September 2008 Issue - Cycling Utah

2 cycling utah.com SEPTEMBER 2008speaking of spokesAn Interview with the Fat Cyclist:Corpulence, Cancer and CyclingBy David WardPublisherA couple of years ago, my daughter,Marielle, told me of an entertainingcycling blog, www.fatcyclist.com.Marielle, enjoys cycling when shecan make time for it between work,caring for her husband and 2-yearold son, being pregnant and dodgingthe scorching Arizona heat. She alsocombines sensitive emotion with aunique sense of humor. I knew if sheliked this blog, so would I.P.O. Box 57980Murray, UT 84157-0980www.cyclingutah.comYou can reach us by phone:(801) 268-2652Our Fax number:(801) 263-1010I was not disappointed. On visitingthis blog, I was entertained by ablogger who understands cycling culture,and combines that understandingwith wit, charm, sarcasm, social commentary,heart and an open door tohis own life and family. It is a blogwhere a cyclist can feel at home.Though “Fatty”, as he invitesreaders to address him, lived inSeattle at the time of my introduction,he subsequently returned to Alpine,Utah, near his roots in Orem. Uponlearning of this, I decided I wouldlike to interview him. I emailed himmy request, and he graciously andwillingly agreed.During the interview, I foundFatty, aka, Elden Nelson, to be thesame personality that comes throughin his blog. He is expressive,Financing available.Fatty.Courtesy Elden Nelson.thoughtful and honest, and it was adelight to talk with him.CU: I learned about your blog frommy daughter. At the time you wereliving in Seattle and later moved backto Utah. Before we get to your blog,give me some background on you.EN: Alright. Let’s see, I was a BYUbaby, born in Provo, Utah, actually.My parents were going to BYU atthe time. I grew up my whole lifeliving in different places in Colorado,mostly in Grand Junction. One of myhuge regrets is that at the time I didn’tknow that there was such a thing asmountain biking. And maybe therereally wasn’t. I didn’t do anythingathletic as a kid. I did speech teamin high school. I bounced aroundin careers and so forth. I lived inWashington most recently, where Iworked for Microsoft and mostly wasa roadie there just because out thefront door there were terrific countryroads. They were very unpopulatedand just beautiful to ride. Now thatI’m back in Utah, I am about 50/50road and mountain because there is somuch good of both. I live in Alpineand out my front door I can do theAlpine Loop which is incredible or Ican ride Hog Hollow which is incredible.Or if I want to drive a little bit,I can get on to the ridge trail networkwhich is just unbelievable. Even mycommute is a great road ride. In myheart of hearts, I’m not a roadie ormountain biker. I like to ride whateveris good. Just put me on a bike.Continued on page 10RECREATIONAL BIKING INTHE UINTAH BASINIf you're looking for scenicmountain biking, considerstaying at the Rosebud GuestHouse in Western DuchesneCounty and taking one of manygreat rides from here. Visitwww.rosebudguesthouse.comor call 1-866-618-7194.Jamis Felt IntenseWe don’t just fix your bike,We make it perform!284 S. Main StSpringville, UT 84663Phone: 801-489-5106blaynscycling.comDave Iltis, Editor &Advertisingdave@cyclingutah.comDavid R. Ward, Publisherdward@cyclingutah.comContributors: Ben Simonson,Michael Gonzales, Lou Melini,Joaquim Hailer, Andy Singer,Erik Moen, Gregg Bromka, TomJow, Lukas Brinkerhoff, TylerServoss, Joaquim Hailer, DaynaDeuter, Bruce Bilodeau, StephenWasmund, Mike Warner, ScottKelly, Jennifer Barth, SteveKodad, Tom Diegel, RustyHealey PhotographyDistribution: Dave, Karma,and Marinda Ward, DougKartcher, David Montgomery(To add your business to ourfree distribution list, give usa call)Administrative Assistant:Lindsay Rosscycling utah is publishedeight times a year beginningin March and continuingmonthly through October.Annual Subscription rate:$15(Send in a check toour P.O. Box)Postage paid in Murray, UTEditorial and photographic contributionsare welcome. Sendvia email to dave@cyclingutah.com. Or, send via mail and pleaseinclude a stamped, self-addressedenvelope to return unused material.Submission of articles andaccompanying artwork to cyclingutah is the author’s warrantythat the material is in no way aninfringement upon the rights ofothers and that the material maybe published without additionalapproval. Permission is requiredto reprint any of the contents ofthis publication.Cycling Utah is printed on 40%post-consumer recycled paperwith soy-based ink.Cycling Utah is free, limit onecopy per person.© 2008 cycling utahPick up a copy ofcycling utah at yourfavorite bike shop!Cover Photo: In the Tour of Utah,Utah's Jeff Louder (BMC) putsthe hammer down on Tanner'sFlat in Little Cottonwood Canyon.This was the start of his winningmove. Utah's Burke Swindlehurst(Bissell) hung on for awhile, butChris Baldwin (behind Burke) wasdropped here. Louder won thestage and the overall.See results on page 22.Photo: Dave Iltis