Mountain - Plains - SLC Area--Route From Murray to RMR

I'm trying to figure out the best bike route to get from Murray (about 5600 S. & State) to Rocky Mountain Raceway for the '09 Tuesday night crits. Anyone done this? Any recommendations as to how to get past the freeway and over the river would be very much appreciated. Mostly trying to figure out how to avoid the main thoroughfares--53rd, 45th, 33rd South, etc., unless one of them has a decent bike lane. If there's a group that takes this route, like the 9th & 9th bunch, that would be even better. Thanks!

Cheers.

P.S. If anyone's interested in 1-hour weekday cat 5 training rides at noon-ish in the Murray area next spring, look me up.

what exactly are the '09 tuesday night crits?

It's a Tuesday night criterium race series. Click here (http://www.utahcritseries.com/Content.aspx?id=1) for some info.

The races usually start up in March and the first few are held on Saturdays, until there's enough light and it warms up a bit on Tuesday evenings. It's good fun, even for old, slow guys like me. Lots of folks ride to and from the race, a big group can usually be spotted headed west on 8th South at about 5:00 on Tuesdays. I think they meet at Contender, or thereabouts.

sweet, thanks for the info. i'll definatly be there to hang out and watch. i'm no racer!

Cool mike! I'll be the tall guy on the blue Cannondale getting spit off the back of the pack. Say hi if you make it out.

Cheers.

Did you ever find your route to RMR! I was thinking of riding the DMV's instead this year. It is closer and the course changes periodically(change is good):)Are your training rides going to be midday only? I could do a 4:00 p.m. ride, but I have work until then

Hi raleighrx8. I was planning on noon rides, but let's see what happens in February or so. I wouldn't be able to get out until 5:00. No luck on figuring out the route to RMR yet, but it shouldn't be too tough.

The DMV races look interesting--have you raced in many of them? I'd like to go out and watch a race first before riding in one. And you're right, just about anything's closer than RMR!

I haven't ridden in one yet, but there is elevation on the track and it looks like it could fun! I could do a 5:00 pm ride on thursdaysuntil april, and then I can nearly everday! I have school mon, tues, and wed. at 6:00 so I usually ride the legacy trail b4 school when the weather is good. Keep in touch and we set something up for sure. I live in Midvale, so not far from you.

I've watched the DMV crits before since they are closer to me as well as a crit in Ogden but haven't gotten the cajones to actually race in one. I'll have to get out and check them out this year just to meet Second Mouse.

Yeah, we all need to get together at some point, up the canyon, afternoon training ride, out to the crits...whatever. Let's figure something out once the weather warms up a bit.

I went on a ride today! Along the foothills, very nice day!

Seems like 300W to 4100S (starts as Meadowbrook Expr.) to 6400W (not sure about the last bit as I've never actually been to the track). I haven't been west in a bit, so I'll check it out next week (maybe 4700S instead, maybe just State instead of 300W). I'll throw a link to a GPS map once I've seen what's there.

I'll probably be heading out most weeks as well (5400S and 1500W). I'm definitely down for a lunchtime training ride once it warms up (heck, I'm out there on the winter bike now). I work at 2 M-TH and 12 on Friday (@7000S and 1300W).

Thanks jdott. I'm pretty sure there's a reasonable way to get out to RMR from where we are, but a little legwork is probably in order.

I will probably riding RMR quite a bit this year, If you want we can ride together(in my car or on the bikes) Let me know.

Good deal, raleighrx8. The RMR races in March are on Saturdays, but once we get into the Tuesday nighters in April, let's see how things are going. Do you know which group you'll be racing with?

I am a new cat 5, so probably C flight/ Let me know, I would like to ride out with someone(good times)!

I'm definitely interested for heading out for the C flight too. The air the past couple weeks and this storm haven't let me scout a new route (it's already crazy to train out there) but it will clear. I'll let you guys know what I learn.

I think 5400 s to 7200 w is the best route! I can't think of any road going that way with bigger shoulders.

I don't think 5400 South gets out to 7200 West. Maybe 54th S. to 5600 West, then across. Looks like some legwork is in order. I'll be racing with the C group, too, so timing is a little easier on Tuesday nights since the Cs go out after the A & B groups. Let's keep this going--we'll figure something out.

5400 S does go to 7200 W. It is the last street that goes that far. It goes past the lowes on 5600 W and keeps going to 7200 W. Atleast I am pretty sure about that! I will drive by there next time I am out that way!

5400 is one road I avoid, no shoulder, cars very fast, rude. Used to ride to the bike shop out there, quit after too many close calls.

Maybe 5400S on the way back, but going out (uphill) there is no shoulder and a lot of traffic. Happy to see that there are several of us headed that way. Anyone up for a ride this Sunday? I may head out scouting a route.

I am up for one!!! 45* and partly cloudy, sound nice- Better than on the trainer inside. haha Post a meeting place and I will be there!

Well, it's a month later. How many of us are actually heading out on the 7th? I'm definitely going to try a few other routes early next week.

I am definately going out, I will probably race, but I may just watch(let guys remember how to ride in a group!)

I'm in, driving out though. It will be good to get there a bit early to sign up, get the plate, get it attached to the bike and warm up. The C group doesn't go off until after the A & B groups, so there's plenty of time to warm up and watch the A & Bs race.

What time are you going out? The website doesn't state what time they start in the Saturday races.

I'll try to get out there before 11:30. They say here (http://utahcritseries.com/Event.aspx?id=644) that the A & Bs start at noon and the C (and D?) groups go at 12:50.

doesn't that seems like a short crit? Maybe 30-35 min for A-B flite, I thought they would 45-50 min.

Last year it seemed like the A's raced for about 50 - 60 minutes and the B's were 45 - 55. They did start the C group as soon as all the A's were off the course, usually within 5 minutes of the end of the A race.

They're pretty organized, and most of the riders make an effort to try and get things to go smoothly, too.

So this whole Murray-to-RMR thing kind of bites. I've ridden parts of potential routes a couple of times and have flatted both times. Pretty sure Gatorskins could get through the industrial jungle okay, but I'm not crazy about racing on those tires. Looks like I'll be driving.

Everyone still up for Saturday's race, assuming the snow clears?

I will probably just drive and bring my trainer for a good warm up, if it clears up that is!

I ended up taking 5400S to 2200W, down and then over to 3200W (I forgot which street I took). 3200W down to 3100S over to 5600W and then out to the frontage road just before the overpass for 201. Follow the frontage road to RMR. Not the best route in the world, but all of the roads were in pretty good condition.

Anybody racing at RMR this weekend? I'll be out about 11:30 again to get the lowdown on the timing chips. That should be interesting.

I haven't been riding much, I have been ill, I am going to the doctor tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed, but it may not be good, Anyone know of someone looking for a great racing bike with 2 wheelsets? I will be asking $3500

Hope you're okay, raleighrx8. Let us know what the doc says, if you feel like it.

That sucks raleighrx8. Don't give up on cycling just yet. Hope you start feeling better.
Did you guys hit RMR last weekend? If so, how did you do?

I rode stupid but still got 10th in the CatV race. Good-sized field, maybe 45 or 50.

Are you coming out for the festivities, JF1?

I doubt it. I will probably be at Hell of the North though. Are you doing that one?
Joe

I think so. Still waiting to see how the daughter's Saturday soccer schedule works out. Hell of the North sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Sorry for the fixation, but do you know what tires you'll be using for that race?

I'm probably going against conventional wisdom here but that 1.75 miles of unpaved road scares me enough to throw on my heavy Gatorskins. I actually rode out there yesterday to check out the course and after seeing it, I hope they clean it up before the race.

I don't know, the Gatorskins might be just the ticket. You have to figure that if you flat, even if you can get to your spare wheels quickly, it'll be impossible to get back to the group by yourself.

How do you mean they need to clean it up? Just the gravel part that's rutted? The corners in and out of the gravel section looked pretty dusty when I was out there--could be dicey.

I'd think that if we get a wet week before the race, maybe some big, fat mtb tires would be good. ;)