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Request for 2018 Member-Led Camp Hosts...

Folks, we are currently working behind the scenes to establish some infrastructure to help you organize fun training weekends with your teammates and friends. 

There are already some established ones, and some potentially new ones (Berkshires, anyone?) in the works...so here is your chance.

Why Member Led Camps?

Because you are 10x cooler than your avatar suggests. Well, seriously, the more you do stuff together...the better we grow as a community. And it doesn't just have to be on race weekend...we can do this in training, which is was more fun since you'll stay up past 8pm and not just ride at race watts. :D  

How to Start if You are Interested

You just need to reply to this thread for right now, that simple.

Here are some baseline requirements:
  • Ideally you have been a member of EN for over a year. 
  • You live IN or NEAR a really cool place to train. A place you say "Man, my friends would seriously dig training here". 
  • This place has good bike / run opportunities; bonus if there is swim. 
  • You know the area and can help outline transportation, food, etc. 
  • You like other people and want to train with them. 
Thanks in advance...can't wait to see what you folks come up with!

~ Coach P
Tagged:

Comments

  • I second Hermione, er Jenn! I've been on one of her camps through our local club. She does a great job!

    Jenn, where would you hold the camp?
  • I am considering two options (between Mallorca, BRC & Al Camp)

    one is trying to do a berkshires camp with a house to be rented
    the other is hosting out of area people at my home where we can: 
    • bike on some incredible hudson valley rides (see the NY Grand Fondo in Race Reports)
    • run on the rail trail that goes past my front door
    • swim at my health club a mile and a half away. 

    the bonus is that there are at least 8-12 ENers within a 30 minute drive than can join out of towners.. 
  • Hey Scott!

    Thsnks and to be fair it's hard NOT to have fun in Whistler,  right?

    For potential future camps I can see several locations being fantastic but would really like to know what people want. At the top of my list is Bend and of course Whistler - plus maybe Chelan?   Any input from anyone on the team  on Pacific Northwest locations?  I guess the only criteria is it would need to be within a day's drive of Black Diamond. The SAG trailer (and SAG husband) is/are a pretty sweet  and key benefit to how we roll (see what I did there...)  IMO. 

    Anyway, it would be more important to me that we get a posse of like-minded people where they want to be then the specific location. Because shenanigans can happen anywhere! 

    Cheers!
  • I'd potentially be interested in organizing a Utah training camp.  The two best locations would be:
    • Moab located right by Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, and Dead Horse Point State Park.  Moab is considered the destination for MTBing and trail running.  It also has excellent road rides, such as the La Sal loop.  It's one of my favorite places on Earth.  
    • Park City at 7,000ft.  Unbeatable trail system for MTBing and trail running, and great launching point for epic road bike rides such as Gaurdsman Pass.  Open water swimming at Jordanelle nearby.  Lots of options for renting houses/condos.  World-class dining options for the evenings.  30 minute drive from SLC airport, which is a Delta hub and has tons of flight options.
    Let me know if there is interest.

  • @Jenn Edwardswhen I saw this post I was thinking of Bend.  Sunriver resort is 20 minutes south with a huge number of homes to rent, miles of running paths, a pool, and lots of back roads to ride.  Not sure I have the organizational ability to put it all together but it's a great location.
  • @Jenn Edwards any of those sound fun but there's also Mt St Helens and the High Pass Challenge (https://www.cascade.org/rides-major-rides/high-pass-challenge) rides that we could work around as well. I'd be willing to work with you on any of these ideas for a NW training camp. Susan and I have done a training camp week in Walla Walla and there are some great rides around there, not to mention the wineries. (In fact I'm enjoying some very fine 2012 Plumb Cellars Cab as I type this.)
  • Jenn, all three of those options sound great! Whistler was great, I love Chelan and, well, I've never been to Bend but I hear it is really nice! Let me know if you need any help!

    Mark, I like your ideas as well, especially Walla Walla! I could use a nice Walla Walla Cab right now! Again, I'm happy to help!
  • @Jenn Edwards any of those sound fun but there's also Mt St Helens and the High Pass Challenge (https://www.cascade.org/rides-major-rides/high-pass-challenge) rides that we could work around as well. I'd be willing to work with you on any of these ideas for a NW training camp. Susan and I have done a training camp week in Walla Walla and there are some great rides around there, not to mention the wineries. (In fact I'm enjoying some very fine 2012 Plumb Cellars Cab as I type this.)
    I did a couple of long "Parents Weekends" in Walla Walla a few years back when my daughter went to Whitman. The downtown has undergone a renaissance past ten years; wineries all over the place. For training, there are already mapped routes both out in the "wheat fields" and near by mountains; several local tracks easy to access; and both the college and Y pools welcome visitors at specific times.

    Other ideas for long weekend camps: Packwood (or Ashford) which has easy direct access to at least 4 mountain rides of 5000' elevation gain or more (base of 1000', going up to 5-6000'). La Conner, centrally located to rides up Mt. Baker, Hurricane Ridge, and Washington/Rainy Pass (North Cascades). And, oddly, Ellensburg, which has access to several excellent routes, and well as swimming in the river @ Vantage and a local lake. I'll be checking out Hood River this weekend...

    I'm a willing participant in regional NW camps, but not a planner; I've got my hands full with my own camps in CO. Which I'll be listing here in about 4 weeks after I allow legacy campers to sign on.
  • @Jenn Edwards & @tom box
    Bend is on my list of places to check out for long term possible relocation, so I'd be in on that! I can see this turning into a multi-year tour of EN camps already! Former ENer John Stark lives in Bend and could be helpful in planning. 
  • @Gabe Peterson I'm in for a Moab camp if I can make the schedule work.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make that happen!

    Also, I've been thinking about a Western PA, West Va, Northern MD camp.  My weekend place is in Rockwood, PA where we have 5 acres, 7 bedrooms, 70 miles of marked running trail and hundreds of miles of paved and gravel roads.  Also near by - whitewater rafting, golf, sporting clays, etc. for any non-tri folks / spouses interested in joining.
  • @Jenn Edwards & @tom box
    Bend is on my list of places to check out for long term possible relocation, so I'd be in on that! I can see this turning into a multi-year tour of EN camps already! Former ENer John Stark lives in Bend and could be helpful in planning. 
    Can we visit my tri-girl-crush Linsey Corbin? PUHLEEZE!!!
  • @Gabe Peterson I'm in for a Moab camp if I can make the schedule work.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make that happen!

    Also, I've been thinking about a Western PA, West Va, Northern MD camp.  My weekend place is in Rockwood, PA where we have 5 acres, 7 bedrooms, 70 miles of marked running trail and hundreds of miles of paved and gravel roads.  Also near by - whitewater rafting, golf, sporting clays, etc. for any non-tri folks / spouses interested in joining.
    @Clark Mitchell awesome!  The best time for Moab is late April through early May to avoid getting snowed on or scorching temps.  I'm planning to do Oceanside on April 7 and 90% set on IM Santa Rosa on May 12.  So it would have to been sometime around the weekend of April 21.  

    We'd probably need to have at least 4 people to make the camp work, so let's see if we can recruit at least 2 more.
  • Utah and the NW sound very cool.  Those pics from your recent ride Jenn (Mt St Helen's?) looked like a nice challenge.
  • My calendar is pretty full for 2018 but I have an idea for a Spring 2019 camp for those doing an early season IM.  
    Base Camp Location:  Ridge Manor, FL.   Host Hotel:  Holiday Inn Express at intersection of I-75 and Hwy 50.  Not much there besides Cracker Barrel and Beef o' Brady but it would be central to the biking, running and OWS.  Would look to Brooksville for some other dinner options.

    Bike rides:  1 very long and hilly in the surrounding area that I would lead.   1 ride to the north and back on the flat Wilderness Bike Trail.  No one needs a map.  1 moderately rolling to flat south and back on the Suncoast bike trail...again, no map needed.   The first 2 could start at the hotel.  The Suncoast would be a 30 min drive to the northern trail head.

    Runs:  2 runs in the Croom Wilderness area.  100% off road, dirt trail in the woods.  Primary loop is 7 miles.  Typical trail races here are 9 and 16 mile options.  Starting point is about 10 miles from hotel.

    Swim:  No pool.  But we would drive north to Dunellon one morning for the EPIC Rainbow River OWS.  This is a 3.6 mile length (no other options) in crystal clear, 72 degree, spring fed water with a current of about 0.8 mph.  So effectively it isn't that much further that an IM swim.  I've done it 3 times this summer between 86-89 mins.  If we time it for a 9:15 am start then lunch at "Swampy's" where you come out of the water.  There are accessory costs to this swim.  Parking at the finish, we would pay $7 each for transport to KP Hole Park, and $5 each entry to the river.  There are NO lifeguards, but you cannot get lost, the river is only about 50 yards across at anyone point and if you swim away from the center you can always find a place to stand up.  

    Tentative schedule. 

    Thu - AM: Suncoast Ride.  60 miles (30 down and back).  PM - 9 mile run @ Croom Trails
    Fri - AM: Rainbow River Swim +  Lunch.  Mid Afternoon - Out & back 40+ miles RT on Wilderness Trail
    Sat - AM:  80 miles very hilly.  Short Brick run if desired.
    Sun - AM: 9 or 16 mile Croom Run.  Camp ends.

    Thoughts?

  • @Clark Mitchell - your place sounds like it is made for a camp! I am sure I'd have to strongly consider it.

    for all, another thing to consider is the possibility of timing a camp to end at a great local event, half marathon, ragnar, fondo, bike bike ride, etc... lots of great ideas i am sure are out there 
  • @Paul Hough thanks for representing the East Coast...I don't think you have enough details though, or specifics.  :D This sounds like a GREAT CANDIDATE. 

    Where are all the MidWest or TX peeps...you can do this!

    My NW peeps....holy cow how have we not had a camp out there in TEN FRICKIN YEARS?!?!

    Keep this rolling please... :smile:
  • edited August 18, 2017 2:31PM
    Well...  It is hard to compete with you all have out west / east.  I know there are a lot of EN members in Michigan and close by.  Last June, I participated in an event in Northern Michigan (Boyne City) called Michigan Mountain Mayhem.  No don't laugh, there are no mountains, however the 200K ride has 10,000 feet in elevation gain. The area is beautiful with lots of lakes, forests and cool towns with good beer and wine.  Anyway, I thought it would be great to spend a long weekend up there with a big group.  There are a lot of well kept roads with not much traffic and a ton of cottages that could be rented on AirBnB.   

    I would also be interested in anything between San Francisco and Whistler, Moab and the Hoff classic.  I watched a bit of Tour of Colorado and that area looks awesome as well. 
  • @Paul Hough thanks for representing the East Coast...I don't think you have enough details though, or specifics.  :D This sounds like a GREAT CANDIDATE. 

    Where are all the MidWest or TX peeps...you can do this!

    My NW peeps....holy cow how have we not had a camp out there in TEN FRICKIN YEARS?!?!

    Keep this rolling please... :smile:
    IMHO, there are a few areas that are good in Texas, but I only have experience with one.
    -"Hill Country", no big hills by any stretch of the imagination compared to other areas of the country. Fredericksburg (F'burg) and Kerrville are the center. Combine it with the great tourist, walking, antiquing, blue bonnet-touring little German area of F'burg and that's what makes it great. There are also some great historical music spots not too far from there, like Luckenbach.
    I go down to F'burg annually over President's Day weekend for 3 days of cycling and to Kerrville over Easter weekend for the 3 days also. Unfortunately, the only "trail" for either MTB'ing or running is another 20-30 miles away in little Comfort, Texas (which I've also not been to yet), other than that it's all road running.
    -Big Bend state park, way out west (south of El Paso on Mexico border); never personally been, but hear it's good for some MTB'ing and some road riding. 

    We've usually got year round decent weather, but is always a crapshoot. It's either decent or it's REALLY bad. 
  • @Al Truscott @Mark Maurer @Scott Alexander  @Jenn Edwards I would be up for any of the NW ideas mentioned. I do a lot of riding in Bend and as Al mentioned Rainiier and St Helens and Walla Walla are all great options. Moab has been on my list for a long time and I've not yet made it. Sounds great!
  • edited August 18, 2017 9:22PM
    Well, well well, the Pacific Northwest is ready to represent! :)  Thanks for all the input so far guys.  

    A random second pass at pros and cons based on what's been noted above are below.  My gut has it narrowed down to Bend or Whistler based on feedback and my personal proclivities but, again... I'm listening.  A side note for context:  I'm considering presenting a non-camping / significant other option, especially it makes sense for the venue.  If it was down to those two, any further input?  Or any lobbying (or re-lobbying) for other venues?  

    Bend:
    - Pros: Pros! We can only visit @Scott Alexander's girl-tri crush if I can visit mine - fellow former hockey player Heather Jackson.   o:)  TONS of SAU deposit options, lots of lodging, recreating, etc.  It's a mini-Boulder-in-the-making it would appear. @tom box and @Sid Wavrin like the idea and they are cool so.... it's self evident.  Plus @Scott Dinofer will live there soon so we might as well just plan on crashing at his place.  ;)
    - Cons:  It's a pretty solid drive from major hubs.  There isn't an IM there at the moment - though that could be a good thing.  
    - This highlight video from the Pacific Crest Endurance festival gives a good feel for the venue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSm5cFa0fyk
    - With so many pros living in Bend, there is the a growing culture and supporting facilities to back it up: http://www.bendbulletin.com/newsroomstafflist/4711081-151/bend-triathletes-ready-for-ironman 

    Whistler:  
    - Pros: Postcard beauty at every turn.  Bears at most turns. It is seriously ridiculously beautiful and fantastical for camps.  We have a lot of experience on the course both in running camps, doing race rehearsals and in racing it with multiple trips every year since IMC (the REAL IMC!) moved from Pentiction. @Scott Imlay is prepared to be a total Ninja here.  
    - Cons: For some campers crossing the border makes it feel farther away than it is.  It's more course specific than some of the other venues which can be a pro and a con, I suppose.  Folks that aren't racing Whistler may think: Meh, not for me.  If they pull out the Pemberton flats I will be sad, but we can still ride it for camp....   
    - Highlight videos from this year - each are about 1-2'.  
    --- Day 3 Jenn's Happy Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKoY9MmhW-s


    Mr. St. Helens / High Pass Challenge: 
    - Pros: Yep, BEAUTIFUL.  By coincidence it seems like we've spent all summer riding the High Pass Challenge route up to Windy Ridge on Mt. St. Helens.  It's been super special this year because the final ascent has been closed to cars.  Our house is 90' away from a great roll-out location.  It is @Al Truscott approved - and we bow to Obi Wan!  
    - Cons: For how great the riding is, from my perspective the lodging, swimming, beer-ing, tri-needing, SAU friendly pieces are much more limited than Bend, Whistler, Chelan, etc.  Unless we consider dodging the elk herd in Packwood a good entertainment.  Seriously, this actually happened last Saturday -  we spooked the herd on bikes and they stampeded across the road around us.  I digress...  options.  
    - Here's a short highlight of one ride a few weeks ago @Robert Sabo.  We combined tri-nerding and a big SAU deposit Mt. Biking option:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKzFyIK19N4

    Walls Walla:  Noted!  
    - Pros: I grew up in Pullman (yes, some people live there on purpose...) so we completely get East of the mountains.  @Mark Mauer will earn SAUs 
    - Cons: No obvious tri-nerd hub.   _____ ?   Doesn't make me giddy.  

    Righty ho - ears open and three cheers to Type I Fun! 
  • This is pretty darn epic folks...I am hearing the following, pulling it together a bit to be more visual (not OCD or anything).

    @Scott Dinhofer does Berkshire fit the mold?  

    West Coast:
    • Pacific Northwest Option Led by @Jenn Edwards
    • Time: TBD
    • Lodging: TBD
    • Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: UNKNOWN.
    • Spouse Activities: LIKELY
    • Airport: TBD

    Mountains:

    Moab Option Led by @Gabe Peterson 
    • Time: Weekend of April 21st
    • Lodging: TBD
    • Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: No.
    • Spouse Activities: UNKNOWN
    • Airport: Fly to Salt Lake City (SLC) & Rent a Car (4 hour drive), Fly to Salt Lake City (SCL) & Take a Shuttle (4 hour drive), Fly to Denver (DEN) & Rent a Car (5 hour drive), Fly to Grand Junction (GJT) & Rent a Car (1.5 hour drive), Fly to Grand Junction (GJT) & Take a Shuttle (1.5 hour drive)

    Central:

    Michigan Option Led by @Brian Hagan (Technically in Northern Michigan / Boyne City)
    • Time: Third Weekend of June (Sat the 16th). 
    • Lodging: TBD (Air BnB?)
    • Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: No.
    • Spouse Activities: No
    • Airport: MBS International Airport
    • Additional Info: There are other ride options up there aside from The Event such as this one.

    East Coast:

    Rockwood, PA Option Led by @Clark Mitchell
    • Time: TBD.
    • Lodging: Clark's Vacation House.
    • Accessible to Western PA, West VA, Northern MD
    • Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: No.
    • Spouse Activities: Yes
    • Airport: Pittsburgh
    Ridge Manor, FL Option Led by @Paul Hough
    • Time: Spring 2019
    • Lodging: Holiday Inn Express at intersection of I-75 and Hwy 50.
    • Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: Yes.
    • Spouse Activities: No
    • Airport: Tampa International Airport


  • When I get back from my race in Canada, next Tue or Wed, I'll post here details and invite for both Spring and Fall camps in Aspen. These are longer than a weekend, and will be open to everyone.
  • @Jenn Edwards I'd prefer Bend. The weather is different there, dry, not coastal. Wide open spaces not like the rain forest-y feel on the west side of the Cascades. it's a town, not a planned resort ... I like that feel of messy vitality.

    if we had a critical mass of people with at least a weekly day day off in the summer, we could organize day trips to the mountain rides you and I are indepently doing? Weekends are more treacherous, more traffic.
  • @Coach Patrick thanks for summarizing the list of camps!  I started a thread on the Moab, UT camp here:

    https://endurancenation.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/23720/moab-ut-training-camp-in-april-2018/

    Here are some edits to your summary of the Moab camp:
    • Time: April 19-22 (Thursday through Sunday)
    • Lodging: TBD but will likely rent a large house or set of condos depending on number of attendees
    • Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: Reservoir (probably ~50F that time of year) or community pool
    • Spouse Activities: Awesome family activities such as sight seeing and easy hikes in national parks, Hole in the Wall, easy MTB rides, rafting on the Colorado, a nearby winery on the Colorado, and excellent dining out options
    • Airport: Fly to Salt Lake City (SLC) & Rent a Car (4 hour drive), Fly to Salt Lake City (SCL) & Take a Shuttle (4 hour drive), Fly to Denver (DEN) & Rent a Car (5 hour drive), Fly to Grand Junction (GJT) & Rent a Car (1.5 hour drive), Fly to Grand Junction (GJT) & Take a Shuttle (1.5 hour drive)
  • Righty ho, West Coast is ready to represent!!!  

    West Coast: Bend, Oregon
    Pacific Northwest Option Led by @Jenn Edwards
    Time: Tentatively Thursday, June 14th - Monday, June 18th. 
    Lodging: House(s) in Sunriver Resort
    Bike: Yes, Run: Yes, Swim: Yes!  (*** Meg Ryan impression.***) 
    Spouse Activities: Yes!!!  
    Airport: Bend, Oregon

    A few notables
    - Sunriver is a beautiful resort a few miles outside of Bend proper.  The property will likely be in the resort and chosen based on the number of campers, couples, etc.  It's a fabulous area for outdoor activities with trails, an outdoor lap pool and easy access to the great rides and runs sure to come! 
    - The June date is situated such that athletes could consider staying through the balance of the week and racing in the Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival scheduled for June 22-28, 2018.  The festival is a celebration of endurance events with something for everyone - from a kids run, 25k trail run, duathlon, aqua-bike, 5k, half-marathon, marathon, etc. oh YES and a half(ish) ironman distance called Beastman.  Think Wildflower-esque!  
    - Any campers considering flying in know that we'll be glad to pick folks up at the airport to avoid the need to rent a car as logistics allow.
    - We'll start to flush out details in early fall.  Any interested campers I'd welcome your input as to what you'd like to see and if you are likely to be interested in a non-camping spouse option.    

    Weigh in on our thread here:   https://endurancenation.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/23726/bend-oregon-june-2018-swim-bike-run-shenanigans/p1?new=1

    Oh and prepare for shenanigans!   ;)

  • Is there a place I can help out!
  • @Jenn Edwards @Gabe Peterson -- I edited your posts to clean them up a bit.

    • Added dates to the subject
    • Added a space to count spots / put a roster
    • Left room for more.
    At some point you are going to have to put a $$ amt on it. And we recommend a deposit, up front, of $250..refundable within reason...so you know folks are IN. 

    Anyone else on the fence for 2018? Let's keep this going!!!

    ~ Coach P

  • Wow, I'm even happier I have moved to the Seattle area! Have extra bedrooms in Edmonds WA if needed. Airport shuttling services etc.
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