Ride Supports Adaptive Outdoor Programs
The National Ability Center’s Summit Challenge, Utah’s largest ride for cyclists of all abilities, now in its 14th year, offers a true challenge for any cyclist, no matter their experience level. Five route options (100, 80, 50, 25 or 16 miles) and vertical gain from 700 feet to 7,000 feet provide a course to fit your level of challenge.
The Summit Challenge is Saturday, August 27, 2022. All rides start and finish at the National Ability Center Ranch in Quinn’s Junction in Park City. The first riders go off at 7 A.M., and all rides finish with a celebration back at the Ranch, complete with food, beverages and music.
The 100 mile route gets you a very unique opportunity to pedal the private roads of Wolf Creek Ranch, a ridge of amazing views and fast, smooth tarmac that rises up between the Kamas Valley and Heber Valley. About 20 miles of the 100 mile route are within Wolf Creek Ranch on roads that are normally off-limits to anyone who is not a Wolf Creek Ranch resident. Wolf Creek Ranch is a long-time and generous supporter of the National Ability Center and its mission to provide recreation opportunities to all. The climb at the start of the Ranch is short, at only 2.2 miles, but is steep enough to keep even most pros in the Tour of Utah from climbing it in less than 15 minutes. For a Summit Challenge rider, anything under 20 minutes is a very big accomplishment. If you are walking up that hill, you will not be the only one. Of course, a shuttle is available.
Later in the 100 mile route, we find more vertical in the private roads of Victory Ranch, before a fun winding descent back to the Provo River valley and quiet roads near Kamas. Before and after, there is also another climb past Jordanelle Reservoir, this time on the south side, and the Browns Canyon climb to wrap up your day. Expect more than 7,000 feet of climbing.
The 80 mile route will largely mirror the 50 mile route, including a loop around Park City and the Snyderville Basin, out to Kamas along the east side of Jordanelle and back to Park City after climbing out of Browns Canyon. The 80 mile adds an out-and-back in Weber Canyon, to the end of the pavement that heads toward the Smith and Morehouse Reservoir.
The 16 mile is a family-friendly route, frequently on non-motorized paved paths. But the hills in the 16 mile are clustered in the final one third of the route, and make for a challenging finish. There is also a 25 mile option that shares the first six miles and final four miles of the 16 mile route. The 16 mile route also offers a short, shaded, smooth non-paved option for about one mile that travels past beaver ponds, a creek, bicycle yard art and community musical instruments.
Each route is very thoroughly marked and is supported by roving mechanics. There are multiple rest stops on each route, stocked with food and beverage and hosted by community volunteers.
The 80 mile climbs 4,300 feet, the 50 mile climbs 3,100 feet, the 25 mile climbs 1,100 feet and the 16 mile gains 700 feet.
Riders of all abilities are welcomed at the Summit Challenge and disabled riders participate for free. This is a unique aspect of the Summit Challenge, an event that includes able-bodied and adaptive athletes on the same course at the same time.
One hundred percent of the Summit Challenge income goes directly to support the National Ability Center mission. More details can be found at SummitChallenge100.org
The Summit Challenge has reached its participant cap the past several years. Registration closes on Thursday, August 25, or when the cap is reached. Registration info is at SummitChallenge100.org
The National Ability Center, founded in 1985, provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all abilities and ages. The NAC provides tens of thousands of participant days each year, in activities ranging from snow skiing to water skiing, swimming to boating, horse back riding to rock climbing. And, of course, cycling. Learn more about the National Ability Center at DiscoverNAC.org.
Ride Info:
August 27 — Summit Challenge, Park City, UT, Riders of all ages and abilities will hit the pavement for a 100, 80, 50, 25, or 16-mile road ride event in support of the National Ability Center’s mission. All five fully-supported routes of this event follow paved roads (short smooth non-paved option on the 16 mile route!) in and around the beautiful Wasatch Mountains in the Park City, Kamas and Heber Valley areas. This exciting event promises to serve up a challenge for a wide range of cycling levels and abilities. All Summit Challenge riders who have a disability can register and ride for free! The 100 mile route spends about 20 miles on the wonderful private roads of Wolf Creek Ranch. Enjoy a ride length of your choice and end up back at the National Ability Center for food, drinks and music. [email protected], Kelly Striefel, 435-649-3991, [email protected], summitchallenge100.org, discovernac.org
