LoToJa Today

Today, the LoToJa Classic was run. LoToJa is the nickname for a relatively famous bicycle race in this part of the world. The race starts in Logan, UT (the Lo) and go to Jackson, WY (the Ja) for a total of 202 mountain miles. The race starts and ends the first Saturday after Labor Day. Can you imagine riding a bicycle for over 200 miles in one day? Now consider the fact that you are riding your bike at elevations between 2000 and 8000 feet, with a few higher mountain passes in between.  The LoToJa is a mighty hard race and not meant for the meek and mild.

Folks train for the race all year. I should say skinny folks train for the race all year. Well padded folks, like me, probably are not allowed to join in the endeavor. I'm exaggerating, but you only see folks on the LoToJa who are thin and wiry. There are individual riders, group riders and relay riders; ages range from 18 to over 65. Men and women, young and old, compete to win this classic race.

By the time we see the riders, there are in "strings" or "groups" of 8 or 10 bikers quickly pedaling along the side of Highway 89. They have already bicycled over 150 miles by the time they get to our location. They travel with a contingent of helpers including chase and water cars. The road is busy with bikes and if a "normal" non-biking person wants to use the road, they have to remember the bikes have the right of way. Locals along the route know not to use Highway 89 when the LoToJa is in progress.

The last 50 miles of the race has to be the hardest as it follows the Snake River Road. That road is not only scenic, it is a narrow 2 or 3 lane road that winds along the Snake River, and, it's uphill, most of the way.  Once the bikers get to Hoback Junction, they take the round-about toward Jackson with less than 20 miles left. It must feel great to get that far. 

The results of the LoToJa have not been published yet but I know the race is over. Last year the winner did the 200+ miles in less than 9 hours. That person was averaging over 22 miles per hour. Alas, not everyone finishes the race but the majority do. The race has been run for over 40 years. It's part of the culture in the valley. We look forward to "avoiding" the LoToJa so the bikers can make their fastest time to Jackson.