Race conditions are expected to be ideal Saturday as thousands of cyclists and race supporters roll into Logan, Utah, for the 43rd-annual LoToJa Classic. For many riders, LoToJa is a personal test of strength, endurance and individual will power.
“This is what makes LoToJa a special race,” says race co-founder Dave Bern. “Race day is a test to see if all the months a rider has invested in their training and enduring long rides will pay off.”
Looking back at history, when bicycles were first invented, the original concept was simple — pedal the bicycle to wherever you wanted to go. In the case of LoToJa, the route is 202.3 miles from Logan to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In this race, LoToJa requires the rider to be the source of the power to pedal the bike.
But today, with the evolution of electric bikes coming into the market, the world of cycling is changing. Millions of people who once loved riding bikes in their youth have now jumped back into cycling and enjoy riding a bike again. Riding an eBike is now in vogue.
“We see people coming into our shop all the time looking for eBikes,” says Ryan Littlefield co-owner of Contender Bicycles in Salt Lake City. “Electric mountain bikes, commuter, gravel, and cargo bikes. I have customers who see eBikes as a way to get out and experience cycling. I’m a big fan.” Littlefield says. “It has been one of the fastest-growing segments of our business.”
“As it relates to the maturity of the eBike marketplace, the U.S. is playing catchup with Europe,” Littlefield continues. “The technology is evolving and getting better, and this is an advantage for the customer. They can go out and ride trails and places they never thought possible before.”
This newfound popularity has brought people back to the sport, like Shannon White who grew up in Salt Lake City and spent much of his youth riding his bike.
For White, riding his eBike has been a way to reconnect with his younger days.
“My wife and I love getting out and riding around our neighborhood on our E-bikes,” White said. “We have bike paths that run throughout our community, I can ride for miles. It’s been a great way to get out and exercise and enjoy the ride.”
Races that include an eBike category are starting to grow in popularity as cycling enthusiasts want the experience of racing. Although USA Cycling-sanctioned races, like LoToJa, allow race organizers to decide the rules if eBikes can participate, LoToJa does not have an eBike category. All participants must power their own bikes.
But race organizers like Bern are aware of the changes occurring in the market.
“To date we have had only one inquiry about if there is an eBike category in LoToJa,” Bern said. “We think eBikes are fantastic. We’re thrilled to see more people on bikes, traditional or electric. But LoToJa will remain human powered — heart, lungs and legs, vanquishing more than 200 miles and nearly 10,000 vertical feet in a day.
“And that’s the magic of LoToJa,” he added. “The distance, the climbs, the stunning landscape — it’s what attracts people from all over the nation and other countries to this race. And for those who finish, the feelings of joy and accomplishment are life-changing. Whether you end up on the podium or simply finish, you’re never the same.”
LoToJa will continue to stick to its historical roots and uphold its reputation as one of the toughest one-day, “human powered” races in the country.
As for Saturday’s event, despite having to pedal all the way from Logan to Jackson Hole on their own, finishers will certainly have their own stories to tell of how they made it.
Glenn Seninger lives in Salt Lake City and is a 15-time LoToJa finisher.