#2
MISSOULA, MONTANA
Head straight out your door in Missoula and you’ll ride for hours without stopping—unless you’re not yet fit enough to tackle the challenging climbs which ascend
in three breathtaking directions. Mountain biking is equally awesome in this outdoor
enthusiast Shangri-la, and an impressive trail system and downtown dirt track provide
plush run options as well. Olympic medalist Dave Berkoff coaches swim sessions at
the University of Montana and the city’s recently rebuilt 50-meter pool. Or, take a
break from the black line and swim briskly upstream in one of the three rivers that
converge in town.
Team Stampede, where local pro and Ironman Coeur d’Alene champion Linsey Corbin
first cut her triathlon teeth, boasts more than 200 members—all of whom will eagerly
join you for a Big Sky brew or Big Dipper ice cream post-training. Retailers Missoula
Bike Works and Runner’s Edge also provide training partners, gear and advice aplenty.
The heartiest triathletes train outdoors year-round here, while others opt for winter
indoor training on treadmills and trainers, or else take part in a snow sport-inspired
segue from the swim, bike and run grind. A cold weather inversion layer can cast a
cloud over Missoula’s pristine mountain beauty, but with the money you’ll save due to
You’re a multisport athlete
with secret bull-riding ambi-
tions and don’t mind the cold. Cowboy
culture is alive and well in Montana.
Quick getaways are a
must. With most ;ights
from Missoula International Airport
funneling through Seattle, Denver or
Salt Lake City, it’s likely two or three
stops until your ;nal destination.
John Segesta/ johnsegesta.com
A NOD TO THE TRI’D & TRUE
We can’t help but give a little “Best Of” list love to these perennial winners:
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Tropical island home to our sport’s pinnacle, near-spiritual event. Need we say more?
San Diego, Calif. Land of surf, sun, sand—and loads of Lycra. Plus, it’s the balmy home base to Triathlete magazine and our sister
publication, Inside Triathlon. Yup, we’re biased.
Boulder, Colo. Open roads, winding trails and (literally) breathtaking mountain vistas. A pro (or three or four) in every swim lane.
If only their talents were contagious.
Bend, Ore. The Pacific Northwest’s Boulder—at two-thirds the altitude and half the price.
Tucson, Ariz. Year-round opportunity to get schooled heading up Mount Lemmon’s 19-mile climb.
San Francisco, Calif. Café society city living with spellbinding natural resources and a lavish spread of tri sport events.
Austin, Texas Hip music and club scene meets equally happening cycling and running culture.
Clermont, Fla. Home to Florida’s only actual hills—and to the country’s only National Training Center, a 300-acre campus designed
to bring out your inner über-athlete.
Bellevue, Wash. Upscale cross-lake neighbor to Seattle’s Emerald City. Less earthy, more affluent, equally outdoor-affectionate.
Madison, Wis. College town energy and ambiance with big city assets—not to mention heaps of swim, bike and run rewards.
46 triathlete.com
october 2010
