Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

2008-04-27 8:26 PM

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

My first tri is in 2 weeks here and I was going to head up next weekend to test the water and the new wetsuit and maybe bike some of the course. Not sure what day yet, but is anyone interested in joining me? I figure around 9:00am either day.

2008-04-28 6:57 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

I may be interested in a swim and perhaps a bike too but only possible day for me is Saturday. I'll see how my week progresses and let you know.

mav

2008-04-28 7:08 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Uxbridge

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

I would be intrested. I swam in Hopkinton on Fri and Sat. On Fri the water was great but Sat was a little chilly and the water was choppy so it was a more difficult swim.
Thanks Marianne

TriMDC

2008-04-30 6:59 PM

in reply to: #1365326

Extreme Veteran

467

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Where do you start from when swimming in Hopkinton? Not for the race but just regular swims!

2008-04-30 7:55 PM

in reply to: #1365326

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Don't know. I have never been before. Have any suggestions? I will probably swim where the race is going to be. I believe on the north end. Looks like I am going Saturday morning around 9am if anyone is interested.

mav

2008-04-30 8:06 PM

in reply to: #1365326

Uxbridge

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

I'll be there. Last week I swam from the beach where the race starts across to the other side and back. I google earthed the distance and it seemd to be about 1100 feet each way. This is a longer distance than the race.

2008-04-30 10:18 PM

in reply to: #1365326

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Did you guys have any issues with the park staff? Do they have staff at the entrance? When I swam there last summer they would only allow me to swim within the buoys. I wonder if they are not up and no staff is there that they are looser now before the season really starts.

So you are meeting at the upper beach? Which means making a right after entering the park and parking in the big lot?

Edited by KathyG 2008-04-30 10:19 PM

mav

2008-05-01 6:34 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Uxbridge

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

There are no lifeguards yet. I think they start after Memorial Day. There is only one gate open. Bear right after entering park, go toward sign that says boat rental, go past boat launch and park at the farthest lot. There is a sandybeach through a picnic area to the left of the parking lot.

2008-05-01 7:32 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

I also have a non BTer joining me. We are bringing the bikes also if anyone wants to join us after the swim. Looking forward to it.

2008-05-01 8:02 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Hrm... I'd love to give it a shot but the distance may be too far for me for my first cross-pond open swim in 20 years. I think I'd make it without a problem but obviously you can't discover in the middle you have a problem.

2008-05-01 8:52 AM

in reply to: #1374452

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

chadtower - 2008-05-01 9:02 AM Hrm... I'd love to give it a shot but the distance may be too far for me for my first cross-pond open swim in 20 years. I think I'd make it without a problem but obviously you can't discover in the middle you have a problem.

That's about the same for me and this time I am trying it in a wetsuit for the first time. Join us, I will definitely need someone at the BOP with me.

2008-05-01 8:59 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

What's the BOP?

2008-05-01 9:03 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Back of Pack.

2008-05-01 9:10 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Heh. That's my problem - I was a lifeguard as a teenager and know how to swim with some speed. What I don't know how to do is pace myself - especially given how long it has been - so I'm more afraid of running out of steam halfway across than I am anything else. Everything in my nature is 120% effort. Learning pacing is my biggest challenge in this sport.

2008-05-01 9:23 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Sorry. Didn't mean to offend. I have no speed.

2008-05-01 9:30 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

No no! I'm not offended. I'm just being open about what my challenges are. Right now I'd rather be able to pace and finish the workout than sprint and have problems. I come from a football/powerlifting max effort/min time background. Most of my athletic life has been go now breathe later so an endurance sport is a major shift. Maybe swimming with others is what I need so I have a pace car while I learn.

TriMDC

2008-05-01 10:35 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Extreme Veteran

467

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

I drove in yesterday morning. The main gate is closed but you can get in near the boat rental area. There are no staff there just yet. I may meet you for the swim, I'm not 100% sure I can make it though.
My swim ability is horrible, I also come from a explosive type sports background so I need to work on my pace as well. Running and biking no problem, I'm a good swimmer but certainly not for speed.
Maybe I'll see you guys tomorrow.
MC

scott

2008-05-01 10:39 AM

in reply to: #1374968

Expert

832

Framingham, MA

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

TriMDC - 2008-05-01 11:35 AM Maybe I'll see you guys tomorrow. MC

Ok, I was not really paying attention to this thread earlier but now I'm intrigued. When are folks planning on swimming? Is it really tomorrow (Friday)?

2008-05-01 10:42 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Wasn't the proposed time Saturday? Now that I think about that my son has a baseball game at 10am saturday.

2008-05-01 11:09 AM

in reply to: #1365326

Master

1619

Hingham, Ma

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Saturday at 9am, not tomorrow.

2008-05-01 1:24 PM

in reply to: #1365326

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

Still not sure if I can make it but for you guys doing your first ows go parallel to the shore in water you can stand up to gain confidence. This is my 5th year tri training and each spring it takes a little getting used to ows again and if I just jump and swim out I can get a little nervous and uncomfortable. Swimming parallel to shore for as long as it takes, helps me get comfortable.

I'm doing an Ironman but am a BOP swimmer...I can go far though.

2008-05-01 1:29 PM

in reply to: #1365326

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

I'm planning on doing most of my swim training at Lake Pearl in Wrentham and a little beach in North Attleboro whose name escapes me right now. Both have small beaches with decent places to practice OWS parallel to the shore - plus it's a whole lot easier to get some space there than at any Y in the area. Both are within bike training distance, too, so a bike-swim-bike is reasonable for a sprint trainer.

Edited by chadtower 2008-05-01 1:29 PM

2008-05-01 1:41 PM

in reply to: #1375681

Champion

19812

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

chadtower - 2008-05-01 2:29 PM I'm planning on doing most of my swim training at Lake Pearl in Wrentham and a little beach in North Attleboro whose name escapes me right now. Both have small beaches with decent places to practice OWS parallel to the shore - plus it's a whole lot easier to get some space there than at any Y in the area. Both are within bike training distance, too, so a bike-swim-bike is reasonable for a sprint trainer.

I swim in No. Attleboro at the beach where it is roped off and their is an island..I'm too blanking on the name...Falls Pond? There are also boats on the pond sometimes and often those driving have been drinking.

They aren't very cool with you swimming outside the bouys though. I've heard folks have the cops come when they do and some have been given tickets. Last summer in a different N. Attleboro pond someone drowned and then afterwards they were more strict. I'm actually going to call the police or stop by and ask them about the rules for swimming just to know the law/rules.

Sharon has a great lake to swim at and you can go out and swim along the bouys and it is 10 minutes each way.

I'd love to swim with someone local..not sure when you would be interested in going.

Lake Pearl is there a public beach you can use?

Edited by KathyG 2008-05-01 1:42 PM

2008-05-01 2:13 PM

in reply to: #1375754

Expert

3974

Subject: RE: Hopkinton Swim and/or Bike

KathyG - 2008-05-01 1:41 PM

That's probably the place. I don't need to go far beyond the ropes, if at all. Back and forth is fine with me, I bet the lifeguards wouldn't care if you went just outside the ropes but didn't go out of sight. That's close enough to the beach that the boats couldn't get you but far enough out that you're not going to get tangled in the rope. Probably great practice for spotting, too.

Sharon has a great lake to swim at and you can go out and swim along the bouys and it is 10 minutes each way.

I'd love to swim with someone local..not sure when you would be interested in going.

Lake Pearl is there a public beach you can use?

I'll have to ask around about the place in Sharon. I'm somewhat new to the area and don't know all the places yet. I would love to get a couple of us together for swims - it is safer that way - but I know I can't hang with the distances you swim, if that matters.

Lake Pearl has a little beach right next to Luciano's. You have to pay to park, not sure if you have to pay to bike or run in, and the "roped lane" is fairly short but always open. The Hock Y has events there in the summer.

EDIT: forgot to say thanks for the info!

Edited by chadtower 2008-05-01 2:17 PM