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Eastern Idaho highways to be filled with bike racers Sept. 10

There will be more “spokes” men and women in eastern Idaho Sept. 10 than you’ll find at a national political convention.

More than 1,000 riders from throughout the country are expected for the 29th annual LoToJa bicycle classic that begins in Logan, Utah, cuts through southeast Idaho and finishes north of Jackson, Wyo.

The course takes riders on U.S. 91 to Preston and north on Idaho 36 to the junction with U.S. 89, north of Border, Wyo.

Riders and their support vehicles will part ways at Preston, with the race proceeding on Idaho 36 and support crews taking a northern route on Idaho 34 to Grace and Soda Springs before heading south to Montpelier and Border, Wyo.

They rejoin on U.S. 89 east of the Geneva Summit, head north together to Alpine, Wyo. where support vehicles return to Idaho for a loop through Palisades, Irwin, Swan Valley (on U.S. 26), and Victor (on Idaho 31).

The race will begin with 32 start “packs” leaving Logan, Utah, between 5:45 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. The fastest riders could reach Jackson, Wyo., around 3:15 p.m. while others will arrive up to five hours later. The finish line will close at 8:15 p.m. or dark, whichever comes first.

Motorists who travel on highways used by cyclists are encouraged to drive carefully and to watch for riders as well as their support vehicles. Groups consisting of up to dozens of riders may be encountered along the route. As riders reach the Idaho segment of the race, they might become dispersed, which means motorists could encounter the riders from Preston to the Geneva Summit.

Participants include “racers who are competing for fame and prizes, to riders who just want to cross the finish line and live to tell the tale,” according to organizers. They range in age from 13 to 74 and will consume up to 15,000 calories during the one-day event.

The course record is 9:01.44, set last year by Al Thresher of Las Vegas, averaging nearly 23 mph. Jenn Halladay of Kuna is the women’s record-holder with a time of 9:44:57, also set last year. Her average speed was 21 mph.

Two young cyclists from Logan, Utah, wanted to create a bicycle race that resembled the difficulty of a one-day European spring classic like Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. Nine cyclists competed in the first LoToJa race in 1983. Since that initial race, it has grown into one of the nation’s premier amateur cycle endurance challenges.

It also has become a major fund-raiser for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, Autism Spectrum Disorder Connections and other medical research foundations. In the 29 years, riders and sponsors have generated more than $600,000 for medical research. It also sponsors local fund-raising groups that provide services along the racecourse.

The 2011 classic will feature 34 categorized races and a non-competitive fun ride, or “Grand Fond" class.

“Most LoToJa finishers are on their bike 10 to 12 hours – more than twice as long as a typical amateur bike race in the U.S.,” organizers said. It is the longest one-day bicycle race that is sanctioned by USA Cycling, the sport’s governing body.

For more information, visit the race website at www.lotojaclassic.com or contact race communications director Dave Bern at 801-580-5943.