Salty Lizard

April date change eliminated desert heat issues with Bobby Kennedy noting October 2022 had 'rain the week before that knocked down the dust and temps hovered around livable.' The 2024 race delivered 'close to perfect temperatures, overcast skies and plenty of moondust' despite potential to be 'a salty sauna out there' in the Silver Island Mountains desert environment. More weather exposure than Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego. "It was a suspiciously glorious day in Wendover as riders lined up at the Wendover Airfield Museum for the start. Rain the week before had knocked down the dust and the temps hovered around livable."[5]

Start atmosphere at Historic Wendover Airfield Museum includes 'the smell of bacon hung in the air over the camping area and the soft hiss of aerosol lubricants' creating race-day buzz. Course distances remain inconsistent between editions—husterk raced 104 miles with 4300ft in 2022 versus current 50-mile listings. BikeReg registration available but production inconsistencies persist despite race director offering guest rooms to visiting riders. "The Historic Wendover Airfield Museum buzzed as riders bombed down from hotels and emptied out of cars newly arrived from the Wasatch Front."[5]

Racing delivers what riders call 'riding on the moon…er the Silver Island Mountains north of Wendover, Utah is enchanting' through volcanic terrain and moondust. Husterk found 'the second half of the race was where things really started to become challenging; both physically and mentally' crossing Silver Island Pass twice through remote backcountry with deep sand sections and backend-loaded climbing. "Welcome to Wendover, a salty land that's full of adventure! It's less than 2 hours to get here from Salt Lake City..."[5]

Husterk used this as 'my first official gravel race' on a mountain bike, while race director John Hernandez tells riders to 'come out, bring whatever bike I have, and have some fun riding in the desert!' The welcoming grassroots approach attracts beginners learning gravel basics rather than competitive talent seeking national recognition or pro-level competition.[4]

If you're local to UT and want desert experience—yes. If you're traveling—skip it.