Triathlon - Tri for Real (No. 3)

Did this Olympic Distance today, out in Rancho Seco (about 20 minutes south of Sacramento on the 99). For those in CA, I would check this series out. Very relaxed, well put together race. It's a little odd swimming in the lake that used to cool the nuclear reactor when the power plant was open (it no longer is). I swear I saw a three eyed fish. :eek: Seriously, the cost is reasonable, I think I paid $65, it's between a town called Galt and Herald. The bike was mostly flat with a few rollers, and a good tailwind for half of it. Pretty fast course. The run is mostly on a fire road, and/or trails. Though I'm not speed demon, there seemed to be highly qualified participants (some very nice bikes).

I think the company that puts it on is called tbfracing.

It's nice to not have to pay $200 plus to race, I think.

"highly qualified participants (some very nice bikes)".

Haha! Judge not a (wo)man's talent by the value of (her or) his bike. I've got a fairly nice bike but I'm no speed demon--getting passed by a guy riding a bike worth half mine is pretty normal. But I get your meaning :)

Also, an OLY that charges $200 had better either be the Chicago Triathlon, the NYC Triathlon, or the "Happy Endings" Triathlon. Most OLYs in a 200 mile radius of me are $100 or less, usually way less (except for Chicago).

Though I wrote it in exactly the way you quoted, my intention was disjunctive. Qualified participants. Some very nice bikes. Not that the qualified participants were the ones on the very nice bikes. I was surprised by the quality of the bike porn because I expected a small time race.

Though I ride my road bike with aerobars, I ride a very nice bike and am a back of the packer (at the very back of the pack), and get passed by everybody. For me, just one part of the tri experience that I love is the toys. Was the same way with golf too back when I played. I like to read all the magazines and I like to buy nice things. Call me a poseur if you want, but I'm out there busting my butt attempting to get better.

My goal was to complete a HIM, which I did in Hawaii this year. Now, I am on the slow, slow path of getting better.

I've done the Tri for Real #1, in June, a couple of times. I've been very happy with the way TBF runs their races. The routes are well marked and there are a lot of helpful volunteers. The run course is a fun mix of road and packed trails.

I didn't stay for AG group announcements because I was beat and I thought I'd come in 6th for my age group. (They give plaques 5 deep.) I was truly amazed when I got a plaque in the mail last week for my 4th place finish. I thought that was very cool of them.

Now if they could only do something about the heat...

It is a little strange to site off the Nuclear cooling towers. I was just happy to pace at 50 minutes better than my "just finish" Hawaii 70.3 time. I respect those folks like you who are in the running to podium. Nice going.