General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Grand Haven Tri Rss Feed  
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2008-02-02 11:26 AM

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Subject: Grand Haven Tri
Shameless plug for our local race. Check out the website: www.grandhaventri.com

Tom Ziebart is the RD this year and it promises to be an awesome event. How can we have horrible swim conditions for the 4th year in a row?????

I probably won't be recovered enough from IMCDA to race, but I'll at least be out on the course volunteering. Hope to see a good BT turnout!


2008-02-04 6:53 PM
in reply to: #1191014

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
I would love to make this my first Half iron. If I move to Cali then maybe I will have to come back just for this!
2008-02-04 7:17 PM
in reply to: #1194257

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
Bad news Blue, the HIM has been discontinued this year.
2008-02-06 3:37 PM
in reply to: #1194257

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
BlueCorsair - 2008-02-04 7:53 PM

I would love to make this my first Half iron. If I move to Cali then maybe I will have to come back just for this!


I was surprised to learn the HIM was closed too. It made the Steelhead choice that much easier.
2008-02-06 4:49 PM
in reply to: #1191014

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri

No more half???  WTF

I had a great race there last year and would like to do it again but like Bill will be recovering from CDA.

Why did it get discontinued?

2008-02-06 7:40 PM
in reply to: #1191014

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
From what I've read over at ST it was the simple fact that a 56 mile bike course presents alot more issues for the race director with volunteers, cost, etc. So they killed the HIM and it doesn't sound like it's coming back.


2008-02-08 8:16 PM
in reply to: #1191014

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
Well Dang!! Guess I will have to do my first HIM in California then.....I hear the wildflower is easy
2008-02-21 3:35 PM
in reply to: #1198239

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri

rottieguy - 2008-02-06 8:40 PM From what I've read over at ST it was the simple fact that a 56 mile bike course presents alot more issues for the race director with volunteers, cost, etc. So they killed the HIM and it doesn't sound like it's coming back.

That sucks. I absolutely love those roads and those 56 miles. I live about 18 miles from the middle of the bike course and would ride out there and then ride lakeshore all the time last summer. What a peaceful, winding road that you can just ride away without too much concern about traffic.

2008-02-23 9:36 AM
in reply to: #1226700

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
Shermbelle - 2008-02-21 3:35 PM

rottieguy - 2008-02-06 8:40 PM From what I've read over at ST it was the simple fact that a 56 mile bike course presents alot more issues for the race director with volunteers, cost, etc. So they killed the HIM and it doesn't sound like it's coming back.

That sucks. I absolutely love those roads and those 56 miles. I live about 18 miles from the middle of the bike course and would ride out there and then ride lakeshore all the time last summer. What a peaceful, winding road that you can just ride away without too much concern about traffic.



Rottieguy had it right. Couple of issues related to the HIM:

1) A number of intersections that had to be controlled/manned for several hours and
2) Some near misses at said intersections.

I was part of one of those near misses last year....SCARY! There was a high school kid all by himself "controlling" traffic. He was in a lawn chair with his ipod on when I came by.....

Once Tom Z. gets his feet on the ground here, I'm really hoping the half will come back.

Sherm's right, Lakeshore Drive is an awesome ride! I ride this route a ton as it is part of my commute when I ride in.
2008-02-27 10:00 AM
in reply to: #1230710

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
grandhavenbill - 2008-02-23 10:36 AM
Shermbelle - 2008-02-21 3:35 PM

rottieguy - 2008-02-06 8:40 PM From what I've read over at ST it was the simple fact that a 56 mile bike course presents alot more issues for the race director with volunteers, cost, etc. So they killed the HIM and it doesn't sound like it's coming back.

That sucks. I absolutely love those roads and those 56 miles. I live about 18 miles from the middle of the bike course and would ride out there and then ride lakeshore all the time last summer. What a peaceful, winding road that you can just ride away without too much concern about traffic.

Rottieguy had it right. Couple of issues related to the HIM: 1) A number of intersections that had to be controlled/manned for several hours and 2) Some near misses at said intersections. I was part of one of those near misses last year....SCARY! There was a high school kid all by himself "controlling" traffic. He was in a lawn chair with his ipod on when I came by..... Once Tom Z. gets his feet on the ground here, I'm really hoping the half will come back. Sherm's right, Lakeshore Drive is an awesome ride! I ride this route a ton as it is part of my commute when I ride in.

I also had a mishap last year. This one was my fault though. Coming through the aid station on the bike on the way out, you come to that corner just after the aid station. I brought my own aid so  I was passing a guy right at the aid station and going about 24 mph. I didn't slow up for the left hand turn and went about 20 feet up into the poor folks yard on the corner and made my turn thru their front yard. Luckily stayed upright and got back on the course fine.

2008-02-28 9:55 AM
in reply to: #1191014

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri

I race last year and the rough lake conditions did not bother me that much.  I thought it was fun.   Overall the race was done well.  But... I have one major bone to pick.  The distance from the swim to the bike transition area is a major problem.  You have to contend with the long run in the sand then the super long run on the boardwalk.  By the time I arrived in the bike area I was pretty tired.... and at this point in the race your legs should be fresh.

Hopefully the transition area can be moved closer to the beach... there are public parking lots near the beach that could handle the bikes.

 I hope this can be changed, if so, this would be an excellent venue for tris.



2008-03-05 5:10 PM
in reply to: #1191014

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Subject: RE: Grand Haven Tri
I saw some snapshots of the swim conditions from last year and I wouldn't exactly characterize them as totally awful. I think its a matter of reference. For most of us fair-weather, flat water swimmers it likely looked like jumping in a washing machine. For gals and guys used to racing on the west coast it was pretty moderate.

I did Superfrog 1/2 this past year and the surf was about 2-3 feet with three surf passages for the swim. I think a lot of people accustomed to Michigan conditions (generally including myself) would have looked at that and said, "No way." To the Californians used to the surf it was just another day at the beach.
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