Bike race at Togwotee on Sunday

[asu_gt]

I came across this story from a bike shop out of Jackson:
http://togwoteewinterclassic.blogspot.com/2007/10/race-details-registration_04.html

I assume the event is still happening.
The 100 mile event looks pretty intense. In their description of the event and such they mention that the riders should buy a wyoming trail sticker for goodwill. I thought that was a stand up move on their part.

Maybe an event like this will be a bridge between two seemingly different groups and eventually provide us help in preventing land closures.

If you are riding around Tog this weekend, take it a little easy on the trails and maybe even offer a hand if they have a mechanical...just no towing.
J

 

[sixpointbull]

Holy crap, 100 miles on the sled is pretty full day. Can't imagine it on a bike.. in the snow.
More power to them. Nice gesture on the trail permits too- kinda nice to think there is some common ground between the motorized/nonmotorized crowds sometimes too.

 

[xcfire]

I came across this story from a bike shop out of Jackson:
http://togwoteewinterclassic.blogspot.com/2007/10/race-details-registration_04.html

I assume the event is still happening.
The 100 mile event looks pretty intense. In their description of the event and such they mention that the riders should buy a wyoming trail sticker for goodwill. I thought that was a stand up move on their part.

Maybe an event like this will be a bridge between two seemingly different groups and eventually provide us help in preventing land closures.

If you are riding around Tog this weekend, take it a little easy on the trails and maybe even offer a hand if they have a mechanical...just no towing.
J

I race bicycles in the summer and used to race sled's in the winter, I rode sled before I raced bicycles great way to stay in shape. Since I hang out with both groups. most Mountain Bikers are pretty cool lot of them race motorcross. Mountain bikers faces the identical issues that sleds face. http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/08_07/08_09_divide_ban.html

 

[asu_gt]

Yeah..I am a roadie and mt. biker in the summer as well. When I lived in AZ, mountain biking could be done pretty much anywhere. Not so in OH.

The more common ground we can establish between non-motorized users and motorized users the better. In the end, it really is an errosion of our personal freedoms that joins our groups.

jay

I race bicycles in the summer and used to race sled's in the winter, I rode sled before I raced bicycles great way to stay in shape. Since I hang out with both groups. most Mountain Bikers are pretty cool lot of them race motorcross. Mountain bikers faces the identical issues that sleds face. http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/08_07/08_09_divide_ban.html

 

[student driver]

It's funny.
That's where the Gravity Worx racing name came from.
I spent a lot of years racing Downhill Mountain bikes under that same name in Expert and semi-pro classes.
I still ride, but not so much as I ride the sleds.

As for the land use issues,
Some of the bike riders get it right, and some just don't.
Those who don't, are in for a rude awakening when the tree hugger crowd pushes them out next.
It's already starting.

 

[8emup]

Wish I had seen this event a little sooner. Long distance mountain racing is one of my favorite sports. Would have been fun to do this event and a good excuse to go ride my snowmachine at togwotee. I actually have a specially built bike for riding on the snow with super wide wheels and tires to float on the snow. Actually my understanding is the Manager of Togwotee and his wife do alot of mountain biking. This 100 mile event will more than likely take 18 to 24 hrs for the winner. These folks will be doing some serious suffering about 10 hrs into this event.

I actually know many mountain bikers who understand they need to team up with motorcyclist and snowmobilers to save trails. The one's who don't we try to educate.

 

[asu_gt]

For the 100 mile event they were recommending overnight camping gear. I have done a couple 24 hour road races, I couldn't imagine 18-24 hours through the snow and such.

Are you close to Logan? I am thinking of LOTAJA this year.
jay

This 100 mile event will more than likely take 18 to 24 hrs for the winner. These folks will be doing some serious suffering about 10 hrs into this event.

I actually know many mountain bikers who understand they need to team up with motorcyclist and snowmobilers to save trails. The one's who don't we try to educate.

 

[8emup]

asu_gt,

I live in Park City. I've raced Logan to Jackson eight times on the tandem with wife. I haven't raced the event in about 10 years. We have finished that 203 mile event in just over 8 hrs and 40 minutes. Sign up now or won't get into the race it sells out early these days.

In this event at Togwotee I'd say the camping gear should be mandatory just in case something happens. I have a feeling with the snow we have been getting in the west lots of walking is going to be going on in this race. We are also getting very cold weather this should be a very challenging event. I can't wait to see what happens and who shows up for this thing.

 

[asu_gt]

8emup

PM'd ya. can't imagine too many other tandem-snowmobile folks out there.
j

 

[jd_cullen]

My wife and I race mountain bikes in the summer. We especially enjoy the 100 milers here in Colorado, but I'd rather paddle some snow on my sled then pedal on it with my bike in the winter, considering the amounts we've gotten this year.

The comment about similar land use and erosion of personal freedom is dead on accurate! We (cyclists and snowmobilers) are classified as mechanized users and continue to get scrutinized by increasingly restrictive land use policy due to small groups of uneducated and disrespectful users. I heard on the radio this morning that the Colorado Legislature is looking to increase the dollar amounts and/or penalties associated with land use violations, particularly aimed at off road vehicles, which really doesn't get at the core of the problem.

Being a good steward, volunteering, and writing to delusional land managers will help us all. We're all legitimate users of public land, and when one group is denied, we'll all be denied, standing around watching the bark beatles and drill rigs take over our land, while black helicopters fly overhead ensuring we stay out. Ok, maybe not that bad!

 

[asu_gt]

Those groups advocating closing access to public lands have cleverly fractured the various users of these lands. They argue that sledding pollutes, cycling destroys habitat and leads to erosion..as do quads, horse back riding, four-wheeling, etc. Essentially they have put users on the defensive.

What happens, based on my observations, is each of the above groups work independent of one another to trying to justify that their respective activity is not as destructive as one of the others (i.e. we ride on snow..snow melts..no impact..don't outlaw us..trail riding with horses causes more damage..ban them if you want to protect the area). Note: I am not advocating the banning of horseback riding on public land..just an example.

I think we need a summit of sorts between the various groups representing the above users and try to refocus their efforts and the industry efforts to present a united front against these well financed closure groups.

Sorry for the rant.
J

BTW...these groups have also monopolized and bastardized the term environmentalist...it seems most of the folks here are also interested in preserving and protecting these areas.

 

[student driver]

ASU,

You are so accurate with your above post here that it's not even funny.
Keep it up