New Triathlon-RAM racing
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2012-02-09 10:06 PM |
Expert 1358 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: New Triathlon-RAM racing Was just looking at an email from RAM racing and realized they are putting on a brand new triathlon named exactly the same as another one in the region...interesting. They are calling it the "Lake Geneva Triathlon" and it is scheduled for the exact same venue as their "Bigfoot Triathlon." This Lake Geneva Triathlon is scheduled for August 12th, a full month before the September 8th Lake Geneva Triathlon in Williams Bay. I have no dog in this fight...I have issues with both companies, but I do applaud RAM for putting on an entirely new race in August...I do think we need more races in Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin, etc. Thoughts? |
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2012-02-10 6:58 AM in reply to: #4039290 |
Veteran 275 Algonquin, IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing I was over at the RAM store in Deerfield about a month ago and they mentioned that they were adding a race. They also said something about putting on a women's race too. Not sure what they are doing about Bangs lake this year. I agree we need more late season races in Illinois. I have done Lake Geneva's fall tri the last 2 years and they are very disorganized and the race director has a bad rep. But I do the race because we really have no other options. |
2012-02-10 10:18 AM in reply to: #4039290 |
Regular 641 Chicago | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing RAM used to do the Bangs Lake - maybe they nixed that one in favor of the new Lake Geneva race? It says there is a women's only sprint division for the new Lake Geneva. They did have a women's race at the Bangs Lake festival - called She Bangs. I like having more races, but I sure wish RAM would lower its prices! |
2012-02-10 11:10 AM in reply to: #4039290 |
Extreme Veteran 1074 | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing I saw something---maybe it was in the Competitor "Keeper" edition???--an ad, actually, that seemed to indicate there would be a tri at Bangs Lake, but seems like it will be put on by Wacaunda park district maybe? No other information though. RAM produced that race for maybe 4 or 5 years. Not sure who produced it before. Maybe their contract was up or something. They are very good at marketing their races. They are very good at signing up many many people for their races. I wont do their running races anymore---too crowded. Am on the fence about their tris this summer. |
2012-02-10 11:57 AM in reply to: #4039290 |
Master 1730 Straight outta Compton | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing quincyf - 2012-02-09 9:06 PM Was just looking at an email from RAM racing and realized they are putting on a brand new triathlon named exactly the same as another one in the region...interesting. They are calling it the "Lake Geneva Triathlon" and it is scheduled for the exact same venue as their "Bigfoot Triathlon." This Lake Geneva Triathlon is scheduled for August 12th, a full month before the September 8th Lake Geneva Triathlon in Williams Bay. I have no dog in this fight...I have issues with both companies, but I do applaud RAM for putting on an entirely new race in August...I do think we need more races in Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin, etc. Thoughts? I just moved here recently from Colorado, so I've got no history whatsoever. I did the Hot Chocolate 15K which was put on by RAM and thought it was good. My personal thought- any competition makes the world better. It forces slackers to step it up, so if you get another race, plus the other guy cleans up his act- I'd say it's a win-win for everyone. |
2012-02-10 12:00 PM in reply to: #4039290 |
Champion 12759 Chicago | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing I hope to see RAM step it up this year. Last year they had some well run races and some not so well run. The South Shore has potential but lots of room for improvement.
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2012-02-10 12:03 PM in reply to: #4040160 |
over a barrier | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing ChicagoMan65 - 2012-02-10 11:10 AM I saw something---maybe it was in the Competitor "Keeper" edition???--an ad, actually, that seemed to indicate there would be a tri at Bangs Lake, but seems like it will be put on by Wacaunda park district maybe? No other information though. RAM produced that race for maybe 4 or 5 years. Not sure who produced it before. Maybe their contract was up or something. They are very good at marketing their races. They are very good at signing up many many people for their races. I wont do their running races anymore---too crowded. Am on the fence about their tris this summer. There as always been a July Sprint at Bangs Lake, it just wasn't run by RAM. http://waucondaparks.org/?page_id=25 It looks like the Bangs Lake Tri, by RAM, is no more and they are going head to Lake G |
2012-02-10 1:39 PM in reply to: #4040301 |
Expert 1358 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing NRG42 - 2012-02-10 12:00 PM I hope to see RAM step it up this year. Last year they had some well run races and some not so well run. The South Shore has potential but lots of room for improvement.
I agree! I gave RAM another chance and SS was OK...I was hoping they had changed their ways, but then I heard about the hot chocolate debacle in DC and wonder what they are thinking... I may try Bigfoot again this year...I like Lake Geneva and enjoyed doing it as a destination race... But their running races are a mess. |
2012-02-10 1:41 PM in reply to: #4040310 |
Expert 1358 Albuquerque, New Mexico | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing running2far - 2012-02-10 12:03 PM ChicagoMan65 - 2012-02-10 11:10 AM There as always been a July Sprint at Bangs Lake, it just wasn't run by RAM. http://waucondaparks.org/?page_id=25It looks like the Bangs Lake Tri, by RAM, is no more and they are going head to Lake GI saw something---maybe it was in the Competitor "Keeper" edition???--an ad, actually, that seemed to indicate there would be a tri at Bangs Lake, but seems like it will be put on by Wacaunda park district maybe? No other information though. RAM produced that race for maybe 4 or 5 years. Not sure who produced it before. Maybe their contract was up or something. They are very good at marketing their races. They are very good at signing up many many people for their races. I wont do their running races anymore---too crowded. Am on the fence about their tris this summer. Aha, I see...I didn't realize there were two different bangs lake tri's...the wauconda parks one has a new Oly distance this year too... |
2012-02-10 3:48 PM in reply to: #4039290 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing Yes, lots of people have confused Bangs Lake and the Wauconda Tri before. Nice to see the Wauconda tri has moved up a week, might be able to fit that on in now. Be interesting to see how the Lake Geneva tri by Ram goes. Twice at the same venue, at least it would seem that way as they mentioned Bigfoot Part Deux on the site. Ram seems kind of ok to me, some love them, but I've seen them drop the ball on a few things (like knowing anything about the start of the duathlon last year). The biggest selling point for them seems to be that they're not the Lake Geneva guy. I can't make the race this year anyway, as I already have Rev3 Wisc Dells that weekend. |
2012-02-10 4:31 PM in reply to: #4041025 |
Champion 12759 Chicago | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing brigby1 - 2012-02-10 3:48 PM Yes, lots of people have confused Bangs Lake and the Wauconda Tri before. Nice to see the Wauconda tri has moved up a week, might be able to fit that on in now. Be interesting to see how the Lake Geneva tri by Ram goes. Twice at the same venue, at least it would seem that way as they mentioned Bigfoot Part Deux on the site. Ram seems kind of ok to me, some love them, but I've seen them drop the ball on a few things (like knowing anything about the start of the duathlon last year). The biggest selling point for them seems to be that they're not the Lake Geneva guy. I can't make the race this year anyway, as I already have Rev3 Wisc Dells that weekend. But you have to admit they do give good SWAG! |
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2012-02-10 4:55 PM in reply to: #4041115 |
Master 1348 Gurnee, IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing NRG42 - 2012-02-10 4:31 PM brigby1 - 2012-02-10 3:48 PM Yes, lots of people have confused Bangs Lake and the Wauconda Tri before. Nice to see the Wauconda tri has moved up a week, might be able to fit that on in now. Be interesting to see how the Lake Geneva tri by Ram goes. Twice at the same venue, at least it would seem that way as they mentioned Bigfoot Part Deux on the site. Ram seems kind of ok to me, some love them, but I've seen them drop the ball on a few things (like knowing anything about the start of the duathlon last year). The biggest selling point for them seems to be that they're not the Lake Geneva guy. I can't make the race this year anyway, as I already have Rev3 Wisc Dells that weekend. But you have to admit they do give good SWAG! Usually I think RAM does a great job! In 2011 took part in their North Shore 1/2 mary as well as Bigfoot (swag was a track jacket-I like it!). They did an excellent job with both of those events. Not sure how they could have ran them any better. I did hear about the DC Hot Chocolate debacle.... |
2012-02-10 6:48 PM in reply to: #4041115 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing NRG42 - 2012-02-10 4:31 PM brigby1 - 2012-02-10 3:48 PM Yes, lots of people have confused Bangs Lake and the Wauconda Tri before. Nice to see the Wauconda tri has moved up a week, might be able to fit that on in now. Be interesting to see how the Lake Geneva tri by Ram goes. Twice at the same venue, at least it would seem that way as they mentioned Bigfoot Part Deux on the site. Ram seems kind of ok to me, some love them, but I've seen them drop the ball on a few things (like knowing anything about the start of the duathlon last year). The biggest selling point for them seems to be that they're not the Lake Geneva guy. I can't make the race this year anyway, as I already have Rev3 Wisc Dells that weekend. But you have to admit they do give good SWAG! They put some money into it yes, but I'd rather have less of that and lower cost. Put it all into a having a sound race every time. Don't think I've used any of it yet. In fairness, I am particular about my stuff. Although I did use the rebate from an age-group placing in one. The couple little plaques are nice too, and I'm sure others enjoy them more. But then for the awards ceremonies (for example), no one really knows where they are or that they're actually happening. There's a real lack of feeling there. At Bangs Lake it was down behind the building, where no one went to after getting their food. Winners were quickly lined up on the block, congratulations, snap the picture (which was very crooked) and everyone go get on your way. People at the nearby picnic benches have no idea what's going on. Don't get me wrong in thinking they're awful, I think they do a decent enough job. The courses are marked and manned well (other than the duathlon start), and I know my gear is safe in transition. If they look at a few more things they could really be very good. |
2012-02-11 11:56 AM in reply to: #4039290 |
Master 1563 Chicago | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing This is interesting as I have heard all the horror stories about the whole LG series and the race director. I've done LG sprint twice, and yes, it was disorganized, but it's still a challenging course and always fun to head up to LG so that's why I've done it. Last year I know he (the RD) moved it from Fontana (the "killer" hill) to Williams Bay...I didn't do it, so I am curious as to how the "new" venue was??? As far as RAM, I, like many of you, have my gripes so I generally don't race any of their races anymore, although, they DO give good swag. But all their issues started to outweigh the good swag and it was such a turn off, that I stopped racing their events. I am dying to know...I must have missed something...what is the whole DC Hot Chocolate debacle? Someone please fill me in!
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2012-02-11 12:51 PM in reply to: #4042023 |
Master 1348 Gurnee, IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing miami9296 - 2012-02-11 11:56 AM This is interesting as I have heard all the horror stories about the whole LG series and the race director. I've done LG sprint twice, and yes, it was disorganized, but it's still a challenging course and always fun to head up to LG so that's why I've done it. Last year I know he (the RD) moved it from Fontana (the "killer" hill) to Williams Bay...I didn't do it, so I am curious as to how the "new" venue was??? As far as RAM, I, like many of you, have my gripes so I generally don't race any of their races anymore, although, they DO give good swag. But all their issues started to outweigh the good swag and it was such a turn off, that I stopped racing their events. I am dying to know...I must have missed something...what is the whole DC Hot Chocolate debacle? Someone please fill me in!
I hear you with the RAM gripes. I'm just saying that I do believe that they respond and adjust. For the most part I have really enjoyed their events. I'm happy that they are around and put on these races so we have a choice to make! I'm not going to boycott their events over a mistake made. I will boycott them over repeated mistakes made. Heck we could not run the Chicago Marathon because of their mistakes, they ran out of WATER on a hot day in 2007 and now sold out in 6 days. Had they run out of twice, I would stop running Chicago. Come to think of it, why o why do they hand out bananas (with peels) at like mile 18 or whatever, the street from side to side every inch covered with banana peels. Having to doge those suckers out, among thousands of my running brethren is a recipe for disaster. Have they not watched cartoons before? DC Hot Chocolate Debacle: Check out the thread comments on "the other site" http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=3663737 Edited by oriolepwr 2012-02-11 12:52 PM |
2012-02-11 1:29 PM in reply to: #4042076 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing oriolepwr - 2012-02-11 12:51 PM I hear you with the RAM gripes. I'm just saying that I do believe that they respond and adjust. For the most part I have really enjoyed their events. I'm happy that they are around and put on these races so we have a choice to make! I'm not going to boycott their events over a mistake made. I will boycott them over repeated mistakes made. Right in here is what I'm getting at. There are things they can do better and everyone goofs from now and then (IM Canada ran out of water last year). They're doing enough right to keep participating in (I've done at least 4 of them), I don't think it would be too difficult to do better either. I've known where to go on every course (save part of one). I've felt safe out on every course. I feel my stuff is safe when I'm not around it. As for the Lake Geneva race (from the other guys), new people seemed to enjoy it, but they don't know any better. I wasn't there as I had a major ride planned that day, but my brother did the sprint. He thought it was so poorly organized that he's sworn off their races. Swim organization and everything to do with the transition was a mess. I know last year (2010) they were not checking bikes after the event, and don't think one of the gates was even manned after awhile. Someone easily could have walked off with my bike. I would love to see someone else come in and take up that spot again. It's a great location for an event. That's why it was still so popular in spite of being run so badly. |
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2012-02-11 1:30 PM in reply to: #4039290 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing And since ST tends to be rather critical of things, here is DC Rainmaker's take on the Hot Chocolate DC debacle. |
2012-02-11 2:00 PM in reply to: #4042023 |
Veteran 275 Algonquin, IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing miami9296 - 2012-02-11 11:56 AM This is interesting as I have heard all the horror stories about the whole LG series and the race director. I've done LG sprint twice, and yes, it was disorganized, but it's still a challenging course and always fun to head up to LG so that's why I've done it. Last year I know he (the RD) moved it from Fontana (the "killer" hill) to Williams Bay...I didn't do it, so I am curious as to how the "new" venue was??? I did the LG sprint in 2010 and the oly in 2011 at the new venue. See my race report. The turnaround for the oly run was at the top of "killer" hill. Overall, I liked the course. Yes, the RD takes a lot a grief and most of it is deserved. I ask this question again and again. Where, in Northern Illinois, is there a fall triathlon? There is LG and I think Mt Carroll (quite a trip from the city and not without their own issues) and IMWI. In October, you need need to head downstate to Rend Lake. At least LG, I can drive there that morning. This is not an endorsement. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=267935
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2012-02-11 6:55 PM in reply to: #4042144 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing When did you do Lake Carroll? I was there in 2010 and thought it was fun. I was not expecting anything like that for the course! They didn't have it this past year, but hopefully in the future. From what I've read, 2009 the route was different, particularly the run, and it sounded like it could have been pretty rough on people since it was basically a trail. Edited by brigby1 2012-02-11 6:56 PM |
2012-02-13 7:15 AM in reply to: #4039290 |
Veteran 275 Algonquin, IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing I did not start tris until 2010 and wanted to do a late summer race. Lake Carroll was an option but there was a thread here about the 2009 race and there were some not so great reviews so I opted for LG sprint (which also had bad reviews). 2011 Lake Carroll was cancelled for some reason. I would consider it if it's on for 2012. I plan on doing the 6/24 Bigfoot oly race this year. |
2012-02-13 7:47 PM in reply to: #4043996 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing I hope they put it back on, though don't think I can do it this year with a Sept Half already in there. Otherwise it would be a yes. The swim is a swim. It's a lake, so not much to say. The bike is very hilly. I didn't know this and thought I could break 65, but ended up with 80 min. The run was more long sustained hills than anything steep. It was all on road and was a decent route. They're kind of limited in what they can do there, but I thought they did a decent job of it. I really wish I had a Garmin profile of the bike & run to see just how much there was. My run was fine, but that was by far the slowest bike pace I've ever had for any distance tri. I haven't done Galena, so can't compare there. They're still working on the transition, but I don't know what they can do with it. The parking lot is all gravel, so no go there. They had it up on a small flat part of a hill. Getting out to and back in from the bike was tricky because it was so steep and slick (paved and raining that day). It was kind of cold and raining that day, but that's weather not course design. And if anyone is wondering, I do tend to remember a detail or two about any (or every) course I've done. Edited by brigby1 2012-02-13 7:48 PM |
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2012-02-13 9:42 PM in reply to: #4039290 |
Veteran 530 | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing This means they are going on the same weekend as rev 3 wisconsin dells. Not sure if this is foolish or smart. May not be enough room in the region for 2 big races like this. |
2012-02-13 10:51 PM in reply to: #4045849 |
Master 1348 Gurnee, IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing brigby1 - 2012-02-13 7:47 PM I hope they put it back on, though don't think I can do it this year with a Sept Half already in there. Otherwise it would be a yes. The swim is a swim. It's a lake, so not much to say. The bike is very hilly. I didn't know this and thought I could break 65, but ended up with 80 min. The run was more long sustained hills than anything steep. It was all on road and was a decent route. They're kind of limited in what they can do there, but I thought they did a decent job of it. I really wish I had a Garmin profile of the bike & run to see just how much there was. My run was fine, but that was by far the slowest bike pace I've ever had for any distance tri. I haven't done Galena, so can't compare there. They're still working on the transition, but I don't know what they can do with it. The parking lot is all gravel, so no go there. They had it up on a small flat part of a hill. Getting out to and back in from the bike was tricky because it was so steep and slick (paved and raining that day). It was kind of cold and raining that day, but that's weather not course design. And if anyone is wondering, I do tend to remember a detail or two about any (or every) course I've done. HA! yes courses do have a way of getting burned into my memory as well. |
2012-02-16 9:18 AM in reply to: #4045992 |
over a barrier | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing mlanahan - 2012-02-13 9:42 PM This means they are going on the same weekend as rev 3 wisconsin dells. Not sure if this is foolish or smart. May not be enough room in the region for 2 big races like this. Pleasant Prairie and Big Foot are also on the same day within 30 mins of each other and both have big fields. |
2012-02-16 11:47 AM in reply to: #4050547 |
Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: New Triathlon-RAM racing Not to sound dismissive of RAM, but I wouldn't call anything of theirs "big" next to a Rev3 event. I don't think it'll be much of an issue. Not as much as having two events named "Bigfoot" at least. |
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