120 of the world's best pro cyclists are racing around Utah this week, August 10-14, in the six-day, 420-mile Tour of Utah, covering some of the Beehive State's most demanding terrain. What these athletes do in the course of six days is incredible. Each stage of the race brings a different challenge, whether it's a fast, flat loop around Utah Lake, speeding through close crowds at Miller Motorsports Park, or enduring the epic, up-and-down 100-mile journey from Park City to Sandy and back to Snowbird.
New this year is the downtown Salt Lake City stage, to take place Saturday, Aug. 13. This stage is a high-intensity 81.4-mile race with a total of 7,246 feet of climbing. The circuit is 7.4 miles in length, and cyclists will make 11 laps. The course begins on Capitol Hill and goes through City Creek Canyon. It continues along 11th Avenue through the Avenues neighborhood and south on Virginia Street into the Federal Heights neighborhood. The peloton will fly around tree-lined Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus, then sprint along South Temple Street, past the Governor's Mansion and under Eagle Gate to Capitol Hill for the finish. The circuit race begins at 1 p.m. and is expected to finish at about 4:30 p.m.
Cycling fans will be able to catch the action at several points along the route, including a Community Viewing Festival at Reservoir Park, at 1300 E. between South Temple and 100 S., from noon to 5 p.m. Food vendors will be on hand, and the race action will be visible on a giant screen TV. Race contestants will pass the park twice each lap, for a total of 22 viewing opportunities. Other recommended spots for spectators include State Street between North Temple and the Capitol, Presidents Circle at the University of Utah, and the start/finish line due east of the State Capitol.
Best Places to Watch the Tour of Utah (all stages)
Image courtesy VisitSaltLake.com
Comments