Life is all about taking risks.  Sometimes you have to gamble. Place a bet. Roll the dice and see what comes up. Today is one of those days for me at the Mesquite Madness ride in Nevada. 

CLIMBING UP UP UP INTO THE RED ROCK. CREDIT: RED ROCK BICYCLE CO.
Hosted by the great folks at Red Rock Bicycle Company in St. George, Utah it's the season opener for southern Utah road riders. It's the only event west of the Mississippi that lets you enjoy a nice warm early spring ride in three states - Utah, Nevada and Arizona - while the rest of the country digs out after a long cold winter.  Sounds perfect to me.
Today, on the other hand, is not a nice warm spring day. It feels like summer - in Nevada.

It's already 65 degrees as 400 riders prepare to tackle 35, 65 or 90 mile routes. A carnival-like atmosphere with music and drones flying overhead greats an assortment of riders including hammerheads, tri-geeks, racers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages. With not a cloud in the sky nor any shade in sight riders slather on sunscreen and colorful Zinca Nosecoat. Especially me, since my lily-white skin has not seen the sun in months.

WOW! TEAM RETRO RED ROCK. CREDIT: RED ROCK BICYCLE CO.
After a wonderful live performance of the national anthem we roll out under a giant start/finish banner.  Up front the pace is easy as we ride around town and through a couple euro-style roundabouts. After pushing the pace through some hills I'm in a small group up the road. It's a brisk pace and an hour later we hit the 1st rest stop. The group stops, deciding to refuel and wait for several larger groups behind. I hesitate - should I stay or should I go now?

With 70 miles remaining including 15 miles of climbing, it's a solo gamble. Plus, the temperature is already 75. I ride on. Rolling the dice...

Luckily, two riders quickly follow my lead and join. Our gamble seems reasonable so we put some effort into powering the break. The good news is I'm not riding solo. The bad news is the temperature keeps rising.

Thirty miles later after pedaling into a stiff headwind with the hot sun beating down on us we catch a glimpse of a chase group rolling up behind. Their timing is perfect to catch us at the foot of Utah Hill, just like at The Tour.   

THAT BUMP IS UTAH “HILL”. CREDIT: RED ROCK BICYCLES CO.
Why they call it Utah Hill I'll never understand. I get the Utah part of the name since it's in Utah. The Hill part though is a BIG understatement. The climb to the top is 15 miles long and rises 3,000 feet into the Beaver Dam Mountains. It's so challenging it's rated a Cat1 climb - most definitely not a "hill" by my standards.

Soon our little breakaway is absorbed by the chasing field. Riders now attack as the road pitches up. The treeless Beaver Dam Mountains stare down at me daring me to place another bet, to double down. Like a fool, I do.

Rather than enjoying a leisurely ride to the top, I latch on to the back of the lead pack, grit my teeth and hang on as sweat stings my eyes. Eleven miles later my legs crap out. They're done. My bet, my roll of the dice comes up snake-eyes. Muscles twitch as though cramping is eminent, even though I've consumed three bottles. Riding in temperatures 30 degrees above my winter norm has cooked me. I ease up, riding my own pace to the top as the temperature display on my computer hits 96 degrees.

UTAH “HILL” LOOKS A LOT LIKE MARS. CREDIT: WOODSON
As I arrive at the top riders are filling bottles, getting a quick bite to eat and playing fun gambling games for cool cycling prizes. I fill my bottles with Hammer HEED and start back down the "Hill" with the lead group. It's a 40mph rocket ride down the mountain with me sitting in at the back.

Eventually the downhill runs out and I must pedal. Unfortunately, my legs protest as the group pushes hard to the finish. Threatening to cramp once again, I ease up and watch my free ride roll away. With 15 miles to go I ride steady and don't dare stop for fear of never restarting.

I quickly roll up on some of the 65 mile riders trying to finish too. They've been out in the sun and heat just as long and are just as cooked. I chat and visit with them, trying to take our minds off Mesquite's final miles of Madness.

NO MISTAKING THE FINISH LINE HERE. CREDIT: WOODSON
Soon we're back in town and rolling under the finish banner with cheers, ringing cowbells, cold drinks and delicious street tacos from El Coyote Charro greeting us. All well earned by every rider today.

Red Rock Bicycle Company/RideSouthernUtah.com put on a superb event. These folks bring cycling and the wonderful beautiful world of southern Utah together for any cyclist to enjoy, no matter skill or ability. They define the southern Utah cycling scene, both on and off road. Check them out and be sure to add one of their events to your bucket list.

It's a surefire bet you'll come out a winner.      

EVERYONE WINS AT MESQUITE MADNESS. CREDIT: WOODSON
Cheers and most of all take time to enjoy the ride. What's on your bucket list?

John is a former faux pro racer enjoying life as a geriatric cyclist in search of great bucket list rides to keep him in shape and out of trouble - well, at least in shape. 

He writes about his Bucket Rides in all their variety and glory for Granfondo.com. See his other pieces here

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