Tour de Wood 2021
3 Wood Kayaks
4 Races
9 Days
75 miles paddled
2200 miles driven

So, there is not really an event called “Tour de Wood.”  Me and Capt Morgan invented this little adventure while sitting by the pool during lockdown.

The idea was to paddle a different wooden kayak in each of the three classes at the United States Canoe Association Nationals in Warren PA.  Then we found a race in Knoxville the weekend before Nationals, so it became an adventure.

First up was The Knoxville Three Rivers Regatta, a 24-mile race on the Tennessee, Holston, and French Broad Rivers.  It was really fun except for the miles 16-18 where we had to paddle against a 2-mph current.  That really sucked.  Taking first in the Fast Sea Kayak Division did not suck.

The Nationals course was 12.5 miles on the beautiful Allegheny River from Kinzua Dam down to the “city” of Warren.  Lots of rocks, shallow water, current, bald eagles and a set of rapids.  Wednesday I scouted the river in my heavily built Wahoo.  Friday was Touring Class in the Mystery, Saturday was Sea Kayak Class in the Yukon, and Sunday was Unlimited Class in the Spindrift.  Lots of fast paddlers including those sponsored by Epic and Stellar, so I was happy with my middle of the pack finishes overall.  In my age grouping, I took 4th, 2nd and 3rd respectively. 

I think there will be a Tour de Wood 2022, but I have to talk with Capt Morgan first.

Before the TRR in Knoxville

Yukon at TRR.  Some crappy football team plays there.