Xterra check in.

I've done a few. I always have fun at Xterra events.

I was on a relay team for one, then did one by myself last summer and loved every minute of it. If I were a better mtb'er and trail runner I would probably focus only on Xterra.

I've been doing XTERRA since I started doing tri's in 2009. Currently training for Maui Worlds 2015

yes the Kapalua course is very good. FYI you can qualify by doing XTERRA Freedom Fest on Oahu or XTERRA Adventure Fest on Maui...or via Nationals.

8th year of tri-s with the past 4,starting in 2012 almost all Xterra's haven't looked back. 15 Xterra's and counting including the Xterra Germany (ITU worlds) 2014 and then Maui-worlds 2015 this year.

They are a ton of fun but you will find that given that there aren't the # of races or choices like on the road, when you race in your region, you will tend to see a lot of familiar faces.

The Southeast region has a good group that ends up getting together for dinner the night before since we will travel from neighboring states.

The courses have ranged from some non-technical double-track with tons of climbing (Ogden Nationals) to some tight and twisty single-track with a few technical sections that keep you on your toes (Pelham Alabama -SE champs) and a mixture in between. I am by no means a great technical mountain biker and have found every course to ride-able for it's own challenges (no I haven't attempted descending Blood Rock and have 0 issue dismounting and hiking).

There are some of us Xterra fans out there, we are just a little quieter.

I think it largely depends as each race will be quite different but generally I think they want to keep it fairly "beginner mountain biker friendly". The races I have done include a mix of double and single track I would think if you love single track you would have a good time

Done 3, none recently.

We have one of the best venues around in Canmore, its been a conflicting weekend the last 3 years.

Canmore is not beginner friendly. Laundry chute scares the sh¦t out of most newbs. Sprint course is supposed to be a little less double black diamond.

I love Xterra, or anything off-road when it comes to events. Moutain biking and trail running will always be my first love in multisport events. We are pretty lucky in central Texas, as we have a lot of great trails and events.

Randy

Never thought about doing one until now, and they look fun. I enjoy mountain biking too much to trade in for a road bike, so this might be a solution until finally get a 2nd bike.

Been doing Xterra since 1998! Been to Nationals & Maui twice, and won the mid-west regionals once.

Love Xterra - I just sold my Xterra after 10 years and my golden retriever's name is Ex!

Fun races, crowds are always supportive, and just a different vibe then most of the road tris I've been to. Plus you race them long enough and you start seeing the same people at every race so you make race friends.

Well.....I was skeptical.....until I saw the video (I'm just not familiar with Xterra).

That looks badass!

Thanks for posting this - it makes me want to do this race again. I did the sprint in 2014. I think I recognized most of the trails and I'm guessing the video doesn't show some of the more difficult MTB sections on the Olympic course.

I heard part of an interview with the overall winner in 2014 and he was praising the course because it was technical enough to qualify as a "real" Xterra.

It's mandatory to carry bear spray - you could see many of the racers holding the canisters in their hands on the run.
Don

Edited by donw 2015-09-23 9:23 PM

Canmore is an awesome venue for Xterra. The nordic centre was home to Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon for the 1988 Winter Olympics. And Don is right the crazy hard parts are absent from the video. They host tons of Mtb races from local up to world cup/nationals here in the summer and lots of ski races in the winter.

Great video and looks like a very nice course. My only real wild life sighting this year at a Xterra race was a massasauga Rattle snake on the bike.

Does Bo know skiing?
Last year I went to the Canmore Nordic Centre on October 26 and went cross country skiing and mountain biking on the same day. There was no natural snow but Frozen Thunder was open.

I think Bo probably knows this but for the benefit of others...
Frozen Thunder is a ski trail that is made with snow that has been saved (in a pit covered in sawdust I believe) from the previous winter. In 2014 Frozen Thunder was 2 km long. Unfortunately last winter wasn't very snowy so they couldn't save as much snow so the trail is expected to be shorter this year. Opening day for Frozen Thunder in 2015 is scheduled to be on Oct 23. I'm planning to go check it out.
Here are some photos from last year....











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Skate mainly these days... have been meaning to hit it early but last year my sons XC run workouts conflicted. No Saturday workouts this year so maybe I will get out early.