LOTOJA participants ride for cancer
Cyclists flocked to Sunrise Cyclery Saturday morning to kick off the 25th LOTOJA bike race. The participants were sorted into packs by their riding experience, the first group leaving at 6:30 a.m.
Since the LOTOJA is a fund-raising event, every sponsored cyclist was riding for a cause. While every sponsor had its own charity, the overall goal of the LOTOJA race this year was to raise money for autism and cancer. The Logan Rotary Club participated to “Ride for Literacy.”
Steve Jenson, a participant, grew up in Cache Valley and has been racing the LOTOJA since 1998. Jenson raced for Autoliv Cycling in order to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“It is mentally challenging,” Jenson said of the 206-mile race. “It’s more of just knowing you can’t quit.”
The Red Burro Racing team from Las Vegas sent 56 cyclists to participate in this year’s LOTOJA. Red Burro riders have been participating in this race for around 16 years. Mike Olsen, a USU alumnus, has been riding for Red Burro for four years.
“I mainly do triathlons,” he said. “But this year I’m focusing on cycling.”
Olsen graduated from USU in 1993 with a degree in psychology and continued to law school. Now living in Las Vegas, he is able to focus on triathlons and cycling races. In order to prepare for this year’s LOTOJA, Olsen rode an average of over 250 miles each week.
This is Olsen’s third LOTOJA race; after taking 5th in his pack the first year and having a run-in with hypothermia his second year, Olsen raced in the Masters Division this year. Masters packs are replete with veteran racers and make for a more competitive ride.
“I am just hoping to hang with the masters,” Olsen said before the race began. “That’s my goal.”
Rules for the cyclists included not riding more than two abreast, no musical devices and no riding after sundown.