PTC Celebrates Wildflower’s 30th

PTC celebrated Wildflower’s 30^th Anniversary in Party Triathlon Club style, with 45 racers and 20 fun-loving revelers / support crew driving up to the beautiful rolling hills around Lake San Antonio for a weekend of sporting fun. Many fought their inner domestic to camp out in the wild amongst PTC’s “Tent City” while others gave in to their softer side and RV’d it to enjoy creature comforts. But it was a fabulous weekend for all to celebrate accomplishments, mark milestones, and feel the pain of Nasty Grade!

Getting There

Heading up early Wednesday, an advance crew (and a massive roll of CAUTION tape) secured our spot at Redonda Vista Camping Area N – great trees, next to the bathroom and – oh yeah, the Cal Poly Saturday Night Naked Run. As more of the troops began to arrive, we got to work setting up tents and getting in some test runs on the course.

Bracing for Impact

Somehow Thursday and Friday disappeared in a haze of relaxing, swimming, running, biking, eating, drinking. . . while all the time camps filled up and the “buzzzzzzzz” started as bikes were prepped and packets were picked up. The stress level noticeably elevated on Friday night as the long course loomed ahead . . .

Long Course Race Day!

Saturday morning arrived clear and bright and early, and we were off! Racers deployed the waves . . . pros first out and back like elegant performance machines, then age groupers of all shapes and shades and abilities. Back and forth:  water, transition, road, transition, trail, and finish!  And the best part of the race – no one is dashing home to pick up their responsibilities of family and funds – its back to camp for celebration!

Party Time

Under tents, stars and the influence of some serious margaritas, we enjoyed another fabulous meal around a (seriously blazing) firepit, beat the crap out of a massive pepper piñata and shared stories of the day that became more marvelous with each telling. The group cheered a huge group of nude students that kept another long standing tradition going before taking in the stars (from the top of an RV) and turning in for the night.

Olympic Mimosa AID Station

Sunday was back to reality as we cheered our Olympic Distance racers, watched the Great Macca give the course a thorough beating and started the first ever PTC Mimosa  Aid Station, before sadly departing to head homeward to real life and a  mountain of laundry.

The end of an epic weekend – we laughed, we cried, we celebrated friendship and built new bonds. No one ended up in the medical tent (for anything serious), and we didn’t burn down the campsite . . . but then there is always next year . . .

OLE!

Training Series Recap

What a great time riding with everyone on Sundays.  This was the first year of partnering with the Pasadena Marathon to put on a series of group training rides leading up to the Bike Tour and it was exciting (and challenging!) to have so much interest.  Thank you for coming out, getting stronger and having fun on Sundays.  With the great training program from TriCentric Training it was exciting to see so many people getting stronger as the rides got longer and we ventured outside the Rose Bowl to preview pieces of the Marathon course.  Judging from the feedback at the marathon all the hard work paid off in smiles, fitness and a happier race day.

Thank You

Many people and organizations were instrumental in making the training series happen.  Thank you to the Pasadena Marathon for getting the word out and putting on such a great event every year, as well as organizing a great kick-off party at Dapne’s.

Thank you to TriCentric Training and Coach Brandon Heflin for putting together a training plan and coaching people up at a Sunday ride.  Nothing beats having a plan of attack and some experience when taking on an athletic event for the first or ‘done this a lot’ time.

Volunteers

To all the Pasadena Triathlon Club volunteers, no may this happens without you.  With 30+ riders ready to go it was great to have 4+ riders with the group to help with some mechanicals, keep everyone together and share their experience having fun riding bikes.

Bike Tour Riders

What a great time!  We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did and had a great Pasadena Marathon Bike Tour.  We look forward to seeing you out on the road spinning those pedals with your hard earned fitness.  With the bike squared away all you need is a pair of running shoes and some goggles and you are ready for your first Triathlon!  Thank you for your enthusiasm and making this such a fun program.

What’s Next?

Keep riding and keep in touch with Pasadena Triathlon  Club on our Facebook or webpage and stay safe.  Lots of rides, runs and swims with the club on the Calendar if you are looking for more fun to stay fit!

See you out there,

Greg

Training Series Coordinator

Pasadena Triathlon Club

What

The return of the Pasadena Tri Club Wednesday Brick.  First brick is March 21, 2012 @ 5:30pm.  Start time moves to 6:00pm April 25th, 2012.  Bring your bike and run gear and be prepared for an hour on the bike, a 30 minute run and some good times and good eats following.  All bricks will start with a friendly social lap of the Rose Bowl, followed by varying routes (check for maps on the Calendar).

Where

Meet in Lot I of the Rose Bowl near the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and Baseball field.

Special Bricks

Brick & BBQ

From time to time the BBQ will come out and we’ll keep the party going in Lot I until it is dark and no triathlete goes home hungry.  Keep your eyes open for the announcement of the next Brick & BBQ.

Transition Brick

Time to practice transition.  This special brick will happen about 3 times a year.  We will ride a shortened bike and run course, but do multiple laps, giving you practice getting those shoes off and on while kicking up the heart rate.

Safety

General Ride Rules

• Rain cancels official training, check the member message board for alternate options and die-hard riders
• Posted ride time is when the ride starts
• Be self-sufficient – bring tubes, cell phone, bike tools etc.
• Be able to lock your bike in your car or on your rack
• Don’t forget nutrition
• Ride safely – wear a helmet, no earphones, no riding aeros in a group
• No helmet = no riding with PTC = no exceptions