Spectators attending the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, Aug. 3-9, can expect more than seven days of high-energy racing by the best professional cycling teams on the planet. Each day of the week-long event has become a rolling festival, offering opportunities for athlete autographs and photographs as well as a variety of activities for children and family members.
Spectator admission is free for all seven days of racing, making the Tour of Utah one of the most unique professional sports in the world. A complete listing of race starts and festival activities can be found on individual stage pages at the Tour’s web site.
Race week begins with the Tour of Utah Team Presentation, a free event for spectators in a relaxed environment on Saturday, Aug. 1 in Logan. Cycling fans are invited to meet and greet all the top men and women cyclists who will be competing in this year’s Tour of Utah and Women’s Edition: Criterium Classic (Aug. 3-4). Each team will be introduced on an event stage and top riders interviewed by announcer Dave Towle. Spectators are encouraged to bring a camera to capture photos of favorite athletes. This takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the Logan Golf and Country Club, located at 710 North 1500 East. Reserved seating with complimentary beverages and food are part of the Team Presentation Experience Package that can be purchased online for $125 per person.
Stage start areas are the place to be for race fans who want close-up interaction with their favorite riders. Every day, one hour before each stage begins, the Papa John’s Rider Sign-In and Autograph Alley provides complimentary public access for signatures and photographs of the world’s top cyclists before each day’s stage. Race announcers Dave Towle and Brad Sohner will interview athletes as they walk across the presentation stage at the start area. All athletes will parade through a special walkway, Autograph Alley, where fans will have access to mingle with the professional cyclists.
Stage finish areas feature the Tour of Utah Lifestyle Expo. These interactive festival areas serve as a gateway to the finish line every day. The Lifestyle Expo delivers an array of interactive exhibits, official Tour merchandise, concessions, and live entertainment, including jumbo television screens to watch the race unfold as it heads to the finish. Admission is free to the Lifestyle Expo. You will find the Lifestyle Expo adjacent to the finish line for six of the seven stages, with a special location for Friday in Salt Lake City at Reservoir Park. The community celebration at Reservoir Park will be held from 4-7 p.m. and will include a 1280 The Zone Block Party. Spectators will be able to see the race speed by on three sides of the park for Stage 5 presented by Utah Sports Commission.
The University of Utah Health Care Sprint to the Finish is a children’s, recreational bicycle race held each day of the Tour. Children ages four to 12 have the opportunity to race their own bicycles on part of the same course used by the pros. It is free to participate. Children must bring their own bicycles and helmets, and parents or guardians must sign waivers at the University of Utah Health Care tent, located in the Tour of Utah Lifestyle Expo for six of the stages. For Stage 6 presented by University of Utah Health Care on Saturday, registration will take place near the start line at the Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City. Registration ends 15 minutes prior to each race.
Other highlights for festival activities during race week:
- The Lifestyle Expo on Aug. 3 in Logan will offer training bike races, coconut tree climbing area, and a trampoline/ bungee zone.
- A Race/Watch Party the morning of Aug. 4 will be held in Tremonton with a pancake breakfast, exhibits and free SWAG, while supplies last.
- Activities at the Lifestyle Expo in Ogden include rounds of Bike Jousting, live music, and GOAL Kids Zone.
- Free t-shirts will be given to the first 200 children (14 years of age and younger) at the race start at Antelope Island State Park on Aug. 6.
- Interactive displays, food vendors, and Art Bike Photo Booth will take place at the Lifestyle Expo in downtown Bountiful on Aug. 6.
- Olympic Nordic athletes will race on ski skates and the Wasatch High School Marching Band will provide music at the finish line area Aug. 7 at Soldier Hollow in Heber Valley.
- Reservoir Park in Salt Lake City will host a 1280 The Zone Block Party for Aug. 7, including a big screen TV to watch live racing action.
- Arrive early to the finish line Aug. 8 at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort for mountain activities that include the Mountain Coaster, Alpine Slide, Vertical Drop, Ropes Course, Climbing Wall, Bungee Trampoline, Aerial Tram and more (admission fees apply).
- On Aug. 9 at the conclusion of the University of Utah Health Care Sprint to the Finish Kids’ Bike Race, a chalk art project will be created on Main Street by artists/students from Kimball Art Center and Arts Kids.
