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LATE SUMMER 2009VOL. 27 NO 4

7 STARTING LINE Raft ’n Rails Adventure, Great Utah Bicycle Festival, Climb4Life, XTERRA Utah, Bikes for Kids Utah Hill Climb, The Bookshelf

8 FEATURES Paddle Power: Great Places and Tips for Local River River Running BY Sean Zimmerman-Wall

14 HEALTH Outdoor Enthusiast’s Guide to Healthy Summer Skin BY Roy Stevenson

17 TRAILSIDES Getting Started in Cycle Racing BY Molly Newman

24 Move Over Moab, Bike Brian Head BY MONIQUE BEELEY

20 TRAVEL Take a Staycation: Six Nearby Camping Spots BY Jenny Willden

23 VERSUS Pros and Cons of Two GPS Devices BY Melissa McGibbon

25 CALENDAR Two Months Worth of Calendar Listings

30 LAST WORD WHAT’S HOT: Performance Sunglasses BY Jenny Willden

DOES IT WORK? Suunto Personal Coaching Watch BY Jenny Willden

ON THE COVER Westwater Canyon Courtesy of Western River Expeditions Visit westernriver.com

late summer 2009

STAFF

Many of the activities covered in the Sports Guide are action sports carrying signifi cant risk of personal injury or death. Sports Guide, including its writers, photographers and other staff and management, does not recommend that anyone participate in these sports unless they are supremely expert, knowledgeable about the risks and willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks.

Also, the views herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily refl ect those of the magazine’s management or ownership. Sports Guide welcomes story, art and photo contributions. We will consider, but assume no responsibility for, unsolicited proposals, manuscripts, art and photographs; all such material must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope or it will not be returned.

MILLS PUBLISHING, INC. retains reprint rights, including affi liated internet site reprints, but contributors retain all other rights for resale, republication, etc. Sports Guide is not responsible for unsolicited contributions, lost or dam-aged photo material. Send contributions to Sports Guide, c/o Mills Publish-ing, Inc., 772 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, 801-467-9419; email editor@ sportsguidemag.com. For advertising information please call 801.467.9419 or email info@sportsguidemag.com.

Published by: Mills Publishing, Inc. Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2009 by Mills Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHERDan Miller

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERPaula Bell

MANAGING EDITORJennifer Willden

COPY EDITORMatt Hall

CONTRIBUTORSMonique Beeley, Brandon Lake, Melissa McGibbon, James Newman, Molly Newman, Roy Stevenson,

Kameron Wixom, Sean Zimmerman-Wall

ART DIRECTORPRODUCTION MANAGER

Jackie Medina

GRAPHIC DESIGNDavid M. Giardinelli, Matt Hall, Ken Magleby, Patrick Witmer

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Jessica SnowDistribution Inquiries Call Jessica (801) 467-9419

DISTRIBUTIONMelissa McGibbon, Jennifer Willden

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The Starting LineThe Starting LineEditor’s NoteSummer may be winding down, but we’re just revving up the action at Outdoor Sports Guide. You’ve asked for more gear articles, and in this issue we’re giving it to you in a new column called Versus. This column compares two similar gear items so you can decide which one is best for you. Check it out on page 23. Have items you’d like us to compare? Send me an email at editor@sportsguidemag.com.

Keep fl ipping the pages for other great stories in this issue, like how to get started cycle racing (pg. 17), the basics of where to go and what to bring for river running (pg. 8), six close to home camping spots you’ll love (pg. 20) and more. After reading, stop by the new website for extra articles and a chance to win free gear in our giant giveaway!

So how do you enter? Just go to sportsguidemag.com and fi ll out our reader survey. You could win lots of great prizes, including Nuun U Natural Hydration tablets, Dansko shoes and more. Plus, you’ll be helping us make Outdoor Sports Guide even better. It’s a win-win situation! For full prize listings, look on our site. After you fi ll out the survey, check out our revamped website where you’ll fi nd an up-to-date local event calendar, gear reviews, archives of previous issues and Outdoor Sports Guide’s blog. Want to be in the know about upcoming events, new products, giveaways and more? Just read the blog: sportsguidemag.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

Jenny Willden

Comments, feedback or complaints? Email editor@sportsguidemag. com or send mail to 772 E. 3300 South, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.

Raft ’n Rails Adventure

Combine a beautiful train ride with river rafting for a great summer activ-ity your whole family will enjoy. You’ll start with a scenic train ride from Heber to Vivian Park, raft the renowned Provo River with experienced guides through Class I and II rapids, visit Sundance Resort, then catch a return shuttle to Heber City Depot. Fare is $99 for adults and $74 for children (ages 3–12), which includes shuttle transfers and boxed lunch. Raft ’n Rails Adventure is available Tuesdays–Saturdays through August 29. hebervalleyrr.org

8th Annual HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation Climb4Life

This climbing event, hosted by Black Diamond, will take place Septem-ber 17–20 at the Black Diamond campus and helps raise money for ovar-ian cancer research and awareness initiatives. Men, women and teens are invited to attend and climb for a cure, whether you’re a newcomer or pro. Professional climbers will be on hand to encourage you and help you learn and build climbing skills in small groups. Climb4Life also in-cludes parties, yoga classes, massages, a fi lm festival and more. Two Utah-based organizations will benefi t from money raised: Woman2Woman, a community-based support group for women with ovarian cancer, and the Utah Ovarian Cancer Care Initiative. Registration fee $75, minimum fund-raising $125. herafoundation. org

XTERRA Utah

Take part in a chal-lenging triathlon on Saturday, September 26 in conjunction with the XTERRA USA Championship weekend in Ogden/Snowbasin. This race is open to everyone and consists of a 750-meter swim, 19K mountain bike and a 5K trail run. Enter as an individual or join up with friends to form a team. Registration fee includes a t-shirt and is $95 for individuals, $140 for teams and $75 for college students. Other events will take place throughout the day, including the XTERRA K9 Challenge for you and your furry friend. Dogs and their owners compete together on this obstacle course to get the fastest time and bragging rights. No training is necessary, but you must provide proof of your dog’s current vac-cinations. Registration for the K9 Challenge is $20, which includes a t-shirt, doggie bandana, a dog tag medal and John Paul pet food samples. For more information about these events, visit XTERRA’s website. xterraplanet. com

GReat Utah Bicycle Festival (GRUB Fest)

Spend this Labor Day weekend (September 4–7) doing any kind of cycling you can imag-ine! There’s miles and miles of roads and trails for all kinds of biking, including: mountain biking, road biking, racing, cyclocross, randonee and recreational biking. You’ll also fi nd bike safety classes, a bike parade, time trials and rides for kids. There will be music, food and fun for everyone. Stay at the Tent and RV City or a local motel and attend the festival, which takes place in Minersville in Beaver County. The GRUB Fest helps raise funds and awareness for the Salt Lake Veteran’s Hospital Psychiatric Department. For more information or directions, check online. web.bike2bike. biz

First Annual ULLR 5K Run

The ULLR 5K Run Fundraiser will be held August 22 and is sponsored by the Brian Head Ski Team. It will give lo-cal southern Utah kids scholarships to participate on the Ski Team. The race starts and ends at Giant Steps Lodge at Brian Head Resort. Post-race party will include the crowning of the fastest male and female runners, prizes from local businesses, discounted summer Sky Lift rides and a raffl e for a 2009–2010 Brian Head Resort Season Pass. At Brian Head’s altitude of 10,000 feet the run promises to be a challenge for any runner. Most of the run takes place on trails so bring your trail run-ning shoes! Entrance fee is $15 and it includes lunch and a t-shirt. To register, go to active.com or call Marissa Harding at 801-319-8818. brianheadchamber. com

STARTING LINE

late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 7

STARTING LINEHalf Road/Half Trail 8K Run

If you like road and trail running, this race is for you. The race is on Saturday, August 15 at 8 a.m. and starts at the mouth of City Creek Canyon. You go up half the dis-tance on the road, then quickly connect on the trail. There will be food, drinks, prizes and an award cer-emony after the race. There’s limited parking at the canyon, so please park at the State Capitol Building. Register online at active. com or in person at Salt Lake Running Co. on Highland Drive. Registration fee is $20. For more information call Sports-Am at 801-583-6281or check online. sports-am. com

The BookshelfChi RunningBy Danny and Katherine Dreyer

This updated edition teaches the techniques of Chi Running and helps you become a bet-ter runner while avoiding injuries. It’s written in a conversational tone and the step-by-step tips for implementing the practice are easy to understand. The new edition is updated with fresh training techniques, a focus on teaching the mid-foot strike, the basics of ChiWalking and more. Pair the book with the optional DVD to visually learn ChiRunning through drills and lessons you can do at home. chirunning. com

Bikes for Kids Utah Red vs. Blue Hill Climb

What’s your color, red or blue? Show your pride for the University of Utah or Brigham Young University at the 2nd Annual Bikes for Kids Utah Red vs. Blue Hill Climb on Saturday, August 29 at 9 a.m. This event gathers the cycling clubs, alumni and fans of the U of U and BYU to raise money and aware-ness for Bikes for Kids Utah. Cyclists of all ages, abilities and genders can choose sides and race in an individual time trial up the famed Traverse Ridge (on South Mountain). Racers’ individual times will be combined to see which “team” has the fastest riders. The 3-mile course begins at the LDS Chapel at 272 E. Traverse Point Dr. in Draper. The O.C. Tanner Cup, a $1,000 cash prize, will be awarded to the club with the fastest average speed of offi cial club members from the Y and U of U cycling clubs to help in their future racing efforts. Prizes for individuals will be awarded as well, and an awards ceremony and exhibitors’ booths will be at the fi nish line area. Entry fee is a tax-deductible $25. bikesforkidsutah. org

8 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

“Water is the driving force of all nature.” Leonardo da Vinci

When John Wesley Powell set out on his epic quest to chart the Colorado River and its canyons, his expedition’s knowledge of what lay ahead was minimal and their equipment rudimentary. However, through shear will and enduring spirit, Powell’s team of adventurers made a harrowing journey that forever changed the American West.

The main portion of Powell’s voyage took place in the heart of the Colorado River Basin, the great state of Utah. Today, folks from around the globe make pilgrimages to Utah every spring and summer to experience the unique rivers the state has to offer. For most locals, these great treasures lay just outside their back doors.

From the northern reaches of Flaming Gorge to the arid canyons of the Colorado, there are a variety of rivers for nearly every skill level. Both kayakers and rafters can fi nd a plethora of entertaining sections to hone their techniques and keep the adrenaline pumping. This guide divides the state into Northern and Central/Southern sections and outlines various types of equipment, necessary skills and outfi tters to make the most of your river experience.

Now, before we go any further, rafting and kayaking can be extremely fun, but can also be extremely dangerous. It’s important to utilize all the resources at your disposal and feel comfortable with your fl oat plan. American Whitewater is a national organization that lays out safety codes and rating systems to assist paddlers with their decision-making, and some of the information contained in this article comes directly from its guidelines.

Rating SystemAmerican Whitewater designates rivers based on their diffi culty level with a I–VI (one–six) rating. More detailed descriptions can be found at americanwhitewater.org.

Class I– Fast moving water with riffl es and small waves. Class II– Novice: Rapids are straightforward and usually wide. Class III– Intermediate: Rapids are irregular and hard to avoid. Class IV– Advanced: Rapids are intense with strong currents, but are predictable.Class V– Expert: Rapids are long, narrow, violent and usually back-to-back. Class VI– Unrunnable: Death is the most likely outcome. Virtually no rivers in Utah have this rating.

In addition to diffi culty level, rivers fl ow at different levels throughout the year. Flow is measured in Cubic Feet per Second or CFS. It’s a measure of

Places and Tips for Local River Running • By Sean Zimmerman-Wall

Photo Credit: “Mud in your Eye”- University of Utah Outdoor Recreation Program- Cataract Canyon

the volume of water fl owing past any given point at any given time. CFS is usually at its peak in the early season (April–June) and lower in the late season (July–September). However, some rivers are dam released and may offer more consistent fl ows throughout the season.

NorthernThe dramatic landscapes of northern Utah provide scenic vistas year-round. In the winter, they are covered in massive amounts of “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” but in the spring and summer the snow melts to feed some of the gorgeous rivers that run throughout. Flaming Gorge in northeast Utah is home to the Green River, a serpentine-like waterway that meanders through the beautiful red rock hills. Over millions of years, the Green has carved breathtaking canyons hundreds of feet deep all through the region.

The two most popular runs on this stretch of river are Gates of Lodore and Split Mountain Gorge. Gates of Lodore is perhaps the most majestic fl oat in this part of the state. Technically, Lodore Canyon starts in Colorado just outside of Dinosaur National Monument, but it runs into Utah just outside Vernal. Lodore offers paddlers an unparalleled experience as the river winds through vermillion cliffs and desert scenery. A solid Class IV, this section of the Green requires you to be on your game. Also, due to the overwhelming popularity of this run, a permit is necessary. Split Mountain Gorge is another incredible section of the Green that enables river enthusiasts to marvel at the dazzling geography of northern Utah. This is a Class III fl oat with a few named rapids that will keep you entertained at any fl ow.

Northern Utah also has some great rivers a bit closer to Salt Lake City. The Weber and Provo Rivers provide hours of excitement just around the corner. Flowing out of Echo Reservoir east of Park City, the mighty Weber is a Class III river that offers novice to intermediate paddlers a chance to test their abilities in a lovely mountain setting. The most popular section runs about six miles from Henefer to Taggart and has several named rapids that are sure to expose the thrill seeker within. This is an excellent section for kayakers to perfect their river style and work on basic maneuvering.

The Boulder Garden presents a few challenges and the Croydon and Taggart Waves are fantastic surf spots. (Surfi ng is when a kayaker points their boat up stream, slides themselves into a wave and remains stationary as the water fl ows by; it’s quite a sensation.) At higher fl ows (1000–1900 CFS) this section provides an exhilarating fl oat that is sure to clench a few buttocks. As the river runs down through Weber Canyon and into Ogden, it fl ows through the Kayak Park. This park was built in 2000 once the city realized its blossoming kayaking scene, and it offers hours of great Class II–III surfi ng and spectator enjoyment just off 24th Street.

Continued on next page

Photo Credit:“Last Choice”- Ben Napolitano- Weber River

late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 9

www.active.com • ullr5k@gmail.comi ll 5k@ il

10 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

The Provo River has its roots deep in the Uinta Mountains, but the section run most often is through Provo Canyon. Diffi culty on this portion of river ranges from Class II–IV, with the guided portions averaging around Class II. Breathtaking views of Mt. Timpanogos and Bridal Veil Falls awaken the adventurous spirit and stir the soul. Moonlight trips are also available on the Provo and are a unique way to spend a warm summer night.

Central/SouthernThe rivers of central and southern Utah are wide, brilliant and represent some of the fi nest big water rafting and kayaking in the West. Winding their way through brick red canyons, the Colorado and Green Rivers attract paddlers the world over. Their earthen-colored waters provide days of challenge and excitement for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Just east of Moab, the Colorado River crosses the Utah-Colorado border and begins its descent through Westwater Canyon. This Class III stretch of whitewater is home to some classic rapids that will quench any adrenaline junkie’s thirst for adventure. As the river fl ows westward, it rolls through Moab from Hittle Bottom to the town bridge. This section is know as The Daily and is great for paddlers looking to gain some experience on big water. After Moab, the river runs into Cataract Canyon, the quintessential Utah whitewater experience. This section is a solid Class IV and is not recommended for the timid or feeble. At high water (25,000–50,000 CFS) this stretch has some of the gnarliest paddling in the state. With rapids like Hell to Pay and Big Drops One, Two and Three, courage is a must. A guide is highly recommended for this section.

For those looking for a tamer way to experience big water, the Green River offers several Class I–I sections. Labyrinth Canyon and The Green River Daily provide and excellent platform for beginners to learn valuable skills on a calm and scenic fl oat. But, once you’ve mastered your j-stroke and back paddle, head for Desolation Canyon; an extraordinary Class III stretch that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

Outfi tters and Guide CompaniesNorthern: Adrift Adventures- 888-783-8923, adriftadventures.comAll Seasons Adventures- 435-649-9619, allseasonsadventures.comUniversity of Utah Outdoor Recreation Program- 801-581-8516, utah.eduREI Salt Lake City- 801-486-2100, rei.com

Central/Southern:Moab Adventure Center- 866-904-1163, moabadventurecenter.comWestern River Expeditions- 801-942-6669, westernriver.comRed River Canoe Company- 435-259-RRCC, redrivercanoe.comCanyon Voyages Adventure Company- 435-259-6007, canyonvoyages.com

Photo Credit: “Corona Glow”- Seanzilla- Weber River

GearNow that you know where to go and some outfi tters to go with, here’s a list of items every paddle monkey needs in their arsenal.

Kayaker: Paddle, helmet, life vest, spray skirt and boat.Rafter: Paddle, helmet, life vest and some sort of air-fi lled raft.

These items can be rented from nearly any outfi tter statewide, and all guiding operations provide them as part of the package. For renting locally, visit the University of Utah Outdoor Recreation Program, which has Salt Lake’s best deals on gear rentals.

In addition to gear provided by the outfi tters, there are a few companies that I’ve been particularly impressed with. For kayaks, Prijon (wildnet.com) and Wavesport (wavesport.com) make excellent boats that stand up to years of punishment. I’ve been paddling a Prijon Delirium for about six years and its unique hull design has proved versatile in all types of water. If you aren’t into hard shells and prefer an infl atable, NRS (nrsweb.com) makes a fi ne raft. Their duckies (infl atable kayaks) are durable, self-bailing and easy to pack in the car.

For life vests, Lotus Designs (patagonia.com) and Extrasport (extrasport.com) are my fi rst choices. Their ergonomic construction makes an all-day paddle more comfortable, and their convenient pockets allow for ample stash space. As usual, Werner (wernerpaddles.com) is leading the industry in paddle innovation and they have the price tag to prove it. I recommend a Werner for experienced paddlers, but if you are just starting out, look into Carlisle (carlislepaddles.com). For shoes, try Chaco’s (chacousa.com) Pro Series Sandals which are available in a variety of styles and feature a Vibram Indro Grip outsole that’s designed for outdoor professionals and river runners. It has an anti-slip compound that holds on wet rocks and in slick conditions. Good places to pick up inexpensive gear are local gear swaps and craigslist. For more information on gear and river fl ows, check out eddyfl ower.com.

Continued from previous page

Van King, Asset Manager, Kennecott Land,monitors computerized weather stations inEast Lake Commons park at Daybreak. Van isone of 65,000 Rio Tinto employees committedto sustainable development practices.

Kennecott Land is part of the global Rio Tinto company.It’s big.But what’s really big is the cause that brings us together —a focus on sustainable development practices.

As a result, we use secondary water at Daybreak and not drinkingwater to irrigate our parks and open space adjacent to Oquirrh Lake.We also use computerized weather stations to avoid automaticwatering when rain is forecast. We’re proud of that. Waterconservation is just part of our long-term commitment. To learnmore, please visit www.kennecottland.com or www.riotinto.com.

We’re part of something bigger

By Kamron WixomPack your duffel, strap on your sandals then kick back with a professional river outfi tter. Moab, Utah is home to many such outfi tters ready to take you into the backcountry with everything you’ll need for a multi-day rafting adventure.

Most outfi tters require you to bring nothing more than your packed duffel and a good sense of adventure. Just slide your duffel into the dry-bags they provide and you’re on your way! Of course you’ll want your camera, sunscreen and your favorite beverage, but the outfi tter takes care of everything else: camp cots, sleeping bags, tents, toilet facilities, emergency services and even a little personal dry pack for things you want throughout the day, like your camera.

There’s nothing as pleasant as a gourmet, dutch oven style meal cooked for you by the guides while you soak in the redrock, cottonwoods and river scenery. In the backcountry it seems that food just tastes better, but many claim that some outfi tters, such as Western River Expeditions, offer fantastic food that far exceeded expectations.

Another obvious advantage with an outfi tter is that you can get right into your vacation, and the backcountry, with their expertise. Adventure always requires something of its participants, but that requirement should be an attitude of going for the gusto, not just a determination to “do it yourself.”

The more subtle advantage of going with a professional outfi tter is peace of mind. Outfi tters handle the responsibilities of trip permits, water purifi cation systems and equipment like satellite phones for emergency situations, which could otherwise become backcountry disasters if on your own.

If you’re ready for guided adventure before the end of August, you can still catch Class III and IV whitewater in Cataract Canyon through Canyonlands. First-time river rafters need not fear taking the plunge into this wilder whitewater when you have guides looking out for your welfare and safety—not a luxury afforded to the do-it-yourselfer!

The Green River through Desolation Canyon begins slowing (literally) come August, but plan on it early next summer as an unbeatable family trip with mild Class I-III rapids and scenery that rivals the Grand Canyon.

If you aren’t so sure about camping, or big whitewater, choose a day trip with mild whitewater like the Green River. You can catch a stretch of the Colorado River known as The Daily well into the middle of October with the Moab Adventure Center and some other outfi tters. Autumn is an unbelievably beautiful season in the deserts of Moab with temperatures perfect for a river splash. You can also round out the vacation with the family in a Hummer Safari, Jeep Rental or Scenic Flight over Canyonlands, which are offered by many outfi tters.

Jump into any of these amazing adventures and by contacting the outfi tters listed in Paddle Power (pg. 8) or these great companies: Canyonlands by Night and Day 800-394-9978 (canyonlandsbynight. com), Destination Moab 435-259-4772 (destinationmoab.com), Moab Adventure Center (moabadventurecenter.com), Tag-A-Long Expeditions 800-453-3292 (tagalong.com) and Western River Expeditions 801-942-6669 (westernriver.com).

What to Expect What to Expect on Guided River Rafting Tripson Guided River Rafting Trips

12 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

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Steve Schnoor, Superintendent, Waterand Land Management, and JasonDoyle, Operations Supervisor, KennecottUtah Copper, oversee water recycling atthe Concentrator. They are two of 65,000Rio Tinto employees committed tosustainable development practices.

Kennecott Utah Copper is part of the global Rio Tinto company.It’s big. But what’s really big is the cause that brings us together —a focus on sustainable development practices.

As a result, most of the water we use in the mining process isrecycled and reused. We’re proud of that. Water conservationis just part of our long-term commitment. To learn more, pleasevisit www.kennecott.com or www.riotinto.com.

We’re part of something bigger

14 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

It’s fun to exercise outdoors when the sun is shining. Exercise enhances oxygen fl ow to the skin, fl ushes impurities from its surface and promotes production of oil, your skin’s natural moisturizer.

For good health we need natural sunlight to prevent depression in the winter and to activate vitamin D, which increases bone density. Some research even shows that sunlight has a protective effect against hypertension and some autoimmune diseases.

But there’s a downside to spending many hours hiking, running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, canoeing and boating—people that do experience a higher incidence of skin damage and skin cancers than people who work out indoors. High levels of sweating and lack of protective clothing don’t help either. A recent study found that sweat contributes to UV damage by increasing the sensitivity of your skin, making you more susceptible to sunburn.

HOW DOES SKIN DAMAGE HAPPEN? Melanin—A Warning of Skin DamageThe sun’s ultraviolet rays cause more skin damage than any other factor, in many ways. A brown pigment named melanin, found in the epidermis, is produced when skin is exposed to sunlight—giving us a tan. Melanin protects the skin by absorbing, refl ecting and scattering ultraviolet radiation before it penetrates the dermis, or underlying skin. However, melanin can’t prevent all the negative effects of the sun and often indicates damage.

Dry Skin and Skin Cell DamageThe sun’s heat dries out unprotected skin and depletes the skin’s supply of natural lubricating oils, causing dry skin. It’s important to stay hydrated because skin loses its elasticity in people with severe dehydration. Dry skin looks fl aky and prematurely wrinkled, even in younger people. Skin cell damage from excess UV rays includes actinic keratosis, a possible warning symptom of cancer, cell membrane damage and reduced immune system reactions—sounds scary doesn’t it?

Free Radical Damage to Your SkinOverexposure to the sun speeds up the creation of free radicals, unstable molecules that damage healthy cells through the process of oxidation. This free radical production causes the collagen and elastic fi bers in your skin to stiffen so you get wrinkling, sagging and damage. Luckily, your body also produces antioxidants, molecules whose job it is to sweep up those free radicals before they can do any serious harm. A diet high in antioxidants is recommended for people constantly exposed to the sun. See the Nutrition for Healthy Skin section to fi nd out what to eat to maintain healthy skin.

How to Protect Yourself from Sun Damage The best protection is to wear sunscreen and avoid exercising outside from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest. Unfortunately,

these times are when most people tend to participate in their activities so you’ll need to take steps to protect yourself. Follow the steps to maintain healthy skin while exercising outside.

Clothing—Creating a BarrierWhen outdoors on hot, sunny days, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing combined with plenty of sunscreen on both exposed and unexposed skin. However, if overheating isn’t a concern, dark-colored, tightly woven clothing is more effective at blocking UV rays than a white t-shirt, which allows UV rays to reach the skin. A cotton t-shirt only offers about UPF 7, or less when sweat-saturated. Choose shirts you cannot see through when held up to a light.

The Outdoor Enthusiast’sGuide to Healthy Summer SkinBy Roy Stevenson

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late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 15

HEALTHIf you’re going to spend the entire day outside, or are just sensitive to the sun, get gear that offers built in UV protection. The following brands offer sun protective clothing: Sun Soul, Solar Bar, Columbia, Solar Tex, Solumbra, Solar Eclipse, Sun Clothing, Sun-Togs, Coolibar and Patagonia. Also, the Skin Cancer Foundation (skincancer.org) sells long sleeved shirts that block 97% of the sun’s rays. You can also add Sun Guard (sunguardsunprotection.com) to your laundry, this colorless dye gives your clothes a UPF of 30 or more.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, ears and neck while

outdoors. A hat with visor will not only shield your face, but will also keep your scalp–where cancers can develop more aggressively–safe from the sun. Get a hat from Wallaroo Hats (wallaroohats.com), which cover your head and offer UPF 70 protection. Follow these practices to protect your skin even on cloudy or overcast days because UV rays travel through clouds.

SunglassesProtect your eyes from cataracts and the skin around them from developing lines by wearing sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that block 90–100% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Polarized sunglasses may be more expensive, but the reduction in glare is worth every cent of the extra cost. For more information on polarized sunglasses, read What’s Hot on page 30.

SunscreenThe higher the SPF (sun protection factor) in your sunscreen the better because these sunscreens provide extra protection. However, most athletes don’t use nearly enough to begin with. You should apply a full ounce (about a shot glass full) every couple of hours, and more if you’ve been swimming or sweating, which is what outdoor exercise is all about! That means a six-ounce bottle of sunscreen should last just a few applications—not all summer. Apply sunscreen 15–30 minutes before going outdoors.

A popular myth is that the higher the SPF rating you use, the longer you can stay out in the sun. While higher numbered products like SPF 85 do provide more protection, using sunscreen doesn’t prevent all the harmful effects of the sun. Most people don’t know that the SPF only indicates protection provided against UVB rays—not the invisible, UVA rays that also affect skin health and hasten the aging process. That’s why you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. To fi nd a sunscreen that protects against both UVs look for Parsol 1789, also called avobenzone, oxybenzone, anthranilates, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide on the ingredients list.

Nutrition for Healthy SkinThe foods shown to be good for skin health are also foods athletes should be eating to stay healthy. In one study, researchers from Monash

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16 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

HEALTH

University in Australia found people who ate the most fruits, vegetables and fi sh had the least amount of wrinkles. So, if you want to follow a skin healthy diet, make sure you pack your diet full of these nutrients:

Vitamins E and C—Studies fi nd these vitamins can help protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Vitamin C is a valuable nutrient in collagen synthesis, the protein that helps hold skin together and give it tone. Best food sources: Vegetable oils, eggs, fi sh, whole-grain cereals and dried beans for vitamin E; citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and leafy green vegetables for vitamin C.

Essential fatty acids—Several studies show that the amount of poly and monounsaturated fats, particularly Omega-3 fatty acids, in your diet can minimize sun and aging damage to your skin. Best food sources: Coldwater fi sh, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. For healthy mono fats, stick with olive oil and nuts.

Vitamin A—One study found a strong connection between antioxidant vitamin A levels in the blood (an indicator of the amount in the diet) and skin dryness; the more vitamin A, the moister the skin. Best food sources: Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe, spinach and broccoli.

Water—Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte-enhanced sports drinks, like Nuun U Natural Hydration (nuun. com) or Elete (elete. com), throughout your workout and after. The amount of liquid you drink directly affects the health of your skin. One sign of dehydration is if you press on your skin with your fi nger and it doesn’t spring back.

Keep this guide handy year-round to maintain healthy skin throughout summer and anytime you exercise outdoors.

Roy Stevenson has a master’s degree in coaching and exercise physiology from Ohio University. He’s coached hundreds of serious and recreational runners and triathletes in the Seattle area. His articles on health, fi tness, running, triathlon and sports training have been published in over thirty regional, national and international health, fi tness, sports, running and triathlon magazines. Roy teaches exercise science at Seattle University in Seattle, Washington.

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WIN THIS!visit

www.sportsguidemag.com

Nuun U Natural Hydration

TRAVEL

late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 17

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLTRAILSIDES

Maybe you’ve been inspired by watch-ing 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 crite-rium 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 fi rst thing for new rac-ers to do is to sign up with an open team,” says Russell Cree, owner of Upper Echelon Fitness (upperechelonfi tness.com), a cycle and triathlon coaching, bike fi tting, physi-ological 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.”

Any medium- to large-sized city will have at least one team with membership open to anyone who can pay the fee and show up for rides. In the Salt Lake area, check out the Utah Cycling Association (cycleutah.com)

for information on fi nding and joining a club near you. Some clubs specialize in just one type of cycling—road, track, mountain or cyclocross—while others include riders of all kinds.

If you’re serious about racing, you’ll also want to join USA Cycling and get a racer’s

license. This license entitles you to compete in more than 2500 USA Cycling-sanctioned events each year and to earn points toward a higher ranking.

Get in Gear. There’s no escaping the facts—cycle racing is an expensive sport. Expect to pay at least $2000 for a race-worthy bike

Getting Started in Cycle RacingBy Molly Newman Even beginner-level cycle racing is a demanding and exciting experience.

In high-energy sprints, you’re likely to tangle with another

rider’s handlebars. Practice controlling your bike in these

tight-quarter situations—but start at slow speeds on a

forgiving surface.

Falling correctly is an important skill, too. (So is learning to

shrug it off when your friends laugh at you.)

Photo Credit: James Newman, jamesnewmanphoto.com Photo Credit: James Newman, jamesnewmanphoto.com

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18 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

TRAILSIDES(that means one with a light alloy frame and high-quality components). But, as Russell says, “No matter how much you spend, you can’t buy a bike that will win a race for you.”

Whichever kind of racing you want to try, it’s worth taking the time to seek out a bike store that understands that type of equipment. Local road racer Brian Smith says, “Look for a shop that sponsors a team or group rides. The shops are interested in bringing new riders into the sport, and you’ll benefi t from the knowledge of the more experienced riders in the group.” A well-equipped store can even help you out with a custom fi t-ting for your bike—essential for avoiding problems such as back and neck pain down the line.

Take Time for Training. For most racers, the great limiting factor in training is time. Aim for riding about 12 hours a week, and try to get in at least one or two long rides of 20 to 40 miles. These longer rides will help you build up the stamina needed to make a strong fi nish.

Avoid training alone whenever you can. Handling your bike in a close-packed group is a critical racing skill that many new riders forget to develop. You should also include interval training in your workouts. These one- to fi ve-minute top-speed bursts will prepare you for the accelerations and chases that can win or lose a race.

Adjust your training schedule with the seasons, too. While the spring and summer months beckon riders outdoors, there’s no need to let winter’s freezing temperatures interfere with your training. Look for indoor training camps such as the four-month Power Cycle Camp offered by J.R. Smith Coaching (jrsmithcoaching.com) to be on top of your game at next season’s start.

Get out and Ride. Ultimately, the only way to become a racer is to hop on your bike and start racing. Check out the schedule of events at sportsguidemag.com or cycleutah.com, or try one of these upcom-ing newbie-friendly races:

Sanpete Classic: August 29, Spring City, Utah, skiutahcycling.com

Great Utah Bike Festival: September 4–7, Minersville, Utah, bike2bike. org

Cyclesmith Rocky Mountain Raceways Criterium: Every Tuesday through September, West Valley City, Utah, utahcritseries.com

Photo Credit: James Newman, jamesnewmanphoto.com

Training in a group builds strong racers and strong friendships.

Continued from previous page

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1. King Fisher Island (Flaming Gorge)This beautiful area is characterized by brightly colored canyon walls, forested hills and a large reservoir that’s perfect for boating, canoeing and more. Flaming Gorge straddles the Utah/Wyoming border near the northeast corner of Utah so it requires a little bit of a drive, but here you’ll fi nd great spots for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fi shing and rafting below the dam on the Green River. Many campgrounds are available on or near the reservoir, but for a real treat stay at a boat-in only campsite like Kingfi sher Island. You can canoe or boat in and camp on the island, which is quiet and peaceful. But the island has no drinking water so be sure to bring enough for your trip. Kingfi sher Island is located 10 miles southeast off Hwy 44 in Manila, Utah, and campsites cost $10 per night.

2. Skyline Drive (Spanish Fork Canyon)This road starts at Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon and goes south to I-70 in Salina Canyon. The road is rough and some of the drive requires a high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or an ATV. But the views are scenic and you’ll see lakes, trees and sights on

both sides of the mountain. Many developed camping areas are available along the way near lakes and streams and fi shing spots are abundant. The roads in this area are usually open from July to early October.

3. Redman Campground (Big Cottonwood Canyon)Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, this area offers spacious camping sites and great rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking in an area full of wildfl owers, water and tall trees. Just above the campground, near Brighton Ski Resort, is the boardwalk trail around Silver Lake. This boardwalk provides easy access to the lake for anyone and is a great place to stretch out and relax or cast a fi shing line. Off the boardwalk you’ll fi nd many other scenic hikes, just follow the signs. For quiet, secluded camping, pick a site further away from the entrance where fewer people venture. Toilets and drinking water are available. Cook brunch at your campsite or go across the road to Silver Fork Lodge where you’ll fi nd great patio dining and tasty pancakes. To get to Redman Campground, go eight miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road until you see signs for the campground. Campsites cost $15 per night.

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Six Nearby Camping SpotsBy Jenny Willden

Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Wanna get away on vacation, but don’t want to spend the money on a faraway trip? Then look no further than this handy dandy list of camping spots that are close to home and offer plentiful recreation opportunities. Most of these camping spots can be reached by

car, but in some cases you’ll need to boat, hike or four-wheel in to the campsite. Did we miss your favorite camping spot? Then send an email to editor@sportsguidemag.com and we’ll post it on our website at sportsguidemag.com.

Take a Staycation:

late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 21

TRAVEL

4. Tanner’s Flat (Little Cottonwood Canyon)If you’re from Salt Lake City or the suburbs surrounding it, you can’t fi nd much closer camping than Tanner’s Flat. This campground is located just four miles up Little Cottonwood and offers tent and RV camping. This site always fi lls up on weekends so get there early to get a spot or make a reservation, and remember that a two-day minimum stay is required on weekends. If you’re tent camping, pick a site in the upper section of the campground to avoid crowds and RVers. But be sure not to arrive too late as the gates are locked from 10 p.m.–6 a.m. each day. Nearby hiking and biking trails are plentiful, but if you’re not sure where to hike take the White Pine Trail a mile and a half up the road from Tanner’s Flat. Bathrooms and drinking water are available, and campsites cost $16 per night.

5. Little Mill Campground (American Fork Canyon)This canyon is great for summer camping, but is especially breathtaking in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. This area is a fee zone and you’ll have to pay just to enter the canyon in addition to camping fees. Many campgrounds are available along the road and in this canyon you’ll fi nd waterfalls, wildfl owers, rivers and lakes, as well as great hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking and rock climbing. Timpanogos Cave National Monument is located in American Fork Canyon and you can enjoy a hike to the cave and exploring inside on a guided tour. Little Mill Campground is just a mile and a half from Timpanogos Cave and offers picnic tables, fi re pits, toilets, grills and is next to the American Fork River. But be sure to bring enough drinking water as none is available at this site.

Little Cottonwood Canyon, view from Snowbird.

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Utah’s Oldest and Most Experienced Climbing Store

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22 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

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Remember that these campsites fi ll up fast so make reservations at least fi ve days in advance. If this campground is full, continue up the road. To get there from Salt Lake City, take I-15 South and take Exit 284 at Alpine-Highland. Go east on Utah Highway 92, eight miles to mouth of American Fork Canyon. Stay on Highway 92 for four miles to campground.

6. Zion National ParkThough not quite in your backyard, Zion National Park is a quick three-hour drive away from Salt Lake City and offers some of Utah’s best backpacking opportunities. Backpacking may not be for everyone, but for you adventurous types, backpacking in Zion is said to be some of America’s best. There’s too many amazing backpacking treks in Zion to feature just one, but Cable Mountain is a 15.8-mile round trip backpack that offers striking views and can be combined with other side trips to extend

your stay. Here you’ll also see the remains of the historic cable car system that once ran in Zion. The Narrows is another well-known Zion backpacking spot and can be done as a long day hike or an overnight backpacking trip. In the Narrows you’ll see hanging gardens, sheer walls of water, streams, rock formations and more, making it one of the National Park systems most amazing hikes. The Narrows can be diffi cult however and requires some swimming and frequent river hiking, but there are places to camp along the way. Permits are required to hike from the top-down so check into it before venturing out. Also, fl ash fl ood dangers are high in this area so use caution and pay attention to the weather. For more information about backpacking in Zion National Park, visit zionnational-park.com. To get there from Salt Lake City, take I-15 South, past Beaver then exit on Highway 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take U-9 to Zion’s east entrance.

Zion National Park, Narrows.

CASTLE COUNTRY SINGLE TRACK MTN BIKE FESTIVALSEPTEMBER 25-27Rides begin Friday afternoon & continue through SundayRides for confident beginners to expert

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Fee: $35, includes an event t-shirtRegister at Carbon County Recreation435-636-3702 • www.carbonrec.com

Sponsored by Utah’s Castle Country

late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 23

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Handheld GPS devices are just cool. Though they’re designed for use in the great outdoors, they also have everyday functionality. The rise in popularity of these gadgets inspired me to compare GPS units from industry leaders Garmin and Magellan.

I must have looked like a dork ambling up the trail while looking back and forth between the two GPS devices, which I’ve affectionately named “Gary” (Garmin) and “Maggie” (Magellan). I could see it on the faces of passing hikers, they offered a friendly hello, but must have been thinking, “Sheesh, that girl must be really afraid of getting lost.” Sure people were giving me funny looks, but it’s all in the name of research.

While hiking I found that GPS devices don’t just give you latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates; they come ready to go with neat options and are designed more as an all-in-one unit than just a digital map. Both Gary and Maggie have barometric altimeters, electronic compasses and are water resistant. They’re also easy to use, but their features differ on some notable points. Gary has a 16-hour battery life while Maggie’s is 10 hours. Gary has a bike cadence sensor, trip computer, alarm clock, calculator, picture viewer and wireless unit-to-unit transfer. While Maggie has a built-in 2MP camera, fl ashlight, voice recorder and digital music player.

After taking my little buddies hiking I took them on a road trip to my cabin, then to the gym. I’ll be honest, I’m not really a fi sher-uh-woman, but there is some darn good fi shin’ near my cabin. Out of curiosity, I thought I should check with Gary and Maggie to see exactly what time would be the best to sink a fi shing line. They both agreed that 8:53 a.m.–

10:53 a.m. on that day would be the best window of opportunity.

Why would I take a GPS to the gym? Because Gary actually has a stopwatch and heart rate monitor built in and Maggie comes with a digital music player and an audio jack. If I really wanted to geek-out I could plug in my headphones to Maggie and jam while I do my reps with Gary monitoring my heart rate.

But one of the coolest features of these units is that they’re both geocaching friendly. Geocaching is basically a modern treasure hunt, but instead of searching with a metal detector or ciphering pirate maps in search of One-Eyed Willy (that’s a Goonies reference in case you didn’t get it), you use your GPS to fi nd loot that fellow geocachers have hidden. Of course, you must in turn leave something for the next cacher, or create your own geocache for some lucky seeker. Before geocaching you need to sign up for an account at geocaching.com. There you’ll fi nd an online community of geocaching enthusiasts that will share routes, resources and tips with you. Currently geocaches are placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, according to Wikipedia.

The last differences between these devices is weight and price. Gary is smaller, sleeker and weighs 6.8 ounces, 1.2 ounces less than Maggie at 8 ounces. Every bit counts when you’re backpacking right? Though Gary does have a few more options and is easier to use, you will pay about $100 more for those perks. Both GPS devices are available online and in stores like Costco, REI and Target. Garmin $500 garmin.com, Magellan $400 magellangps.com

Handheld GPS(Global Positioning System) Devices

Garmin Oregon 400t v. Magellan Triton 2000

By Melissa McGibbon

24 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

TRAILSIDESTRAILSIDES

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 el-evation 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 dif-ferent 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 Re-sort. This 6-mile trail heads south from the top of the Giant Steps lift and offers amazing views of the nearby fi ery red rock amphitheaters of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Intermediate/Advanced: The Mountain Bike Park at Brian Head Re-sort 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 fi ve–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 shut-tle, 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.

Move Over Moab,

Bike Brian Head

Park City, Utah 435.200.0985

For registration & event information, visit

www.SummitChallenge100.orgSeptember 5

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late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 25

AUGUST 2009–SEPTEMBER 2009

ADVENTURE SPORTSSEPTEMBER5–6Adventure Xstream Series–Moab Finale 30hr, 7 a.m. Moab, UT. 970-259-7771, events@ gravityplay. com, www. gravityplay. com

CLIMBINGSEPTEMBER17–20Carderock Adopt-A-Crag–9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Carderock, MD. www. dcmetroclimbers. com

17Climb4Life–Thursday afternoon registration begins at 3 p.m. Events all day Friday and Saturday. Evening events Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Black Diamond Complex and Canyons around SLC, UT. 801-245-9767, info@ herafoundation. org, www. herafoundation. org

CYCLINGAUGUST18-23Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. America’s Toughest Stage Race–August 18, Prologue: Downtown Salt Lake City. 1.4-mile uphill course. August 19, Stage One: Ogden to Salt Lake. Two tough climbs, 82 miles, fi nish at Research Park in Salt Lake City.August 20, Stage Two: Thanks-giving Point to Mount Nebo. Mostly fl at course with the exception of a grueling 20-mile climb to the fi nish. August 21, Stage Three: Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah. A 10-mile time trial on a loop course.August 22, Stage Four: Park City to Snowbird. A road race of 99 mountainous miles.August 23, Stage Five: Salt Lake Downtown Criterium. A 90-minute race around a fl at, four-cornered track around the City County building and Library Square. The circuit is one mile in length. 801-558-2136, www. tourofutah. com

22Mount Ogden 50K–This endur-ance mountain bike race at Snowbasin will feature pro, amateur, solo and two person relay categories. Additional activities include a kids’ race, family activities, BBQ and live music featuring Flew

the Coop. 9 a.m. 801-620-1014, www. snowbasin. com

28-30Mountain States Cup Series #6 Copper Cup–Saturday Short Track/SD Sunday Cross Country. Copper Mountain, CO. 720-407-6142, info@ racemsc. com, www. racemsc. com

29Bikes for Kids Utah Annual Red vs. Blue Time Trial–This event will gather the cycling clubs, alumni and fans of Brigham Young University and the University of Utah to raise money and awareness for Bikes for Kids Utah. 9 a.m. The time trial will begin at the LDS Chapel at 272 E. Traverse Point Dr. in Draper, Utah traveling up Traverse Ridge Rd. and fi nishing at Suncrest Market, the three-mile time trial course has an elevation gain of more than 1,300 feet with 10%–12% percent grades in some locations. Registration fee is $25. www. bikesforkidsutah. com

SEPTEMBER1Bikes for Kids Utah Dinner and Auction–The dinner auction evening will include a silent auction, entertainment, dinner and featured guest speakers from the cycling industry. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will support Bikes for Kids Utah’s mission to get 1,000 new bikes to underprivileged children in Utah each year. 6 p.m. La Caille Restaurant, 9565 S. Wasatch Blvd. Cost is $100/person or $1,000/table of 10. www. bikesforkidsutah. com

5Second Annual Summit Chal-lenge Bike Ride–The National Ability Center is hosting this event that consists of three routes, 15, 50 or 100 miles. 6 a.m. Park City, UT. Jennifer Atkin 435-200-0985, www. summitchallenge100. org

Park City Point 2 Point–7 a.m. Start at Quinn’s Junction and fi nish at the Canyons Resort. 75 Miles. Post race BBQ. www.thepcpp. com

4-5Mountain States Cup Series #7 Sol Survivor–Saturday Mountain Cross, Sunday Cross Country/Super D, Monday Short Track/Downhill. SolVista Basin Granby, CO. 720-407-6142,

info@ racemsc. com, www. racemsc. com

11-13Mountain States Cup Series #7 The Fall Classic Stage Race–Satur-day Time Trial/Circuit Race, Sunday Cross Country. Breckenridge, CO. 720-407-6142, info@ racemsc. com, www. racemsc. com

1212 Hours of Sundance–See who can ride the most laps in a 12-hour period. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundance, UT. 801-223-4849, www. sundanceresort.com

12-14Hoodoo 500–Ultra marathon bicycle race. Solo, tandem and 2- or 4-person relay teams. St. George, UT. embassy@planetultra.com, www.hoodoo500.com

19Widow Maker Mountain Bike Hill Climb–10 a.m. Snowbird, Gad Valley, UT. www. sports-am. com

16th Annual Tour de Vine-yards–7 a.m. Grand Junction, CO. 303-635-2815, emgmh@ emgcolorado. com, www. emgcolorado. com

Moab Century Tour– River! Canyons! Mountains! 6 a.m.- 4 p.m. Moab, UT. 435-259-2698, info@ skinnytireevents. com, www. skinnytireevents. com

20Tour des Suds–10 a.m. Park City, UT. heinrich@ mountaintrails. org, www. mountaintrails. org

25-27Castle Country Single Track Mountain Bike Festival–Rides for confi dent beginners to experts. Registration at CEU Prehistoric Museum, Price, UT. 435-636-3702, www.carbonrec.com

GEAR SWAPSSki & Sport Swap–Date: 9/11-13, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, UT. 801-922-2110, www. snowbird. com

Rowmark Ski Swap–Date: 10/16, 970 E. 800 S., Salt Lake City, UT. 801-355-7494

Black Diamond Swap–Date:10/20, 2092 East 3900 South, Holladay, UT. 801-278-0233

Park City Snowboard Team Snowboard Swap–Date: 11/6-8, Park City Mountain Resort, UT. First Time lower parking lot, 435-615-8839

Sports Den–Date: 10/11-13, 1350 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT. 801-943-4889

Christy Sports Olympus Hills–3955 S. Wasatch Blvd. at the Olympus Hills Shopping Center. Huge selection and prices on last year’s ski and snowboard gear. 801-272-5550

FESTIVALS & EVENTSSEPTEMBER25–26Mountain 2 Metro–Urban Cyclocross, Trail Run, Kayak race, Kids Crit & Road Race, Xterra National Championships, Historic 25th Street Downtown Ogden, www. moutain2metro. com

REI EVENTSAUGUSTSANDY13GPS 101–7 p.m. at REI Sandy. An REI navigation expert will cover an introduction to the GPS system, types of receivers and their common use and basic GPS functions. An excellent primer for people looking to get started with GPS use.

20Best In Tent Camping: Utah–7 p.m. at REI Sandy. Come meet Jeffrey Steadman, author of The Best in Tent Camping: Utah. Get ideas and hear about the sites in his book hand selected for their appeal to tent campers who love their seclusion, beauty, quiet and security.

SALT LAKE CITY10Humla, Nepal: Off the Beaten Path with Bodhi Tree Founda-tion–7 p.m. at REI SLC. Join Sarah Ferris and her husband Mark, founders of Bodhi Tree Foundation, for an evening of photos and discussion about their work improving maternal-child health in the hidden Himalayas of Nepal. Bodhi Tree Foundation is a nonprofi t organization whose mission is to support and promote community based activities that focus on maternal-child health in the district of Humla, Nepal. More information available at www. bodhitreefoundation. org

CALENDAR

26 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

AUGUST 2009–SEPTEMBER 2009

11Backpacking for Youth–7 p.m. at REI SLC. Join an REI expert for some fun and useful tips on

backpacking and camping. This presentation, designed for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, will cover the ins and outs of gear essentials such as packs, tents,

sleeping bags, stoves, footwear and clothing layers. Families, youth groups and scout troops are encouraged to attend.

18Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art–7 p.m. at REI SLC. In conjunction with the Center for Documentary Arts, join us for a photographic and historical explanation of the four major styles of Utah rock art (petroglyphs and pictographs). Rock art scholar David Sucec and photographers Craig Law and John Telford will share their experiences in creating the book Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art, recently reprinted by the Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA).

20GPS 101–7 p.m. at REI SLC. An REI navigation expert will cover an introduction to the GPS system, types of receivers and their common use and basic GPS functions. An excellent primer for people looking to get started with GPS use.

COMMUNITY & REI SPONSORED EVENTS:7–9Bike Drive for Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective –Donate your old bike to the Salt Lake City Bike Collective at this two-day bike drive during store hours at REI SLC or REI Sandy. The Salt Lake City Bike Collective provides refur-bished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households. They’ll accept bikes in any condition, especially adult road bikes, kid’s bikes, parts and tires. All donations to the SLC Bike Collective are tax-deductible. For more information check out: www. slcbikecollective.org

8Utah Lake Century Epic Ride (ULCER)–Join the Bonneville Cycling Club (BCC) as it celebrates its 25th annual Utah Lake Epic Century Ride, which begins and ends at the Electric Park Pavilion at Thanksgiving Point. Three different ride options are available: 33 miles, 67 miles and 111 miles. For more details and to register online, go to: www. bccutah. org. Early packet pick up will be Wednesday, August 5 from 5-8 p.m. at REI Sandy.

CLASSES22REI GPS NAVIGATION DAY–9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at REI Sandy. Spend a

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AUGUST 2009–SEPTEMBER 2009day outdoors and an hour indoors with REI navigation specialists to learn how to use your GPS unit in the fi eld. Participants should have some familiarity with GPS and/or have attended REI’s GPS 101 evening clinic. Pre-registration is required in person or by phone at our REI Sandy location at 801-501-0850. Tuition is $25 REI members, $35 non-members.

RUNNINGAUGUST 15Half Road/Half Trail 8K Run–City Creek Canyon, UT. www. sports-am. com

Pine Valley 5K & 15 Miler–7 a.m. Pine Valley, UT. www. active. com

Tower Rock Run 10K, 5K and Fun Run–8 a.m. Manila, UT (Sheep Creek Geological Loop). 435-784-3218 x134, braymond@ daggett. state.ut.us, www. towerrockrun. com

16Brockville Downtown 5Km Run–9:05 a.m. Blockhouse Island, Brockville, ON, Canada. 613-295-4008, info@ somersault. ca, www. somersault. ca

22Hobble Creek Half-Mara-thon–7:15 a.m. Springville Arts Park, Springville, UT. 801-223-7010, www. srcevents. com/hobblecreek

Hurricane Peach Days 12K–6:15 a.m. 100 W. 100 S., Hurricane, UT. 435-635-2924

Mesa Falls Marathon, Half & 5K–6:30 a.m. Ashton, ID. www. mesafallsmarathon. com

Park City Marathon and Half Marathon–6:30 a.m. Park City, UT. www. pcmarathon. com

Race For Recovery 10K, 5K & 1-Mile–9 a.m. Provo Canyon, UT. 801-373-7440, www. race4recovery. com

Run With The Horses Marathon–Green River, WY. 307-297-0062, www. grchamber. com

ULLR 5K–Celebrate ULLR, the Norse God of snow and skiing, at the 1st Annual Brian Head Ski Team 5K Fundraiser. This event is

designed to give local kids scholar-ships to participate in the Brian Head Ski Team. This is a scenic trail run and at 10,000 ft., it’ll be a great challenge even for the seasoned 5k-er! $15 registration fee includes lunch and t-shirt.10 a.m. Marissa Harding 801-319-8818, ullr5k@ gmail. com, www. brianheadchamber. com

27X-Treme Scramble Series–A twilight riverfront 5K trail. 6 p.m., Riverfront Plaza, Hartford, CT. 860-652-8866, www. hartfordmarathon. com

29Bryce Canyon Rim Run & Walk–9 a.m. Ruby’s Inn, Hwy 63, Bryce Canyon City, UT. 800-468-8660, www. rubysinn. com

Skirt Chaser 5K–Denver, CO. A fun 5K where the women start fi rst and the men chase them down. Race is followed by a block party, awards ceremony, dating games and fashion show. 5 p.m. Steele Street and Cherry Creek North, Between 1st and 2nd Avenue, Denver, CO. www. skirtchaser5K. com

30Old Wethersfi eld 5K & 10K–8:30 a.m. Garden Street and State Street, Wethersfi eld, CT. 860-652-8866, www. hartfordmarathon. com

SEPTEMBER4–5Red Rock Relay–180 mile running descent from Brian Head to Tuacahn. Teams of 12, 6, 2 and 1. Registration limited. For more information go to www. redrockrelay. com

5Salt Lake 2008 Half Marathon And Relay–7 a.m. From Little Dell Bridge to The Marriott Universiy Park Hotel, UT. www. sports-am. com

9th Annual Spanish Fork Half-Marathon & 5K–7 a.m. Spanish Fork, UT. www. spanishforkhalf. com

Huntsville Half-Marathon & 5K–8 a.m. Huntsville, UT. 801-728-9121

Provo Canyon Relay Marathon–7 a.m. Provo Canyon, UT.

CALENDAR

28 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

AUGUST 2009–SEPTEMBER 2009trail@ xmission. com, www. trailrun. com

5-611th Annual New Mexico Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K–5:30 a.m. Albuquerque, NM.

505-489-9484, pamela@ thatsawrapevents. com, www. thatsawrapevents. com

6New Mexico Marathon, Half-Marathon & 5K Festival–

5:30 a.m. Marathon, 6:30 a.m. Half-Marathon, 7:15 a.m. 5K. Albuquerque, NM. www. newmexicomarathon. org

7Wellsville Founders Day 10K & 5K–7 a.m. Wellsville, UT. 435-245-3686

Payson Onion Days 10K & 5K–7 a.m. 439 W. Utah Ave. Payson, UT. 801-465-6031, www. payson. org/parks_ rec. 5K10Kraces.html

11-12Colorado Relay–Team Relay Run (170 miles), 5 a.m. Idaho Springs, Glenwood Springs, CO. 303-670-7147, race@ coloradorelay. com, www. coloradorelay. com

12Utah Marathon Relay–7 a.m. Life Time Fitness, Sandy, UT. www. utahgardenrelay. com

The Classic 10K & 5K–8 a.m. Layton Commons Park, Layton, UT. 801-387-7754, www. theclassicrace.blogspot. com

Mid-Mountain Marathon–8 a.m., Deer Valley Silverlake Lodge, Park City, UT. 435-659-1188, heinrichdeters@ yahoo. com, www. mountaintrails. org

Suncrest Mountain Trail Race 1/2 Marathon, 5K, 3K Fun Run–8 a.m. Suncrest Welcome Park, Corners of Traverse Ridge Road, Elk Ridge and Suncrest Drive, Draper, UT. 801-703-1285, www. drapertraildays. com

13The Little Grand Canyon Marathon, 1/2 Marathon & 10K–6-6:30 a.m., CEU Prehistoric Museum, Price, UT. 435-650-9732, info@ mammothmarathons. org, www. mammothmarathons. com

Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via–The Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via (LVHN Marathon) is a unique fi ve-person Team Relay, Indi-vidual Run, Half Marathon and 5K Walk. 7 a.m. www. vianet. org

15Pocatello Marathon–Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids’ Run. 6:15 a.m. www. pocatellomarathon. com

19Top of Utah Marathon–6:55 a.m. Wheelchair Start. 7 a.m. Marathon starts. Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Logan, UT. www. topofutahmarathon. com

Hidden Peak Challenge–10 a.m. All entries must be in by Sept. 15, 4 miles and 300 foot vertical climb www.sports-am. com

20Nepean 3K & 5K Trail Run–8:30 a.m. Nepean Sportsplex, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 613-295-4008, info@ somersault. ca, www. somersault. ca

Marathon Distance Festival–9 a.m. Mara-thon, 10 a.m. Half, 9 a.m. Relay. Schroon Lake, NY. 518-532-7576, adirondackmarathon@ yahoo. com, www. adirondackmarathon. org

26Avon Walk for Breast Cancer–Rocky Mountains, CO. 888-541-WALK, www. avonwalk. org

Step Out to Fight Diabetes–8:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk. Starts at This is the Place Monu-ment, ends at Hogle Zoo. Salt Lake City, UT. www. diabetes. org/stepout

8th Annual Schutzenfest 5K Race–8-8:45 a.m. registration at

The Other Half October 18, 2009

CanyonlandsHalf Marathon

March 20, 2010

Winter Sun 10k December 5, 2009

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S A L T L A K E C O U N T Y

BICYCLEA D V I S O R Y C O M M I T T E E

www.slcbac.org

Public Meetings Every 2nd Monday

Share the Road is a two-way streetObey All Traffic Laws, Stop means STOP

Be Visible and CourteousRide in a Predictable Manner

CALENDAR

late summer 2009 sportsguidemag.com 29

AUGUST 2009–SEPTEMBER 2009the Blue Boar Inn. Race begins at the Wasatch Mountain State Park Visitor’s Center. 1235 Warm Springs Rd. Midway, UT. Kristen 435-654-1400, www. active. com, www. gohebervalley. com

XTERRA Wheeler Canyon Xduro–21K,9 a.m. Snowbasin Resort, Ogden, UT. 877-XTER-RA-1, www. xterraplanet. com/xduro/wheeler.html

TRIATHLON & MULTISPORT

AUGUST 16Thousand Islands Triathlon, Duathlon & Relays–8:30 a.m. Block House Island, Brockville, ON, Canada. 613-295-4008, info@ somersault. ca, www. somersault. ca

23Litchfi eld Hills Olympic Triathlon & Aqua/Bike Challenge–1-mile swim, 25-mile bike course, 10K run. This year, we have added an Aqua/Bike event, which will run simultaneously with the triathlon on the same swim and bike course. 7:30 a.m. Brodie Park, West Hill

Lake, New Hartford, CT. 860-652-8866, www. hartfordmarathon. com

SEPTEMBER5Canadian 226 Triathlon, Duathlon & Relays–6:30 a.m./8 a.m. Terry Fox Athletic Facility, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 613-295-4008, info@ somersault. ca, www. somersault. ca

7Moab Xstream Off-Road Triathlon–7 a.m. Moab, UT. 970-259-7771, events@ gravityplay. com, www. gravityplay. com

Murray Youth and Family Triathlon–A triathlon for all ages! Kids 7-10 years old complete a 75-yard swim, 2.3-mile bike and .6-mile run. Older kids and adults complete a 150-yard swim, 4.3-mile bike and 1-mile run. For online registration, go to: www. newsportsbaseonline. com. www. greatbasincoaching. com

12I Can Tri Triathlon–8 a.m. Alta Canyon Sports Center, Sandy, UT. 801-568-4602, mcarter@ sandy. utah.gov, www. sandy.utah. gov

13Women’s Triathlon–8 a.m. Winding Trails, Famington, CT. 860-652-8866, www. hartfordmarathon. com

20Last Chance Triathlon, Duathlon & Relays–8 a.m. Nepean Sports-plex, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 613-295-4008, info@ somersault. ca, www. somersault. ca

26XTERRA Utah–The race is open to everyone. 750-meter swim in Pineview Reservoir, a 19K mountain bike, 5K trail run.Snowbasin Resort, Ogden, UT. 877-XTERRA-1, www. xterraplanet. com

27XTERRA USA Championship–The XTERRA USA Championship is open to qualifi ed amateur athletes from the U.S. 1.5K swim, 30K

mountain bike,10K trail run. Snowbasin Resort, Ogden, UT. 877-XTERRA-1, www. xterraplanet. com

WATERSPORTSAUGUST223rd Annual Paddle Festival–Demo a kayak, canoe, kiteboard, paddle board and learn to fl y fi sh! Cost $5 -$20, Pineview Reservoir Middle Inlet, Ogden, UT. 801-629-8253, www. ogdencity. com

SEPTEMBER4Labeau LeMans Grand Prix 20–Labeau LeMans Grand Prix 20, Italian Dinner Party and Horseshoe Tournament. Brett Bingham 801-815-2521, www. utahsailing. com

26Oktoberfest Utah Sailing–Pinev-iew Reservoir, Windsurfer Beach. All day sail and beach party. Brett Bingham 801-815-2521, www. utahsailing. com

This 12-hour, six-part documentary begins Sunday, September 27,

at 7:00 p.m.

TV worth watching . . . TV worth supporting

30 sportsguidemag.com late summer 2009

WHAT’S HOT

Performance Sunglasses

On sunny summer days in Utah, the must-have gear item is performance sunglasses. These sunglasses come from a wide variety of brands, but are designed to protect your eyes much better than a gas station pair, and look stylish to boot! So what should you look for when picking out a pair of performance shades?

Polarized lenses are the fi rst important feature because they protect your eyes by acting as a fi lter between the elements and help fi ght glare. This reduces eye strain, allowing you to spend more time outside doing activities you love. Pleasure Ground (pleasureground.com) and Zeal Optics (zealoptics.com) offer some great options for stylish polarized glasses.

But if you’re looking to take a step up from polarized lenses, look for polarchromic lenses. These lenses offer the benefi ts of polarization along with photochromic light sensitivity. They adjust their tint to changing lighting conditions in about 10-

25 seconds and offer optimal protection throughout the day. You can get glasses with these lenses from Smith Optics (smithoptics.com).

Also make sure that the glasses you choose offer 100% UVA and UVB protection to completely shield your eyes from the elements. Equally important is selecting glasses that are optically correct so there’s no distortion, which is important for seeing clearly.

If using your sunglasses for outdoor recreation, choose a pair that’s scratch resistant and shatterproof in case they fall off or you drop them. Sport specifi c glasses are also a great investment because the best lens type and frame shape changes dependent on the activity you’re participating in. You can fi nd glasses designed for mountain biking, watersports and running from Julbo (julbousa.com). Another favorite for running sunglasses is adidas’ (adidas.com) new ones, the adiZERO, which are so lightweight and comfortable that you can barely tell you’re wearing them.

When picking out new sunglasses, don’t forget the kids! Their eyes are sensitive and absorb more solar radiation than adults do. So start protecting their eyes while their young and get them in the habit of wearing them. You can get great kids’ shades from MFS Eyewear (myfi rstshades.com) and Julbo.

Worried about the high price of performance sunglasses? Don’t be! You can get a good pair of glasses from Ryders Eyewear (ryderseyewear.com) or Tifosi Optics (tifosioptics.com) and versions are available for casual use and sports. Most styles are priced below $40. For more information on performance sunglasses, check out our website: sportsguidemag.com.

DOES IT WORK?

Suunto t4c Personal Coaching Heart Rate Monitor

With Suunto’s t4c heart rate monitor/watch, you can guide your training and develop a more effective workout plan using the enhanced Coach feature. It’s simple, just pair the t4c with the included Comfort Belt, which uses interference-free digital ANT transmission to monitor your heart rate and calories burned, put in your individual statistics like height, weight and age, then work out.

After you exercise the Coach evaluates your athletic performance and gives you a personalized fi ve-day training program to help you achieve your goals quickly. It tells you what the frequency, duration and intensity of your workouts should be and what days to rest. It’s easy to use and adapts as you improve your fi tness level. I also liked the Log feature, which recorded the details of previous workouts including speed, distance, calories burned, heart rate and time. While testing this watch, I was surprised how easy it was to set up and appreciated that the Comfort Belt stayed in place and gave an accurate reading, even during a high-powered, jumping up and down cardio routine. The only way I could love Suunto’s t4c more? If it came in pink, my favorite color. But Suunto says I won’t have to wait long for this development, new vibrant color choices will be available in the spring.

I was even more impressed when I paired the t4c with the optional Foot POD, which is a 3D sensor that attaches to your shoe to accurately provide your speed and distance while running. The Foot POD picks up all motion and the signal won’t disappear in dense trees like a GPS device can. The POD paired with the t4c easily and immediately began transmitting my speed and distance as I ran. I generally run on a treadmill because I like to know my pace and distance ran, but the Foot POD allowed me to train on trails and road without losing sight of my progress.

If running isn’t your sport, get the optional GPS POD which tracks distance and speed for any movement-based sport like hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding and more. It can be used for running too, but isn’t as accurate

as the Foot POD. Suunto offers a variety of sport specifi c PODs and a PC POD that receives

heart rate data wirelessly from the the Comfort Belt. This USB link for the PC

enables you to quickly download data from your Suunto t4c or Foot POD so you can monitor your training sessions online. These and all Suunto products are available at many local stores, including Kirkhams and REI. Suunto t4c Heart Rate Monitor $219,

Foot POD $99, GPS POD $169, PC POD $99 suunto.com

Barrel style by Pleasure Ground

LAST WORD

Heiress style by Pleasure Ground

August 18-23, 20098/188/198/208/218/228/23

PROLOGUE Fast and flat 4.5km time trial at the State Capitol

STAGE 01 Ogden to Salt Lake City, 82 miles, finishing in Research Park

STAGE 02 Thanksgiving Point to an uphill Mount Nebo finish

STAGE 03 Miller Motor Sports Park Individual Time Trial

STAGE 04 Park City to Snowbird, 99 mountainous miles

STAGE 05 SLC Crit around Library Square

www.tourofutah.com

A m e r i c a ’ s T o u g h e s t S t a g e R a c e .™

WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

http://www.alta.com