I really want to do this

Next year, I'd really like to do an XTerra. It would mean buying a mountain bike, and that's yet another expense I can't really justify. But wouldn't this be nice?

XTERRA Nevada Course

750m / 32K mountain bike / 5K trail run
* Subject to change

The swim:
The Big Kahuna's cannon blast signals the start of the swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe. XTERRA Nevada competitors follow the 750-meter course for one lap before running about 200 yds to T1.

The mountain bike:
The second leg is a grand, single-loop 32K mountain bike for both XTERRA and XTERRA Nevada competitors. Following a short, paved section through Incline Village, competitors reach the trail heads at the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park where the real race begins.

Sixteen hundred vertical feet of climbing welcomes competitors on Tunnel Creek Road. Riders ascend three miles to the Flume Trail, one of the most scenic mountain bike trails in the world. The Flume is known for its grand views of Lake Tahoe's azure blue waters and mountain peaks to the south and west.

Riders who get distracted by the view might end up casualties of this 4.4-mile section of single track, which includes two mandantory dismounts to cross rocky outcrops. After The Flume, a short challengeing ascent leads to Marlette Lake and the start of another leg-burning climb.

Reaching the south end of the lake, riders switch to granny gear and head up Hobart Road. There are a few sandy sections along the way. Next is a short, big-gear roll and a left turn onto Tahoe Rim Trail for 6.6 miles of Tahoe's finest single track.

Just past the Twin Lakes, turn left to Tunnel Creek Road for a fast and furious descent across all kinds of terrain: sandy sections, riparian areas with great traction, high-speed lanes and a few water bar whoopdys. This section will either showcase riders' descending skills or throw them over the handlebars.

At the end of Tunnel Creek Road things flatten out as you return back on Lakeshore Drive to Village Green and T2.

The trail run:
The final leg is a wild 5K. The course starts out of transition along a wide soccer field. Championship competitors do two laps of this 5K course. XTERRA Nevada racers do one.

This run course has more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel. Just when you think you have a rhythm, mother nature will put a fallen tree or a boulder or four different creek gully crossings and two log crossing smack in your way.

The course is tight and runs among giant pines with numerous switchbacks where you'll be able to see what your competition is up to.

And half way through you're back in the main compound where the crowd can see how you're doing. First time around we'll mark you and the second time around we'll send you home to the finish. And you'll be happy to see it.