PNW Tri Novices

[Wahine]

I know there are a lot of you who are planning to do your first triathlon this year. I'm big into expanding the sport and I'd like to help you along. Soooo....

I am seriously thinking about "hosting" a tri weekend here in The Gorge. My thoughts are that we would do a swim and run workshops on Saturday including transitions and then join a group ride on Sunday. There is a really nice ride out here called "The Cherry of a Ride" and it's held on a Sunday, (April 20). It's a nice ride with multiple mileage options and would allow for many different skill levels.

http://www.stmarysacademythedalles.o...ng_events!.htm

So what I'm wondering is how many people would be interested in doing this. Saturday would cover the more technical aspects of triathlon. Sunday would just be the organized group ride for those who wanted to do it. I can accomodate a few guests at my house (about 4 with some creative sleeping arrangements) and there is an Inn in the town where I live that has hostel style accomodations for as low as $25 per night.

http://www.innofthewhitesalmon.com/

So let's hear what you think and see who might be able to make it.

It could also happen another weekend, we just wouldn't be able to take advantage of the organized ride. Though I'm sure I could find some ride leaders to help out with a training ride in the area.

[Meg McKilty]

Great Idea!!
I would love to come, but my work schedule is made 6 weeks in advance so I couldn't get off for it since the schedule is already made.

Could you make two different weekends? Or a later date?

[rocknrollgirl]

hmmmm, how far is it from my house to your house....about 3000 miles? Anything over 2500 is just not practical for a w/e....

[Wahine]

Did I miss communicate something that made Meg think I was in her area, or is that just her usual sarcasm (which I like BTW) coming out?

Seriously, can PNW be interpreted as something other than Pacific North West? I'm pretty fresh to the states and haven't learn all the geographic nuances.

ETA - Unless in "Nashville to Asheville" Meg means Ashville OR? And I may offer different weekends. I'm just floating this now to get feedback and figure it out.

RnR - You could easily cover that distance on your bike. I expect you to come and to do it as a bike commute. Hee Hee

[Xrayted]

I'd love to come but Kit and I have a motorcycle safety course that entire weekend. I wish I would have known which w/e the ride was on cuz I really liked doing that one last year. Just not the billy goat hill climbing part you did for the second half, Wahine. Although, it was fun to drive up that part and yell out our encouragement as we passed you. When you have another w/e planned, let us know. We aren't too far away. Besides, Kit needs to go back to the kayak shack.

[salsabike]

Wahine, thank you SO much for offering this. I would love to do it. I might be able to muster up the whatever by April 20 but it would be hard for a variety of reasons. I wonder if you would be willing to try to plan it a little further out, far enough so that most people's calendars would be empty and they would have plenty of prep time? For me, either early/mid-May, early/mid-June, or mid-July weekends would be easiest to schedule. How does that kind of thinking fit with your own schedule? And the rest of the PNW Tri gang?

And we better start thinking NOW about how to thank Wahine. I think we should start pondering putting together a Pansy-Palmetto style outfit for her next Ironman...

[Wahine]

So it's official. I have agreed to crew for a RAO hopeful. That means we move the Tri weekend back to July 26-27. I hope there'll still be lots of takers.

Just to remind you all that I have room in my house for several people, I have one king sized bed in a very large room, a bench in the living room that doubles as sleeping space for 2 and plenty of floor space. There is also lots of room to set up tents outside, or for vehicles in the driveway.

This way I'll also have tons of great stories from the RAO weekend to share.

[colby]

I might be able to come... only possible factor, a friend of mine is due August 3rd, and if she's early, I might be on assistant baby duty. It's within driving distance for me and sounds like fun. Learning is good.

[KnottedYet]

I have major cold feet about doing the tri. I think I'd rather volunteer and crew it.

But I'm trying to keep an open mind... maybe I will anyway.

Colby - re: your title; shiny! Sigh, I really liked Firefly.

[Wahine]

Knott - coming to the informal training camp is a perfect way to get rid of the cold feet. Even if you don't race you should come. It's going to be totally low key and we'll make it fun, promise.

[colby]

Colby - re: your title; shiny! Sigh, I really liked Firefly.

I skip the "what happens next in the movie" part when I say it. It's been windy here lately, I actually find myself saying it out loud to relax. Such a nerd.

(We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming)

[teigyr]

I have marked the dates in my calendar I also will be off fri-sun for the summer with a 3:30pm start time on monday. The thought of not waking up early makes me very very happy

Wahine, I can't believe how busy you are and how much you are helping us. I'm sure it'll be fun and really informative! Please let me know what I can do or anything you need.

For the Danskin folk here, is anyone going to go to one of the seminars next week? It's on Weds in Lynnwood, Thurs in Seattle (both at REI's) then somewhere else later in the month.

[Veronica]

Have a great time you guys! I seriously considered joining you, but couldn't quite justify the gas.

Don't let Wahine mangle you too much. And be sure to tell us all about your cool adventures.

V.