Xterra Racing

[atrejbal]

After 5 years of triathlon racing, I'm branching out this year and trying some Xterra races (Swim/Mountain Bike/Trail Run). I'll be sure to post some recaps from these races. Should be quite the adventure. Any triathletes out there who are intersted in Xterra's check out www.xterraplanet.com.

We (Brian and I) are doing the race in Brighton Michigan on 6/26. Anyone interested in trying one out should consider heading there as it's not that far (about 3 hrs). We'll also be doing the races in Richmond VA and Lake Tahoe this year. If anyone has done Xterra races before feel free to share some feedback.

Mountain biking is pretty new to me, it's a fun new challenge and I'm liking it. It's also been a nice change of pace to be hitting the trails and it's been great cross training for the regular triathlons.

Anyone who has thought about trying out mountan biking, definitely check into CAMBA (www.camba.us) and the trails at West Branch (they have group rides out there on Thursdays and the trails are awesome). They are going to be starting a women's ride on the towpath for any females interested in beginner level mountain biking.

On a related topic, if you're interested in trying an adventure race out, NCN Racing puts on the Mohican Adventure Race (7/24). I did that race last year, it was my first adventure race, and it was a lot of fun. Details at www.ncnracing.com.

[John W]

I spent some time at a recent camp talking with Jimmy Riccitello, who is one of the all-time winningest Xterra athletes. Bottom line is that most traithletes and can't ride a mountain bike. So, if you don't have a mntn biking background or never experiances true singletrack riding/racing, that is where you can get a huge advantage.

I spent 10+ years doing nothing but mountain biking & mntn bike racing. The tri thing was new just 2 years ago for me. Now that I have been submerged into long course racing the last 2 yrs, my old friend (mntn bike) gathers more dust from being racked than hitting the trails. That is until the fall, when the tri bike assumes its rightful spot on the rack, and I hit the trails for the love of it, not to get in xx number of road miles on some training ride.

Maybe Xterra in 2006. It would be a logical transition.

Good luck Amy. Let us know how it goes. One tip - Mountain biking is very Anaerobic. You have probably gotten to know this already if you are riding the right trails! Do yourself a favor and work this into your training, and comfortable handling your bike in a variety of trails types (technical, climbing, downhills, etc). Get down to Vultures Knob in Wooster if you haven't already.

Again good luck.