Neal Kindree's surprising return to the world of mountain bike racing will take a unique turn when he travels to Chile to participate in the TransAndes Challenge, which takes place from Jan. 24 to 29.
Kindree, who was forced into semi-retirement in 2009 after a debilitating knee injury, returned to the mountain biking scene with a vengeance, winning the 2010 Cheakamus Challenge. Kindree said he's looking forward to riding in South America.
"A friend of mine told me about the race and this was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up," he said. "I just returned from Thailand where I spent two months rock climbing on the Phra Nang peninsula with my girlfriend, so my riding fitness is a little subpar for such a rapidly approaching event. My goal is to make a significant comeback to racing this year and the TransAndes will be an excellent training camp, if not an excellent race."
The TransAndes Challenge starts and ends in Pucon, Chile and consists of six stages over six days ranging from 60 to 100 kilometres per day. The course traverses through the Andes mountain range and passes six volcanoes and 10 lakes.
"I've been to Venezuela before but not Chile," Kindree said. "And judging by the pictures, it looks absolutely beautiful."
In between stages, racers will sleep in tent villages that are set up prior to their arrival and Kindree will be among the racers sleeping underneath the stars.
"I'm going to be bringing my air mattress," he said. "I'm looking at this whole experience as more of an adventure."
Kindree said he's feeling pretty good heading into the race.
"If I was just going down there to win it, I would have probably trained a little bit harder, but I feel all right," he said. "I've been climbing, not riding all winter but we'll see how it goes."
Kindree said he has no specific goal for the race but will be pushing his body to the limit.
"I'd like to finish the race," he joked. "But I'd just like to not hold up my partner, maybe we could even finish top three in our category. I don't really know who we're competing against so we'll just have to wait and see."
The TransAndes Challenge will be the first step of preparation for the 2011 season for Kindree. He said he plans to race in Phoenix in February and then participate in the spring series in Langley. He also plans to take part in several other races around the province and locally.
"I'm looking to race mostly in B.C. and mostly do some local stuff," he said. "Depending on where my life is at come June, I will make a decision about my future racing career."
For more information on the TransAndes Challenge, visit www.transandeschallenge.com.
