Just wanted to throw this question out there regarding Bridgeport CA. The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) is there. I have never been to the area before but heard it is really beautiful. I was wondering if anyone has ever been out that way, done any tri-training, cycling or swimming at all there or nearby? I am on the cusp of accepting a good job opportunity there, but am concerned about training ability venues. I have to guess that as soon as the first snows hit in late Oct-early Nov, there won’t be any cycling that can be done locally. But is there a reasonable pool within reasonable distance, and can one cycle in the area when the weather is good? If not, where proximally can one cycle or swim then? I can deal with winter running, even snow-shoe running if need be, but swimming and cycling locales close to Bridgeport are important. Appreciate any insight from anyone on in the forum.
Bridgeport is about 1 hour north of me (Mammoth) and I think the marine base is another 30 minutes further north.
The closest pools would be in Minden which is over an hour from Bridgeport…would you live at the base or Bridgeport?
It gets really cold there :). I don’t think you’d want to do any winter riding…not sure what roads would be open except the 395…
Lots of trails - not sure of the snow load as you head east of the 395 up there. I’m sure all the marines run :).
That’s all I know…
Dave
You could swim in the river that runs through there. Of course you might have hypothermia after doing that. It gets really cold there, even in the summer it gets chilly in the evening.
the marine corps mountain warfare training center sits at the base of the one of the great alpine climbs you’re ever going to ride: sonora pass. i’ve done a ton of training out that way - cycling and running - and it’s pristine. it’s choice. it can’t be beat.
with these provisos. it’s not in bridgeport, it’s 17 miles away. the road that goes north/south, hwy 395 - over which i’ve probably worn out 4 sets of tires as often as i’ve driven that road to get to such great training - is not by itself the best road for cycling. there are great roads within reach, but, none of them are right at hand. what you have right there is a great, great alpine climb.
and, great running. the best.
depending on where you’re coming from, i’d say do it. but as another fellow said, there is a great aquatic facility, but it’s in minden, an hour away. so you’ll be relegated to 2 or 3 times a week. and, yes, in the winter, well, i hope you’re a nordic skier, or don’t mind becoming one.
Thanks…practical insight in the most cynical way- nonetheless definitely appreciated -and drives the point home.
Thanks Dave. Minden is good gouge for me to look into. An our huh? Not much choice then…A triathlete is unfortunately indispensably linked to his one training ‘crutch spot’-a swim location whether it be the ocean or a pool-but a place where once can simply…swim without interruption or like a rat in trap doing flip turns every 12 meters. One can turbo-train with great value if done right and focused, one can treadmill run or run outdoors bundled for cold, BUT…there is no substitute for swim training and very few of us can afford a VASA. Even if you could, it would not be the real swim-McCoy.
Thanks Stitch-the obvious is what it is.