Hit the Road - A Utah Skinny Tire Primer

By David Grover

Cycling has long been a favorite of recreation seekers in Utah, and while the state is most famous for its mountain biking trails, the Wasatch Front provides miles and miles of on-road biking for riders of all levels.

Logan/Cache Valley: Cache Valley has all the elements that make road cycling enjoyable. Meandering roads circumvent lush valleys, and offer breathtaking vistas of the Wellsville Mountains and the Bear River Range. Rolling hills provide a good stretch to the legs, and a climb up Blacksmith Fork Canyon stops at Hardware Ranch, an elk refuge that is a natural mid-ride picnic site. Be forewarned, however, as a fairly stiff wind usually blows up-canyon, making the return journey a workout in its own right. Logan’s higher altitudes also provide a welcome reprieve from the scorching heat of summer, making the valley an ideal weekend getaway. Take a camera and keep an eye out for wildlife. Elk, moose, and deer sightings are frequent in the alpine terrain.      

Ogden Area: A quick drive up Ogden Canyon leads to the small village of Huntsville in Ogden Valley. Cyclists of all abilities can find something to enjoy in this valley tucked at the base of Snowbasin, Nordic Valley, and Powder Mountain ski areas. A popular ride meanders through several small towns and past numerous lakeside cafes. Pineview Reservoir makes a natural pivot point for this 13.5-mile loop. Three boat launch sites with beaches and parking lots make for great starting points. An additional side-benefit: Riders can take a cooling dip in the lake after a sweaty summer ride. 

More determined roadies (read, gluttons for punishment) will find several opportunities for pain and hill training on one of five climbs in the area. State Road 226 takes the rider on a hellish ascent up Mt. Ogden to Snowbasin Ski Resort. The “Mt. Ogden Hill Climb” starts steep and, with the exception of a half-mile breather in the middle, gives no reprieve during its 12 miles to the top.  The rewards are cooler temperatures and breathtaking panoramas.

On the north side of Pineview Reservoir, another steep climb rises up North Ogden Pass, or a longer out-and-back route up to Powder Mountain Ski Resort, where summer lifts take hikers and mountain bikers on several trails. North Ogden Pass is an eyebrow of a road cut across a steep cliff, and provides excellent vistas of the valley below. Keep an eye on the road, however, as there’s not much pavement between your tires and an unwanted cross-country “descent.” Near the apex of the climb the road narrows and winds through the bottom of the canyon where a cool breeze is welcome. Rest and have lunch at one of the resort’s cafes, and enjoy the winding descent back to the valley. Another gentler, longer climb heads northwest from the valley toward the town of Woodruff. The canyon starts out mildly as it meanders through southern half of the Bear River Range.  Steeper challenges await near the summit, with a few short eight percent grade ascents. If possible, do this ride mid-week since the road has less shoulder, and can be busy with R.V.’s and horse |trailers on weekends. As with any recreational area, weekends see more vehicles on the roads, so ride defensively and wear bright clothing.

Salt Lake City — Because of its proximity to five major canyons, Salt Lake City is a favorite for road cyclists of all abilities.  Perhaps the most popular venue is on the east bench near the University of Utah and Hogle Zoo. Park just opposite the Zoo and climb moderate grades with relatively low traffic.  Beginning cyclists can enjoy the eight-mile uphill with a stop at one of several restaurants or cafes. Near the top, follow the right spur to the Little Mountain saddle, and take in the vistas of the valleys below.  Seasoned veterans can use the canyon as a warm-up for a long loop continuing down Parley’s Canyon, or a tough switchback climb ascending the top of East Canyon.

Millcreek Canyon is a popular spot for hikers, mountain bikers, and road cyclists alike. Park just outside the fee area and ride as up the road as it winds beside Mill Creek. The road is narrow, but motorists are used to cyclists here and usually give a wide berth. As with most canyon climbs in the Salt Lake area, the road tilts more upward near the top, so save some energy for the last push.  

Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are home to four ski resorts and both offer steep walls and cool temperatures to summer recreation seekers. Little Cottonwood is the steeper but shorter and is home to the annual Snowbird Hill Climb road race. Winners of the race finish their assault on the mountain in about 50 minutes, while mere mortals can take almost twice that long. Don’t forget to start your stopwatch at the bottom.

Utah Valley — This area just south of Salt Lake has lots of road cycling routes in its own right. Rural byways west and south of the valley provide a haven for cyclists to pick a route suitable to their timeline.  American Fork Canyon is located just past the “Point of the Mountain,” and provides cooler temperatures with a challenging route to the top.  Riders can continue over the summit on a fast descent past Sundance Resort and into Provo Canyon. Another option is to begin at the mouth of Provo Canyon and make the gradual climb up the Provo River Parkway to the steeper section at Sundance. Of local legend is a brutal ride called “The Gauntlet,” covering over 90 miles and 8,000 feet of climbing. See the story on American Fork Canyon, A Wasatch Mountain Playground, for more details on this one.

Utah Lake is the site of one of the most popular century rides in the state. Riding along shoreline highways and byways provides a natural backdrop for riding this 100-mile stretch, mostly on flat terrain. Take lots of water and do this ride with a few friends, or take part in the ULCER, a local event staged each August offering three mileage options, rest stops, and mechanical support.

Road cycling in Utah is, for more than one reason, a breathtaking sport. Not only does the varied terrain provide hundreds of miles of skinny-tire challenges, it lets the rider see the state in an intimate way that’s nearly impossible through a windshield.

David Grover,  lives and works in Park City.