Last year, the snow flew and so did the green.
Now, the mayors of Salt Lake City and Provo are renewing their so-called Food Fight Rivalry Ride -- a bicycle trek between City Halls intended to raise dollars for a food drive.
The bet is simple: The losing mayor after the Nov. 28 Utah-BYU football game must pedal to his counterpart's downtown office come sunshine or snow flurry. Last fall, after the Utes pummeled the Cougars in Salt Lake City, Provo Mayor Lewis Billings (joined by Mayor Ralph Becker) attempted the 50-mile ride before a snow storm forced the men from two wheels to four.
But the abbreviated ride was fruitful on the charity front, coordinated by the mayors. More than 122,000 pounds of food were donated, while the communities raised $78,000 collectively for people and families in need.
"Last year's Rivalry Ride prompted an incredibly generous response from both cities," Becker said. "We hope to beat last year's tally with this year's efforts."
And Becker, a U. alum, couldn't resist a little dig at that team down south by making a veiled game prediction.
"As a Utah fan," he said, "I look forward to again riding alongside Mayor Billings from Provo to Salt Lake City."
For the first time in several years, it appears a taste of the conference championship does not hang in the big-game balance. What's more, getting humbled by the BCS-bound TCU Horned Frogs, as both the Y. and U. were, likely brings down some of the bravado.
Along those lines, Billings took the high road. "Utah County residents, following the lead of our Cougar football team, regularly step up to any challenge -- especially in times when the community stands in need," he said. "We are excited to announce this year's Rivalry Ride as a great opportunity for both cities to celebrate our respective teams, promote green transportation and increase food donations for those in need."
The Ride, Part 2 is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5. Both Ute and Cougar fans -- or anybody else looking for a workout -- are invited to join the mayors. Route details still are being decided. To sign up for the ride, go to either city's Web site: www.slcgov.com or www.provo.org.
After a humiliating defeat, they're looking for a rematch in Provo.
We're not talking about the BYU football team, which is hoping on Nov. 28 to avenge last year's loss to the University of Utah.
No, it's the Provo Municipal Council that is hoping to take another run at the Salt Lake City Council.
Last year, the councils placed a bet on the game: Loser had to come to the winner's council chamber and sing the fight song of the winning university.
Despite their cockiness -- they refused to even learn the words to "Utah Man" -- Provo council members had to make the trip of shame to Salt Lake City after the U. drubbed BYU, 48-24.
This year, the bet's renewed, and Provo's council again is confident that their northern counterparts will be learning BYU's "Rise and Shout."
"I have the franchise on earplugs if it happens," Provo Mayor Lewis Billings said.
Municipal Council Chairwoman Cynthia Dayton said Provo would provide blue attire for Salt Lake City Council members who don't have anything but Utah red in their wardrobes.
-- Donald W. Meyers
