Kevin Everett » Modes de Vie

Modes de Vie

Boise, Idaho -

Training Playground
If you travel southeast, south, or west from Boise you will encounter mile after mile, for hundreds of miles, of desert. Enough open space and big sky country for almost anyone’s imagination. This open space makes Boise one of the more isolated cities in the lower 48, the nearest metropolis being Salt Lake City 477 kilometers away. Exploring north, northeast, and northwest one traverses the rugged wilderness of Idaho’s forests, moutains, rivers, and lakes all the way to Canada. We are located in a beautiful transition between the deserts to the south and forests to the north. Boise truly is the City of Trees (Le Bois) when compared to its surrounding area; a beautiful oasis along the Boise River snuggled up to the Boise Ridge Mountains. The highest point being Shafer Butte (2311 m) at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort; makes for outstanding year round training opportunities.

The Gateway
Camel’s Back Park is the Gateway for access to paradise for all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Here, one has year round access (save for a few weeks of muddy and/or snowy conditions) to a wonderful trail system that will keep the best endurance athletes in top form with a variety of options. Camel’s Back is a remarkable park and my favorite as it serves as my airy existence, feeding a need to be in touch with nature. Upon coming up to Camel’s Back, one will notice the first foothill, guarding the wilderness behind it. On its southwest side lies a city park and Boise’s North End neighborhood. On its northeast side awaits access to an endless frontier.

One reason I am able to work full time and still be a competitive Professional Triathlete is the proximity and convenience of training from my house. From my front door to Camel’s Back Park is about a half mile, to the Downtown YMCA (where I do most of my swimming) is 1 mile. Biking options are abundant for both Mtn. and Road riding ranging from the many trails behind Camel’s Back for Mtn. Biking to climbing Bogus Rd. (824 m to 2311 m in 16 miles and renamed Kristin Armstrong Rd. to commemerate her training ground that helped her win a Gold Medal), Cartwright Loop (20 miles of hills with only two possible stops that you can usually go through), or heading south or west for lots of flat miles. Boise is a place where the Great Outdoors awaits just steps from your front door.