TRAINING GROUNDS

TRAINING GROUNDS

We are, after all, a product of our environment. Besides Del Mar CA and Victoria BC, the following spots are where Mike goes for big vertical and scorching heat.

the West Maui's - Choose your line!

Unbeknownst to many, there is some fine singletrack in Maui. The Maui humidex can be a little much for long term training, but where better to prepare for XTERRA World's ?!?

ANZA BORREGO DESERT, SOUTHERN CALI

This place is inhospitable in the summer months, as evidenced by 110-120F temps. Miles of traffic free roads and incredible desert scenery.
View from halfway up the Montezuma Grade, a 4500' climb out of desert oasis Borrego Springs.

Making my way back from Banner Grade, a 2500' descent that drops from the Cuyamaca mtns down to the Borrego desert -

High Sierra's, Eastern Cali

Another cloudless day in the High Sierras. This is my favorite road ride... it takes it for the monster climb category - Climbing from 3700' in Lone Pine, this road ascends 6500' out of the Mojave Desert to the 10200' level in the High Sierras. The area is loaded with traffic-free hors-categorie mega climbs baking in 100+ heat. Yes.... Hell Awaits in the High Sierras.

Whitney Portal Rd - Another big climb out of Lone Pine CA, rising 4600' over 13 miles to the Mt. Whitney Portals at 8350'. If one was so inclined one could easily go for the double ascent with Cottonwood and the Portals for a total 11000+' vertical....