Ultimate Challenge 2017

The first thing that some people have noticed in this photo is the rider in the background face down on the ground. The Ultimate Challenge is always hard and always memorable. It got underway this year from Soldier Hollow near Heber at the leisurely start time of 9:30 with mild temperatures. For the past ten years, the penultimate stage of the Tour of Utah has been known as the Queen Stage and regardless of the exact route has finished at Snowbird following a climb of Little Cottonwood Canyon. This year’s route was something of a break from tradition with only two major climbs and a total distance of a little over 100 miles in contrast to previous editions with multiple climbs and a distance over 100 miles.

The climb over the Alpine Loop (Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon via Sundance Ski Resort) began only 30 kilometers or so into the route. Even though it is a significant climb, we all felt great and managed to get over the top without any real drama. The descent of the Alpine Loop is one of the best anywhere-narrow and windy near the top. The only negative of that descent is the failure of the organizers to control traffic prior to the rolling closure enforced by the Utah Highway Patrol during the passage of the professional race.

The transition to Little Cottonwood Canyon passed uneventfully as well, perhaps until the mid-sized climbs on Wasatch Boulevard. In some naive way, I guess we expected Little Cottonwood to be easier this year due to the shorter stage. In all the times I have participated in the Ultimate Challenge, I do not feel like I have ever ridden Little Cottonwood really well. The difficulty of the climb is undoubtedly exacerbated by the midday heat in August. Little Cottonwood has been a death march from start to finish brightened only by the kindness and generosity of the spectators who provide cool misting, cold drinks, and even an occasional running push. Maybe I looked especially desperate this year, because I was the grateful recipient of quite a bit of pushing.

When the professionals ride Little Cottonwood, they do not make it look easy. But they do make it look fast and classy. If you ever need a reality check to remind yourself why these guys are getting paid to ride a bicycle and you are not, it does not get more obvious than in a side by side comparison like the Ultimate Challenge. Congratulations to Wes, Jeff, John, and Jake for a very solid day on the bike. If I ride the Ultimate Challenge again, OK when I ride it again, I have come to the realization that it ought to be on full Crusher-style gravel bike gearing. That gives me a little bike project to work on and a new strategy for Little Cottonwood that does not involve training harder and getting fitter.