LOTOJA Classic
The longest single-day USA Cycling sanctioned road race. Cold start, hot finish, three mountain passes between.
The Quick Answer
At LOTOJA, plan two sodium tiers: 500 to 700 mg per hour through the cool morning passes, then 800 to 1000 mg per hour once the afternoon heat builds from Afton to Jackson. Salty sweaters should run 1000 to 1200 mg per hour late, and pre-load 1000 to 1500 mg sodium in the 24 hours before the 6 AM start.
Course Profile
Where The Sodium Math Bends
Schematic profile · Cramping windows tend to cluster around major climbs and the descents that follow them
Climate Window
38-88°F · low humidity
Climate
hot
Humidity
low
Cutoff
15h 30m (Jackson finish)
10-yr avg high
78°F
10-yr avg low
50°F
Record high / low
88° / 38°F
Years with rain
40%
Why This Race Is Hard For Sodium
The Cumulative Deficit Window
LOTOJA is a temperature swing event. You roll out of Logan at 6 AM in 40F kit and finish in Jackson with afternoon temperatures often pushing 85F. Sweat rate climbs across the day even at the same effort, and most athletes underestimate the cumulative sodium deficit on the back half of the course (Afton to Jackson) where the climbing stops, the heat peaks, and pacing relaxes. Aid stations are well stocked, but the gap between Strawberry summit and Geneva descent is the highest cramping window in the race.
Key Considerations
- Plan two sodium dosing tiers: cool-morning rate for the first 60 miles, hot-afternoon rate for miles 100 to 203.
- The Salt River Pass climb at mile 121 is the most common cramping checkpoint; pre-load 600 mg sodium 30 minutes before the base.
- Aid stations carry standard sports drink (~150-200 mg sodium per bottle). Salty sweaters should carry electrolyte capsules; do not rely on the on-course supply.
- Jackson finish line averages 4-7F warmer than the Afton checkpoint; budget an extra 200 mg sodium per hour for the final 40 miles.
Finish Times
Who Finishes, And How Fast
Typical finish distribution
Plan the five systems
Free Tools, Pre-Filled For LOTOJA
Tap any tool. We pre-load your event, climate, and sweat profile. Adjust your weight and finish target and the plan generates instantly.
Built for this race
LOTOJA Pacing Calculator
Checkpoint arrival times, cutoff buffers, and a per-leg fueling plan for the 203-mile route.
Sodium plan
Per-hour sodium and fluid targets for LOTOJA conditions.
Carb fueling
Hourly carb targets and a fuel menu calibrated to your weight and the LOTOJA duration.
Heat protocol
10-14 day adaptation plan if you're racing into heat.
Hydration audit
Weigh-in test that converts a 60-minute training session into a measured sweat rate.
Caffeine timing
Pre-race dose, mid-race top-ups, and race-week taper protocol for LOTOJA timing.
Related Reading
Dig Into The Science
How to Make Your Own Sports Drink Powder (2026)
Make your own endurance sports drink: carb ratios, sodium targets, osmolarity, and why I add Beetroot Pro to every bottle. Saves $1,800 a year vs Maurten.
Best Supplements for Leg Cramps in Endurance Athletes (2026)
The 5 supplements that prevent leg cramps in cyclists, runners, and triathletes: magnesium, potassium, beta-alanine, creatine, and taurine, with clinical doses and loading timelines.
Best Supplements for Energy in Endurance Athletes
The best energy supplements for endurance athletes: dietary nitrate, caffeine, creatine, and beta-alanine. Different mechanisms that stack cleanly.
Your LOTOJA Plan,
Built From Real Data.
Pro unlocks: 5-year LOTOJA finisher distribution of measured sweat rates, your historical Strava heat training rides matched to the LOTOJA route, and a per-leg sodium schedule (Logan-Preston, Preston-Montpelier, Montpelier-Afton, Afton-Alpine, Alpine-Jackson) calibrated to your actual data.
- Measured sweat rate from a Strava ride or weigh-in test
- Per-leg sodium schedule keyed to the course profile
- Multi-event race calendar across the season
- Post-race feedback capture so the next plan is sharper
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Common Questions
About LOTOJA
How much sodium should I take per hour at LOTOJA?
For an average-profile cyclist targeting a 10-hour finish in typical September conditions, 600 to 800 mg per hour is the working window. Salty sweaters often need 900 to 1200 mg per hour during the afternoon segments (Afton to Jackson). Use the calculator with your actual weight and sweat profile to dial it in.
When does the climate shift from cool to hot?
The first feed zone in Preston is typically still in the morning shade and runs 50-65F. The climb to Strawberry summit warms quickly. By Montpelier (mile 80) most years are 70F+. The Snake River Canyon descent at Alpine is the hottest segment of the course, often peaking at 85-90F in early-September afternoons.
Is LOTOJA hot enough to require pre-race sodium loading?
Yes, especially for salty sweaters. The combination of a 10-13 hour effort, late-day heat, and limited shade after Alpine makes pre-race sodium loading meaningfully impactful. Add 1000-1500 mg sodium in the 24 hours before the start, weighted toward the night-before meal and race-morning breakfast.