Agreed!
Thanks for bringing attention to Auburn tri and great points about broadening horizons.
After five years of the “standard” Bay Area events, this will be my last year. Love the events (WF, Escape, Vineman), all managed well, and what swim can beat Alcatraz to SF? But, the events have become too frustrating to get in, and worst yet, I find myself enjoying them less with all of the TNT-types that seem to be monopolizing the events.
I have already started to make the move - instead of vineman, I am going to events in the midwest.
Next year, you will find me in Auburn…hopefully I won’t rip my hair out at 2am in December while registering and at the event won’t hear “GOOOOO Team” yelled to the rider crossing the center divide.