Pole, Pedal, Paddle

Last weekend, Ann and I braved the not so spring like conditions to take part in the 33rd annual Pole, Pedal, Paddle. For the uninitiated, this race takes place on the last Saturday of the ski season at the Teton Village Resort. It starts with a downhill ski, followed by a nordic ski, bike, and ends with a paddle in the Snake River. Ann and I entered in the couples racing division. I did the downhill ski, Ann cruised through the skate ski, I biked, and we both paddled the Gentry family canoe down the river. Last year at this time there wasn't enough snow to complete the nordic portion but this year was quite the opposite. Not only was there plenty of snow on the ground but more fell throughout the day.

I managed not to wipe out on the downhill ski portion of the race but wasn't much of a match for the skiing crowd in Jackson and we finished the first leg in 71st out of 132 teams but only 90 seconds behind the leaders. The bib was passed and Ann quickly made up time with the second fastest female skate skiing leg; we were in 30th when she gave me the bib for the biking leg. Despite the layer of snow on some of the road, I was happy to be riding outside rather than on a trainer and rode with the 9th fastest bike time which landed us in 15th place with 3 of 4 disciplines complete. Unfortunately, our aluminum canoe was no match for the racing kayaks and we were trounced in the paddle leg but were happy with our 49th place overall and 2nd in our division (racing couples).

Good work Ann, we make a good team.