2011 Race Recommendations

I've personally never done it, but I hear the Guelph Lake events are really nice.

on my TO-DO list (whenever I get the nerve up!) is the Gravenhurst Olympic distance tri.

love the thought of being "boated" out to the start by an old steam ship

on my TO-DO list (whenever I get the nerve up!) is the Gravenhurst Olympic distance tri.

love the thought of being "boated" out to the start by an old steam ship

I liked Bala Falls (multisport series), quite a bit.  It's not as big of a race (at least it wasn't this year) and a bit of a drive if you are in TO.  I did the Grimsby sprint and Bala this year.  Here's my comparison:

swim: Bala has warmer water, little waves, no currents.  Grimsby, cold water, can get choppy in Lake Ontario.
bike: Bala is rolling hills, no major climbs, little wind.  Grimsby has one big climb, pancake flat after that, usually winds on top of the escarpment.
run: Bala run is way hillier with few short steep climbs, very little flat.  Finish is downhill.  Grimsby run is pretty flat with a few inclines + the XC section.

I think it depends on what aspect of the race appeals to you. 

Personally I like trying different landscapes.  For that reason - I wasn't a big fan of Toronto Island - the swim was great but the bike and run were a bore (flat flat flat) with tourists everywhere.  Welland didn't have the tourists but the landscape was a bit repetitive on the bike (flat) - the run was on a pretty canal trail.  I did the Niagara try-a-tri and loved riding alongside vineyards.  I really enjoy Belwood - I imagine it's like Guelph without the crowds.  The bike is a really pretty ride (rolling hills) and the water is calm and without the goose poop.  Love Ottawa in the fall - running through the woods on wood chip trail.  I did Cobourg last year and the bike was really challenging but great views when you got to the top. 

What is everyone's favorite Olympic distance race?  I'm looking to do one next year.  I've done the Sprint races at Guelph Lake I and at Kelso (Women's tri).  I would never do the Olympic at the women's race - 2 bike loops, and 4 run loups of a tough course are not my ideas of fun.  Guelph Lake I is a possiblity I guess but I hear there are a lot of competitors and the mass swim start is rough.

The only one that I've done was the Wasaga Tri this year. I loved it so I would recommend that one. The only thing that some people might not like is that the swim has a long run out/in portion, because the water is shallow for a long time.

I really liked the woodstock course this year.  I'm also a big fan of the Orillia tri.

I suggest picking an "A" race that is not quite local - i.e. Quebec or NY or Michigan...

In my second season I did the Montreal 'Esprit' Olympic distance in september - it was a great race and kept me motivated all season.

I'd recommend the Belwood sprint and the Cobourg olympic. Belwood has a flat fast run course but the last portion of the bike is more up hill then down. Cobourg is known for it's hilly bike course (and I love it).

I would love to go somewhere overnight, but with two wee kids at home, it's not really in the cards for another few years.  Also, it really gave me a boost this year when I could see my husband and "babies" (3 and 17 months at the time) cheering me on at the finish line, and I'd like to have them come see me finish again next year....

Sounds like Guelph is popular....

Guelph is amazing but my favourite Ontario race is Muskoka.  Train in the hills if you decide to go. The only real flat section is the swim.

Sounds like K-Town would be a bit of a drive for you, but it's another awesome race.

The recommendation about planning an out of province race is a great one. I usually register for at least two  races that are overnighters.  I bring the family and we make a mini-holiday out of it.  This year we camped at Gunstock Mt for the Timberman Race and rented a couple of rooms in a B&B in Sonoma county for the Vineman.  We went to Syracuse too. I tri - d and the family shopped.