First stop, Geneva, N.Y. host city of the Musselman triathlon along the shores of Seneca Lake. We were joined by John Valentine and Donna Smyers. Donna had an AG win and Dot an AG second. I led my race for and hour and thirty minutes when John ran past me. I guess you have to lead the race at the finish line to win. John got me by 30 seconds, but I don’t mind coming in just behind that lifelong athlete.
Minutes after awards we pointed our van west to the triathlon in Boulder, Co the next weekend. Stops to swim, bike and run along the way broke up the monotony of the asphalt and road signs. What do they do with all those soybeans?
Boulder, Co must be the most bike friendly city in the country, bike routes, bike signs and bike lanes everywhere you go. Most importantly, car drivers and cyclists both seem to understand this symbiotic relationship.
We swam in the Boulder reservoir, biked a course that has been the scene of countless national and international bike races, then ran along the top of the dam. The road surface was course gravel, the temperature was dam hot(96degrees) and there wasn’t a dam tree in sight. When Dot says the heat was oppressive, be assured it was hot.
Dot pulled out and AG first and for the second week in a row I was second. For a boy without a lot of talent, I was happy.
Without wasting a minute we headed north and west to the Roosevelt National Forest near Ft. Collins, Co. Up the CachedePoudre Mountains following the road by the river, until veering off up to Jacks Gulch camping area, elevation 8,300 feet, just ahead of robust thunderstorms. Got the tent pitched just before the rain, but had to retreat to the van for dinner. Dot thought it remarkable that I could sleep soundly through a night of thunder cracking lighting storms…..What storm?
With the dawn came the sun and great coffee. The french coffee press makes even mediocre coffee great, but being in such a magnificent place just might help. I have a red coffee cup, which quickly attracted hummingbirds, what a treat! Hummingbirds at my hand as I ate breakfast in a wondrous place with my wondrous wife.
Following a big hike we were off tho Bear Lake and Montpelier, Idaho. We spent a couple of days at Bear Lake, did some epic bike rides, then on to Massacre Rocks State Park located along the Snake River and Oregon Trail. It’s hard to imagine the wagon wheel rutted Oregon Trail remains so prominent. Equally hard to believe is how tough those early pioneers must have been.
A couple of days sweltering in the rustic cabin at Massacre Rocks, and then we followed the River west to the agricultural center of Idaho and Burley. The town welcomes the 1,900 triathletes opening the municipal park to athlete camping, sort of a Woodstock atmosphere without good music or bad drugs.
Spudman is in its 30th year under the tutelage of the local Lions Club. Those guys and gals know how to do it. The fast current down river swim was literally yards from our tent. Everyone is an Olympic caliber swimmer in that race. Fast current= Fast times.
Onto the bike, 25 miles fast flat tour of corn and sugar beet fields with a mountainous backdrop. The 10k run like Boulder, was totally exposed to the sun. Luckily it had cooled to 92 degrees. We both had good races. Dot had an AG 2nd and I was the top Spud over 65. “Get in the car Spudboy, you’re coming with me.”
Packed the potatoes and north to Yellowstone, Wy. The campground was full but the camp host took pity on tired Ancient Mariners and let us dock next to his spot. A refreshing mountain lake swim and a little recovery run next morning was just what the doctor ordered before continuing the whirlwind tour.
Duluth, Mn next race.
Bemidji, Mn was a notable stop along the way. A very nice paved bike path circles the lake and stretches out in several directions. We did a fun ride crossing the Mississippi River (6) six times in one ride. Paul Bunyun and Babe the Blue Ox live in Bemidji.
The Brewhouse triathlon near Duluth was another fun day. The venue, also at a resevoir, was literally custom made for a triathlon. The race director told us during construction of the dam he had input into the beach layout to accommodate a triathlon swim and exit to the transition area. Dot raced to a 3rd OA female finish and I won my AG.
On to Cleveland, and humble pie. The USAT National championships moved to Cleveland for 2018 and 2019. The Olympic distance race (1.5K swim,40k bike, 10k run) is by qualification only. Participants must qualify for entry by winning or placing in the top 10% of their AG at a USAT race. Nobody there is a slouch. Humble pie isn’t that bad, and resets your compass.
A few days before the race we had most graciously been invited to attend the Triathlon Hall of Fame Ceremony. Each year four people are inducted into the Hall of Fame based on achievements and furtherance of the sport. Our own Donna Smyers was honored with induction this year. I was honored just to be present among our sports luminaries and to say Donna is our friend.
So we are off on Saturday morning, but not all 2500 enter the water at once. Dot’s swim wave did not start for an hour and twenty minutes after I began my test. Despite a painful mistake and another choke performance at Nationals I was 57th in an AG of 90 plus. Meanwhile Dot had a great race, got on the podium with a 7th place finish out of a field of approximately180 women aged 55-59.
Raced out, We got home having traveled 5800 miles. Ah, but with a little less traveling and a little more rest we can still squeeze in a few more races to finish up the season!