Local Long-Distance Cycling Tradition Continues

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

Nine Moapa Valley residents took a grueling 250-mile street cycling trek that continued a tradition of over 35 years. Local cyclists Willy Frehner, Mark Witsken, Monte Bledsoe, Daniel Bledsoe, John Lamping, Porter Lamping, Don Whipple, Knox Whipple, and Hans Whipple took the long ride around the Boulder Mountains on July 15-17.

“It is a super-challenging ride!” stated Witsken in an interview with The Progress last week. “You do 15,000 feet elevation of climbing on your bikes. So it is tough. But it is a wonderful experience.”

The trek begins in Circleville, Utah. From there it extends to Torrey, then down to Escalante and then back to Circleville to close the loop for the finish. The loop goes around Boulder Mountain and is near the Capitol Reef National Park and Escalante – Grand Staircase National Monument.

“The last day we traveled from Escalante to Circleville, about 105 miles, in 7 hours riding time,” said Witsken.

This tradition has been in place since 1985, when Monte Bledsoe, John Lyon, and Earl Evans just went and rode, every year with only a credit card and no support and gear (SAG) vehicles.

“Former resident, Brandon Fowler, had gone and done the trek a couple of times and we decided to do it together,” recalled Monte Bledsoe. “Since then this tradition has taken place every year except six years off and on.”

The traditional cycling trek has expanded to include more and more Moapa Valley residents and family participating, even with support and gear vehicles following along. Every one of Bledsoe’s sons has done the trek with him at least once.

“This year was great,” said Bledsoe. “It was kind of like a father and sons outing as we had that on this trip. Definitely, something we will remember.”

The trek averages about 8-12 adventurers every year but had as many as 35 riders at one time.
“We have a competitive spirit, but we work together as well,” said Bledsoe.

Witsken relayed the first time he did the ride. “I remember, I said that this trek was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done and would never do it again,” he said. “However, as you can see I am still doing it. It is a challenge and you do need to prepare for it.”

“We also have to so thank the wives for being in the SAG cars,” said Witsken. “We really could not have done it without them. They were definitely our cheer team.”

Both Witsken and Bledsoe reflected on how fast they travelled down one long downhill stretch called The Hogback. Bledsoe remembered crashing on that part of the trek in the past.

“I was lucky enough to have Brian Rebman participating in the trip,” said Bledsoe with a laugh. “I was the very first alive person he stitched up.”

Rebman also being active in cycling, is the local funeral director and owner of Moapa Valley Mortuary and Virgin Valley Mortuary.

“We always are willing to be joined by anyone who would like to participate in the tradition,” said Bledsoe. “We just want people to have fun get out and enjoy the nature in Utah.”

Witsken added some advice to any rider who would like to get into the sport and participate in this tradition. “Prepare early and start a year in advance,” he said. “You definitely need to be in shape for it.”

Besides the Boulder Mountain cycling tradition, many of those who participated in this also participate in the Salt to Saint Bicycling challenge where riders do a relay race about 430 miles from Salt Lake to St. George in 22-24 hours. Some local riders have even completed the Salt to Saint riding solo, including Don Whipple who holds a record of completing that event in 22 hours, riding it solo, without a relay team.

Whipple is the head coach of the Moapa Valley Youth Cycling Team and owns BikeAccess, a bicycle rental company based in Logandale.