Motor City Triathlon (Page 2)

Quick update on the Motor City Tri....the race description on 3D's website is very helpful; I've paraphrased the answers to some of the questions we asked earlier...but feel free to peruse HERE for the latest and greatest.

As information, I'll be sending the RD a list of the open questions (see below) for comment, and will post the updates.  Ciao.

- Swim course:  Is it inside the breakwall, or outside?  This makes a different as inside is fairly weedy, and outside there's a current to contend with.

A: The 3D website has a description of the swim;  it's inside the breakwall, and claims to be calm with little current.  Open Items:  Weedy or not, swim depth.

- Swim transition:  How is the footing into / out of the water?   Rocky?  Sandy?  And has the ground been policed for foreign objects?  I haven't personally had this issue, but a friend that ran a tri there maybe 10 years ago said that foreign objects in the entry / exit to a swim were an item to be looked into.

A: Open Item

- Swim water quality:  Comment on the standards for water quality / testing.  There have been instances of beach closure due to water quality in Lake St. Clair

A: Answered explicity on the website.  The following was pulled directly from the 3D site: 

"Detroit River Stigma - We have answered consistant emails on the subject.  The fact is you will be hard pressed to find a cleaner and more clear triathlon swim than this one.  It is not in the shipping lanes, this is the clean waters between Belle Isle and Detroit.  A 15 yr. old mile swim is held in this location and is regarded as one of the clearest swims in the state.  Besides if it were un-safe do you really think we would let you swim in there, let alone what the state or coast guard says.  Not to mention you start and finish at the beach on the island.  See you Sunday morning. "

 

- Bike course:  Comment on the condition of the roads.  Parts of Belle Isle have been repaved for the F1 event, and parts haven't.  What portion of the ride will be on roads that haven't  been repaved recently?

A:  Open Item

- Transition:  Comment on the security measures to protect bikes the night before, and wetsuits / bikes during.  And if there is a theft, who's responsibility is it?  3D?  The athlete?  This is a legit concern as the last tri on Belle Isle several people had their wetsuits swiped DURING the race (again, long ago...and I assume this will be taken care of, but it's worth confirming).

rkreuser, seriously, you've got to be kidding me. I sincerely hope you question all of your triathlons this way.

I'd love to see your breakdown of a race that involves an ocean swim.

'Swim: I hear there are sharks in the water. Can you explain if this is true, and if so, are there any guarantees that they won't eat me?'

I'm not sure you realize how silly all this looks. Every triathlon has (potential) issues. If you are this biased against the area, then I'm sure you and everyone else will be better served by you racing somewhere else that day.

As for me, I will be there, along with two others, one is even a first timer at any tri distance. I look forward to this one

Two points to clarify:  first, for any tri I run, yes, I read the website and talk to folks that have done it to get their feedback.  Especially for first-time events.  I'd hope you do, too.  And the fact that 3D had a section on their website devoted to most of these questions shows that we weren't the only ones with these questions.

And second, thanks for attributing all the questions to me.  If you'll look at the previous posts, or had access to my PM box, you'd know that the questions represent those posed to me by others - some vets that have raced or trained on Belle Isle, and some that are just newbies and couldn't find the info they're looking for.  I was trying to help by taking an active role in consolidating information and posting answers. 

If helping people understand what to expect from a new tri is silly, then color me Captain Kangaroo.  My personal decision to not race was based on a condition that no longer exists.  At that point, I took responsibilty for my comments by taking an active role in uncovering facts, so I and others could benefit from the information.  And each post was written in a way as to not be biased.  In fact, most of the 2nd post (the update) was VERY positive, showing that the RD has in fact addressed most of the questions folks had. 

And I think it's a pretty broad stretch to turn the active information gathering about a new tri into me being 'this biased against the area'.  If you can substantiate that, I'm all ears.  But I think it's off-base. 

Your bias against, comes across in every question you are asking. Whether it is from you, or a friend who has raced there. The fact that you took the ball and ran with it, shows that you hold or held these same prejudices.. right? Otherwise you would have the answers already.

You don't specifically state the same ignorant things that Paragon does, however, you did assume the spokesman position for those who have so called questions. Fact finding on prejudice is still prejudice. Belle Isle does not equal it's 'reputation'. Few things do. Are there some problems? Yes, but The Motor City Triathlon has no greater potential for problems than any other race.

The best way to get the answers you are looking for is to go out there one day and experience the place for yourself. I can almost guarantee you will walk out of there wondering why you thought it was so bad. Hopefully down the road you can actually convince people that Detroit, including Belle Isle is more than it's reputation from 5, 10, 15, years ago.

I was born and raised here in the Detroit area.  To be completely honest, I had some initial questions and gut reactions about a race on Belle Isle.   I think that rather then just not talking about it at all, people (including Rick) are asking legitimate questions.  Yea, you can read whatever you want into it but I think people should ask as many questions as they want to.  I honestly don't see where Rick's posts were particularly negative or prejudiced.  This is a new race and it is on Belle Isle and the swim is in the Detroit River.  To say that people won't have initial reactions to that is silly.  They may not ask the same questions about a race in another location but so be it.  I say ask away, get your answers - and then do the race!  It's better then people just not even considering the race at all because they don't ask the questions.

Personally, I can't fit the Motor City Triathlon into my schedule but  I am doing the Motor City Mile swim in the Detroit River. 

Just one question, if you don't mind...I am curious as to why you have such strong feelings about the Motor City race and Detroit if you live in Atlanta?  Are you originally from here?  It's nice to see someone supporting Detroit but take it easy on Rick.  He's a really great guy and his heart is definitely in the right place!

I was born and raised in Detroit and have a pretty deep passion for the city even though I no longer live there. Transfered to Atlanta for work reasons.

My problem with this thread as a whole is that instead of eliminating stereotypes of the city it only helps perpetuate them. Detroit is fighting a perception problem more because of ignorance than reality. Sure, it has problems, but if people continue to be scared away because of statements like: 'Belle Isle is thug central' which rick did not make, but was stated on this thread, then how many potential triathletes, especially beginners, do you think will never even consider the MCT? I'd say most of them.

 So go ahead and question it, just don't do it in a negative way. Everyone, especially Detroit area residents should know that the city has made relatively dramatic progress from where it was even 10 years ago... anyway, I'm just defending a city I have a strong passion for.

 The effort the race director is making here deserves some trust.  

Rick, thanks very much for putting in the time to check on the concerns that many of us have about this race. Based on the facts that you have gathered, and my own current experience with Bell Isle and the tri on the Canadian side of the river, I am not going to do this race this year. I have no bias against the race or the area, and I sincerely hope that the race goes well.

Dave

Sorry Jim, but not wanting to go the distance has nothing to do with it. I have signed up for another Oly the same day. It has a much cleaner swim and a more pleasant venue.

Dave

Dudes... *snif* ...I'm all choked up.  Anyone got a tissue?!

Seriously, I want the race to work.  I want the area to thrive.  Hell, it's my family and property value and the livelihood of a whole bunch of good folks we're talking about here, plus a chance for the tri community to grow.  It's just clear, from this thread, that there's a line between advocacy for the area and faith, and overlooking some important stuff that MAY make a difference to some folks, especially beginners.  And it's not the least bit surprising that we all, somewhat passionately, see that line in a slightly different light.

What it really boils down to is this:  A first year race is ALWAYS in show-me mode, no matter where it is...Detroit or other.  And if the race is that good, and 3D is doing the job they plan to, then most concerns should be addressed pre-race, and post-race people will come home with glowing testamonials of how cool, well-run, and what a must-race event this is for next year.  Or they won't.  For some folks, it's already on the calendar.  For others, it'll earn it's way onto their race  calendars after year 1, or it won't.  I hope it does.

Glad to hear that there are no rocks there. My concern was not the rocks themselves, but the very sharp zebra mussels that cover all the rocks in that area. I cut myself up badly on zebra mussels at the Windsor tri across the river.

Dave