It isn’t uncommon for the Little Red event organizers to receive a thank you notes after the race, but this one was from a man and was penned many months after the event. He wrote to thank them and to tell them what the ride had meant to him and his wife. The husband said that for several years he had begged his wife to join him on bike rides but she had always resisted going. But one day the fun artwork of a postcard caught her eye. It had information about the Little Red Riding Hood Ride she was intrigued with the idea of women’s only ride. She signed up and found the ride to be so fun and inspiring that she became an avid cyclist and enjoys riding with her friends…and her husband! For that he was profoundly grateful.
Now in its 25th year, the Little Red Riding Hood Ride has become established as one of the classic women’s rides in the country. The fully supported ride loops through the beautiful pastoral Cache Valley of northeastern Utah and offers a menu of distances: 18, 36, 50, 80 and 100 miles. With the offerings of shorter distance fairly flat loop rides, Little Red has continued to be a novice-friendly. It is fairly common to see sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters enjoying the ride together. One mother has had her daughter riding with her on a tandem at Little Red since the girl was only 5 years old. Now nearly grown at age 16, the daughter continues to enjoy this special ride with her mother. There are many who women have transformed into avid cyclists because of their experience at Little Red (including yours truly!)
The festive atmosphere of the Little Red Ride is enhanced with themes which change year to year. This year’s theme is “Feelin’ Groovy.” It’s a flash-back to the far-out and flower-power era of late 1960’s and early 1970’s when the term “roadies” had a closer connection to rock bands than cyclists. Little Red will be throwing a party where you can get hip to the groove on Friday night starting with wonderful Southwest-style dinner provided by Café Rio. It’s the chance to hang out and get down to the psychedelic music of a live band and “Shake it, Baby!” Flower Children and Hip and Happening Mod Girls, feel free to show your stylin’ threads and enter the costume contest! There will be over $600 worth of prizes given for the most hip and outta sight looks! Take five and visit the vendor expo where you’ll find super cool bike gear and apparel and score some smokin’ hot deals! Can you dig that? Right on, Baby!
Little Red’s boutique offerings will blow your mind! The “Pedal Power” floral motifs are tastefully incorporated into the jerseys and the offerings this year have expanded to include a new razor-back style jersey as well as the traditional short sleeve and sleeveless cycling jerseys. Special limited edition 25th Anniversary long-sleeve tech-tee shirts in vibrant red are also available. The boutique also offers other tee shirts including a tie-dyed hooded long-sleeve tee, socks, riding boleros, hats and a headband that will beautifully coordinate with the jerseys. It’s not a man’s world: jerseys and tees are made to fit a woman (2 fit styles available in tees.)
Bob's Ice cream was a popular finish line celebration stop with the 2011 Fifties Theme. Look for Bob's return in 2012!
On ride day, enjoy fresh fruit, bagels and coffee from Café Ibis. The riders who will be going the longest distances will start earlier so that riders can generally finish within a similar time frame. The shorter distances are mostly flat while the longer ones include a few rolling hills but no big climbs. The ride begins and ends with a party and the routes are dotted with fully stocked rest stops. Expect a delicious lunch to be provided midday and a worry-free ride thanks to SAG support from Bingham Cyclery. It’s the makings of a fabulous day with your friends! As you ride into the finish, you’ll be given a refreshing cold drink and a special surprise! The celebration party goes on at the finish line: food, music and fun! You should be there or be square!
Little Red continues to do her part to bring more peace and love to the world and has expanded the charity fundraising of the ride with the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program. Each member of the Huntsman Hometown Heroes program will be raising a minimum of $750 for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
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f you snooze, you could lose!
The Little Red Riding Hood Ride is more popular by the year and is limited to 3500 riders. Last year registration closed in less than 24 hours and the 1000 rider limit for the century ride was reached in less than 9 hours.
Registration begins at high noon on February 1st. There is a possibility that registration could be filled within less than 6 hours this year! AND this year it will be EVEN EASIER as registration packets will be mailed so you don’t have to wait in a packet pick-up line!
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f you snooze, you could lose!
