Snowshoeing for the First Time

It’s that time of year when thousands of locals and visitors alike flock to Utah’s mountains to experience “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” But if the thought of expensive lift tickets, crowded slopes and potential injuries is leaving you cold, you can still get outdoors and enjoy the season. Snowshoeing—one of the most ancient winter sports around—is more popular than ever, and Utah is the perfect place to give it a try.

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Triathlon Training Tips

By Tim Reno

At 5:30 Wednesday morning, you might wonder why the pool at the local gym is crowded—two swimmers per lane, and several others waiting near the edge for a chance to swim laps; treadmills are humming and spinning class has been promoted to rock star status. Such is the familiar scene for thousands of people during the months leading up to triathlon season. But how do you stay motivated and continue training once winter, the triathlon off season, hits? For beginning triathlon trainees, maintaining motivation is often most difficult during colder months, but for every trainee these steps are vital to achieving your personal best year-round.

You are not a quitter. Think about it. Say it out loud. There is truth to the adage, “mentally tough physically strong.” There comes a point, even for the best of the best, when each additional stroke, peddle and step comes from a resolved will to win, even if winning is just doing better than you did last time. My first triathlon swim was for a half-ironman distance, just under a mile and a half. I had prepared reasonably well and felt as though I had a chance to place among the top 50 for the event. It was cold, 53 degrees in the water and 48 degrees outside. Twenty minutes into my swim, well after my face, hands and feet had gone somewhat numb, I am not a quitter I am not a quitter, replaced stroke-stroke-breath stroke-stroke-breath. Don’t give up training this fall and winter, but rather push through to spring so you’ll be far ahead of the pack when triathlon season begins again.

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Even beginner-level cycle racing is a demanding and exciting experience.

By Molly Newman

Photo Credit: James Newman, jamesnewmanphoto.com

Maybe you’ve been inspired by watching Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish conquering the Pyrenees in their quest for the yellow jersey. Or maybe you’ve signed up for a Saturday-morning criterium on a whim and been bitten by the racing bug. Once you’ve decided to step up your game and make the move from recreational to racing cyclist, these tips will help you make smart choices and avoid common mistakes as you start going for the gold.

Join the Club. “The first thing for new racers to do is to sign up with an open team,” says Russell Cree, owner of Upper Echelon Fitness (upperechelonfitness.com), a cycle and triathlon coaching, bike fitting, physiological testing and physical therapy center in Portland, Oregon. “Knowledge trickles down from the elite-level riders to new racers, and there’s no better way to get to know the sport. Your team members will have your back—if you go it alone, you could show up to a race with your number on upside down and never have anyone tell you.”

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Story and Photos By Monique Beeley

Nestled in the heart of the Dixie National Forest and sitting at 9,600 feet, Brian Head is Utah’s highest mountain resort town. Boasting more than 200 miles of mountain biking trails and with summer temps averaging in the high 70s, Brian Head is a biker’s paradise. Whether you’re a novice, downhill daredevil or endurance junkie, this high elevation oasis offers it all.

Novice/Beginner: The Town Trail is a 6-mile wide single track that heads east of the Navajo Lodge and winds through the lush forest and beautiful meadows that surround Brian Head. This trail has many different access points throughout town making it ideal for families who just want a short scenic ride. Color Country is a great option for those wanting to utilize the lift-serviced mountain biking at Brian Head Resort. This 6-mile trail heads south from the top of the Giant Steps lift and offers amazing views of the nearby fiery red rock amphitheaters of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Intermediate/Advanced: The Mountain Bike Park at Brian Head Resort offers many options for the experienced rider as well as access to some amazing backcountry trails. Ascending 250 feet in three miles from the top of the Giant Steps lift, the Brian Head Peak Trail takes you to 11,307 feet where you can access the epic rides, Dark Hollow and Bunker Creek. The infamous Dark Hollow is a 14.5-mile, point-to-point downhill dropping over 5,000 vertical feet. The ride gets technical in spots, with some steep and rocky descents. Intermediate riders may choose to walk some of these short sections. The Right & Left Hand Fork of Bunker Creek is a 12-mile, point–to-point, with the Right Fork offering an option for the less-experienced rider. A shuttle is recommended for both trails and is available at the resort or at local bike shops.

Downhill Daredevil: Brian Head offers many options for the gravity-seeking enthusiast. Timberline, a local’s favorite, is the location of the downhill competitions at the resort. This technical trail is complete with tabletop jumps, high-banked turns and huge rollers and is easily accessed from the Giant Steps lift. Dropping 3,300 vertical feet in just over seven miles, Blowhard is a challenging, technical and rocky descent that borders Cedar Breaks National Monument. Steep sections of the ride bottom out with a 25% incline through some amazingly tight rocky and root-covered switchbacks that are sure to pump your adrenaline. Arrange a shuttle for this ride or the climb back might put you over the edge.

Endurance Junkie: The five–star Virgin River Rim Trail is an epic 32 miles of amazing single-track that winds through some of Utah’s best landscapes. There are many options for the ride; one-way with a shuttle, out and back or make a weekend out of it, with an overnight camp at Navajo Lake. With elevations ranging between 8,000–9,000 feet. This is a great place to ride and escape the heat of the summer.

For more information about mountain biking in Brian Head call1-888-677-2810 or visit brianheadutah.com

This story has been edited for length and reprinted from the Late Summer 2008 issue of Sports Guide.

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