The old highway to the Saltair marina is one of the best beginner bike routes in the Salt Lake area. However, you will find cyclists of all levels riding this long stretch of barren road. What makes this ride perfect for beginners is that this is a lightly driven stretch of pavement. You will rarely see an automobile on the road, if at all. This is the place to break in your new clip-in pedals or to practice riding a road bike for the first time.

If riding from the start of Apollo Drive to the marina you will find that you have gone just over 11 miles (22 miles round trip).

How to Get There

From Salt Lake take I-80 West to 5600 West (just past the airport). Take an immediate right off of the freeway and a left at the first light. You will then take your first available left (Apollo Drive), which is the beginning of the old highway. Park yourself along side of the road and suit up.

The Ride

The route itself is very flat. You will encounter an easy roller approximately one quarter of a mile into the ride but will remain relatively flat the rest of the way. Yes, there is a spot or two that rises slightly but I refrain from calling them hills or even rollers. The elevation gain is minimal.

There is a stretch of road lasting approximately two and a half miles into the ride that is rough pavement. It’s actually a cement road with plenty of cracks to keep your cycling skills honest. One wrong move and you’re stuck in a rut and on the ground. This stretch is nearly one and a half miles long.

The only serious challenge you may face is the winds. The route is prone to headwinds coming from all directions. The road is in a wide open area with no protection. Pacing yourself is critical if you’re not experienced in the winds. If you are facing headwinds going out, be careful, you may face the headwind going back. A bonk is on the menu if your not nutritionally prepared. Yes, I would like a meteorological explanation of this occurrence but, whether you like it or not, it’s something you may deal with.Some riders enjoy riding to the Saltair concert hall and heading back, cutting the marina ride short by approximately two miles. The trip to the marina does have its perks with pleasant bathroom facilities and a water fountain to refill your bottles. There is even a soda machine for the cyclist in serious calorie deficit. The area also has a nice look-out point where you can overlook the Great Salt Lake.

There are several ways to extend the ride, most notably riding through the International Center and through the airport walking/cycling path.

This is a perfect for any level of cyclist.

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