June 2011
3:14 pm
Every year we gather together to share information about what is happening in outdoor recreation in our “near nature near perfect” Spokane. It is just to hard to attend all of the meetings for all of the wonderful outdoor organizations that help support recreation in Spokane so we bring everyone together for a quick report. Come and hear a quick report from each presenter about our “trails” on pavement for cycling, hiking trails, water trails and all about maintenance and projects for the future.
Inland Northwest Trails Coalition presents:
State of the Trails 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011 6pm
Location: Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters
6021 E. Mansfield
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
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News |
12:30 pm
The Dirty Dash is bringing a sloppy batch of mud, mud, and more mud to Spokane on August 20th at Riverside State Park. Registration is only $40 but it goes up to $45 after June 26th. www.thedirtydash.com
Check out their new video.
News |
1:22 pm
New record number of cyclists take part in education fundraiser
Dodging one of the rainiest springs in memory, this year’s CHaFE 150 riders enjoyed brilliant blue skies as they cycled through Montana and Idaho for the fourth annual one-day event to benefit the early childhood education efforts in Bonner County. All told for the June 4 ride, there were 217 registered cyclists – marking a 10 percent increase over last year.
2011 CHaFE 150 by the numbers:
Riders registered: 217
Riders who rode: 195
Riders in the full CHaFE (150 miles): 115
Riders in the 1/2 CHaFE (80 miles): 85
Youngest rider: Paul Meyer of Sandpoint, 16
Oldest rider: Dan Earle of Hope, 70
First finish time: Shortly after 1 p.m. (a 1/2 CHaFE rider)
Last finish time: About 7:30 p.m. (a full CHaFE 150 rider)
Riders who participated in the full 150-mile loop ride started and ended in Sandpoint, while the 80-mile 1/2 CHaFE riders departed from Troy, Mont., to finish in Sandpoint.
As in previous years, riders shared their enthusiasm for the well-orchestrated event.
“This was the friendliest, most fun ride I’ve ever done,” said Michelle Musia, a rider from Lewiston. Levi Hoch of Kalispel, Mont., went further: “Amazing ride! Probably one of the most beautiful stretches of pavement in the country. Very well organized, riders were treated like royalty. A must do.” Added local rider Terry McLeod of Sagle “the cause is the best part of the ride.”
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News |
7:14 am
Great Snowpack Means More Fun for Whitewater Enthusiasts
Grab your sunscreen, swimsuit, life jacket and paddle — whitewater action is just a splash away! With great snow this winter and a snowpack well over 100% of normal, expect this year’s whitewater season to be unlike any you’ve seen in awhile. With excellent water conditions statewide, whitewater enthusiasts are packing their gear and heading out for Class II-V rafting and kayaking adventures.
With these excellent water conditions, Kelly’s Whitewater Park in Cascade is currently open on weekends, opening full time on June 18. Kelly’s Whitewater Park is Idaho’s first whitewater park, giving kayakers a great spot to play in the waves and hone their paddling skills.
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News |
2:42 pm
Thirty-eight students earned superior awards for their environmental science projects at the 14th annual Spokane Youth Environmental Conference, held on May 24, 2011, at Spokane Community College.
Over 170 middle and high school students showcased their environmental science projects during oral presentations or poster sessions. Projects examined environmental science topics chosen by the students. Superior awards were presented to:
Kathryn Butler, Centennial Middle School, Grade 8
Tree Battles
Christopher Hatten, Centennial Middle School, Grade 8
Trash to Cash
William Fisher, Centennial Middle School, Grade 7
Testing Turbines for Maximum Power
Rachel Fricke, Bethany Williams, Freeman Middle School, Grade 8
Future City: Meredian
Brittney Sanders, Dylan Stout, Jordyn Brooks, Mountainside Middle School, Grade 7
Trout Survival in Varying Temperatures
Severyn Westbrook, The Enrichment Cooperative, Grade 7
Thermal Imaging: Do Energy Efficient Windows Work?
Holly Miller, Marissa Wellington, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Phantom Energy
Ivvie Shellhorn, Penny Zhang, Central Valley High School, Grade 12
Motor Oil Odyssey
DG Kim, Karl Ellingson, Courtney Owens, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Heating Water with Cheap Solar Energy
Haley Feider, Clerie Calvo, Lucy Jones, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Banning Pesticide Use for Cosmetic Only Purpose
Molly Barnhart, Alyssa Peck, Shelby Pace, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Filtering Away Danger
Jessie Kunz-Pfeiffer, Philip Howard, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Clean Water Worldwide
Hailee Herbst, Courtney Petrini, Madie Laws, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Endangering our Aquifer
Carlin Coulson, Katy Dolan, Sammy Nania, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Bacteria Growth on Your Produce: Does Washing Really Help?
Mathew Summers, Alex Slate, John Weiser, Central Valley High School, Grade 12
GMO: Friend or Foe?
Jaclyn Urbanec, Anusha Gollapalli, Melissa Morgan, Central Valley High School, Grade 9
Animals Affected by the BP Oil Spill
Erik Kemp, Riverside High School, Grade 12
Odocoileus Virginianus: Response to Unnatural Food Sources
John Taylor, Riverside High School, Grade 11
Analysis on the Effects of Exercise on Memory
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News |
12:35 pm
“I love to run on gnarly trails in beautiful places,” says Rachel Toor, who started running 19 years ago, when she turned 30. “I like training to see how hard I can push my body. I like to run with other people and I like to run alone. Now I’m waiting for my dog, Helen, to get old enough so that she can join me on long runs.”
Rachel estimates that she has completed 50-60 marathons and ultra-marathons (50K and 50 mile races) altogether. She also completed the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race in 2004, which took place over five days; she won the marathon that took place on day three. Locally, she competes in the Spokane and Windermere marathons and the Uncle Joe 50K. And she used to lead marathon pace groups as part of Team Clif Bar.
As for what motivated Rachel to take up the sport, she says it took writing her book, Personal Record: A Love Affair With Running (published in 2008), to answer that question. “Writing the book made me realize what running means to me,” she says. “The short answer is that it’s all about love. The long answer is, well, the book.”
In addition to her non-fiction books, Rachel writes for Runner’s World, Running Times, Trail Runner, and Marathon and Beyond, as well as “other, non-sweaty publications,” she says. And she works as a creative writing professor at Eastern Washington University. “Because [EWU’s] classes are at night, I write in the mornings and run in the afternoons, usually at the warmest time of the day,” she says. “Much of the thinking I need to do for my work happens during my long slow runs.”
As for Rachel’s training routine, she’s now working with a coach for the first time in many years. “I still treasure my ‘junk miles’,” she says, “but now I’m doing more focused training. But instead of going to the track, which I hate, I do interval sessions of miles or half-miles—or whatever—on the trails or at the dog park using my Garmin [watch].”
One of her most memorable races was running the Bridger Ridge 20 miler—which takes place near Bozeman, Montana—a few summers ago with Bob Hayes, a legendary Montana runner. “The run is harder than a marathon, as much of it is above 9000 feet. The winning times are, in fact, slower than marathon times,” says Rachel. “And the real kicker? Bob Hayes was 82 at the time. He beat the time he ran when he was only 79. And we had a blast.”
When competing in ultras, Rachel typically uses hand-held water bottles. “Although for really long runs, like when I did the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim, I had to take a CamelBak,” she says.
As for her preferred choice of energy snacks, she says, “Because I was sponsored by Clif, I still have a lot of Clif Bars, Clif Shots, Clif Shot Bloks and Clif energy drinks. They seem to last a long time. But during ultras I tend to chow down on Oreos and Chips Ahoy, peanut M&Ms and anything else [race volunteers are] offering that looks good. While pacing a friend for the last forty miles of the Western States 100 miler, I ate the most delicious melted cheese sandwich I’ve ever tasted. At races, you have to be able to go with what they have.
“After a long race or training run, I consider a Subway meatball sub an essential gear item,” she says. “I hydrate with Diet A&W Root Beer before and after races.”
Besides running, Rachel competes in what she describes as, an “insane sport called Ride and Tie, where two people take turns running and riding a horse for 20-40 miles of trail.”
“Other than that, I stay away from water, the bike hurts my butt, and winters are meant for staying inside and reading novels. Basically, I’m just a runner,” she says.
Here is Rachel’s gear list.
RUNNING SHOES: Montrail trail shoes and Asics 2070 (“or whatever the current number is”). “Yes, I believe in wearing shoes to run,” she says.
SOCKS: SmartWool; Wrightsocks for marathons.
WATCH: Polar S625X. “I love it more than anything. I have a chapter in my book about how much I love my watch,” Rachel says. She also uses a Garmin Forerunner 310XT.
CLOTHING: Skirtsports running skirt, Moving Comfort sports bra, Moeben arm warmers, Dirty Girl gaiters, and “whatever shorts, tights and other clothes I get for free from Running Times,” she says. “I’m particularly fond of a pair of Brooks shorts, and the shirt I got from the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco last year.”
SUNGLASSES: Oakleys
Magazine Article, What's Your Gear? |
12:34 pm
A teenage boy went whitewater rafting down the Spokane River for the first time last month. Right before they hit a rapid, he freaked out and yelled to be let off the raft.
Usually, the raft would continue downriver. The kid would be expected to play tough. This time, though, the group pulled over to shore. The boy’s guide talked with him about the fear he was experiencing and motivated him to get back into the raft on his own volition.
Before the boy knew it, he was coming on the other end of Bowl and Pitcher with a giant grin on his face. A week later, he—a psychiatric patient diagnosed with schizophrenia and recovering from drug addiction—was back for another run of the river.
“He got out of the river and he was giddy,” says Loran Kerrigan, sponsorship coordinator for Peak 7 Adventures, a Christian non-profit organization that offers outdoor recreation opportunities to young people in challenging circumstances. “At the end, they have accomplished something huge that we take for granted.”
She adds, “That story happens countless times.” Then she embarks on a story about a kid for whom a backpacking trip with Peak 7 was his first exposure to adults he could trust. In five days, his self-declared hatred of fathers—due to his own father’s absence—gave way to a strong bond with a guide whose son was also on the trip.
Each story leads to an “a-ha” moment—conquering a fear, learning to trust another person, or finding a connection with God. In some cases, it is as simple as finding a drug that won’t kill them. “When the river is so high, they get a rush,” says Kerrigan. “It isn’t just a float to enjoy the sun. We want these kids to experience a natural high.”
Although the team’s emphasis on faith is strong, says Kerrigan, that means offering an extra dose of compassion, not forcing the issue. “We meet these kids where they are. We let them talk,” she says.
Peak 7 offers trips to groups from residential treatment facilities, group homes, and other non-profits serving youth. “Open” trips are available to individuals and families.
Whitewater rafting and backpacking trips for groups of young people comprise the bulk of Peak 7’s wilderness trips, but they also periodically take groups winter camping, rock climbing and kayaking.
At the core of its mission is Peak 7’s commitment to offering wilderness adventures to young people who might not otherwise be able to pay for them. Participation fees cover around 20 percent of the actual cost of a trip and the rest is paid through donations. Additional scholarships are offered to ensure nobody misses a trip because of lack of money.
Corporate and individual gear donations allow Peak 7 to equip each young person who signs up for a trip. “They’re outfitted from head to toe because they come with nothing. They come with their skater shoes and super big double XL t-shirts,” says Kerrigan.
Now in its fifth season in Spokane, Peak 7 has shown steady and significant growth. During its first year, in 2006, the organization served 137 teens. The following year, they reached 589. Last year, they took 1,784 kids on wilderness trips.
To add to its growth, the organization opened offices in Seattle and Portland this year. “We had Seattle organizations that wanted to do trips. They met us over in Wenatchee to do rafting trips.” Now Peak 7 has staff in the Seattle area to expand their ability to offer trips to west-side groups.
Peak 7 received the Portland branch as an in-kind gift from a non-profit organization called Discovery Outfitters undergoing bankruptcy.
Battling mental illness, abuse, neglect, poverty or drug addiction, most participants encounter their first outdoor challenge on a Peak 7 trip. “So often, the kids drop their pack and say ‘I can’t do this. I’m done, this is so hard,” Kerrigan says.
Aware of the particular backgrounds of the individual participants, Peak 7 guides offer support, guidance and prayer. Kerrigan says just this—an adult reaching out to them for support—often exceeds the resources available to the teen in his or her daily life. “To be able to trust, for what a lot of these kids’ backgrounds are, is huge.”
That new relationship does not have to end when the trip is over, says Kerrigan. “We have ongoing relationships. The aspect of mentorship is definitely there. Nicole, one of our guides, lives in the West Central neighborhood and sees those kids all the time.”
The Junior Guide program offers young people who were greatly impacted by their initial Peak 7 trip a chance to learn more. “Joe, Jesse and Alexian are junior guides who have been through our programs and who are making the outdoors part of their everyday lives,” says Kerrigan. Now, they help facilitate trips like the ones that first piqued their interest in the outdoors.
“They are given a new perspective on life and it helps them press toward more positive decisions and choices,” says Kerrigan. “Ultimately, nobody can ever take this experience back from them, and they remember.”
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Volunteer: Photography/video, office work, driving, food preparation.
Donate: New or used gear for backpacking, climbing or whitewater rafting; A financial contribution.
Run: Spokane “Dirty Dash”10K on August 20. Enter promo code “peak7”to donate 20 percent of your race fee to Peak 7 Adventures.
Visit: Monthly open house events; trainings this summer for CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and wilderness instructors; and Peak 7’s Annual Bocce Ball fundraiser on Sept. 18.
For more information about Peak 7 Adventures and dates for upcoming events, visit Peak7.org.
Magazine Article |
12:33 pm
Even with gas at nearly four bucks a gallon, it may be worth driving north of the border just for a meal at the Pepperbox Bistro in Salmo, B.C. But, after all, this is the Kootenays, and there are enough year-round outdoor adventures to enjoy within about 30 miles in any direction from downtown Salmo.
Salmo sits just across the border from Metaline Falls but doesn’t have the tourist appeal that Rossland and Nelson do. It could be passed up as another gas and groceries town on the way to somewhere else, but take a little time to look around, and voila, you find the Pepperbox Bistro—an unexpected culinary treat a few blocks off the main drag.
What makes the Pepperbox so good? “We’ve got a unique menu for Salmo or just about anywhere actually,” says owner and chef Steve Ritson. The menu is so full of things that sound so incredibly delicious, that deciding on only one dish is a challenge.
A few items that stick out on the menu include ribs that, according to Steve, “hang over the plate,” bison meat loaf and mashed potatoes, thin crust whole wheat pizzas, locally raised beef burgers and a couple types of homemade veggie burgers, a veggie stuffed portabello mushroom, and, well, too many other wonderful things to list here. Check out the full menu on Steve’s facebook page (search Steve Ritson, Salmo, B.C.) to fully appreciate the depth, breadth and quality of eating options.
The Pepperbox Bistro also mixes things up a couple times a month with themed menu nights, like Chinese on the last Saturday of the month, followed by a Mexican theme 13 days later, and a weekly Sunday brunch spread. Of course, they have a list of local wines and brews from Nelson Brewing Company on tap, as well as appetizers like the poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curd) that will blow your mind.
But it takes more than pulling together a good menu to stand out, and that’s where the Pepperbox really delivers. “We are committed to good for you food with lots of local, organic and homemade ingredients,” says Ritson. “That includes hand made breads, sauces, dressings and desserts. We even make our own ice cream and local orchard fruit toppings.” The quality, care, and thought that goes into each ingredient and dish might make your meal one of the most memorable moments of a Salmo and southern Kootenays roadtrip.
When you’re done with your meal, it’s time to play and burn all that body fuel. Salmo is strategically located a little over a half hour from endless opportunities to work off the previous night’s appetizers, entrées and desserts. To the north, there is Nelson, and everything from a walk around town to a technical mountain bike ride on your choice of area trails. In winter, the Whitewater ski resort just south of Nelson is well known for its powder dumps and excellent lift-assisted terrain, as well as Nordic trails and some of the region’s best backcountry ski spots.
To the west, Rossland is touted as the mountain biking capital of B.C. With such a vast network of bike and foot trails, including the renowned Seven Summits Trail—with over 19 miles of single track (www.imba.com/epics/seven-summits-trail-epic)—there is a pretty strong case for that claim to fat tire fame. Of course Rossland is also home to Red Mountain’s legendary powder skiing. (For information on additional trails, check out www.rosslandtrails.ca.)
Just south and east of Salmo, Highway 3 climbs several thousand feet to the top of the Salmo-Creston Pass (aka Kootenay Pass). It’s no surprise that being the highest maintained pass in Canada makes for some great wintertime backcountry access, but Stagleap Provincial Park at the top of the pass is also an excellent place during the summer to explore sub-alpine peaks and ridges and old-growth forests on foot.
South of the border, hiking trails in the Salmo Priest Wilderness and nearby Abercrombie Mountain—with their wild, rugged trails and steep climbs—or even a more mellow walk along Sullivan Lake’s Lakeshore Trail will certainly work up an appetite for something more than the local burger joints have to offer.
Back in Salmo, there are several nearby camping options and a couple of motels in town. (And if you’re there when the snow is flying, the mom n’ pop Salmo Ski Hill has super cheap night skiing.) If you can’t find something to love in all of that, well then, keep searching because with fewer people and more public land and trails than we have in the states, southeastern B.C. could easily keep you busy chasing new outdoor adventures for the rest of your life.
WHEN YOU GO
To Salmo from Spokane: drive about 3 hours north on the Newport Highway, taking Hwy 211 then Hwy 20 towards Metaline Falls. Cross the border (don’t forget your passport), and then drive Hwy 3 the last dozen or so miles to Salmo.
For more ideas and info, check out www.hellobc.com. The Pepperbox Bistro is open seven days a week, but you should call to check their hours (250-357-9300).
Magazine Article, Road Trip |
12:28 pm
Triathletes can seem almost superhuman. The average person often marvels at their ability to swim then bike then run—especially in grueling long races like the Ironman (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run). To succeed at such feats, elite triathletes (pros) and devoted age groupers (amateurs) often pour hours daily into training. A two-workout day might be considered an “easy” day. And they spend their money on triathlon gear and travel to out-of-state or out-of-country races. Many do all of that while enrolled as full-time students, working a job or two, and spending time with spouses and kids.
The beauty of triathlon, though, is that the sport is open to all. You need not be ready to race an Ironman; anyone can sign up for a race, borrow gear, train a little, and see what happens. Many of today’s pros have their own tales of less-than-stellar beginnings, when their training was inadequate, their gear was poor, and they were terrified of an open-water swim.
The truth is, even the elites are just regular people—most just started out at the bottom and figured out how to devote the time it takes to do the sport they love.
Out There Monthly found seven local tri rockstars—four pros and three amateurs who are tops in their age groups. All are a little bit superhuman and a lot ordinary at the same time.
HALEY COOPER
• 30; from Spokane; professional
• PR (personal record): 9 hours 42 minutes
(Ironman Coeur d’Alene, 2010)
• Doctoral student at EWU (physical therapy); married
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Several top 5 overall finishes at the
Ironman distance (four of those at Ironman Coeur d’Alene)
• 8th in the ITU (International Triathlon Union) Long Distance Triathlon World Championships (2010)
• Raced in Kona (Ironman World Championships)
the last four years
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
I was living in New Zealand [after college in 2004] and had already done some marathons. I had a bike, and I liked to ride it. I wasn’t much of a swimmer, but they had a women’s-only tri kind of like the Valley Girl here. I did it and got a flat tire during the race. Afterward they were giving away a bike, and I won it. I thought, well, now I have a bike, and I should probably do this sport.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES
YOU HAVE FACED?
I started physical therapy school this year. It’s more time management than I’ve ever had to do before. I’d say the challenge is having the mental energy to compete and to spend that much time doing class work. But my life is pretty conducive to all of this, so I can’t complain too much. I have a supportive family and everything, so I’m lucky.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN?
During Ironman training, it’s about 20 hours per week. During the winter, it’s more like 10-15. Every week is different in terms of what I’m building for and what race—and what aspect of what race—I’m working on.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
I really like to do well at Ironman Coeur d’Alene. It’s my hometown race; I love the course. And I suppose my goal is just to keep improving. I’d really like to go under an hour in the swim, finally, and get my marathon time a little faster. But I’ll probably be saying that until the day I die.
JOSH HADWAY
• 23; from Spokane; professional
• PR: 4 hours 15 minutes (Half Ironman)
• Works at Runner’s Soul; student at EWU
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
I grew up in a running family—my dad is the head cross-country coach at Ferris. Two or three years ago I did a duathlon and loved it. I was hooked. In 2008, I did my first tri. I was terrified of swimming, but someone convinced me to suck it up and try it, so I did. This will be my first year racing professionally.
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
One of the things I’m most proud of is just learning how to swim—I was so afraid of it and bad at it. Another accomplishment was the Ironman Lake Stevens 70.3 (Half Ironman). [He finished in 4 hours 15 minutes.] That’s what got me my pro card.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN?
I run six days a week, bike six days a week, and swim five days a week. On easy days, I do two workouts a day. On the other days, I do three workouts a day. I start in January with those types of hours.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
The Half Ironman is my focus right now. As I get older, I’ll progress to the Ironman distance. I would like to eventually qualify for the Half Ironman World Championship.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER A ROOKIE TRIATHLETE?
Have fun with it. There are a lot of sprints and Olympic distance races—take your time and enjoy getting into it. Do it because you love it; don’t jump into an Ironman. And find a club or group of people to train with. I’m in a club, Tri-Fusion. There are a lot of local races—like the Medical Lake Trailblazer, WunderWoman, Valley Girl—where everyone’s really supportive. They have a really relaxed kind of atmosphere.
ANNIE WARNER
• 31; from Spokane; professional
• PR: under 2 hours (Olympic distance)
• Works as a swim coach and bookkeeper;
married
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• 1st place in the New Orleans 5150 Olympic distance Triathlon (May 15, 2011)
• 3rd in the Rev 3 Costa Rica Olympic Distance race (February 2011)
• Won the Triathlon at Pacific Grove and Tinley’s Triathlon (2010)—“Those were
coming back from a hip injury, so it was nice to know I could run without pain,” says Warner.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
I grew up swimming for Spokane Area Swimming and then swam in college. Later I was looking for a way to stay in shape, and my dad had done triathlons. Then I kind of got hooked, I guess.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT
TRIATHLON?
I like being able to push myself. I like the healthy lifestyle it leads to. And it’s just a great group of people who do triathlons. It’s great to see new people racing for the first time and how empowered they are.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN?
I usually swim four days a week, probably ride 5-6 times a week (up to 3.5 hours on the bike), run probably 4-5 days a week, various lengths, and do some yoga, lifting and core work.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
I’ll be going to Memphis [the weekend of May 21-22] to do another Olympic distance in the [5150 Triathlon] series. I’d like to qualify for the championship for that series.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF TRIATHLON COMPETITION?
I just got back from Wildflower [a triathlon in California]. It’s hard to know what will happen when you drive 18-20 hours for a race. My bike fell off the rack and was hanging on by a wheel. My friend has a severe peanut allergy, and there was a peanut in her food, so I had to spend part of the night with her in the E.R. But I placed
9th. I was happy to be in the top 10, so it was
a good race.
KALEN DARLING
• 23; in Spokane since 2009 (previously lived in Hawaii); professional
• PR: 1 hour 58 minutes (Olympic distance)
• Recently graduated from Whitworth University (May 2011)
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Won the U23 division of the USA Triathlon Elite National Championship (2011)
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
At first, I went to tri competitions as part of a relay—I would do the swimming part or the running part. Eventually I wanted to try one by myself. The first one was a lot of fun, but it was painful. I didn’t do any training. I just went out there and did it on my mom’s old mountain bike. I think I walked the entire run. The amateur world championship came to Hawaii in 2005, and I started training really hard. When I saw the payoff—I won a silver medal for my age group—I was like, Oh wow, this is cool.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED?
My senior year of high school I had a hernia. The doctor said there was a chance I wouldn’t be able to exercise again because of nerve damage from the surgery. I overcame that obstacle just by being patient. The summer after that I was able to qualify for my pro card.
WHAT COMPETITIONS DO YOU HAVE
COMING UP THIS YEAR?
I’ll probably do around a dozen professional races between now and November. I’ll be traveling quite a bit—Canada; Washington, D.C.; Tunica, Mississippi; New York City; Georgia; Florida; Nevada; South Carolina; possibly Mexico; possibly Korea. Those last two are World Cups—those are the races that get you into the Olympics or that help you qualify for the Olympics. I haven’t qualified for those, so that’s why I say possibly.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
[Answered just before graduating in May 2011] Because of school, I only really get serious about tris for about three months over the summer. I’m not 100 percent sure of what I’m capable of. My goal is to make triathlon a career and see if I can qualify for the Olympics in 2016.
TROY NELSON
• 43; in Spokane since 1994; age grouper
• PR: 9 hours 45 minutes
(Ironman Coeur d’Alene, 2008)
• Trial Lawyer; married to Eve Nelson, 2 kids
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• 9 hours 45 minutes in Ironman Coeur d’Alene
• 9 hours 58 minutes in Kona
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
It must have been 2005 when Eve dragged me, literally, to Coeur d’Alene to watch the Ironman. It was the year they had a bunch of blind athletes on the course and I was just like, my gosh, what’s my excuse? If these dudes are out there freakin’ doing this, then what the heck is wrong with me? I remember saying to Eve, “Well, if you’re not signing up for next year, I am!”
HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK, LIFE AND TRIATHLON?
Since 2006, Eve and I have alternated years of [training for and competing in] Ironman. This is her year. This is how we do this in our family, having the kids, both of us with full-time jobs: Tomorrow [Saturday] I’ll get up very early and go on my long run. I’ll get home in time for Eve to pack the car—she’s going for a 120-mile bike ride. I’ll clean the house, grocery shop, take the kids to do something fun, then get home and make dinner for Eve. And she does that for me when it’s my turn.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER A ROOKIE TRIATHLETE?
Find yourself a good bike shop like Fitness Fanatics, maybe hire a swim coach if you don’t know how to swim, and then just sign up before you invest a lot of money. There are lots of great races here in Spokane—the Spokane Triathlon, Valley Girl and WunderWoman. I would encourage a person to sign up with one of the three triathlon teams here (Emde Sports/Fitness Fanatics, Team Blaze or Tri-Fusion). The collective wisdom of being on a team, the encouragement, the training opportunities—that would be money well spent for a person who’s starting out.
EVE NELSON
• 44; in Spokane since 1994; age grouper
• PR: 11 hours (Ironman); 2 hours 15 minutes (Olympic distance)
• Senior Transportation Planner with the Spokane Regional Transportation Council;
married to Troy Nelson, 2 kids
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Fourth place in the age group nationals
(Olympic distance)
• Qualifying for and racing in Kona (2009)
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
I was 37 years old. I had an infant and a toddler at home and I was looking for some peace and quiet. I borrowed a bike. During the race, I was unable to shift the entire time. But I was hooked. That was it, one race, and I knew it was for me. That was in Medical Lake, a sprint triathlon.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES
YOU HAVE FACED?
The hardest part for me is fitting into a day what I need to do. I’m very fortunate to have a spouse who understands it, but it’s a double-edged sword because he needs to train too. The two hours we spend together, we’re either talking about the kids or inhaling food. Planning enough time for family time is an obstacle. That has to get planned out, or it will get missed.
WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN?
In the off-season, I probably train about ten hours a week. It’s closer to 17-20 hours when I’m in race season. I prefer the Olympic distance and I like half irons. It fits more into your life in terms of training. It’s not quite so excessive.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT
TRIATHLON?
Living here in Spokane, there are so many good athletes. It’s a fraternity, because you go out and suffer together when you train. To be around new people who just have an incredible spirit about it is a lot of fun. It’s kind of what keeps you going. I’ve developed some of the best friendships of my life doing this.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
My goal this year is to try to qualify for Kona again. I don’t know what I’m going to do next year. I just try to take it one year at a time.
ROGER THOMPSON
• 39; from Spokane; age grouper
• PR: 1:53:54 (Olympic distance)
• Teacher; married, 2 kids
TRIATHLON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Racing on Team USA in a couple of World Championships
• Racing in Kona
• Being a member of the TIMEX Multisport Team
• Being president of Tri-Fusion (local triathlon club) for five years
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE SPORT?
I started in multisport in 1989 when I did a few duathlons (run/bike/run) on a team with a friend. In 1997-1998 my wife, Jessi, and I traveled all over the nation racing US Triathlon Series events and other recognized events. I took a hiatus from triathlon until 2003 when Ironman Coeur d’Alene was coming. After “getting through” that event, I started racing more seriously. In 2008, I qualified to race as an elite; 2009 was a very successful season and I planned on hitting 2010 hard. Unfortunately, I was hit by a car in May, and that ended the 2010 triathlon season due to a separated shoulder.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK, LIFE
AND TRIATHLON?
For me, my family is number one. We sit down weekly and see what the family calendar looks like. After we get all the important events filled in, I schedule my training around that. There are times that the training doesn’t happen because my daughter needs extra help with a school project or my wife and I schedule an impromptu coffee date, but there’s no question what I’d choose every time. If I were to miss my daughter’s swim meet to fit in my long ride, I would deeply regret that.
HOW DOES THIS COMMUNITY GIVE TO ITS ATHLETES, AND VICE VERSA?
Spokane and the Inland Northwest have been exploding with race opportunities. It’s because of race directors that triathlon is so popular in our area. My hat goes off to the race directors who help promote the sport and give the community the opportunity to participate.
Personally, I have been involved in a leadership role in a non-profit triathlon club called Tri-Fusion (www.tri-fusion.com). Along with leadership of the club, I help to put on free informational clinics about triathlon to members, as well as community sporting events like a 5k run series and a kids’ triathlon each summer. I believe that we, as athletes, have a responsibility to give back to the community. Many people know very little about the sport and are looking for avenues that can give them support. Triathlon is a very lonely sport. But none of us could possibly do it alone.
TRIATHLON GLOSSARY
• Triathlon: A sport involving three athletic disciplines in succession, e.g. swimming, cycling and running
• Sprint Distance: 750M swim, 20K bike, 5K run (lengths may vary)
• Olympic Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
• Ironman: 3.8K swim, 180K bike, 42.2K (26.2 miles/marathon) run
• Kona: Ironman World Championship, held in Kona, Hawaii
• “Professional” or “Elite”: Triathletes have to qualify, based on their performance in
specified races, to become “elite” or “professional”
• Age grouper: Amateur triathlete
Magazine Article |
12:24 pm
It doesn’t matter how many bikes some cyclists have. There is always another bike on the horizon. If you’ve got a racing bike, a mountain bike, a commuter, a tourer, it may be hard to justify yet another bike. So, to help you, we’re going to create another bike category. It’s the “going-out bike” (GOB). A going-out bike is different than a commuter, in that it’s much simpler and might have a bit more style. Strictly speaking, any bike will work for a going-out bike—if you narrowly define it as “a bike that allows me to go out.”
But a great going-out bike should be simple in its operation and non-flashy in appearance. Like a great mountain bike allows you to enjoy the trails without thinking about the bike, a going-out bike should get you where you’re going and “just work” when you go out for dinner or to the pub. And like any specialized equipment, there are a few small details that help define a great going-out bike. Here are the essentials:
ONE GEAR
Thinking about shifting, fixing thrown chains, cross-chaining, mashing gears, hitting the wrong gear on a steep hill—all of these nit-picky issues associated with geared bikes should not be allowed on a going-out bike. One speed is all you need. I suggest a single-speed with freewheel, not a fixie, so you can enjoy downhill coasting. For Spokane hills 60-65 total gear inches is a good range. Even if you live at the top of a hill, you’ll be fine. There is no shame in walking, and since you’re using your bike to get to dinner or to the pub, you can ride those carbs right to the top of the steepest incline. Seriously, you’ll seldom feel stronger than when climbing a hill on a single-speed bike after a carb-rich night out. Furthermore, a single speed also opens the potential for a simple chainguard that can keep the muck off your pants.
GENERATOR LIGHTS
This is the big money piece on your going-out bike. Generator lights are a requirement. They are powered by a generator in the front wheel hub. Advances in LED lighting paired with photo-cell technology make generator lighting a no-brainer for a GOB. When you ride your bike and it’s dark, the lights will just work. You don’t have to remember to turn them on or bring them or deal with batteries or attach them. Generator lighting systems are always attached to your bike. And since the lights are attached with nuts and bolts, they tend to stay put. Do not dismiss the integral nature of a generator lighting system on your going-out bike.
FENDERS
Don’t let a little rain, snow, or slush stand in the way of riding your bike out to dinner with friends. Fenders are in the generator-lighting category. As you sit reading this in June, you think, “Meh, fenders—who needs them?” But think about this scenario: you’re out with friends on a nice late fall afternoon. You’ve had a great after-work hang. It’s time to go home, which is a few uphill miles away. What’s that you see? Is that snowy, sleety rain? Looks cold. You’re wearing jeans and a light jacket.
With fenders, the ride home is tolerable, maybe even fun if you get into it. Without fenders, the ride home is a misery-fest, as cold watery gunk sprays off the front tire directly into your sock, which saturates and drives ice-cold water into your shoe box, where it collects around your freezing toes. And of course there’s the greasy-slush that spins off your rear tire onto your back. Lame. Just put fenders on there! Fenders belong on a proper going-out bike!
ATTACHED BAG OR BASKET
Here is where a saddle bag shines. A good going-out bike saddlebag should attach semi-permanently to your bike seat. “Semi-permanently” means that it’s attached with either nuts/bolts or, at a minimum, a complicated and hard-to-quickly-detach set of straps and buckles. You should always have a basic set of tire-fixing tools in the saddlebag. Otherwise, it’s great for holding a jacket and a lock.
Another good option here is to zip-tie a big basket to a rear rack. You can dump all sorts of stuff in a basket and cover the top with a bungee net to hold it all in.
THE BIKE
There are no hard rules here, but generally, you should seek out a bike style that you are comfortable with and that you love to ride. If you’re a fast drop-bar roadie, then build your going-out bike around an old touring or CX frame. If you’re into taking jumps, find an old mountain bike or a cruiser. Your going-out bike should be inviting. It should have a comfy position. And it should have flat pedals—no clipping in! Ideally, the bike should also not attract attention to itself. You don’t want to worry too much about locking it out of sight, so it should be homely enough to be left alone.
John Speare grew up and lives in Spokane. He rides his bike everywhere. Check out his blog at http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com.
Everyday Cyclist, Magazine Article |
