It’s only 2 weeks to go to Port Mac Ironman and those racing will be having their last big effort this weekend and tapering after that.
Which leads to the question – what are the rest of us doing in the off season?
Well here’s a couple of suggestions:
Well known to Tour de France fans, the Alpe d’Huez is one of the most iconic mountains in the world of cycling.
The region is also now known in triathlon circles thanks to the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon. Now in its ninth year, the event offers a festival atmosphere over a week of races and activities.
Highlights of the event include swimming in the picturesque Lac du Verney before riding up the famed 21 Switchbacks.
What: Long Course (2.2km/115km/22km), Short Course (1.2km/30km/7km)
Where: Huez
When: 27–31 July, 2014
Or something a bit closer to home
A tropical paradise only 55 minutes by ferry from Singapore, Bintan island provides the perfect backdrop for an ultimate triathlon experience combined with a holiday.
Or closer to home again……..
Swim. Bike. Run in Paradise!
Set in one of the world’s most iconic tropical locations, the 2014 Cairns Airport Adventure Festival will take place from 1 June to 8 June 2014.
The festival features a jam packed festival event guide for people of all ages and abilities including; Flight Centre Active Travel IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns, Coral Coast Triathlon, RRR Mountain Bike Challenge, Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge, Quicksilver Reef Swim – Green Island, The Cairns Post Run for Cairns and McDonalds IRONKIDS Cairns – a triathlon designed especially for kids!
The pinnacle event of the festival is Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns, a gruelling iron-distance triathlon that features a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike leg along one of the most scenic coastal roads in Australia towards Port Douglas and a 42.2km run that includes the Cairns Esplanade before finishing in the heart of Cairns.
There are also 70.3 and 5150 options available.
Ed’s note: I’ve heard the bike leg through the rainforest is spectacular.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/multisports/cairns/athletes.aspx#ixzz2zBj4tA3R
Or closer still (and this one is a favorite of Gav’s)
Murray Man returns to magnificent Lake Bonney and the town of Barmera in the heart of the Riverland for 2014.
Sunday November 9 will give long course triathletes an opportunity for a hit out 3 weeks before the inaugural Western Sydney 70.3 (30 Nov) and four weeks before Busselton Ironman.
With plenty of accommodation options and tourist attractions, the Berri-Barmera area is a great place to plan a family get away and enjoy the very best the Riverland has to offer, all with great country hospitality.