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The Brian Head Epic

An Epic Challenge

By Señor Rojo

Photos by Monique Beeley

Señor Rojo is not a young man. Señor Rojo is no joven pollo. He has seen many summers. Muchos verano. Nonetheless, this proud, broken and decrepit warrior once again chose to enter the grueling Brian Head Titanium 50 mile mountain bike race, staged at the Southwestern Utah resort in July.

Exhausted, bloodied, tired & old

Run in conjunction with the Brian Head Epic 100 miler (Señor Rojo is antiguo, not loco) high in the Dixie National Forest, the Epic and Titanium are now in their seventh year, and growing. Team Big Bear, a leader in organizing and running mountain bike races throughout the west, once again proved why. These two events, although only a few years old, are now deserving of the descriptive word “classic.”

The town of Brian Head, permanent population of slightly more that 100, sits at an elevation of almost 10 times that number. Brian Head Peak, looming nearby, rises majestically to 11,307 feet. The surrounding area; Cedar Breaks National Monument, Sidney Valley, Lowder Ponds, Red Desert/Tippets Valley is spectacularly rugged.

Why is that man smiling?

The race begins in town at the base of the Brian Head Resort Mountain Bike Park. Epic riders depart at 7:00 a.m.; the Titanium’s a half-hour later. Even in mid-summer, arm warmers, full-length lycra pants and wool hats are de rigueur at this altitude and time of day. The first challenge, a climb to the peak! Granny gear time. Señor Rojo soon assumes his usual place at the very tail of the pack, conserving energy. But wait! Halfway to the Peak, another rider overtakes him from behind! A hermoso Señorita from Park City who got a late start. The two ride together for a mile. Could it be that Rojo will have a riding companion for many miles? Poqueno novia? They chat. Rojo mostly nods and grunts, not wanting to waste precious oxygen on talk. She agrees to a beer and an interview at the finish line, muchos hora from now. With a smile, she puts the hammer down. Go, girl, go! Alas, Señor Rojo is once again riding solo.

The Peak is in sight. The sun is up, the day warming. The splendor of the Dixie and Cedar Breaks are overwhelming. Stop. Hydrate. Shed some layers. Take stock. The only people in sight are support personnel with encouragement and goodies. Gracias Dios for Team Big Bear!

Now a downhill cruising into the Lowder Pond singletrack. Wow! This is too much! Almost makes one forget that one must climb back up what one descends. Onto the Sidney Valley Road and to the next aid station. Gatorade, Clif Bars, bananas and ten welcome minutes of rest. Off to the Red Desert/Tippets Valley Loop. The trail ahead splits and is well marked; 50 milers continue the loop, 100 milers go straight out to the Virgin River Rim Trail, arguably one of Utah’s finest mountain bike routes with its panoramic views of Navajo Lake and the Virgin River headwaters with Zion National Park in the distance. Those lucky Epic-er’s. Maybe next year Rojo will enter the 100. Yeah, right!

Team Big Bear sets amean course

Back to the aid station. Fatigued. Need more rest. Four hours into it. Can Rojo get to the finish in another 3 ?? Back in the saddle and back onto the Sidney Valley Road. Grinding. Wasn’t this flat going the other way? Thunderclouds building over Navajo Peak ahead. Then the wind! Right into Señor Rojo’s chest bringing him to a virtual standstill. Got to keep moving. Beat the storm. Finally at the top, but is this really the top? Remember the cruiser singletrack that was so much fun this morning? Same trail, new direction. Hike-a-bike. Ride 100 feet, push 200, ride 100. Altimeter reads 10,500. Still 800 more vertical to go. There’s Team Big Bear at the bottom of the Peak road yelling, “GO, Rojo, GO!” Thanks to you, you sadistic bastards for mapping out this brutal course. One last climb. Sore butt, arms ache, legs OK. Wolf some Goo. Finally the summit. Rapidamente, las cumbre! Down the road onto the narrow, rocky singletrack with steep, steep drop-offs on the left. So tired. Just keep the rubber side down. Starting to rain. A call from behind to pass. It’s the leader of the Epic! Señor Rojo is about to get lapped! Doesn’t really care. Move off to the side, yell encouragement. Keep riding, now seven hours into it. Soon another rider passes, then two more. One is Rojo’s muy amigos leales, Ed Chauner, a Snowbird Ski Instructor, and the man who’s done more for mountain bike racing in Utah than any other, bar none. Veloces, Eddie, veloces!! Finally, the Color Country Trail, named after the mountain bike club here at Brian Head that has done so much for the sport in southwestern Utah. Switchbacks and downhill. Pain and suffering of the past 8 hours temporarily forgotten. Finish line ahead. Rojo’s compatriot, Monique, a skilled photographer and strong rider herself, shooting the event. Vow that next year, she and Rojo trade roles. Cross the line. Even though filthy, sweaty and exhausted, get a congratulatory hug from Mo and a frosty one from Team Big Bear. Both welcome. Collapse, happily. Caramba!

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