General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Southwest Virginia Triathletes Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-08-20 3:48 PM

User image

Veteran
269
1001002525
Phoenix
Subject: Southwest Virginia Triathletes

Hi all, I recentley moved to the southwest part of Virginia.  I am from Phoenix Arizona and miss training with the group out there.  I was hoping to find other triathletes in teh area to train with.  Fell free to introduce yourself here or via PM.  Happy trails!



2009-08-20 7:29 PM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Regular
186
100252525
SW VA
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
There is a lot of geography that constitutes SWVA... where exactly are you?

Roanoke VA here.
2009-08-21 6:20 AM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Extreme Veteran
439
10010010010025
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
were are you i am Moneta VA 55 mins outside Roanoke,Sarah
2009-08-21 1:21 PM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Veteran
269
1001002525
Phoenix
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes

I am in the town of Marion.  I work between Tri-Cities and Roanoke.  I divide the week between Roanoke and Tri-Cities.  I have been running at Sugar Hollow park.  It's pretty nice and the hills are something new that I am not used to.  When I am in Roanoke I run down the Roanoke river.  That is a beautiful run, and I have really enjoyed it.  It's not flat but flatter than in Bristol. 

I will be running Roanoke river this afternoon.  Hope to meet some new tri-folks soon.

Adam

2009-08-21 1:26 PM
in reply to: #2362767

User image

Veteran
269
1001002525
Phoenix
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes

Adam0778 - 2009-08-21 11:21 AM

I am in the town of Marion.  I work between Tri-Cities and Roanoke.  I divide the week between Roanoke and Tri-Cities.  I have been running at Sugar Hollow park.  It's pretty nice and the hills are something new that I am not used to.  When I am in Roanoke I run down the Roanoke river.  That is a beautiful run, and I have really enjoyed it.  It's not flat but flatter than in Bristol. 

I will be running Roanoke river this afternoon.  Hope to meet some new tri-folks soon.

Adam

Oh and I will be starting the run near the Hospital.  Not sure what that area is called.

2009-08-21 5:17 PM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Veteran
126
10025
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
Hi, I'm down in Blacksburg.  I haven't done any training in Roanoke but might be willing to make the trip occasionally for a group workout of some sort.


2009-08-24 3:34 PM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Regular
186
100252525
SW VA
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
You are referring to the Roanoke Greenway.  It is a very nice area to run. 

There are some great rides, runs, and a couple of groups that swim in the area (open water).

If you are interested in catching up on some group training email here and we coordinate schedules.

Mark
2009-08-28 2:55 PM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Regular
853
5001001001002525
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
Ok, I am in the remote part of Southwest VA.  I live in Wise, VA.  Right now, I am driving 1 hour just so I can swim at the Coomes Center in Abingdon.  In a week or so the pool at UVA Wise should be open and I can swim there again, but I have found Tri training to be difficult in this area.  Running here is great, but the bike and the swim are a little tougher.  Most of our roads don't have a shoulder, and the motorists here aren't used to seeing bikes on what they believe to be their roads.

My friend that I have been training with is moving to Roanoke next week, so I'm really gonna miss her.  My husband is a VT alum, so we do visit Blacksburg fairly often.  In fact we are going there this weekend.  Maybe we can get in some decent training.

jami 
2009-08-28 6:20 PM
in reply to: #2377012

User image

Expert
1053
10002525
Culpeper, VA
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
jdotten - 2009-08-28 3:55 PM Ok, I am in the remote part of Southwest VA.  I live in Wise, VA.  Right now, I am driving 1 hour just so I can swim at the Coomes Center in Abingdon.  In a week or so the pool at UVA Wise should be open and I can swim there again, but I have found Tri training to be difficult in this area.  Running here is great, but the bike and the swim are a little tougher.  Most of our roads don't have a shoulder, and the motorists here aren't used to seeing bikes on what they believe to be their roads.

My friend that I have been training with is moving to Roanoke next week, so I'm really gonna miss her.  My husband is a VT alum, so we do visit Blacksburg fairly often.  In fact we are going there this weekend.  Maybe we can get in some decent training.

jami 

I have heard some people talk about the Creeper Trail in that area.  My grandfather at one time wanted he and I to mountain bike it.  That's in the Abingdon area is it not?  Any way to utilize it in your training?  Maybe a cyclocross set of wheels?
 
2009-08-29 12:35 AM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Veteran
126
10025
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
Where are good OWS spots in this area?
2009-08-31 6:15 AM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Regular
853
5001001001002525
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes

The Creeper trail is really nice, and I do utilize it as often as I can.  When I drive to Abingdon to swim I run there on the Creeper.  I signed up to do the Virginia Creeper Marathon there this Spring too.  Should be fun.  The Creeper is about 37 miles long running from Abingdon to White Top.  The ride from Damascus to White Top is uphill-not bad though.  Most people are shuttled to White Top and ride back down.  The surface is gravel, and the surface is pretty rough at the later parts closer to White Top due to it being a steeper incline and the rain.  It is also in a wooded area, so it doesn't see the sun.  A cyclocross bike would be pretty fun on that trail.  There is also the New River Trail from Pulaski to Galax, VA.  The trail is 57 miles long.  Lots of horses on that trail, but I have biked there 2x.  Very nice.  Both are part of the Rails to Trails system.

jami  




2009-08-31 2:16 PM
in reply to: #2377012

User image

Veteran
269
1001002525
Phoenix
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes

jdotten - 2009-08-28 12:55 PM Ok, I am in the remote part of Southwest VA.  I live in Wise, VA.  Right now, I am driving 1 hour just so I can swim at the Coomes Center in Abingdon.  In a week or so the pool at UVA Wise should be open and I can swim there again, but I have found Tri training to be difficult in this area.  Running here is great, but the bike and the swim are a little tougher.  Most of our roads don't have a shoulder, and the motorists here aren't used to seeing bikes on what they believe to be their roads.

My friend that I have been training with is moving to Roanoke next week, so I'm really gonna miss her.  My husband is a VT alum, so we do visit Blacksburg fairly often.  In fact we are going there this weekend.  Maybe we can get in some decent training.

jami 

Hi Jami, I live in Marion and I drive through Abingdon allot.  I have heard of the creeper trail system.  I have not yet run on it, but from the sounds of it I need to add that run into the mix.  I also agree on the area not being friendly to training.  I think people are wondering why people are running and/or riding bikes and not at home eating fried foods.  lol, just my observation.  I have taken to off road running.  I have enjoyed Hungry Mother state park.  The loop around the lake is 5.7 miles and loaded with hills.  Tough but a good run or mountain bike.  If you make it to Marion be sure and hit up Hungry Mother.

2009-08-31 8:59 PM
in reply to: #2361004

User image

Regular
853
5001001001002525
Subject: RE: Southwest Virginia Triathletes
Thanks Adam-I'll check out Hungry Mother.  My friend Dawn did the run portion of a mtn. tri that was held there.  Not sure if you are into kayaking, but there is the Mtn. Empire Challenge series of tris that have kayak instead of swim and a mtn bike and run.  A new one was introduced at Bark Camp Lake.  It's pretty rugged.  Also, there is a bike race called Benges Revenge on Sept. 20.  You can choose quarter century or 3/4 century distance.  It's pretty tough.  It begins at J.I. Burton HS in Norton.  You can look it up on the web-

www.bengesrevenge.com

My husband and I did the 1/4 last year for the 1st time and I came in last.  I was riding a comfort bike though.  Now I have a road bike, and have been riding on it since March.  I want to do this race again just to see how much faster I can go with a better bike.

Check it out

jami  
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Southwest Virginia Triathletes Rss Feed