October 8, 2022 – Gird Thy Sitbones.

Courses

42 Mile Course - the answer to the question of the meaning of gravel

Last Updated: 07/06/2022

32 Mile Course: for the gravel curious and the merely strange

63 mile course - goodbye washboard, Hello Sand. Oh, and Washboard.

100 Mile Course: Ride the Squirrel

Last Updated: 07/06/2022

I grew up in Wendover in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s and first started riding some of these roads on my bicycle as a kid. Later, I bought a Honda Trail 90 and ventured even further into the Wendover desert, on endless Trail 90 adventures, falling in love with my town’s landscapes. I came back to Wendover to teach and continued exploring desert roads on my mountain bike. Nine years later I moved to Cache Valley, but I came back often with friends to ride mountain bikes on my favorite dirt roads. Many of these roads are perfect for gravel grinding so now I’m excited to share these same roads and Wendover’s scenic desert beauty with you through the Salty Lizard 100. There will be a 106-miler, 62-miler, and also a 42-miler for those wanting an introduction to riding gravel. The course will have wide-open vistas and long, endless dirt roads as they weave through the beautiful desert landscape.

I want to share an adventurous desert gravel grinding event for all levels and abilities. I want to show you Wendover’s splendid desert beauty, introduce you to Wendover’s rich history and geology, and to for you to get to know the wonderful folks that live out here.

I hope you can come join us and ride the inaugural Salt Lizard 100 in May!

Thanks,

John Hernandez

Prizes

A cash prize will be awarded to the top 5 overall Women and Men’s finishers.

First Place: $500
Second Place: $400
Third Place: $300
Fourth Place: $200
Fifth Place: $100

Podium spots will also be awarded to the first 3 finishers of each category.

Which Course is For Me?

There will be three options: 42 miles, 62 miles (100K) and 106 miles. All groups will start and finish at the same locations. The course will travel on short sections of pavement and dirt roads that are a mix of hard pack, loose gravel, sand and chucky rocky sections. The shorter distances lose the early loop over Leppy’s Pass and get right to the goods. Feel free to push yourself since we’re holding your snacks, but remember that the West Desert is very remote and extremely exposed.

Salty Lizard 100 Preview Video with Extra Salt

Which Bike?

Riders will want to bring out bikes that can handle tires 38mm or larger.  The course can be challenging and loose at the beginning and you will have a lot more control with larger tires.  A lot of people are riding the course on mountain bikes.  For you, personally, it’ll depend on what makes you comfortable in looser conditions.  Either way, comfort and traction will equal speed here.