Relatively new to Boulder and have struggled to meet/find people to train with. The triathlon/cycling scene seems a bit cliquey as far as I can tell. Pros train with other Pros and then there seems to be a strong community of age-groupers that are less competitive minded. I am aware of the Boulder Tri Club, but are there any “higher-level” groups that train together?
I spent a few months there this summer, and you are right about it being cliquey. I swam at Rally as they have quite a few masters workouts. I did a majority of my rides and runs on my own, however my coach was there for the summer as well so did meet up with him from time to time.
I believe there are a few weekday rides that leave from the last light heading out of town on 36, but can’t remember the exact details and it was a cycling group ride, not triathlete group.
Quite a few people seem to run with the Boulder Track Club, not sure if you have looked into that group at all for running.
Enjoy Boulder, I had a great time there!
I’m training with IPA Endurance. Ipaendurance.com
This is the best group I’ve ever trained with. We are a higher level team, looking to perform to the best of our individual abilities. The focus race will be IM Boulder, a few of us are doing other IMs around that time frame. Check out the www and Like us on FB. Join in for some workouts, and see if we are a fit for you. I really can’t say enough great things about this team.
Relatively new to Boulder and have struggled to meet/find people to train with. The triathlon/cycling scene seems a bit cliquey as far as I can tell. Pros train with other Pros and then there seems to be a strong community of age-groupers that are less competitive minded. I am aware of the Boulder Tri Club, but are there any “higher-level” groups that train together?
Many of the “higher-level” groups are training groups run by their coach (e.g. Apex w. Neal Henderson).
Pros tend to train with Pro’s because they’ll all free to ride at 10am.
Your best bet is to join up with a team. Perhaps look at race results and see if there is a team that stands out with athletes similar to you.
Else, show up to Stroke and Strides over the summer and be social.
Think of it this way: The largest ski clubs in the country are in the southeast… where there is no skiing. When things aren’t readily available people get together to make it happen. In Boulder there are so many people to train with and so many places to train that large groups do not form… but there are countless smaller ones composed of friends… not just training partners.
Relatively new to Boulder and have struggled to meet/find people to train with. The triathlon/cycling scene seems a bit cliquey as far as I can tell. Pros train with other Pros and then there seems to be a strong community of age-groupers that are less competitive minded. I am aware of the Boulder Tri Club, but are there any “higher-level” groups that train together?
Many of the “higher-level” groups are training groups run by their coach (e.g. Apex w. Neal Henderson).
Pros tend to train with Pro’s because they’ll all free to ride at 10am.
Your best bet is to join up with a team. Perhaps look at race results and see if there is a team that stands out with athletes similar to you.
Else, show up to Stroke and Strides over the summer and be social.
Think of it this way: The largest ski clubs in the country are in the southeast… where there is no skiing. When things aren’t readily available people get together to make it happen. In Boulder there are so many people to train with and so many places to train that large groups do not form… but there are countless smaller ones composed of friends… not just training partners.
Strokes and Strides is definitely a good way to network once that starts, but as previously stated, groups can be pretty specific and hard to come by without help. There is a Saturday morning group ride from the Gateway Fun park. It starts every year after Jan 1, as long as the roads are safe. Large group (up to 50-60), mostly roadie centric, but a good hard ride up to Carter Lake and back. 60 miles. Many of the elite and pro road/tri guys and gals show up until race season really gets going.
Welcome to the People’s Republic. See you on the road.
Give Boulder Triathlon Club a try. BTC has several groups at different levels of competition (OK, yeah maybe cliques, but welcoming cliques)…from serious Kona qualifiers to those who are there for the social scene. A very decent (but not bepsoke) training package with Eric Kenney Coaching is included in your membership, plus solid discounts with many local shops, and social/training events.
Check out Fast Forward as well. They have a bunch of group sessions that are a great way to meet tri people and runners. They have a big Bolder Boulder training group and it would be good to join that group as they prepare and get ready for the second best race of the year in Boulder…obviously #2 to IM Boulder…but I am not biased at all.
DC
70.3 and IM Boulder RD