login
Steelhead concerns
-
No new posts
 2008-07-23 1:29 PM |
Extreme Veteran  1234    West Michigan |  Subject: Steelhead concernsI'm to the point I'm freaking out more about arriving to the event with enough time to spare than I am about doing the event itself. I'm staying at a dump out near the highway, what time should I leave in order to get down to transition and set up with enough time to go through all my pre race preparation? 5:00am or earlier? And if the parking lot at Jean Kloc fills up while on the way, how do we know we have to dump the car and catch a bus? Are there signs and people directing traffic or is it complete caos? Any advice is appreciated. |
| 2008-07-23 1:57 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Veteran 139 Ferndale, Mi | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Last year we stayed at dump near the highway (maybe the same place). We left at 5:15 and got stuck in traffic. Fortunately my fiance was able to park the car since he wasn't racing. I'd leave by 5am at the latest. I was also Wave 5 (pretty early), which caused me to be late. Everything just took forever...traffic, walking to the transition area, trying to find a pump, bathroom lines, walking 1.2 miles down the beach. Supposedly two years ago they had a bus to shuttle you to the swim start, but not last year. Not 100% sure about this year. Check your wave number and just give yourself plenty of time...you'll be good! |
| 2008-07-23 2:06 PM in reply to: #1552978 |
Extreme Veteran 1234 West Michigan | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns lgabbs - 2008-07-23 2:57 PM Last year we stayed at dump near the highway (maybe the same place). We left at 5:15 and got stuck in traffic. Fortunately my fiance was able to park the car since he wasn't racing. I'd leave by 5am at the latest. I was also Wave 5 (pretty early), which caused me to be late. Everything just took forever...traffic, walking to the transition area, trying to find a pump, bathroom lines, walking 1.2 miles down the beach. Supposedly two years ago they had a bus to shuttle you to the swim start, but not last year. Not 100% sure about this year. Check your wave number and just give yourself plenty of time...you'll be good! I just spent some time on the site (probably should have started there) and think I can find the parking lots for the shuttle buses. However when it's time to head back to the parking lots after the race, will there be shuttles? I'm guessing either my wife or I stay back with the bike and get shuttled to the car to then go pick up the bike etc? And I'm assuming my wife rides the shuttle with me to the event correct? I've done a lot of small sprints and oly's, this is my first long course and by far the biggest number of participants etc. You mentioned waves starts, is that something I can look up or is it just based on your age on race day? THanks for the tips, I think I'll leave by 4:30am. |
| 2008-07-23 2:55 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Member 198 | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns "You mentioned waves starts, is that something I can look up or is it just based on your age on race day?" If you go to the Steelhead site and "confirm" your registration, your bib and wave numbers are posted there. |
| 2008-07-23 3:46 PM in reply to: #1553265 |
Extreme Veteran 1234 West Michigan | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Brickey - 2008-07-23 3:55 PM "You mentioned waves starts, is that something I can look up or is it just based on your age on race day?" If you go to the Steelhead site and "confirm" your registration, your bib and wave numbers are posted there. Found it, thanks. I'm going off in wave 11 so approximately that would put the time at between 7:40 and 7:50ish? Another parking question, sorry. It says that the lots fill up in numerical order so is it a crapshoot to try for one closer only to be re-routed back out to try for a further one? I believe the lots are numbered 1-10 for athletes only. My assumption though is my wife could go retrieve the car after the race since I probably can't take my bike on the shuttle bus. |
| 2008-07-23 3:54 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Master 2356 Fenton, MI | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns How many waves are there? I'm in wave 9, but I thought the relay was always last. I didn't immediately see it on site. |
| 2008-07-23 3:59 PM in reply to: #1553540 |
Member 198 | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns matt3liv - 2008-07-23 3:54 PM How many waves are there? I'm in wave 9, but I thought the relay was always last. I didn't immediately see it on site. Don't know how many but I'm in wave 10 - dang it, I was hoping to draft off you! |
| 2008-07-23 4:02 PM in reply to: #1553564 |
Master 2356 Fenton, MI | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Brickey - 2008-07-23 4:59 PM matt3liv - 2008-07-23 3:54 PM Don't know how many but I'm in wave 10 - dang it, I was hoping to draft off you!How many waves are there? I'm in wave 9, but I thought the relay was always last. I didn't immediately see it on site. That'll work. I'll just wait for you. No problem. |
| 2008-07-23 4:10 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Extreme Veteran 613 | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns I arrived (from the north) at 4:45-ish last year and did not have any problems getting into the lot. That said, there was already a significant line of traffic building from the south (i.e. St. Joe) area where most of the hotels are. Hopefully Tom Z. and crew learned some lessons from last year and have better traffic control plans in place. As a fall back, you might consider planning an alternate route that brings you in from the north vs. south. |
| 2008-07-23 5:40 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Champion 9430 No excuses! | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns A few things I can remember. 1) they will lock up transistion so even if you are in a late wave you need to get your bike in and ready and be out by that time (can't remember off hand, but before the race started) 2) my wife dropped me off last year as the traffic was a disaster. She was able to park maybe 1/2 mile to 3/4 of a mile away in a commercial area with lots of offices and suites. There was plenty of parking there but it was outside of the park area. 3) people I talked to had more problems with the shuttles making them late than trying to get there themselves. So best advice is get there plenty early. I am staying out close to where you are saying and will again have the luxury of my wife dropping me off but will be leaving around 5:15 or so. |
| 2008-07-23 9:04 PM in reply to: #1553604 |
Extreme Veteran 1234 West Michigan | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns grandhavenbill - 2008-07-23 5:10 PM I arrived (from the north) at 4:45-ish last year and did not have any problems getting into the lot. That said, there was already a significant line of traffic building from the south (i.e. St. Joe) area where most of the hotels are. Hopefully Tom Z. and crew learned some lessons from last year and have better traffic control plans in place. As a fall back, you might consider planning an alternate route that brings you in from the north vs. south. How long did it take you to drive from GH assuming that's where you stayed North of BH? Also, anything you can share about the race organizer? There's an Interlochen tread on the Michigan forum with some discussions about Kenny from 3D and how that event fell short of the mark for customer satisfaction. |
| 2008-07-24 7:09 AM in reply to: #1554226 |
Extreme Veteran 613 | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns How long did it take you to drive from GH assuming that's where you stayed North of BH? Also, anything you can share about the race organizer? There's an Interlochen tread on the Michigan forum with some discussions about Kenny from 3D and how that event fell short of the mark for customer satisfaction. I live in GH and it is just over an hour's drive from my house to the Jean Klock (sp?) park. There is zero traffic coming from the north at that hour, so it is a very easy drive. Tom Ziebart runs a first class operation. He is the RD or at least part of the RD's team for many of the US Ironman events and most 70.3 races. He has roots in the St. Joe area (I think his mother still lives there?). I don't want to turn this into a 3D bashing thread, but suffice it to say that I no longer participate in any of Kenny's events....... |
| 2008-07-24 7:15 AM in reply to: #1552844 |
Champion 6627 Rochester Hills, Michigan Gold member | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Hey, Bill, Jim Mishler posted that lake michigan flipped yesterday, but the MSU water surface temp charts don't show the change. Can you confirm or debunk it? |
| 2008-07-24 8:39 AM in reply to: #1552844 |
Veteran 145 Hudson, OH | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns I know the water flipped yesterday - it went to 53, but I also know its warm again as of this morning. |
| 2008-07-27 3:19 PM in reply to: #1555038 |
Extreme Veteran 613 | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns ky1123 - 2008-07-24 8:39 AM I know the water flipped yesterday - it went to 53, but I also know its warm again as of this morning. Oh yeah, it was REALLY chilly for a couple days last week but it is back up into the mid to upper 60's between here (Grand Haven) and St. Joe. Here is a link to the measured beach temps. This is updated every morning around 10-ish. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=iwx&issuedby=iwx&product=o... |
| 2008-07-27 8:02 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Member 48 Westland, MI | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Last year we left our hotel in Stevensville (Candlewood Suites, I think) at 4:45 and had no problem getting onto the bus but I had the feeling when the bus took off that if we would have arrived five minutes later we may have had a problem. We had plenty of time to set up, etc. Maybe 4:30 to be safe as the event seems to get larger every year. |
| 2008-07-27 9:27 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Expert 986 Michiana | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Here's how my morning went last year:
Last year, there were late arrivals, for which they kept the transition area open longer. The walk to the swim start is a very nice little stroll along a beautiful beach. Use the opportunity to jump in the water and swim some of the stretch to warm-up. My point is, don't stress about the logistics. Just plan ahead and arrive on-time. |
| 2008-07-28 3:49 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Expert 986 Michiana | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Although the more I read, the more I want to leave about 30 minutes sooner! |
| 2008-07-31 5:50 PM in reply to: #1552844 |
Extreme Veteran 1234 West Michigan | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns Another question: Do you typically leave your bike computer and repair kit/bag on the bike in transition overnight? With 2,500 participants is it possible some would take something off a bike? Do they have security monitoring the transition area throughout the night? Thanks. |
| 2008-08-01 10:48 AM in reply to: #1574388 |
| Champion 9430 No excuses! | Subject: RE: Steelhead concerns TriMike - 2008-07-31 6:50 PM Another question: Do you typically leave your bike computer and repair kit/bag on the bike in transition overnight? With 2,500 participants is it possible some would take something off a bike? Do they have security monitoring the transition area throughout the night? Thanks. They do have security overnight and I have always left my bike as is and never had an issue. |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK