Does anyone know anything about the course for this race? The website does not have a course map.
I just rode the bike course, it has a bit of everything but no real hard climbing.
The swim looks to be in a small lake and I haven’t done the run yet.
jaretj
Peoria is now considered ‘wild’? That’s troubling…
Does anyone know of a place that posts/updates trail conditions for this event (Xterra Illinois Wilds)?
I did this race somewhat recently.
Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club (google them) has very, very good Illinois trail conditions updates for some central IL courses. A similar club, in Peoria is:
pambamtb dot org (Peoria Area MTB?).
I cannot vouch for their trail updates. But they ride on the same course as the Wilds.
The swim is the only clear water swim I’ve ever done in central IL. It seems to be in a kind of old reservoir, but the water is very clear.
The run is a mix of gravel, asphalt, and Illinois hills, short and steep for the most part.
You can stay at the park – I recommend staying in the caboose. I think the park is an old mine site (?) and has a little hotel and 4 or so converted RR cars. Both are near the start of the race.
You run past a few outdoor cages for the wildlife the park houses/tends, and maybe a small field with elk and bison and such. The park seems to do a lot of nature/wildlife education (my kids loved it for a weekend trip back in the day), so I think that’s why it’s ‘wild’?
ETA – all local bike shops here have folks who ride these trails. If you search for bike shops in Peoria, Decatur, Bloomington, even Champaign in Illinois, just call and tell them what’s up. Someone there will have ridden here recently or know the conditions.
The run is through the wildlife park itself. Not technical.
Do the race. It is a blast. Though I don’t consider the lack to be “clear”.
Thanks much appreciated!
I totally forgot this event existed. This looks awesome. I’m in Rockford and would be tempted to drive the 2.5 hours down on race morning with that 9a start.
Contact PAMBAmtb facebook or Peoria Tri club. Extremely helpful people. Everyone rides there regularly. Used to live there but moved a couple of years ago.
Very mellow atmosphere event, not too technical but not easy either. The front end of the race will be very fast. Thoroughly recommended. It’s an old gravel strip mine area that’s been repurposed over the past 50 years. The wildlife park is the most unique place in Central Illinois. The MTB course is quite rocky and a lot of fun.
Bumping this since it’s coming up this Sunday. Looks like a bit of rain in the forecast all week (which is the story in the top half of Illinois for a month or so). Should be a lot of fun no matter what.
Is this a trail shoe or normal/road shoe kind of run? I have seen Xterras from flat running path to creek crossing and ropes to get up inclines.
Laura just posted this will likely be a wetsuit legal swim. Dang it (I don’t have one).
I will run this year in street shoes as there isn’t anything very “trail” about the run. Some gravel road, some grass. Some pavement.
Thanks! I think that email rolled in an hour or so after I posted that. I appreciate the heads up on the running shoes.
what…!!! wow
i am originally from peoria and rode those trails back in hs and summers in college. I have to make it back and do that race at some point!
someone take some pics and post or dm them to me! ill def look into this one!
PEORIA!! hahahaha
daved
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Very cool event. Well organized and run. I hope to come back next year.
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Holy crap do I have some work to do on the mountain bike.
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There was as bit of trail and elevation change on the run. I don’t remember much/any pavement. While road running shoes will get you by in dry conditions, going sockless (per usual for sprint/oly distance) in my normal shoes tore me up pretty good. Socks and something with a little more midsole is what I will be doing next time.
Again, very cool event. Great atmosphere. It seemed much more friendly than a road-based tri.
I have done this one 3 years in a row now. Laura keeps improving the event. I really liked the small changes to the ride course (though it cut out where I have eaten and drank previously) and the run. I still need to work on my run.
One of the best things about this mtb course is it is short enough there is almost always someone just ahead so you someone to chase down.