathlon World Cup.
The Pan-American Mountain Bike Championships is among the first international events planned for hosting at the renovated and expanded Soldier Hollow Training Center. The $13.5 million project – slated for completion in early summer 2024 – will add 11,445 square feet to the current facility to supplement an overhaul of 7,670 existing square feet to further Soldier Hollow’s reputation as a world-class trail sports host.
By J. Eli Powell — When my wife first mentioned that we would be taking our vacation this spring in north west Arkansas, I have to admit my first question was, “Why?”
Actually, I think my question was something more along the lines of, “Why would we take our hard-earned personal time off and go dodge tornados amongst the corn in the heartland?”
My wife, beside being very smart, is also a patient woman. She was patient enough to take the time not only to tell me, “That’s Kansas!” But also, to add a constructive observation like, “you moron! The Ozark frigging mountains are there!”
We laughed; I say stupid things all the time. But I was pretty sure I was right about this one.
We drove to Bentonville from our current home in Austin and passed through Oklahoma. Memories of reading the Grapes of Wrath about Okies fleeing the dustbowl passed through my mind as I dreamed about politely, nay benevolently, telling my wife that, “It’s okay, geography isn’t for everyone.” Well, to make a long story short, my self-satisfied chuckles faded as we passed through the Ozarks and through the wooded hinterlands of Fayetteville and on to Bentonville. There were big hills, there were vast expanses of woodlands and pastoral meadows. We were surrounded by natural beauty, and though the locals refer to this area of the Ozarks as “Oz,” we did not have to go through Kansas or a tornado to get there.
Brin Powell riding Bentonville singletrack. Photo by Eli Powell
All joking aside (since my third-grade teacher, Sister Llewella, and her trusty yard-stick would have had my knuckles singing out over such geographical lapses) northwestern Arkansas and the Bentonville area is the home to some spectacular cycling no matter your preferred flavor of two wheeled adventure. Folks who follow American cyclosport may be familiar with the area as hosting the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) World Summit in 2016, the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship in 2019 and the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships. The area is also home to 5 IMBA EPIC trails. This designation is one the association holds for 20-plus-mile immersive backcountry routes of more than 80% singletrack. This is the most EPIC trails of any state, one more than Colorado! As for the rest of us who couldn’t name a pro circuit MTB rider to save our lives and for whom 20 miles of singletrack sounds, um … daunting, there is plenty of other terrain to keep any cyclist interested. It lays claim to more than 400 miles of singletrack and an abundance of paved and gravel routes.
Our visit to the area was motivated by the “Girls Gone Gravel Festival,” which my wife, Brin, and her friend Julie had signed up for. This three-day event caters to women gravel riders of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, and body types. It offered not only exciting rides but also skills clinics and social activities in a noncompetitive atmosphere. The festival provided a fantastic opportunity for women to connect with fellow riders, learn maintenance and repair tips, and have a great time together. For women interested in joining this group, which organizes events in various locations and advocates for women gravel riders, check out their website at https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/.
The cycling scene in the Bentonville area is infused with a real sense of playfulness. This was revealed to us in another event we stumbled across, the Double Barrel Gravel Ride. This event offers three distance options—15, 31, and 71 miles—taking riders through picturesque backroads in Arkansas and Missouri. Organized by the local Phat Tire Bike Shop, it culminated in an enjoyable post-ride experience with skeet shooting (never done that after a bike ride), live music by a tight cover band called the Frisky Squirrels, a damn fine crawfish boil with jambalaya, and the best beer we had on our trip from Fossil Cove Brewery in Fayetteville. Donations, merchandise sales, and raffle ticket proceeds went toward supporting local charities though the ride itself was free. The route was charming, with a few manageable climbs that won’t intimidate those accustomed to riding in the Wasatch and Rockies. The dirt roads were lined with tall trees and lush foliage, providing ample shade for the mid-May ride. Although some participants may have approached it as a race, without chips, bibs, or podiums, it was more of a casual gathering for fun-loving cyclists. Notably, we encountered very few cars during the ride—less than ten on the 15-mile route—and not a single loose dog! Despite inadvertently adding a few extra miles to our ride due to missing a turnoff, my wife and I enjoyed the day so much that we forgot to complain about course markings to anyone.
The post event crawfish boil after the Double Barrel Gravel Ride. Photo by Eli Powell
The heart of the Bentonville is a little like a mountain town that doesn’t have to split its allegiances between skiing and cycling. This town is all in on bikes. There are numerous bike shops throughout the town and no shortage of places you can rent or get repairs on bicycles. Cycling themed bars and restaurants abound (like the Pedaler’s Pub and Bike Rack Brewing Company) and you can even get your morning coffee and pastries along with tubes and chain lube at the Meteor Café. Paved bike paths course throughout the urban area and many of these lead directly to trailheads for mountain bike routes. The gravel scene is booming here, as in many places, but the area really seems to embrace having bicyclists and their bicycles on the road. Much of this pro-cycling attitude has to do with the influence of Tom Walton, one of the grandchildren of Walmart’s Sam Walton (Walmart’s corporate headquarters are based in Bentonville), who has used the resources of the family’s charitable fund to preserve, build and maintain local trails. I’ve rarely ridden on better constructed or marked trails.
There are some other incredible things to do in town when not sitting in the saddle. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has some of the best examples of modern and contemporary American painting and sculpture that I’ve seen outside of places like New York or Chicago. The structure itself is a stunning piece of architecture that integrates the galleries with reflecting ponds, naturalistic landscaping and outdoor sculpture. They also have a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright on the grounds to walk through. In the town center, you’ll find numerous boutiques and dining options, while summer Saturdays come alive with a charming farmer’s market overflowing the town square.
Getting to Bentonville can requires some commitment by travelers from the intermountain West. For example, the drive from Salt Lake City is a cool 19 hours (you can even choose a route through Kansas!). You can easily fly into the regional airport in Fayetteville with single stopovers and then drive the 40 minutes to Bentonville. Either way you get there it’s worth checking out.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (August 16, 2023) — Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenhall will be pedaling with the public on Thursday, August 17 to work along with other city employees. Riders will meet at Jordan Park and end at the Salt Lake City and County Building.
Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall (left) leads the Mayor’s Bike to Work Day in the fall of 2022 on the Jordan River Parkway. Photo by Dave Iltis
Participants can join us prior to the bike ride beginning at 7:30 a.m. for complimentary refreshments, coffee, and community booths from our event partners. The bike ride to the Salt Lake City and County Building will begin at 8:15 a.m.
Fall in Cache Valley means it’s time for The Cache Valley Century
LOGAN, Utah (August 15, 2023) — The Cache Valley Century is the last long century (and metric century) leading up to Logan-To-Jackson (LOTOJA), and will take place on Saturday, August 26th, 2023. The Cache Valley Century has always been a favorite fall ride in Northern Utah and southern Idaho, and many cyclists training for LOTOJA start their tapering after this ride every year.
The Cache Valley Century is a late summer favorite in Utah. Photo by Jesse Walker
This year, the ride is directed by Troy Oldham who also organizes the Cache Gran Fondo, a mainstay on the Utah and national calendar. While Oldham has taken the reins from Common Ground Adventures, a non-profit that supports adaptive athletes, the ride will remain a fundraiser for Common Ground’s cycling programs
Cyclists start and finish in Richmond, Utah near the Utah/Idaho border in Northern Utah. Richmond City is a major sponsor for the event and a very cycling-friendly community.
The Cache Valley Century offers 3 beautiful courses through the Cache Valley countryside on lightly-trafficked roads in Utah and Idaho with distances of 38, 60 and 100 miles to suit all rider skills and abilities.
In late-August, the deciduous trees in the mountains and glades of Northern Utah are starting to change to the Autumn colors which contrast with the green agricultural fields of alfalfa, wheat, and corn.
All distances offer well-stocked support stations with real food from Lee’s Marketplace, sports fuel from Hammer Nutrition, and refreshing Pepsi/Gatorade products. All riders are offered a light breakfast at the start-line, and a hearty lunch at the finish line. All riders will receive their choice of a trucker hat or ball cap, and if you prefer a T-shirt over the hats, we will have T-shirts as well. The first 400 riders will receive a free pair of arm warmers too!
There will be many chances to win gift items, bike stuff, gifts cards, and other awesome prizes, just for registering and participating in the event!
Event information:
August 26 — Cache Valley Century|, Richmond, UT, 35, 60, or 100 mile options. The ride contributes to Common Ground, a Logan, Utah non-profit. Funds support their adaptive cycling program. Richmond to Preston, Idaho and back through scenic terrain. Great last century before LoToJa!, Troy Oldham, 435-764-2979, [email protected], CacheValleyCentury.com
Discount Code:
All Cycling Utah fans and followers can save $20 using our special discount code!
Use ‘CACHECENTURY23’ on checkout when your register online at https://www.bikereg.com/cache-valley-century
CEDAR CITY, Utah (August 15, 2023) — The Belgian Waffle Ride – Cedar City is set to go on August 26. This is the fourth edition of the Cedar City event, which was won by Whitney Allison and Peter Stetina last year (and the year before). This year, the ride will offer something completely different and give riders a chance to race on a gravel, sand, and rock route, at altitude, against some of the best cyclists from the road, gravel, MTB and unroad scenes. Additionally, there is a new course this year.
The UNROAD Race – BWR Cedar City. Photo courtesy Unroad UNLTD
Cedar City has been incredibly inviting and accommodating of the event’s needs and has rolled out the red, yellow, and black carpet. This year, the ride includes the essential elements of a proper BWR with waffles, cycling in its extreme, and beer from Rouleur Brewing Company. There will also be a pre-race gathering on Friday night before the race and on race day at the awards there will be a Canyon Bike/OpiCure bike giveaway.
Part of the BWR Cedar City course. Photo courtesy Unroad UNLTD
The BWR Utah, the Hell of the South (West), has a parcours that is quite the juxtaposition to the BWR events run in California or elsewhere. The only Euro-style Spring Classic on American soil, the BWR CA is a Road Race punctuated by two dozen unroad sectors (read: dirt for 55-miles) over roughly 137-miles and 11,000 feet of climbing. The Utah BWR in Cedar City is an Unroad Race of 128-miles broken up with roughly nine road sectors and much less the climbing of San Diego at ~7,500 feet. Regardless of the vital stats, the BWR Utah race will offer up the same type of insanity, challenge and the unparalleled experience that has made the BWR notorious and noteworthy.
Peter Stetina on course at BWR Cedar City. Photo courtesy Unroad UNLTD
The BWR Utah edition has drawn world-class cyclists from around the globe including numerous former WorldTour riders, defending champions from BWR CA, and many more that partake of the unique challenge of the day. Riders coming to win will have their work cut out for them. And riders of all abilities will tackle the same course at the same time after the start gun goes off and an initial neutral section of four miles is completed. The Wafer and Wanna Rides will start with the Waffle Ride and will traverse an 81- or 43-mile course, the beginning of which are on the Waffle course. The last eight-miles of the Wafer / Wanna routes also follow the Waffle course all the way back to Main Street Park.
Event info:
August 26 — Belgian Waffle Ride – Cedar City|, QUADRUPEL CROWN OF GRAVEL, Cedar City, UT, The “Hell of the South”. 78% Gravel (106 miles), 22% Paved (30 miles). In the heart of Southern Utah allowing riders to see a wild variety of unique countryside. Course goes through the Parowan Gap and past petroglyphs left by the areas past native inhabitants, along with prehistoric dinosaur footprints., Michael Marckx, 760-815-0927, [email protected], Brooke Twitchell, [email protected], belgianwaffleride.bike
EDEN, Utah (August 15, 2023) — The Powder Mountain Bike Park continues to expand in its second year. Operating on the largest ski resort in the country, Powder Mountain’s trail builders have a seemingly endless canvas on which to build trail and they’re taking full advantage.
Powder Mountain’s Bike Park opened several new trails this year. Photo by: Powder Mountain – Ian Matteson
The two new trail additions to open this week, Snake Charmer and Fun House, are progression-oriented and designed with the intent of easing riders into more technical terrain and a small jump line.
Funhouse takes riders over a series of jumps (all roll-able), linked with wide berms and a mellow grade. The result is easy flow and plenty of opportunities to jump, or simply roll over. Funhouse is ideal for building comfort level in the air with reduced consequences.
Snake Charmer introduces riders to the other end of the mountain bike spectrum, with an array of rock gardens built to get riders acquainted with the capabilities of their suspension on quick hits. The trail includes several wooden features with down ramps that allow for (but don’t require) smaller drops of less than a foot.
Construction on one of the new trails at Powder Mountain Bike Park. Photo by: Powder Mountain – Ian MattesonA rider rips one of Powder Mountain Bike Park’s new trails. Photo by: Powder Mountain – Ian Matteson
Crested Butte ranks second for small cities; San Francisco and Portland rank top-5 for large cities.
BOULDER, Colorado (June 27, 2023) —PeopleForBikes, the U.S. bicycling industry’s trade association and a national advocacy nonprofit, announced the results of its seventh annual City Ratings, a comprehensive ranking of cities based on the quality of their bike networks. 1,484 U.S. cities were rated for 2023, the most in program history, up from 1,106 in 2022 and 510 in 2019. 249 international locations were also rated across Europe, Canada, and the U.K. For 2023, the top scoring small, medium, and large U.S. cities for bicycling are: Provincetown, Massachusetts; Davis, California; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
PeopleForBikes’ City Ratingsis an annual, data-driven program to identify, evaluate, and compare the best cities and towns for bicycling. Each city receives a City Ratings score on a scale of 0-100. A low score (0-20) indicates a weak bike network, meaning the city lacks safe bikeways or there are gaps in the network. A high score (80-100) indicates that most common destinations are accessible by safe, comfortable bike routes that serve people of all ages and abilities. For larger cities, a score of 50 is the tipping point to becoming a great place to bike.
Berkeley’s great bike paths led it to rank third among medium sized cities. Photo by Dave Iltis
Based on data from PeopleForBikes’ Bicycle Network Analysis (BNA), high-scoring cities often perform well across six factors captured in the acronym SPRINT: safe speeds, protected bike lanes, reallocated space for biking and walking, intersection treatments, network connections, and trusted data.
“While cities may differ in their paths to becoming great places to bike, the six SPRINT factors are foundational to building safe, connected, and comfortable bike networks.” said Rebecca Davies, PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings program director. “Every city needs more protected bike lanes, safer intersection crossings, and a modernized approach to street design that works better for everyone, no matter how they choose to travel.”
New to the City Ratings website for 2023, a city comparison tool allows users to directly compare scores between two cities as well as compare a city’s score over time. Also included are featured comparisons of top-scoring small, medium, and large U.S. cities as well as international cities, highlighting the similarities and differences in what makes a place great for bicycling.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, saw a tremendous increase in its score over last year, improving 31 points between 2022 and 2023, landing at the #1 spot in large U.S. cities for this year. Other notable score improvements include Longmont, Colorado, which edged its way into the top 10 medium cities, improving its score from 36 in 2022 to 59 in 2023. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, not only improved its score from 25 in 2019 to 45 in 2023, but also helped Wisconsin see a substantial rise in ridership as well. Eco-Counter data shows that ridership growth in the state outpaced the rest of the Midwest region: On the weekends, there are 20% more rides happening across Wisconsin than there were in 2019 and weekday rides are up 27%.
More than just data, PeopleForBikes utilizes its City Ratings program to benchmark cities’ progress on improving the quality and connectivity of their bike networks as well as establish best practices for city leaders, decisionmakers, and advocates to identify improvements to be made in their communities.
“The creation of safe, fun, and connected bike infrastructure is a key component of our long-term vision to become the best place in the world to ride a bike,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “In 2019, only 35 U.S. cities scored above a 50. In 2022, that number grew to 78 cities. This year, 97 U.S. cities were rated as great places to bike. By providing local leadership with the tools to increase their City Ratings score through better bike infrastructure, we can continue this momentum and create even more great places to ride across the country.”
2023’s Best U.S. Cities for Bicycling Small Cities (<50,000 population)
BOULDER, Colorado (August 14, 2023) —Venus de Miles, Colorado’s first all-women’s bike ride and celebration of sisterhood, will be holding its 16th annual event on Sat., Aug. 26 at Bohn Park, located at 199 2nd Ave., in Lyons, Colo.
Photo courtesy Venus de Miles
The ride is open to cyclists of all abilities and skill levels, as riders choose between a 30-mile, 64-mile or a 100-mile course, all of the options running through scenic, beautiful northern Colorado. All courses are fully supported with snacks and hydration at rest stops, encouraging volunteers and fans, with technical assistance provided by Venus de Miles’ famed “Tutu Crew,” the world’s best-dressed on-course bike mechanics.
A member of the “Tutu Crew”. Photo courtesy Venus de Miles
At the end of their rides, all participants get to enjoy Venus de Miles’ iconic Finish Festival, featuring complimentary food and drinks, live music, unique local vendors, and a relaxing recovery zone with massages, skin care, wellness needs, and more.
Ride day features a staggered start: the 100-mile course riders will depart at 6:15 a.m.; 64-mile course riders depart at 7:45 a.m., and the 30-mile course riders will leave at 9:15 a.m. All will return to the Finish Festival, which will be open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Bohn Park.
Photo courtesy Venus de Miles
Venus de Miles riders fundraise for Greenhouse Scholars, an education nonprofit focused on sustainable, generational community change. They are creating results through the transformative power of higher education by working with the most inspiring role models from our country’s lowest resourced communities.
Women from around Colorado and the nation participate annually in the Venus de Miles as a celebration of sisterhood, women’s empowerment, cycling, fitness and fun. For more information on the ride, to donate or to shop in the Venus de Miles store, please visit: https://www.venusdemiles.com/
By Tom Jow — As we enter the month of August, the riding season is just about halfway over. Some riders started early in the year and have ridden thousands of miles. Others have waited patiently (others impatiently) for the trails to dry and are now in the prime of their season. No matter which of these riders you are, if you use your bike frequently a single spring tune-up may not enough to keep your bike working smoothly and safely. At this point of the season a full tune-up is probably not necessary, however, key components such as brakes, chains, tires and suspension often need maintenance more than once a year.
Hydraulic disc brake pads are a good example of a component that often needs service more than once a year. Due to the automatic adjustment feature of hydraulic disc brakes, the rider may not know they need replacing until the brakes are metal to metal. Worse yet, the brakes may fail altogether. Fortunately, disc brake pads are easy to inspect and easy to replace.
Check disc pads for wear. Photo by Tom Jow
To inspect the brake pads, use a flashlight and look inside the brake caliper. If the amount of brake pad material is equal to or less than the thickness of a dime it is time for replacement. Replacing the pads is a pretty easy task. To do it yourself, refer to the manufacturer’s owner’s manual. If you don’t have time, take it to your favorite local bike shop.
Check disc rotors for wear. Photo by Tom Jow
After the brake pads are inspected, check the rotor next. Look for dark blue discoloration of the metal. This indicates overheating of the rotor and reduces stopping power. The friction surface of the rotor, where the pads contact, should be free from deep scratches. Scratches in this area may be due to brake pads that became worn out. The brake rotors, like brake pads, also wear. Rotor wear can be checked with a (clean) fingernail or tool scraped along the brake surface towards the center. A significant ridge means the rotor probably needs replacement. I haven’t found a definitive guide to rotor wear limits so if in doubt, replace it. When replacing brake rotors, always replace the brake pads.
Check chain for wear or stretch. Photo by Tom Jow
Another component that often needs mid-season replacement is the chain. The old rule of thumb was to replace the chain at mileage intervals; 1,000 miles for mountain bike and 1,500-2,000 miles for road. Now, there is a tool designed for the job. A chain wear gauge is an inexpensive tool that measures the wear of the rollers over a given length. With this tool, it takes just a minute to determine if he chain needs replacement.
Tires, on the other hand, take a little time to inspect. They are probably the most abused component on a bicycle. Tires are subject to road debris, extreme temperatures, high friction (skidding), impact, sharp rocks and sticks, and general neglect. Because of this, and their contribution to safety, tires should really be inspected after every ride.
Check tires for cuts or embedded glass shards. Photo by Tom Jow
A good tire inspection begins with the tread, looking for cuts, skidded flat spots, and knobs that are coming off. Cuts should be individually inspected for debris remaining inside which could work its way into the tube and cause a puncture. The tire sidewalls should be checked for tears or cuts, broken casings (abnormal bulges) and delaminating tread. A tire with any of these conditions should be replaced.
Check fork seals for leaks or abrasions. Photo by Tom JowCheck rear shock seals for leaks or abrasions. Photo by Tom Jow
Mountain bikes also have suspension components that need regular service. Both Fox Racing Shox and RockShox recommend that seals be replaced after 50 hours of riding. For some riders that could be as little as 3 weeks! If a rider were to stretch out that service interval, how would they know when it’s time? The key is frequent inspection of the seal areas. Early indication of a seal going bad is a small ring of dirty oil on the tube. In severe cases, it becomes a muddy, oily mess after one ride. Another symptom is discoloration of the tube where is slides into the seal. This discoloration is the coating of the tube being abraded away by dirt and friction. This second condition is irreparable and will require replacement of the shock or fork.
It is hard to ignore the excitement of riding in the middle of summer. The conditions are great and our fitness is at a high level. In order to fully enjoy this time of the season, it’s a good idea to perform bicycle inspection and maintenance. There are two reasons for doing maintenance to our bikes. One is to keep them operating smoothly, because a bike that works well is fun to ride. The second is to prevent excessive damage to components which can be a safety hazard and reduces costs in the long run. A small investment of time and service now will extend our riding joy to the end of the season.
Keegan Swenson Dominates at the 2023 Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB Smashing the Course Record by More Than 15 Minutes; Villafañe Triumphs over Winder and Skarda
Leadville, Colo., (August 12, 2023) – The Leadville Trail 100 MTB race witnessed history with defending champion Keegan Swenson’s dominating performance, in which he broke the course record by 15 minutes and four seconds. The new official course record time is 5:43:31 for the famed ‘Race Across the Sky’. Sofia Gomez Villafañe finished in first place in the women’s race, leading most of the day in a close battle with second place finisher Ruth Winder and third place Alexis Skarda.
“I was so short of the record (last year), so this year I just went all in, and if I blew up in the end, I blew up,” said Swenson.“I didn’t want to just get the record by a few seconds, I wanted to make it mine. I just put my head down and gave it everything I had on my way back from Columbine. The conditions were good, the course was fast and tacky, there was a little bit of wind and some rain, but the boys were rolling and everyone was down to ride.”
Keegan Swenson wins the 2023 Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Photo courtesy Life Time
When asked about when he broke open his lead, which resulted in a solo finish 21-minutes faster than his nearest competitor, Swenson recalls, “About a third of the way up Columbine, I knew the pace I had to ride and that was it.”
Sofia Gomez Villafañe wins the 2023 Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Photo courtesy Life Time
When asked about her preparation for the event, Villafañe said, “The Stage Race was a really great way to prepare. I had a really fun time with the guys. I was a little concerned that I was going a little too fast when the guys who beat me were riding with me — I thought maybe I’m punching a ticket that I don’t know if I quite collect on. But yeah, I’m super excited.”
Cyclists Join the Fight to Find a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis
The Cystic Fibrosis Community and the Utah – Idaho Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host the 12th annual CF Cycle for Life as part of a national effort to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis. This year’s ride will take place in scenic Summit County and is supported by CF Families along the entire route.
2022_Aug_27_CF Cycle for Life
“I’ve been privileged to be involved with the CF Ride here in Utah since it began,” stated avid cyclist and CFF supporter Brandon Ross. “I have a brother-in-law with CF and I couldn’t be more proud to be riding on his behalf. The CF Foundation has done an incredible job of picking one of Utah’s most scenic routes for this event. The ride is quickly becoming one of Utah’s premiere fundraising rides because of their efforts to have a well-supported, well-marked and safe route. And when I say well supported – you won’t come away hungry or thirsty! This is absolutely a highlight of the cycling season here in Utah.”
2022_Aug_27_CF Cycle for Life
Rider Tyler Servoss said; “This will be my fourth year participating in the CF cycle for Life event. From the beginning I’ve been impressed with the level of professionalism and organization this event provides. As an event promoter I know what it takes to make these things happen and this ride is top notch. The course is beautiful, safe, and well-marked. The aid stations are staffed by people with family and friends whose lives have been touched by cystic fibrosis. We are close to a cure for this dreadful disease and this event directly impacts the quest for the cure!”
2022_Aug_27_CF Cycle for Life
CF Cycle for Life event details:
Saturday, August 26th at John’s Park in Henefer, UT
CF Cycle for Life is a fully-supported ride with route options of 10, 25, 35, 55, 75, 100 miles. From a grab-and-go breakfast treat to our cycle post party, you can enjoy fully stocked rest stops every 10-12 miles, bike mechanics, and support vehicles to help you complete your ride. Afterwards, enjoy a catered lunch and drink in our beer garden hosted by Shades brewing. Take your ride to the next level by signing up today and help make CF stand for Cure Found
How to Register
To get involved in CF Cycle for Life and help fight CF, please call the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Utah and Idaho Chapter at 801-410-7266 or visit https://fightcf.cff.org/UTcycle.
The Sevier Valley Rooster Ride will be held in Richfield, Utah on August 19, 2023. The ride travels through the backroads of Sevier County, and features beautiful scenery and few cars.
Cycling West: Tell us about the ride. What are the courses like, and what are the highlights?
Rooster Ride: We have teamed up with Jorgensen’s in Richfield for the “Rooster Ride”. This ride will be tough to beat with our clean air and beautiful scenery with almost zero traffic. The ride will take you around the Sevier Valley from little town to little town. Where the locals will be there to take care of you in one of the six aid stations. Test yourself with a Century ride or metric century that offers over 4,000 feet of climbing in one of the most scenic canyons in all of Utah. While out riding you can stop at the aid station at the Fremont Indian State Park and take a quick photo of some the Fremont Indian rock art. This event will become one of the premier cycling events in south central Utah.
A rider at the 2018 Rooster Ride. Photo by Chuck Hawley
CW: What support will you have on the ride?
RR: The guys at Jorgensen’s will keep you nourished and hydrated with 6 aid stations. They will also help make any last-minute adjustments the night before at packet pick up.
CW: When people visit Richfield for the event, where can they stay or camp?
RR: We have tons lodging options in the Sevier Valley. Richfield is the host city and the start and finish line of the Rooster Ride. With over 20 hotels to choose from, you can find the place that is right for you. For those that want a chance to be outdoors we offer tons of camp sites and RV camping at places like the famous Big Rock Candy Mountain and Fremont Indian State Park and KOA right in Richfield. You can find all this by going to sevierutah.net
A rider at the 2018 Rooster Ride. Photo by Chuck Hawley
CW: Tell us a little about the history of the area.
RR: Located in scenic Sevier Valley, Richfield is one Utah’s best-kept secrets. Why do we call it the “Rooster Ride?”: Way back in the day, Sevier Valley was one of the premier pheasant hunting areas of Utah. You can hunt for your own epic riding experience by “Riding the Rooster”. Sevier County is also known as “Utah’s Trail County”, with over 2,000 miles of the best off-road adventures on the world-famous Paiute ATV/UTV trail system.
The first recorded inhabitants of Trail Country were the Fremont Indians, and the century ride will take you right past an area where you can see their way of life from your bike. After you ride the Rooster, you will want to come back and find your new favorite trail.
CW: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
RR: All Rooster riders will get a medal and tee shirt and lunch of their choice from one of the many food vendors that will be joining us. For more information and to register go to roosterride.net.
Ride Details:
August 19 — Sevier Valley Rooster Ride|, Richfield, UT, Sevier County’s Rooster Ride tours scenic central Utah. The chipped event includes fully stocked rest stops, medals, tee shirts, and custom DNA cycling socks. Riders of all skill levels can find something to enjoy between the 37 mile, 62 mile, or 100 mile rides. Elevation gains vary from 1,015 – 4,287 feet., Amy Myers, 435-893-0457, 844-469-8724, [email protected], roosterride.net
SACRAMENTO, California (August 2, 2023) — After a year-long search with many outstanding candidates, Kendra Ramsey, AICP (she/her), will become the new Executive Director of the California Bicycle Coalition and the California Mobility Fund.
Ramsey most recently worked as Active Transportation Project Manager for civil engineering firm GHD, developing innovative mobility options, Complete Streets plans, and corridor studies for local and regional agencies throughout the state. Ramsey is a nationally recognized expert in planning active transportation networks that meet community-identified needs, as well as developing policy and programs to help diverse constituencies choose walking and biking for daily trips.
Kendra Ramsey. Photo courtesy CalBike
“Working with local agencies and community members throughout California to plan bicycling and walking networks, I’ve seen the disconnect between policy and implementation, as well as the gaps left by historical investment patterns and our current oversubscribed funding programs,” Ramsey said. “I am excited to join CalBike at such a critical time for active transportation and mobility justice, and look forward to working with the board, staff, and partners to build on recent successes and launch new efforts to make walking and bicycling safer and easier for all Californians.”
Ramsey will join the growing number of women leading bicycle advocacy in the USA. In a field long dominated by men, women leaders bring a critical perspective to statewide bicycle advocacy. Making our streets safe enough for everyone to ride is central to the mission of CalBike.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Kendra’s expertise, vision, and passion joining our team at CalBike,” says Cynthia Rose, chair, CalBike Board of Directors. “It’s gratifying to see the trend of such talented women stepping into key leadership roles in organizations throughout our state.”
Interim Executive Director Kevin Claxton will remain as an integral part of our CalBike staff and transition to the position of Operations Manager once Ramsey steps into the Executive Director role in mid-August.
“Kendra joins CalBike at a pivotal moment,” Claxton says, “With her leadership, CalBike will build on our past successes and lead California’s active transportation movement to greater heights.”
By Charles Pekow — The goodies keep coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In late June, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced 162 RAISE grants across the country for transportation infrastructure. RAISE grants, a discretionary program expanded under the latest surface transportation reauthorization, go to communities of all sizes for infrastructure construction, repair, and planning projects to help people get around, with added benefits such as combating climate change and improving safety. This year, the administration divided the funding equally between rural and urban communities. Each state got at least one. Many should help bicyclists in the Mountain West., to wit:
Bike lane! Photo by Dave Iltis
West Valencia Road: Creating Safe and Equitable Community Connections in Pima County, AZ. The $20 million grant will improve approximately 1.3 miles of West Valencia Road, from Camino de la Tierra to Mission Road, including buffered bike lanes.
Phoenix Cultural Corridor Project in Phoenix, AZ. This $10,220,242 grant goes to improving 3.3 miles of roadway, including bicycle facilities between downtown, South Phoenix, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
US-95 Safety Improvements: Wellton-Mohawk Canal To Aberdeen Road Project. This $8.5 million planning grant will finish design of safety improvements of about nine miles of US 95 and allow for cycling along the roadway.
Colorado 119 Diagonal Highway Mobility Improvement Project, $25 million to build multimodal improvements including a bikeway between Boulder and Longmount with connections along the way. The project includes adding adaptive signal controls and AI cameras to monitor pedestrian and bicycle usage.
US66 and Wadsworth Interchange and Multimodal Improvements Project in Lakewood, CO. The $20 million grant will include building a 10-foot-wide multi-use path along both sides of Wadsworth Boulevard between 4th and 8th avenues, allowing bike access to a park, railroad station, school, and grocery stores.
Delta Revitalizing Main Street Project, Delta, CO. $13,196,356 to reconstruct Main Street and include bike lanes between 13th and 16th streets.
Foothills Transit Station and Roundabout in Fort Collins, CO. This $10,713,570 project will build a Foothills Transit Station in the West Elizabeth transit corridor and a roundabout at the intersection of Overland Trail and West Elizabeth, an area without a transit hub. Planners anticipate the hub will generate many bike trips.
Idaho Springs Downtown Mobility Plan, Idaho Springs, CO. The $2.431 million planning grant will finish design of a transit hub and related infrastructure, including a connection to the Clear Creek Greenway and a Complete Streets plan to provide separate lanes for autos, pedestrians, and cyclists.
North Portneuf Crossing, Pocatello, ID. The $7.75 million grant includes upgrading and adding bike facilities in the area around North Kraft Road and North Main Extension.
McCall ID-55 and Deinhard-Boydstun Corridor Design. The Idaho Department of Transportation gets $2,877,512 to plan and design improvements in the area in downtown McCall, which should make it more bikeable.
Downtown Safety and Mobility Project. Missoula, MT. A $24,535,398 grant goes toward building a downtown transit network, including protected bike lanes and a widening of the Riverfront Trail, with connections to downtown. It also aims to close gaps in bike trails.
Marcus Street Multimodal Planning and Design Study, Hamilton, MT. The $877,275 planning grant will go to design multimodal use of about 1.5-miles of the Marcus Street/SR-269 corridor, including adding bicycle lanes.
Uptown Connect: The Uptown Transit Center Joint Development, Albuquerque, NM. The $25 million grant will rebuild the transit plaza on America’s Parkway, between Uptown Boulevard NE and Indian School Road NE, which should reduce cycling accidents, a common occurrence in the area.
Ely Downtown Infrastructure and Complete Streets Project. The Nevada Department of Transportation gets $24,009,830 to rebuild US-50/West Aultman Street from 1st Street to Bell Avenue and US-93/East Aultman Street from East 10th Street to East 15th Street in downtown Ely. The project will include Complete Streets elements to improve bicycle safety.
Charleston Boulevard High-Capacity Transit Planning, $5,861,631 to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada to plan a transit corridor revamp between Pavilion Center Drive in Summerlin and Nellis Boulevard in East Las Vegas, including “dedicated bicycle lanes.”
First/Last Mile Connections: Improving Communities’ Quality of Life, $24,494,147 to the Utah Department of Transportation to build active transportation infrastructure at about 23 light rail and bus stops along the Wasatch Front which are designed to make it safer to pedal to and from mass transit.
Spine Through the Heart of Utah, a $750,000 planning grant to the Spring City Corporation in Sanpete County, UT to study building about 47 miles of multi-use trails in the county. The study will address gaps in the bike network and seek to promote bicycle tourism.
Peter “Pete” Starke Rich born July 25, 1940 on a balmy summer day at Children’s Hospital in San Francisco to parents Charles Rich and Thelma Starke Rich, passed away quietly August 3, 2023 in Walnut Creek with his family at his side.
Peter Rich (1940-2023). Photo courtesy Julie Peterson.
A respected member of the City of Berkeley, Peter lived an extraordinary life of a passionate bicyclist and endurance horseback rider and breeder of Arabian horses, as well as a brief hiatus as a Berkeley police officer from 1966-1969. Peter spent his teenage years as a bicycle racer in the Bay Area and eventually raced in Europe. Upon his return to California, in 1961 Peter opened Velo Sport Cyclery in Berkeley.
Peter Rich and Russell Lee at the Searsville Bicycle Bowl, 1957. Photo courtesy Russell Lee.
From a history of Berkeley cycling:
“Velo Club Berkeley was started by Peter Rich looking to field a team for the original, 1971, Tour of California. Rich had a long and active history in cycling. He opened the Velo Sport bicycle shop in 1962 and was the promoter of the original Tour of California. It was an eight-day, ten stage-race across the state. Rich was a passionate cyclist and former racer in the fifties and early sixties including competing in Italy and Belgium. He promoted the Berkeley Hills Road Race starting in 1957, now one of the longest-running bike races in the country. It was Rich who gave support by providing lodging to [George] Mount in that upstairs apartment above his shop. Rich coached many young East Bay riders at Hellyer Park Velodrome, the Polo Fields in San Francisco and on the roads of the East Bay. His love for cycling helped propel cycling in Northern California and the United States.”
Peter Rich at Velo Sport. Date unknown. Photo courtesy Julie Peterson.
This June, Peter was voted into the US Bicycling Hall of Fame as a Contributor to the sport of cycling as one of four Inductees for 2023. Here is the description that accompanied the announcement:
“Peter Rich has been an influential visionary in American cycling. From founding a newsletter in 1961 that became “Bicycling Magazine” to starting the first international stage race in the US (the first Tour of California stage race in 1971), Rich pioneered many ideas for modern US cycling. He helped build early US-made racing frames while mentoring many custom frame builders. He developed, mentored, and supported a number of crucial American champion cyclists as well as pioneered radical (at the time) training ideas such as cross-training with weight training for road cyclists.”
(The U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame in Davis, CA will be hosting a celebration to honor Peter’s induction on October 21, 2023.)
Peter Rich, probably at Hellyer Velodrome. Date unknown. Photo courtesy Julie Peterson.Peter Rich. Date and location unknown. Photo courtesy Julie Peterson.
Testimonial from Gary Fitts, friend and horse owner:
“One day in 2004 I took my beautiful old Italian racing bike into Peter’s Velo Sport, and I learned that Peter was not only the godfather of California bicycle racing, but that he also had a farm in the Orinda Hills to breed and train Arabian endurance race horses. In return for training and exercising his horses, he gave a generation of riders access to some of the best horses on earth. For many years, “Bay Laurel Arabians” was one of the top endurance barns in the country. The high point of the year was always the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile race through the Sierras on rugged backcountry trails, the Kentucky Derby of endurance riding. One year Bay Laurel riders took four of the top ten places. Riders came from all over the world [including the director of the Tokyo Zoo], to lease Bay Laurel horses for the event, and we all participated either as riders or as crew. Peter himself finished the race five times. All of us who ride a bicycle or a horse in California are beneficiaries of Peter’s efforts to promote the sports he loved.”
Peter Rich with one of his beloved Arabians. 1977. Photo courtesy Julie Peterson.
Peter is survived by his wife Rose Marie Hoffman, his daughter Julie Katherine Peterson, son-in-law Michael Butler Peterson and twin grandchildren, Eva and Benjamin Peterson.
There will be a memorial and reception September 17, 2023 1pm–5pm at 28 Orinda Way, Founders Auditorium, Orinda community center (note that this is an updated location).
