Reno rib-cookoff too hot for you? Burning Man too corporate and overdone? Bear Lake too crowded? Allergic to border collies?

How ’bout heading up to PC this weekend for a little MTB-themed action. There’s the Park City Point 2 Point (the Wasatch Back’s version of the Leadville 100); a 78-mile singletrack bruiser (sorry, sold out, but still worth checking out) which will feature the best pros in the region (nay, the nation.)

Start 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 (top finishers will be done in 7–8 hours)

Or, if you’re not gonna be killing it on trials, there’s always sales… yep, start your New Year’s resolution in September by stocking up on demo/out-of-season gear; White Pine in PC’s got you covered; bikes:

This Yeti carbon fiber is $1,500 off (still $3k, but doesn’t everyone have those amounts burning a hole?!)

Not too early to start thinking about this:

Garage too empty? All on sale:

But what I really wanna do is represent:

Unfortunately… that’s the one item that’s…

Football doesn’t have a preseason, but in the words of Ute coach Kyle “5 consecutive bowl wins” Whittingham, post recent scrimmage, “We do have the luxury of preparing for a home game at home.”

In other words, hope the Panthers bring plenty of supplemental O2 to Rice-Eccles.

Before we get to the tailgate stuff (drink light beer, eat brat, wait for cheerleaders to swing by, ogle, repeat) here’s the line of the game. (hint: Week 1 of college football is the best to bet in any sport. Pro teams are more known quantities with less turnover; college hoops teams are too streaky to start the season and we won’t go there with baseball…)

The line on the Utes hosting Pitt 6:30 p.m. MT (broadcast live on Versus — that’s right, the Tour de France and college football’s opening night) according to Sportsbook.com, the Utes are three-point dogs and the over under is 49.

Our advice: Utes and the over (we’re not sure about the last part, but we’re thinking the final will be in the 28-24 range).

Background: The ’09 Panthers were the best of the Dave Wannstedt era finishing second in the Big East with a 5-2 conference record and 10-3 overall after beating North Carolina in the Car Care Bowl. The squad features 11 returning starters and is an AP preseason top-20 team.

Sophomore Tino Sunseri, who replaces Bill Stull at QB but, unlike the Marino days, they’re all about the run led by All-American running back Dion Lewis.

The Utes kick off their final Mountain West campaign already looking up at BYU and TCU with 12 returning starters and a defense which snuffed Cal out at the Poinsettia Bowl. Look for a stifling game from the defense’s front five and Pitt’s backs breathing heavy before halftime.

Now the tailgating tips:

• Aww, who cares, just click here

Our mailman here at the SLmag office is ‘that’ mailman. You know, the friendly, good-natured guy that’s always got a smile on his face. He’s one of those people that brightens your day, no matter how big the bill is he is slipping into your hands.

We recently found out that Loren, our mailman, has a 10-year-old daughter suffering from a brain tumor. She was diagnosed in May and has been undergoing treatments since then. His daughter, Shaelie, is set to begin chemotherapy soon.

Shaelie happens to be one of the beneficiaries of this years annual ‘Heroes for Families‘ 5K run and 2 mile walk. The race, held in Plain City on Saturday, October 2, supports families with children battling cancer and other diseases. Entry fee is only $15 and includes a t-shirt w/ pre-registration (until 9/21).

Join some of the SLmaggers for a good cause and a great excuse to get out.

Call Scott at 801-698-9639 or visit heroesforfamilies.org for registration and more information.

Last week was all about running (PC Marathon, Sinner Six 10k) this week, it’s about getting on that bike and prepping for September’s XTERRA National Championships.

Here’s some sweet rides this weekend (ranging from sorta challenging mtbs to death-wish 500-mile ultra road races).

1) Saturday, Aug. 28 — Mt. Ogden 50 & 100 K MTB Race, Snowbasin, UT, 50 K & 100 K distances, Starts 7 a.m. for 100k, 7:35 50k start, 7:35 100k 4 person relay start, at Snowbasin, Solo or four-person relay teams.*

Contact: Steve Andrus, 801-620-1014, sandrus@snowbasin.com, mtogden100k.com

*Thinking four-way relay is the way to go here.

2) Legs recovered from Snowbird hill climb? Roadies may be more apt to take it to the Sanpete Classic. Part of the UCA Series in rural Spring City, UT, Main Street, riders will choose from loops of 45-, 72- and 98-mile courses that go around the rural Sanpete Valley roads (and, er, pioneer graveyards).

Races start at 10 a.m. Saturday with barbecue lunch, awards, and raffle after race.*

Contact: Eric Thompson, 801-541-3840, jericthompson@comcast.net, skiutahcycling.com

*Thinking barbecue and Sanpete is where it’s at.

3) For you masochists: The Hoodoo 500 in St. George kicks off Saturday. The 500-mile Ultramarathon bike race is just straight-up brutal. Solo riders start at 7 a.m., two-person relay teams  start at 9 a.m. Four-person relay teams start at 11 a.m.

Oh and we’ll see you Tuesday, sometime — maybe.*

Contact: Deb Bowling, 818-889-2453, embassy@planetultra.com, Hoodoo500.com

* Do not try this at home.

Whilst in Provo Tuesday wrapping up some interviews for our Nov/Dec cover story (that’s all the hints you get), I happened by the cleverly coined BYU Student Athlete Building (they don’t leave much to the imagination) to pay homage to my five fave BYU products.

In ascending order of importance:

5) Ty Detmer and his Heisman. Peeps forget how dominant Detmer was his Jr. year (1990) at BYU, putting up video game numbers (passing for 5,188 yards and 41 touchdowns in 12 regular season games, finishing the year with 42 NCAA records — and tied for five others — many of which he still holds. That year BYU’s upset no. 1 Miami 28-21; Detmer passed for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns). In ’90-’91 my interest in football first started to pique and Detmer was a big part of that. Here’s the Miami game:

And the ‘Ty’sman:

4) Jim McMahon’s jersey. Second-best QB to come out of Happy Valley. Best rapping QB — ever:

Wake ‘em up:

3) The ‘Big A’ in Anaheim was the venue for my first-ever pro baseball experience. BYU alum Wally Joyner my first-ever autograph, and this, my first-ever program:

Couldn’t help but think of Joyner’s Slice commercial, before ‘We’ve got the Juice’ meant something else in baseball — simpler times:

2) The Cougar:

Sorry, meant, the cougar:

1) Homage to — Greatest. QB. Ever:

Need proof?

Rallied early Saturday a.m. to watch Emma Garrard take her second-straight TriUtah victory, this time in our own backyard at the Jordanelle Tri.

After back-to-back disappointments (see: bike problems) in Calgary and Boulder (Ironman 70.3), PC- (sorry, Snyderville-) based Garrard said the Olympic-distance swim, bike, run so close to home was a welcome change of pace and was all-smlies post-race with director Chris Bowerbank:

But the real reason for o-dark-30 wake-up call was the post race spoils:

No, not that, this:

That’s right — it was off to Hi-Mountain for a little burger sampling:

Near: The Aussie (w/egg) plus bacon; Far: The Backyard (Swiss cheese and BBQ sauce) …both burgers were under $4 each.

Happy racer.

Oh, and fries too (yes, that’s fry sauce and ranch — gotta rep the West Coast even in Kamas).

And yes, Salt Lake mag’s dining awards (March/April) issue, which featured Hi Mountain as the state’s best burger, is dog-eared but ever-present.

Along with a little menu love:

Go get it.

Saturday, some of Utah’s gnarliest will grind it out up Little Cottonwood Canyon for the Snowbird Bicycle Hill Climb.

The event’s the oldest race in Utah (32nd year) and takes riders up a 10-mile, 3,500-foot vertical climb.

Haven’t trained this summer? Not enough time on the trainer during the winter? Too bad. You’re doing it.

Here’s three legendary climbs to get you pumped:

3) It doesn’t get better than the snowy hillclimb in Rocky IV:

2) Touching the Void: Cut your friend loose, watch him survive. Just. That. Simple:

1) Beating the Russians up the Rockies in American Flyers …hell-ohh hill climb:

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21

Where: 9400 South Highland Drive

Route: Traverses Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon before continuing up to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and finishing at Entry 2.

Prize: A 2010 Cervelo RS road bike (valued at $3,600) will be given to one of the entrants in this year’s Bicycle Hill Climb, compliments of Canyon Bicycles and the Tour of Utah.

Register here

BONUS CLIMB: Participants who complete the Bicycle Hill Climb have the option of jumping on their mountain bikes and continuing up to Snowbird’s Hidden Peak to complete the Ultra-Widowmaker portion of the course. The Ultra-Widowmaker is a grueling 4-mile climb over 3,000 vertical feet to a peak elevation of 11,000 feet, offering views of the Wasatch Mountains and Salt Lake Valley.

Both races will conclude with an awards ceremony at the base of Snowbird at 10:30 a.m., featuring prizes, a raffle and live music.

Even though it still feels like summer and the kids are still playing, school is about to get back in session. Exercise that extra energy out of the little ones before they hit the books and go back-to-school. Snowbird’s got all the outdoor activities to keep their minds and bodies busy.

Here’s a run-down of the fun to be had up the canyon:

1. Alpine Slide
Zoom down twists, turns and tunnels in a race to the bottom on the dual track slide. Drivers control the speed, making it perfect for a leisurely ride or a friendly competition.

2. Peruvian Chairlift & Tunnel
Take a ride through Peruvian Gulch with unprecedented views of Hidden Peak and mountain wildlife. A 600-foot-long tunnel awaits at the top of the lift providing access to Mineral Basin where ATV tours, horseback rides and hiking trails await! Take the Peruvian chairlift up and the Tram down to take in all the sights.

3. Zip-Rider
Satisfy your dangerous desires, soaring over 1,000 linear feet down a suspended cable at 30 mph. The zip-rider will certainly get the adrenaline flowing.

4. Ropes Course
Walk the line and challenge your balance with the new summer ropes course. Kids and adults alike can harness up and conquer their fear of height.

5. Mechanical Bull
Ride ‘em cowboy! Indulge your inner Butch Cassidy with Snowbird’s mechanical bull, “Black Jack”. Choose your intensity, from mild to WILD! Don’t worry, get tossed won’t hurt thanks to 400 ft. of foam padding to catch you when you fall.

6. Climbing Wall
Unleash your inner explorer and climb to the top of the four-station climbing wall. Beginners can take the easy route up while more experienced climbers can race other climbers to the top.

7. Bungy Trampoline
It’s half trampoline and half bungy jumping, letting you jump high into the sky without the fear of falling.

8. Aerial Tram Lift
Take a 10 minute trip to the top of Hidden Peak where you’ll experience spectacular views of both the Salt Lake Valley and Alta. After ascending 2900 vertical feet get out and explore the fields of wildflowers and take in the scenery at the top of the peak.

Check out www.snowbird.com for tickets, hours, and pricing.

Even better: Enter to win a one night stay at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and 2 All-Day Activity passes, which include unlimited rides on the above activities.

Enter your email below for a FREE night’s stay at The ‘Bird along with two all-day activities passes:

*disclaimer: all e-mail addresses may be subject to receiving promotion materials from Salt Lake magazine and Snowbird

We know it’s a few days away, but we’re all about getting pumped for the Tour of Utah (is it OK to be excited about a weekend a week away when you haven’t even started your current one yet?)

Tour of Utah, a five-day stage race (144 pros going for their share of a $45k purse) through the Wasatch Front and Back will conclude at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort (expected finish 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22.)

This is the first time in the race’s seven-year history that the finish is at Snowbird and if you’re on a budget — we got your back:

Enter your email below for a FREE night’s stay at The ‘Bird along with two all-day activities passes:

SLC was tapped for this year’s most-anticipated bro-brah moment this side of the MSP premiere: The September issue roll out of Powder mag.

Squatters will be the locale for the mag’s release bash 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11.

The drop will be open to the public and Powder says local shredder faves Cody Barnhill, Tyler Peterson, Rachael Burks, Adam Clark, Steven Lloyd, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Lee Cohen and Tyler Barnes will all be there doing what they do best: Enjoying 3.2 beer.

And, hopefully we’ll see one of these two (or both) of these fallen Squaw greats grace the cover:

Arne Backstrom (1980-2010) outside Juneau; Photo Court Leve

CR Johnson (1983-2010) Photo Jamey Voss