The Brian Head Epic
An Epic Challenge
By Señor Rojo
Photos by Monique Beeley
Señor Rojo is not a young man. Señor Rojo is no joven
pollo. He has seen many summers. Muchos verano. Nonetheless, this
proud, broken and decrepit warrior once again chose to enter the grueling Brian
Head Titanium 50 mile mountain bike race, staged at the Southwestern Utah resort
in July. 
Run in conjunction with the Brian Head Epic 100 miler (Señor Rojo is antiguo, not loco) high in the Dixie National Forest, the Epic and Titanium are now in their third year, and growing. Team Big Bear, a leader in organizing and running mountain bike races throughout the west, once again proved why. These two events, although only a few years old, are now deserving of the descriptive word “classic.”
The town of Brian Head, permanent population of slightly more that 100, sits at an elevation of almost 10 times that number. Brian Head Peak, looming nearby, rises majestically to 11,307 feet. The surrounding area; Cedar Breaks National Monument, Sidney Valley, Lowder Ponds, Red Desert/Tippets Valley is spectacularly rugged.
The race begins in town at the base of the Brian Head
Resort Mountain Bike Park. Epic riders depart at 7:00 a.m.; the Titanium’s a
half-hour later. Even in mid-summer, arm warmers, full-length lycra pants and
wool hats are de rigueur at this altitude and time of day. The first
challenge, a climb to the peak! Granny gear time. Señor Rojo soon assumes his
usual place at the very tail of the pack, conserving energy. But wait! Halfway
to the Peak, another rider overtakes him from behind! A hermoso Señorita
from Park City who got a late start. The two ride together for a mile. Could it
be that Rojo will have a riding companion for many miles? Poqueno novia?
They chat. Rojo mostly nods and grunts, not wanting to waste precious oxygen on
talk. She agrees to a beer and an interview at the finish line, muchos hora
from now. With a smile, she puts the hammer down. Go, girl, go! Alas, Señor Rojo
is once again riding solo.
The Peak is in sight. The sun is up, the day warming. The splendor of the Dixie and Cedar Breaks are overwhelming. Stop. Hydrate. Shed some layers. Take stock. The only people in sight are support personnel with encouragement and goodies. Gracias Dios for Team Big Bear!
Now a downhill cruising into the Lowder Pond singletrack. Wow! This is too much! Almost makes one forget that one must climb back up what one descends. Onto the Sidney Valley Road and to the next aid station. Gatorade, Clif Bars, bananas and ten welcome minutes of rest. Off to the Red Desert/Tippets Valley Loop. The trail ahead splits and is well marked; 50 milers continue the loop, 100 milers go straight out to the Virgin River Rim Trail, arguably one of Utah’s finest mountain bike routes with its panoramic views of Navajo Lake and the Virgin River headwaters with Zion National Park in the distance. Those lucky Epic-er’s. Maybe next year Rojo will enter the 100. Yeah, right!
Back to the
aid station. Fatigued. Need more rest. Four hours into it. Can Rojo get to the
finish in another 3 ?? Back in the saddle and back onto the Sidney Valley Road.
Grinding. Wasn’t this flat going the other way? Thunderclouds building over
Navajo Peak ahead. Then the wind! Right into Señor Rojo’s chest bringing him to
a virtual standstill. Got to keep moving. Beat the storm. Finally at the top,
but is this really the top? Remember the cruiser singletrack that was so much
fun this morning? Same trail, new direction. Hike-a-bike. Ride 100 feet, push
200, ride 100. Altimeter reads 10,500. Still 800 more vertical to go. There’s
Team Big Bear at the bottom of the Peak road yelling, “GO, Rojo, GO!” Thanks to
you, you sadistic bastards for mapping out this brutal course. One last climb.
Sore butt, arms ache, legs OK. Wolf some Goo. Finally the summit. Rapidamente,
las cumbre! Down the road onto the narrow, rocky singletrack with steep,
steep drop-offs on the left. So tired. Just keep the rubber side down. Starting
to rain. A call from behind to pass. It’s the leader of the Epic! Señor Rojo is
about to get lapped! Doesn’t really care. Move off to the side, yell
encouragement. Keep riding, now seven hours into it. Soon another rider passes,
then two more. One is Rojo’s muy amigos leales, Ed Chauner, a Snowbird
Ski Instructor, and the man who’s done more for mountain bike racing in Utah
than any other, bar none. Veloces, Eddie, veloces!! Finally, the
Color Country Trail, named after the mountain bike club here at Brian Head that
has done so much for the sport in southwestern Utah. Switchbacks
and downhill. Pain and suffering of the past 8 hours temporarily forgotten.
Finish line ahead. Rojo’s compatriot, Monique, a skilled photographer and strong
rider herself, shooting the event. Vow that next year, she and Rojo trade roles.
Cross the line. Even though filthy, sweaty and exhausted, get a congratulatory
hug from Mo and a frosty one from Team Big Bear. Both welcome. Collapse,
happily. Caramba!