Message from the Director

A brief report on LAGBRAU 2007 and message for prospective LAGBRAUers in 2008:

Well it's in the books. Our 4th annual LAGBRAU was a success. The feedback and comments have been amazing. Typical comments were like Diane's, who said after the second day, "I have been riding my bike for over 35 years all over, including Italy and much of Europe, and today was my best day." She did not realize yet that it was about to get even better. Some have said that they will return next year with as many as 30 new people with them. As the word continues to spread, our biggest challenge now will be how to manage the growth. We have turned that corner and the word is beginning to spread about this special ride. The LAGBRAU is worthy of your participation. After all, it is arguably, in the words of previous riders, "the most scenic bicycle ride in the world." I would like to include a message we received from someone who speaks with some authority from the vantage point of much experience. Boris from Russia said:

"I would like to tell you also that our journey was just great. I'm 45 years old and traveled all over 48 continental States and Russia which is twice as big as US and where I originally from and I saw many beautiful and unforgettable places but nothing even close to those sites we went by. That was like bike tour to another planet - Southern Utah. And I already missing all of those great men and women I have met along the way, who become good friends at least for the time we were together. I want to thank all of you guys - Les, Ashley, Barbara, Mark, Janeth, Howard, everyone. And unbelievably good cooking crew that fed us as good as we were home and always on time no mater what. I'm sure everybody appreciate your efforts."

In 2007 we had to cancel the final day due to a forcasted freezing rain going up over Cedar Breaks National Monument. One small group with their own sag wagon tried to make it but it got too wet and cold for them just a few miles from the top. The others were glad we made that decision. The 7-day group enjoyed the first 6 days and the 10-day group enjoyed the first 9 days so much that nobody complained to me about having to end it early. However, after having unseasonably cold weather interfere two years in a row (last year the worst cold front during the third week in September in southern Utah in over 30 years plagued us all week long), we are moving it up one more week to reduce the chance of cold weather even more. While there is no weather guarentee any time of the year in Southern Utah, we feel this will be the best chance for good weather after Labor day when the tourist traffic drops off. The 10-day and 3-day groups will start on Thursday, September 4th, after Labor Day, and the 7-day group will start on Sunday, September 7th. All groups will meet in Blanding for dinner and the opening ceremony on September 6th, the Saturday after Labor Day.

Challenges: Because this amazing ride is so remote, affordable transportation has been a challenge for us. The second year the transportation company we used billed us over 6 times more than the first year for only double the number of riders. The third year we aquired our own vehicles from Utah State with excellent maintenance records and overhauled engines to help defray the cost. During the 3rd year's ride we learned that our vehicles were too slow for the shuttle across the state with a full load and one of them was unreliable as a $20 dollar heater hose and a fan clutch gave out. While we managed to get through it we decided to use them in the future primarily for sag support during the ride and to have one more than we needed. In 2007, we had everyone ship their bikes to Cedar City where they were loaded on a WallMart truck before there arrivel which carried the bikes across the state. We hired a motorcoach company to shuttle everyone into Utah one day and across the state the next day. After looking at all the options of airports, Las Vegas is still the best until St. George builds a major airport in 3 years. The motorcoach is fast, comfortable, safe, and costly. While the cost of food, gas, camping, and park fees have all gone up we are trying to hold the cost of the ride down and will only raise it $5 this year but we will not be able to offer the same level of discounts for as long as we did last year. Also, in 2008 the extra shuttle fee will be $110. This is still a very good deal when you consider that it cost at least $60 for you and your bike to take the St. George Shuttle just two hours from Las Vegas and back. Instead we shuttle you in a fast and comfortable motorcoach into Utah one day, across Utah the next day, all your camping gear ahead of you each day, and back to Vegas after the last day. However, we encourage groups to either bring their own vehicles with a non-rider designated driver or rent one in Vegas, St. George, Cedar City, or Moab. You may have to bring a bike rack or rent one, but you should save money over the combined cost of the shuttle fees and it will give you a lot more flexibility besides. Last year we had a bike mechanic back out at the last minute. This year we had an ace mechanic who asked me to keep it secret until absolutely needed after another mechanic also backed out at the last minute. In 2008, we have a bicycle company that will support the ride.

In 2007, we had 5 volunteers who practically begged to come along who backed out at the last minute which made our rest stop crews thin. For 2008 we have already begun recruiting more local volunteers than we will need from each of the campsite towns. We plan to make LAGBRAU the best as well as "the world's most scenic bicycle ride."

Les Titus
Ride Director