Cache Valley, Utah
Located in northern Utah, Cache Valley is a picturesque, 50-mile-long basin defined by its geography: the Wellsville Mountains to the west and the Bear River Range of the Wasatch Mountains to the east. The valley was first settled in 1856, with Logan – home of Utah State University – serving as the largest city.
The lush, irrigated landscape has made its rich soil ideal for dairy and farming. This verdant valley is also a major hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering everything from skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to extensive hiking, camping, and mountain exploration in the summer.
About the Ride
Our route, inspired by the Cache Valley Grand Fondo on Ride with GPS, offered spectacular views. We pedaled across the entire valley, taking in the scenery of the Wasatch and Wellsville Mountains, passing numerous farms, and even catching the occasional glimpse of a plane from the air show happening nearby at the local airport.
The ride was mostly flat, except for the early descent and later the required climb back up onto the bench – the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville – after we left the valley floor.
Ride Overview
- • Ride Name: 41-CacheValleyTour-NewtonStore
- • Ride with GPS: Link to turn-by-turn navigation cue sheet
- • Location: Cache Valley, Utah
- • Course Type: loop
- • Course Surface: paved
- • Bike: Salsa Warbird
- • Distance: 40.23 miles
- • Moving Time: 2:52:04
- • Average Speed: 14.0 MPH
- • Maximum Speed: 17.7 MPH
- • Elevation Gain: 889 feet
- • Elevation Range: 4,452 to 4,854 feet
- • Weather: 70° and mostly sunny, climbing to 83°
- • Date of ride: June 28, 2025
- • Start time: 9:09 AM
Fun Pictures Along the Way
After an exhilarating descent from the bench into the valley, we got into heavy traffic on an otherwise sleepy Saturday morning as we approached the Logan-Cache Airport which was holding its annual Cache AirFest.
With the airport behind us and traffic greatly reduced, we rode into the heart of many farming communities and past a variety of farm animals. Of course, I had to stop for pictures of these horses and Galloway cows (also called Oreo cows).
Looking west beyond the fertile valley toward the Wellsville Mountains…
Crops in the semi-arid valley are dependent on irrigation such as these wheel line and center pivot systems to survive.
Heading north – even though this road wasn’t particularly busy, the occasional car or truck that passed us seemed to be flying! Most vehicles got into the oncoming lane to give us plenty of room; however, a couple passed too close and at a high rate of speed scaring the living daylights out of me. As you can see, there’s very little room for a cyclist to move over without getting into gravel which can easily flip the bike back toward traffic.
We stopped to refill our water and Gatorade and to fuel at the Newton Market, a cute little store situated in the middle of the Newton community.
With the Wasatch Mountains behind me, I checked out the height of the corn – definitely knee high by the 4th of July.
Even though we were on our gravel bikes (tires were aired up for pavement), this section of gravel had me slowing my speed down considerably. The gravel was deep, loose, and had my the rear of my bike fishtailing. Interestingly, the road had just been paved, the old fashioned way. Rather than using asphalt, tar with loose gravel on top was the method used and until the gravel gets pushed down into the tar by vehicles rolling over it, it appears more like a gravel road. The gravel layer on top was thicker than any I’d ever seen before, though.
Happy to have the loose gravel behind me and the finish line visible in the distance.
Garmin Stats
Post-ride Garmin…
Garmin map and elevation graph…
Final Thoughts on the Rides
It felt great to be back in northern Utah and riding around the beautiful valley we’d once called home. When we lived there, though, my bike rides were pretty much limited to campus and the immediate surrounding area. Next time we’re back in Logan we’ll definitely be repeating this route!
Questions
- • Have you been to Utah? ~ In addition to living in Utah the first two years we were married, we’ve been back to visit three times (2018, 2019, and 2025).
- • Have you ever been to an airshow? ~ Before we were married we saw the Blue Angels performing at Andrews Air Force Base (now Joint Base Andrews).
- • Do you stop and relax occasionally to fuel or take pictures, or barrel on through when on a long run or ride? ~ pictures, always pictures, unless I’m racing
Those Oreo cows are adorable — I’d have stopped for a photo too!
I find close-passing cars so nerve-racking, I sometimes wonder whether the drivers even realize what they are doing.
Nonetheless, I love your ride – you’ve captured both the charm and the challenge of cycling in such wide-open country beautifully. Utah really is a stunning place to explore!
We used to have Oreo cows free ranging at the beach with the wild horses and that’s when I first saw one in person. I love them!
This looks so beautiful!!! I’ve never been to Utah (other than one day in Salt Lake City, which I don’t really count). It’s one of the places I’d like to visit most, though.
When I’m doing a long run I LOVE to take photos! These things are a journey, not a race. Even my races these days feel more like journeys, and I want to soak up the entire experience.
Thanks for sharing… and reminding me how much I want to go to Utah : )
Utah is a beautiful state and with very different landscapes in the south and the north. I hope you’ll be able to explore there, too, some day!
Oh my goodness! These are such beautiful views! I feel like I”m always saying that, but you’re always serving up little slices of heaven!
I’ve never been to Utah. My western travels are a little lean.
I have been to air shows before in Ft. Lauderdale area. We have a huge on in Jax, but there is so much traffic and chaos to get in that we just no longer attend. Sometimes, we’ll have some of the planes flyover the house and that’s cool.
I am always taking pictures on my runs. Ethel’s keep things interesting.
Thank, Jenn! I’m happy that you enjoy my pictures.
Years ago we’d to have an “airshow” every Sunday morning around 10 AM when the Concord would take off from Dulles International Airport on its way to England and would fly right over our house. That was so cool!
Love your new blog!
My hubby is obsessed with planes and used to have a small one so yes several airshows.
Of course I stop to take pics except as you said during a race.
Thanks, Darlene! How cool that your husband used to have a small plane.