Chippawa Triathalon

[sroberts_3@charter.net]

I will be doing the Chippawa tri which is a canoe, mtb, run event in June. I am not familiar with the trails where the biking will be done on. Is anyone familiar with this race or know about the trail conditions? Is is muddy, rocky, hilly, or what. All the pamphlet says is "forest roads" in the Chippawa Forest. I could use some input for planning on training, tires, etc.

[hockeynut]

Hi Shawn

I did it for the first time last year. I think the trail conditions vary greatly depending on the weather leading up to it. Last year was pretty wet, which meant that there was a little mud (there is enough sand in the roads/trails that it wasn't a mudfest), and long sections of 'Sippi Holes (which are long deep sections where the fire road was under water). It isn't technical though, so a cross bike might be what I do the biking section on this year.

I'll be doing it again this year with a goal of beating last year's time. The key will be the paddling section. 14 miles or so of paddling/portaging is hard and takes a loooooong time when you aren't a paddler.

Later

Isaac