The Evanston, Wyoming Cycling Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity. In 2003, the Cycling Club incorporated as a non-profit corporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State. In 2004, the Cycling Club was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.
The Cycling Club is governed by articles of incorporation and bylaws that are overseen by a five member Board of Directors. The Club has regular monthly meetings which are generally held on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Evanston Community Recreation Center or at area businesses. The meetings are open to the public. Official minutes are recorded for the meetings and are available from the Cycling Club. The annual meeting of the Cycling Club is generally held in December of each year.
The primary purposes of the Evanston Cycling Club are to promote community education of bicycle related issues. The Evanston Cycling Club is also a sanctioned member club of USA Cycling and the Utah Cycling Association.
The Cycling Club is engaged in many local and regional partnerships. A long-standing partnership that includes the City of Evanston, WY; Kamas City, UT; the U.S. Forest Service; other governmental entities; community organizations; regional businesses; and volunteers promotes the High Uintas Classic bicycle stage race which is held annually the third weekend in June. The race is open to citizen racers and to United States Cycling Federation licensed racers.
A second long-standing partnership that included the City of Evanston, WY; the U.S. Forest Service; other governmental entities; community organizations; regional businesses; and volunteers promoted the Wolverine Ridge cross-country mountain bike race which was held annually the first or second Saturday in August. The race was open to all categories of racers. A NORBA license was not required.
In 1988, cycling enthusiasts in Evanston discussed the idea of a bike race “Over the Top” at Bald Mountain Pass in the Uinta Mountains, extending from Kamas, UT to Evanston, WY along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. In June, 1989 with less than 100 participants, the 1st annual High Uintas Classic stage race was held. In 2004, 350 racers participated in the 16th annual High Uintas Classic stage race. In 2007, the High Uintas Classic saw its largest field with 426 racers. In 2009, despite cold weather, almost 400 licensed and citizen competitors registered for the race.
In 1995, the road over Bald Mountain Pass at 10,700 feet was not yet open because of snow. The 7th annual High Uintas Classic was referred to as “Snow & Go” with cyclists racing from Kamas to the snow line.
In 2003, the 15th annual High Uintas Classic was labeled the “Hypothermia Classic.” Winter conditions at Bald Mountain Pass, North Slope Road and into Evanston resulted in approximately 200 racers experiencing some form of hypothermia. Emergency plans were enacted to treat and save all racers. The race received national attention in VeloNews.
In 2009, Mother Nature offered the 2nd "Hypothermia Classic." Extreme winter-like weather plagued racers competing in the Bald Mountain road race stage. Many competitors were rescued from the cold and transported by shuttles to a warm shelter in Evanston.
Over 400 participants competed in the 2010 HUC. It was a beautiful first weekend of summer with sunny skies and delightfully warm weather. In 2011, the race marked its 23rd consecutive year of competitive racing. For only the second time in the long history of the race, Bald Mountain Pass was closed due to extreme snowpack. During the Bald Mountain road race stage, competitors raced from Evanston to the snow line and back to Evanston.
The High Uintas Classic Stage Race was suspended in 2012. It is hoped that at some point in the future, this great American stage race with a storied history and renowned competitors can return.
The race is famous for its challenge of "NO WIMPS" and "NO WHINERS!" Cook-Sanders Associates, Inc. and The Spence Law Firm are the Titanium Title Benefactors.
The High Uintas Classic is a nationally recognized bike race. Racers of national note who have raced in the High Uintas Classic include the following:
MEN
Marty Jemison
Burke Swindlehurst
Jeff Louder
Levi Leipheimer, 1994-1996
Dave Zabriskie
Bill Harris, past National Criterium Champion
Steve Tibbitts, raced in Europe for four years
Dirk Cowley, past Masters World Champion
Steve Johnson, past Masters World Champion
Danny Pate, 1998
Mike Creed, 1998
Chan McRae
Ed Chauner
Todd Henneman
WOMEN
Robynn Master, past National Champion
Laura Howat, competed in women’s version of Tour De France
In 1994, the Cycling Club ventured into the sport of mountain bike racing with the 1st annual Muddy Medicine fat tire challenge, “The Hurl Ride.” In 1995, the Club partnered with Ed Chauner from Salt Lake City, UT to include the mountain bike race in the Cannondale Cup mountain bike racing series.
In 1997, Medicine Butte Mountain just north of Evanston served as the venue for the 4th annual mountain bike race. In 1999, the race venue moved to the Wasatch Cache National Forest south of Evanston using the Wolverine ATV trail and Lily Lake XC ski trail for the mountain bike race. In 2000, the Intermountain Cup mountain bike racing series replaced the Cannondale Cup series. The Wolverine Ridge XC mountain bike race was the grand finale for the Intermountain Cup Mountain Bike Racing Series. The mountain bike race evolved over the years with the mantra of "NO WHINERS." The race celebrated its 15 year milestone in 2008, but was discontinued in 2009.
Each year, approximately 250 racers enjoyed the challenges of this regional event. Racers of national note who raced in the Wolverine Ridge XC race included Carl Swenson and Todd Henneman.
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