Snowshoe, fat bike and skate ski when you get in Colorado’swinter triathlon series.
It’s an intense January day with temps hovering around 15 degrees, and there’s 6 inches of fresh powder blanketing the landscape. Many people have actually currently headed for the slopes, but in Leadville, a few dozen snowshoe-clad competitors are excitedly shivering at the start line of the Pedal Power Winter Season Triathlon.
This yearly snowshoe, fat bike and skate ski race takes rivals through the uneven, woody Colorado Mountain College Timberline school, offering the adventurous professional athlete a distinct winter experience. The 5K snowshoe sends racers tromping through the powder among the pine trees, while the 10K fat bike section offers riders a treat on the campus’ custom-groomed winter season singletrack. Lastly, the punchy 8K skate ski through meadows and up steep hills frequently decides the race. At the finish line, it’s all red cheeks and grins as everyone swaps battle stories and guzzles down coffee and hot cocoa.
These races have ended up being a rite of winter season for lots of mountain endurance professional athletes, requiring a whole new set of skills, grit and fitness. Race creator Bruce Kelly, an endurance race enthusiast himself, released the triathlon as a way to showcase a few of his store’s winter season equipment and broaden his long-standing grassroots Pedal Power snowshoe race series. While the Pedal Power races weren’t the first winter triathlons in Colorado, they comprise the longest running series and one of the few. The Durango Nordic Center also has a nighttime Snowdown Triathlon, planned for Jan. 30.
Almost ten years later on, a small, but devoted group of rivals gather at the start line year after year. People enjoy it so much that series organizers introduced a second triathlon in 2018 at the Vail Nordic Center.
“It’s just enjoyable, and the Leadville course truly has a backcountry feel,” said Kelly. “You get to ride miles of pure singletrack on snowbikes, and the snowshoe is an adventurous course through the woods. You have actually got the skate snowboarding, which is some of the finest Nordic snowboarding in the location. It’s simply an excellent environment.”
All set to try your first winter season triathlon? These pointers will assist you finish strong.
1. Do all 3 disciplines before race day. This may look like a provided, but running in snowshoes or snow biking can feel exceptionally various (and much more difficult) than running or mountain biking. Skate skiing is everything about strategy, so if you’re an amateur, practice prior to race day.
2. Prepare for shifts. You can lose a lot of time at the transition location, so strategy ahead. Prep as much gear as possible before the start. A chair, coat, treats and water are important throughout transitions.
3. Choose your race clothing thoroughly. Depending upon race-day conditions, one outfit can do all of it. Lobster gloves, Nordic ski trousers, a biking jersey and ski socks, plus a hat and light coat at the transition station typically cover your ass.
This season, the Colorado Mountain College Triathlon in Leadville is slated for Saturday, Jan. 19. The Vail Nordic Center triathlon in Vail is set up for Saturday, Feb. 23. Find out more at.
— Melanie Wong
The post Elevation Outdoors Magazine.
