The bike

I met Matt Boobar, my coach and XTERRA pro from Stratton, VT, at the Wheeler Trail to pre-ride the course. The altitude had me panting and the trail climbed up double and single track, rocky at times, packed dirt at others, winding through maple stands turning red with fall color and whispering aspen groves - all against the backdrop of grand, endless peaks and steep mountainsides of tall evergreens.