Age is a State of Mind

Cycling at Its Best

by Laura Bingham

   St. George, in the southwest corner of Utah and just a four-hour drive from Salt Lake City, is the site of the Huntsman World Senior Games.  Each October when the weather in St. George is superb, sports enthusiasts from all over the world gather to match athletic ability in 22 different events.  Men and women ages 50 and up vie for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, then gather together at socials for great food, awards, and entertainment. Many return year after year for two reasons, the camaraderie of the athletes, and the indomitable spirit of competing.

            Participants choose their events, either team or individual competition. The majority of athletes return each year to best their own, or others’ records.  The well-organized Games are a tribute to the year-round staff and 2,000 volunteers who have annually staged competitions since 1987.  With cycling events rapidly becoming more popular, competitors book hotels a year in advance to guarantee a chance to take on their opponents at the challenging road race, hill climb, time trial and criterium for the roadies, and mountain bike hill climb, downhill and cross country for the fat tire folks.

p. Monique Beeley

Road Cycling:  The first day dawns bright and early with the hill climb—a 5K uphill sprint to the top of Snow Canyon State Park.  Beginning at the sand dunes, riders pass through exquisite red and white Navajo sandstone cliffs and black lava beds, winding around and up through ancient petrified sand dunes on a smooth asphalt surface.  This event is not for wimps.

On the second day, Enterprise, a beautiful area northwest of St. George, hosts the Senior Games Time Trials.  The certified 40K and 20K courses are fast and flat with a gradual 60-degree turn and a slight dogleg.  At an altitude of 5,200 feet, the racing is grand and the scenery is spectacular.  The event takes place on the fringe of Dixie National Forest, a lush, cedar covered primitive area home to abundant mountain wildlife; elk, deer, cougars, birds of prey, and coyotes.

Day three brings the exciting 37K (27 laps) and16K (13 laps) Criterium Races.  Adrenalin runs high for participants and spectators alike on this triangular street circuit in the middle of St. George. The races include uphill grades and plenty of challenge for all skill levels.

Road Races take place on day four.  Each circuit course, 37K, 50K, and 62K, includes a fast, long, twisty, downhill ride through scenic Snow Canyon.  This “reverse hill climb” event will give the serious cyclists a thrill, but promises fierce competition for men and women of all expertise.  If your view of Snow Canyon is not spectacular enough, you should include a visit and ride through Southwestern Utah’s Zion, Bryce or Red Canyon, all within a few hours drive.

In the mountain bike events participants will vie for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals in the hill climb, downhill and cross-country, all NORBA sanctioned. Licenses are mandatory, and international licenses honored.  A well-organized event, mountain bike competition is divided in 5-year age brackets for Expert, Sport, and Beginner categories.

Races are held at the Green Valley Race Course in the southwest corner of St. George.  The hill climb and downhill events are staged back-to-back on the opening day.  The hill climb follows a rocky double-track two miles towards the viewpoint overlooking Stucki Springs.  This 700-foot elevation gain in less than two miles will test the endurance and skill of any athlete and the view is spectacular. 

The downhill follows the hill climb and is held on the singletrack section of the cross-country loop.  After climbing 700 feet, athletes gear up for the fast, groomed screamer.  Be prepared for some great competition here—it gets better each year—and adrenalin runs high.

The following day wraps up mountain biking with cross country races.  Held in the same location, this event combines sections of classic desert XC terrain through several deep washes lined by steep rock walls (think tunnels) ending with the downhill singletrack.   Distances vary according to gender and class.  Men race in three divisions:  7.2 miles (Beginner), 10.4 miles (Sport), and 15.6 miles (Expert).  Women’s divisions:  3.6 miles (Beginner), 5.2 miles (Sport), and 10.4 miles (Expert).

An Awards Ceremony and Lunch for all road racing and mountain biking entrants takes place immediately following conclusion of the events. Many athletes form lasting friendships and exchange photos, addresses and e-mail until they meet on the field of competition the following year.

The Huntsman World Senior Games offers other events including Track & Field, Swimming, Running, Triathlon, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, and Golf.  Registration for the Games begins each June 1, and closes each September 10.  Early registration is encouraged, and a $20 savings goes to anyone who registers prior to August 10.  The affordable $59 registration fee is accompanied by a nominal sport fee and includes a free polo-style tee shirt, dinner tickets, social activities, free admittance to two Ceremonies with fabulous entertainment, and eleven complimentary, lifesaving, health screenings.  It’s a great opportunity to compete, and get a health checkup at the same time.

For information on the Games, call 800-562-1268 or view online at www.seniorgames.net.  Gear up for great cycling in October at the Huntsman World Senior Games.  See how you stack up against the best senior riders in the world.  Go for the Gold!

Laura Bingham is on the staff of the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George.