Untitled Document

The Bottom Line

Nearly 1,000 expected for Logan-Jackson bike ride
The 22nd annual Logan, Utah, to Jackson Hole, Wyo., (LOTOJA) bicycle race will be held Saturday (Sept. 11). This race has grown from a small group of college friends at Utah State University to an event that includes close to 1,000 riders and their families.

This year’s race will leave Logan early Saturday morning and travel north to Preston, Idaho. From there, it will travel north on Idaho 34 through Grace to the Junction of Idaho 34 and U.S. 30. The route continues on U.S. 30 through Soda Springs and Georgetown to Montpelier where it will turn left and leave the state through Montpelier Canyon on U.S. 89. Alpine, Wyo., will host the finish line this year. The total length of the race is 188 mile,s and it will be completed in one day.

The organizers of the race, Epek Sports of Layton, have worked to make the event safe. This year’s route avoids construction on Idaho 34, north of Soda Springs, and Epek Sports has funded overtime hours for the Idaho State Police to patrol the event. LOTOJA race director, Brent Chambers, says that all cyclists and their support vehicle are identified by their race number. If a rider or support vehicle is behaving in an unsafe manner they should be reported to a race official and they will be penalized or disqualified.

This information can be delivered to one of the event's many amateur radio operators (HAMs) stationed on the course – at least one HAM at every feed zone. Feed zones are located in Preston, Grace, Soda Springs, and Montpelier.

Epek Sports look to use individual sports as a vehicle to increase health and make a positive economic impact in the communities, businesses and organizations they partner with. LOTOJA is designed to benefit the communities along the race route. Four of the six feed zones for the race are located in Idaho.

Several volunteer groups within each feed zone community have coordinated fund raising activities with the event. Proceeds will benefit youth groups, Scout troops, and business development organizations. Epek Sports also has used local vendors for portable toilets and other equipment needed to support the race.

A reason to celebrate
Mark your calendars. Tuesday (Sept. 7) has been designated National 401(k) Day, focusing attention on the benefits of planning ahead for retirement by participating in a pretax 401(k) program. "Imagine yourself basking on the beach, cruising cross-country in your recreational vehicle, or just gardening in your own back yard," suggests promotional material from ITD Human Resources. "Whatever your retirement dream is, we can help make it happen. This 401(k) Day you can make the most of your PERSI Choice Plan 401(k)."