My first triathlon was at Mackinac City in 2009. I signed up because a couple of friends were doing it, and I wanted a reason to really learn how to swim. It only took one triathlon - and I was hooked. Triathlon is a growing sport, not only in quantity but also in quality. People are training harder and pushing the speeds in all age groups.
Improved speed requires training, and therein lies the frustration with biking in the lower - traffic. No matter what time of the day or day of the week you hit the road, a passenger side door mirror will be very close by. Exhaust fumes, horns, people yelling at you to get on the sidewalk - it tends to take the buzz out of training.
That all disappears when you train in the U.P.! Endless miles of pristine roads, trails, lakes and scenery - with no traffic. When considering a vacation to the U.P. you might think of camping, fishing, hunting or hiking - but it is also undoubtedly the perfect destination spot for the best triathlon training in the state!
While you won’t see many cars, don’t be surprised to see a passing bear, wolf, deer, or even moose. There’s nothing better than putting miles in the open fresh air to build your base. And the U.P. has everything you’ll need. Flats, hills, curves, solid pavement, soft trails, pristine lakes or natures own endless pool - crystal clear rivers. The U.P. has it all to take your triathlon to the next level.
