307 Miles of Memories: The 1983 Granger High Bike Club Journey
Pedaling Toward Adventure: Granger High Bike Club’s Epic Ride
Spring–Summer 1983
Not every student ends a school year with a test or a party—some end it with 307 miles of asphalt, rugged scenery, and a whole lot of determination.
As the 1983 school year wrapped up, the Granger High Bike Club, led by club president Mike O’Leary, was already in motion. Fresh off a successful multi-day cycling trek to St. George the previous summer, the club had set its sights on an ambitious seven-day ride to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.
A Detour to Lava Hot Springs
Their plans, however, were dramatically altered by the Thistle, Utah landslide in April 1983. Thistle, a small town in southeastern Utah County, was devastated when a massive earthflow dammed the Spanish Fork River, flooding the town and destroying nearly all structures. The event became the first presidentially declared disaster area in Utah.
Because the route through Spanish Fork Canyon was blocked, the Mesa Verde trip was canceled. Undeterred, the Granger High Bike Club adjusted their plans and headed instead to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, creating a memorable adventure despite the change.
The Ride
The journey to Lava Hot Springs spanned hundreds of miles, with the club navigating scenic roads through Utah and Idaho. A support vehicle carried gear, food, and equipment, but students pedaled every mile themselves. “We slept under the stars,” Mike recalled of their previous trip, though on some rides, the legs were too tired for anything else.
Fitness, Friendship & Freedom
Cycling was about more than staying in shape. “Our club gives us a chance to mix physical fitness with fun,” Mike explained. “It also gives some members an opportunity to participate in something when they can’t make it in another sport.”
The club was fully student-led, with roles including:
President: Mike O’Leary
Vice President: David Chapman
Treasurer: Pam Rosen
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Glen Crooks
Weekly meetings were held to map mileage goals, assign responsibilities, plan meals, and bond over the shared excitement of the open road.
Lifelong Memories
From local loops to cross-state journeys, the Granger High Bike Club proved that teamwork, training, and a love of the open road could take you far—literally and figuratively. Members didn’t just ride bikes—they built friendships and memories that have lasted decades.
Advisor Mr. Glen Crooks, is lifelong friends with many of his former Bike Club Members- capturing the spirit of adventure that defined the club.
