After racing 200 miles on Saturday from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming two male cyclists crashed 4 miles from the finish of the 41st edition of LOTOJA, with one requiring emergency air transport to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center’s Level 2 trauma center 100 miles away.

According to police reports, no vehicles were involved when one of the cyclists tried to pass the other on Teton Village Road when the two violently collided. Jackson Hole Fire/EMS resources were on scene almost immediately and requested an air ambulance for one rider, while the other was transported by vehicle to local hospital. No additional information on the names of the riders or severity of injuries was available at press time.

At 200+ miles in length at high altitude, LOTOJA is not for the faint of heart or untrained. It requires riders to be attentive, alert and focused for up to 12 hours on a bike.

In 2012 two riders died due to injuries received in separate crashes while participating in LOTOJA. Retired dentist Douglas Cottle landed on his face after touching another rider’s wheel and eventually past away due to his injuries. Robert Verhaaren swerved to miss a pothole, lost control of his bike and was catapulted over a guardrail, falling 35 feet to his death in the Snake River.

LOTOJA is the longest one-day USA Cycling race in America. Every year around 1000 cyclist, supported by upwards of 4000 support staff, race through the scenic Alpine terrain of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming en route to finish just below the rugged Teton peaks at world famous Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort. The course record is 8:18:29, set by Spencer Johnson in 2018.

Photo Credit: TCSAR

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