REV 3 Barrelman Race Review
it hasn't been the ideal summer for me from a training or racing perspective. so, as i head into off season and then building for another year, i really needed a good race experience to restore my soul, to remind me of why i do this, to restore faith in my body, and, most of all, to remind myself about just how fun racing can be.
i was worried about all the logistics of a point to point race. i worried about getting to and from and getting all my stuff to t-1 in the morning. there was no need to. it took me 4 minutes to get to the shuttle on race morning, and i arrived at t-1 with more time than i've ever had. the bag drops were seamless. the bags themselves were a great size, about 30% bigger than at Ironman races, so that you could actually fit your own duffle inside. this made getting all the stuff like bottles, helmet etc to t-1 in the morning a non-issue. my large desoto bag fit inside the clear dry clothes bag we were provided, with a small pump inside. (i tested it out the night before).
on race morning, of course, according to murphy's law, my dry clothes bag rips in half and is rendered useless. i ask the people at the bag truck for another bag. their manager thinks quickly and tells me just to tie my clear bag with number sticker clearly visible to my duffle bag. problem solved. they have a clearly identifiable bag and i don't have to worry. i could have kissed him.
at the end of the race all my bags fit easily into my own duffle bag and i could ride back to my hotel, hassle free, rather than with three different bags hanging off my person banging into my wheels (as i recently did at Ironman texas).
as my wife remarked, "it is nice to see that Ironman has some competition". i agree, we need to keep the market alternatives alive, and Rev 3 are clearly offering something different and valuable. racing with them feels warm, safe, and like you are cared for.
so, in sum, my weekend at the Rev 3/Multisport Canada Barrelman was absolutely everything i could have wished for. it was a fun, well organized race, in a fantastic location. it was family friendly, and run and organized in a way that emphasized that racing should be a fun, personal challenge. all the while the race organizers make sure that you feel supported and cared for. i am looking forward to racing there again. it is without doubt one of the best races i have ever done.
so, thanks John for a great race, and i look forward to shaking your hand again at many finish lines as we grow old together.
the Barrelman tri this past weekend was just the answer. i want to thank John Salt and the Rev 3 crew for putting on one of the most memorable, fun and well organized races i have ever taken part in, and in so doing encourage any of you reading to consider giving this race a try in the future.
John Salt puts on great races. plain and simple. the Multisport Canada series was my introduction to the sport. the Barrelman was John's brainchild, and i have to hand it to him. it works. who can think of a more epic setting for a race than one of the natural wonders of the world?
certainly running by the horseshoe falls, seeing the rapids, feeling the mist, and running in front of that many people is an experience worth having. it is something that you will never forget.
niagara falls itself is a bit like las vegas by the water. it is a strip of hotels, arcades, casinos and restaurants that revels in its own sleaziness, yet, at the same time, is a fun and safe place to bring your family. historically known as the honeymoon capital of the world, niagara falls is now a place where people come to do naughty things, no doubt, but it strikes a nice balance in also presenting itself as a place with much to offer people with kids, seeking a fun place to get away from reality for a little while. out of this dichotomy and all the action surrounding it, comes a strange and fun kind of energy.
finding a place to stay won't be an issue. ditto a place to eat. everything is close by, and the falls is so full of things to do that you will not feel bad about leaving your family for a few hours while you go to check in your bike and attend the race meeting. my kids had a blast and i felt like the whole energy of the town added to my sense of fun about the race and also the sense that i was leaving my normal life behind for 48 hours. great venue for a race.
the region is so much more than just a resort town. niagara is home to some of the best and most beautiful farmland in canada, miles of relatively flat, fecund and colorful countryside surround the falls. fruit farms, a very respectable wine region, gorgeous parks.
the course of Barrelman itself draws on everything i mentioned above. the swim is in welland, about 20 minutes away by car, in a protected waterway, with a grandstand and a transition area made for racing. there are even built in airpumps for your bike in t-1! it is a relaxed, rural atmosphere but at the same time you feel like you are in a specialized facility that was made for triathlon (wait...is was!)
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| anyone in for a dip? there is a guide-line running the length of the entire course |
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| one advantage of a t-1 that was built with triathlon in mind, this needs to be everywhere |
the bike course is flat and fast, but also, quite fair. things were well spread out, drafting was not an issue. it is a beautiful course that passes by farms, alongside a lake, under a tunnel (really fun) and finishes with the niagara river on one side, and gorgeous mansions on the other.
the run course has so much variety and excitement to it that i can honestly say it is one of, if not, the most memorable run course i have ever done. you start by running beside the water along the niagara parkway for a while and then veer into a gorgeous park with shade cover and you run by a stream filled with birds. then a quick turn takes you up the one big hill and then you are on the most lonely part of the course, a nice back road going into town. in the not so far distance you see the towering sky-rises of downtown. next you are passing behind the casino, running on pathways of brick in-lay and victorian style gardens until you reach a staircase and then run down a monster hill. then, boom, you are right beside the Canadian falls, you can feel the mist and you are in the midst of all the excitement that is Niagara Falls on a warm sunday. thousands of tourists who had no idea you would be there racing are watching you go by nevertheless many taking pics and cheering you on.
T-2/the finish line is, once again, probably the nicest i have ever encountered and certainly the best in terms of family friendliness. it is situated in a park right beside the niagara river. there is a large playground for small kids, a splash pad (which made for a nice cool shower at the end of a hot race), a covered picnic area, hamburgers, a live band and a beer tent. everything you need and not a finish line where you worry that your family are bored, or standing in the hot sun with nothing to do. in fact, they might forget you are coming.
the run course has so much variety and excitement to it that i can honestly say it is one of, if not, the most memorable run course i have ever done. you start by running beside the water along the niagara parkway for a while and then veer into a gorgeous park with shade cover and you run by a stream filled with birds. then a quick turn takes you up the one big hill and then you are on the most lonely part of the course, a nice back road going into town. in the not so far distance you see the towering sky-rises of downtown. next you are passing behind the casino, running on pathways of brick in-lay and victorian style gardens until you reach a staircase and then run down a monster hill. then, boom, you are right beside the Canadian falls, you can feel the mist and you are in the midst of all the excitement that is Niagara Falls on a warm sunday. thousands of tourists who had no idea you would be there racing are watching you go by nevertheless many taking pics and cheering you on.
T-2/the finish line is, once again, probably the nicest i have ever encountered and certainly the best in terms of family friendliness. it is situated in a park right beside the niagara river. there is a large playground for small kids, a splash pad (which made for a nice cool shower at the end of a hot race), a covered picnic area, hamburgers, a live band and a beer tent. everything you need and not a finish line where you worry that your family are bored, or standing in the hot sun with nothing to do. in fact, they might forget you are coming.
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| children of various ages cooling off in t-2 |
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| the perfect way to recover fluids and carbs |
and then there is John Salt, waiting for you at the finish line to shake the hand of each and every finisher (i hope he uses hand sanitizer). a seriously nice touch that personalizes the experience.
i am already a regular with John Salt's series but i was so impressed by the atmosphere created by the Rev 3 crew that i would also consider racing with them south of the border in lieu of some other brands that have apparent monopoly. it is hard to describe, but the feel of a Rev 3 is somehow more fun, more family, still competitive but just a different in a nice way. and there are some nice touches that i haven't encountered elsewhere: number tattoos, very cool, and free race photos! wow!
the entire philosophy of this race was illustrated at the "mandatory" (and rather long) meeting, in which John announced that if you just can't finish the swim for whatever reason, no worries, hold up your cap and they will boat you up to t-1 and get you back on the course to finish. miss a cut off? no worries, they will take you up and get you back on the course. this is a race in which the emphasis is to support you in having a great day. period. refreshing.
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| this man really care about your race experience, and it shows |
i am already a regular with John Salt's series but i was so impressed by the atmosphere created by the Rev 3 crew that i would also consider racing with them south of the border in lieu of some other brands that have apparent monopoly. it is hard to describe, but the feel of a Rev 3 is somehow more fun, more family, still competitive but just a different in a nice way. and there are some nice touches that i haven't encountered elsewhere: number tattoos, very cool, and free race photos! wow!
the entire philosophy of this race was illustrated at the "mandatory" (and rather long) meeting, in which John announced that if you just can't finish the swim for whatever reason, no worries, hold up your cap and they will boat you up to t-1 and get you back on the course to finish. miss a cut off? no worries, they will take you up and get you back on the course. this is a race in which the emphasis is to support you in having a great day. period. refreshing.
i was worried about all the logistics of a point to point race. i worried about getting to and from and getting all my stuff to t-1 in the morning. there was no need to. it took me 4 minutes to get to the shuttle on race morning, and i arrived at t-1 with more time than i've ever had. the bag drops were seamless. the bags themselves were a great size, about 30% bigger than at Ironman races, so that you could actually fit your own duffle inside. this made getting all the stuff like bottles, helmet etc to t-1 in the morning a non-issue. my large desoto bag fit inside the clear dry clothes bag we were provided, with a small pump inside. (i tested it out the night before).
on race morning, of course, according to murphy's law, my dry clothes bag rips in half and is rendered useless. i ask the people at the bag truck for another bag. their manager thinks quickly and tells me just to tie my clear bag with number sticker clearly visible to my duffle bag. problem solved. they have a clearly identifiable bag and i don't have to worry. i could have kissed him.
at the end of the race all my bags fit easily into my own duffle bag and i could ride back to my hotel, hassle free, rather than with three different bags hanging off my person banging into my wheels (as i recently did at Ironman texas).
as my wife remarked, "it is nice to see that Ironman has some competition". i agree, we need to keep the market alternatives alive, and Rev 3 are clearly offering something different and valuable. racing with them feels warm, safe, and like you are cared for.
so, in sum, my weekend at the Rev 3/Multisport Canada Barrelman was absolutely everything i could have wished for. it was a fun, well organized race, in a fantastic location. it was family friendly, and run and organized in a way that emphasized that racing should be a fun, personal challenge. all the while the race organizers make sure that you feel supported and cared for. i am looking forward to racing there again. it is without doubt one of the best races i have ever done.
so, thanks John for a great race, and i look forward to shaking your hand again at many finish lines as we grow old together.
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