New Jackson Hole Triathlon Club
Posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
Doug Cook recently started a triathlon club in Jackson Hole. The following is an excerpt from the letter he sent out to interested parties. He says the interest so far has been overwhelming. Coming soon: Web site, photographs, training regimens and much more!
This is the beginning. First informational meeting: 7 p.m. February 17 in the multi purpose room at the Rec Center.
And now, From Doug:
I’m writing to let you know that I’m in the process of starting a triathlon club in the Jackson Hole area. I think the sport of triathlon has lots of interest in our community, and it’s time for a tri club to be established. This will be an informal club to start, with the main idea being to make training a little more social. Some of the club benefits and ideas we’ve come up with so far include:
* monthly meetings with speakers to talk about the four disciplines – Swim, Bike, Run and Transitions. Possible speakers to include: Barb Lindquist – professional triathlete and Olympian; Scott Fitzgerald – owner of Fitzgerald’s Bicycles; Eric Orton – USA Triathlon Certified Coach; Scott “Smitty” Smith – owner/trainer at One to One Wellness; Geanie Young – coach at “Try the Tri”; Dick Weinbrandt – multiple Ironman finisher and owner of Peaked Sports, ID; Michael Hays – president of the Eastern Idaho Triathlon Club.
* a JHTC website – with links to upcoming races (and who’s attending), triathlon forums, a tri-gear classified section, a carpooling section, links to other triathlon sites, etc.
* a monthly newsletter via email
* bi-weekly mini-triathlons (informal) to gauge your fitness level (early in the week so you’re fresh for weekend races….maybe Tuesdays?).
* swim clinics – monthly pool rentals at the Rec Center with stroke analysis.
* open water swim trainings in Grand Teton Park National Park.
* weekly running sessions – speed sessions at the track, as well as organized long distant workouts (this could be done with current running clubs in Jackson).
* weekly training rides – hills, tempo rides, long distance weekend rides, etc.
* bike maintenance clinics for tri club members
* sponsor discounts – exclusive club discounts/benefits being negotiated with Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, Hoback Sports, Skinny Skis, The Sports Authority, Peaked Sports, One-to-One Wellness, coaching at “Train With Eric”, Excel Physical Therapy, USA Triathlon, Triathlete Magazine, many local restaurants, and more…….a specific list will be sent later.
* reduced registration at future club sponsored races – yes, we’re hoping to bring a triathlon back to the Jackson Hole area!!
Club fees are yet to be determined, based on how much interest is generated (somewhere around $35/year). These nominal fees will help pay for guest speakers/coaches (if not volunteer), social events (with adult beverages of course), facility rentals, website/newsletter, minimal accident insurance with USAT providing coverage at trainings/events, all above mentioned benefits, etc. The club will be a non-profit! Any extra money will go back into the club in the form of scholarships, social events, volunteer and community efforts, etc. We will be looking for volunteers to lead workouts, and for any interested parties to join our “Board.”
One last note involves team uniforms. By no means are Jackson Hole Triathlon Club members required to purchase uniforms, but it’d be nice to show up at races dressed the part (and you’d get a high-quality, top-of-the-line, fast outfit). Currently we’ve partnered with Fitzgerald’s Bicycles, who have extended their current Team benefits to our new club.
Fitzgerald’s Bicycles 2009 Team Benefits include:
* a payback % on race entry fees (as long as you wear the uniform) – this percentage is currently being negotiated.
* 15% shop discounts (except bike purchases)
* weekly group rides
* at least 2 payback parties per year to socialize with fellow teammates (this will be in addition to any Jackson Hole Triathlon Club social events).
* the initiation fee for the Fitzgerald Team is buying a team jersey (or tri top) and shorts at wholesale costs (Jersey or Tri Top – $71, Shorts -$75. These prices could be less if enough people order; 12 is our minimum team order). Louis Garneau is this years brand….see store for details (11-7 M-F, 10-5 Sat, closed Sun; ph 734-6886). The turnaround time on getting these uniforms is about 3 months. So in order to have them ready for the upcoming season, we should order no later than March 1st. We will be having an upcoming night at Fitzgerald’s to try uniform sizes. The date will be announced shortly.
Hoback Sports and Peaked Sports also have cycling teams to join that will provide a uniform and additional team perks. Their exact details are yet to be determined. Again, the bike shop buy-ins are optional. It’s just the cheapest way for JHTC to attain quality race attire, and gain the benefits from well established, highly successful teams (and a way to cash in on race entry fee “paybacks”). Hopefully down the road we will have our own JHTC uniforms. Regardless, these bike shops will be a big part of our team (allowing us to use their shops for guest speakers, organizing group bike rides, providing bike maintenance nights, etc.) All JHTC members are welcome to use any bike shop. If you don’t join Team Fitzgerald’s or another team, you will still have access to all the JHTC benefits listed at the top of the page.
Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy email. Hopefully I hear some positive feedback on the idea of starting a club like this. Please respond back to let me know if you’d like to continue receiving these emails (or not to receive). If you know of anyone who might be interested in getting involved please feel free to forward. In addition to the “uniform fit night” at Fitzgerald’s, we’re in the process of having an informational session at the Rec Center. This date is currently scheduled for Tuesday February 17 at 7 p.m. in the “muliti-purpose” room. More to come…!!
Do you have a copy of running races in Jackson Hole fo2 2009. Please send to my address – willie.richardson@tetonscience.org
Hello Doug, just surfing the web and ran across your new tri club. Last year i started a running club in jackson, teton trail runners. we run weekly fun runs June-Sept (maybe oct) on Monday nights. 6 oclock. we meet at a different location each week and are currently working on this years schedule. There are also tuesday night track workouts with Lisa Smith-Batchen at the JH high School track. Wed night there are trail runs at targhee run also by Lisa. I would love to have some of your tri-members at the teton trail runners Monday night weekly runs, if that is something that you are interested in? Let me know if you have any questions, ideas, etc…
Thank you for your time!
Alyssa Larsen