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Hot Tamales

Dec 7, 08 6:37

Post #1 of 14 (1630 views)
IM Lou Quote | Reply
Finally sold out. Wonder why it took so long. I imagine it may be because of the course (non-mass swim start)or maybe because its Aug in KY (hot and humid). Any thoughts?


2WHEELS of FURY

Dec 7, 08 6:46

Post #2 of 14 (1620 views)
Re: IM Lou [Hot Tamales] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
They were said to have added 800 slots and upped it to 3,300. And, the time-trial start is really cool/unique and I love the heat.


slowhokie

Dec 7, 08 6:48

Post #3 of 14 (1617 views)
Re: IM Lou [Hot Tamales] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Plenty of reasons thrown around here, including the heat, tough competition for slots, close to Kona and IMMOO and IMCA (the same day!), and TT start. Lots of folks have labeled it a non-ideal course for a first timer.
Also, as far as I can tell, is the only North American race that's not put on by NAS. Think that makes a difference? The first thing that comes to mind is that I won't hear Mike Reilly at Louisville :(


dcsxtri10

Dec 7, 08 7:09

Post #4 of 14 (1589 views)
Re: IM Lou [slowhokie] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
A lot of people still confuse WTC and NAS. NAS races are the best events without a doubt in my opinion and I think Louisville suffers by not being a NAS race and it is not a very good site. I know those who have done it will always say its great ... but get real ... who would really do this race with all its problems if they had been able to sign up for IMC or IMOO. It is the only north american race I haven't done ... I personally could care less as it just isn't very appealing to me personally. Doesn't mean others won't find a reason to like it ... just means it won't fill very fast.
Dave


Shakeandbake

Dec 7, 08 7:13

Post #5 of 14 (1581 views)
Re: IM Lou [slowhokie] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
It would be great if they could get Mike to commentate. For the last two years they have some guy from France that can hardley speak english announcing/mangling peoples names. And what is worse is he just yells everything way to close to the mic. It sucks.
"injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" MLK


Flak

Dec 7, 08 7:16

Post #6 of 14 (1576 views)
Re: IM Lou [dcsxtri10] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
A lot of people still confuse WTC and NAS. NAS races are the best events without a doubt in my opinion and I think Louisville suffers by not being a NAS race and it is not a very good site. I know those who have done it will always say its great ... but get real ... who would really do this race with all its problems if they had been able to sign up for IMC or IMOO. It is the only north american race I haven't done ... I personally could care less as it just isn't very appealing to me personally. Doesn't mean others won't find a reason to like it ... just means it won't fill very fast.
Dave
That's not what i heard. Friend of mine has done every N.American IM bar Florida and he says the WTC version is his favorite. *shrugs* different strokes i guess.

I think the no wetsuit, and guaranteed heat scares a lot of people off when they could do IMWI or something around the same time and get the wetsuit, and possibly better conditions.


dcsxtri10

Dec 7, 08 7:26

Post #7 of 14 (1563 views)
Re: IM Lou [Flak] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Different strokes is fine and we can all do what we like :-) The issue is that IMOO/IMC fill the same day they become available for entry and IMLou has taken over 3 months ... and they occur at the same time of year. Something is clearly different ... I think prior threads on this have sort of shown what a lot of the issues are and a lot are organizational(WTC). Doesn't mean we don't like them ... just means they need to put on a better product like NAS.
Dave


(This post was edited by dcsxtri10 on Dec 7, 08 7:27)


gholmes

Dec 7, 08 8:46

Post #8 of 14 (1511 views)
Re: IM Lou [dcsxtri10] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
Different strokes is fine and we can all do what we like :-) The issue is that IMOO/IMC fill the same day they become available for entry and IMLou has taken over 3 months ... and they occur at the same time of year. Something is clearly different ... I think prior threads on this have sort of shown what a lot of the issues are and a lot are organizational(WTC). Doesn't mean we don't like them ... just means they need to put on a better product like NAS.
Dave
I've done them all the NAS races except for arizona and done them multiple times.
I've done imlou and Hawaii which are wtc races.
I did IMlou in 2007 and I'm signed up for 2009 currently.. I did usa and florida this year.
I thought wtc did an awesome job in 2007. The registration was quick not packed into a small tent like florida(will say imusa was quick though)
I found it quicker and more organized than any of the nas races I've done..
I like the time trial start but also how well the transition area is setup.

Here are key points I like about imlou... Now I don't really do well at hilly courses so that part of imlou is not my favorite but I like warmer races
especially when I start the bike. I prefer to just race with a skinsuit the whole way.. Temps under 65 degrees and I'm pretty much shaking.
I also live within driving distance of imlou (6 hours)


Swim....
Not a double loop mass start so you don't have the stand still at the turns lot's less stressful.
1.6 miles down stream.
Warm water don't have to futs with putting on wetsuit in themorning..

T1
You don't feel like a heard of cattle going through the chutes like nas races due to the time trial start.
The gear bags are on nice racks(like imusa but lot's more space between racks).
The change tent has plenty of room is not crowded.. It's bigger and due to the time trial start you don't have to fight to get in and get out.
Just go watch that time lapse video online of imf it was a nightmare gets worse every year.

WTC allows you to leave your shoes on your bike and helmet(they did in 2007 assume 2008 too).
NAS only allows pros to leave their shoes on the bike. grass transition like imusa,cda if it rains you get your cleats clogged with mud and dirt.

You don't have to put on arm warmers or a second layer its not going to be cold almost every imusa race starts out in the cold most warm up during the bike but I'd like to start out above 65 degrees.

IMF this year and imusa as well people running into each other while getting their bikes an trying to exit the transition area florida was really bad this year IMLou time trial start solves that.

Bike.
Due to the hilly course and for most part the time trial start you won't have large packs of cheaters(never see those threads on drafting like you see
for imf.... Yes some nas races are better than others due to terrain but with the mass start and large amount of starters some are worse than others.

pretty much all of my points are solved by the time trial start. Wish they would do like memphis and line you up by bib number so you can at least do some math on the run as you pass folks or get passed to know where you are in relation to others..

I like warmer races.

2007 imlou the weather was super hot in the 100's for weeks before and 2 days before the race. WTC was prepared they had those big refrigerated
ice containers like you see at the stores to hold bagged ice at each aid station on the bike with generators.


namaste

Dec 7, 08 9:21

Post #9 of 14 (1486 views)
Re: IM Lou [MTF5] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
For the last two years they have some guy from France that can hardley speak english announcing/mangling peoples names. And what is worse is he just yells everything way to close to the mic. It sucks.
He's from Germany. I have done 3 races where he is the MC. Having him yell into the mic from 6am in his mangled English is not fun. Really the worst commentator I have ever heard.

Andrew

http://www.theyogapod.com


bhube24

Dec 7, 08 12:50

Post #10 of 14 (1406 views)
Re: IM Lou [namaste] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Arent WTC and NAS one in the same now? I thought Providence equity bought them both? I would venture to guess you will start to see some of the same things at NAS and WTC events from here on out.


goregrind

Dec 7, 08 13:01

Post #11 of 14 (1396 views)
Re: IM Lou [dcsxtri10] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
Different strokes is fine and we can all do what we like :-) The issue is that IMOO/IMC fill the same day they become available for entry and IMLou has taken over 3 months ... and they occur at the same time of year. Something is clearly different ... I think prior threads on this have sort of shown what a lot of the issues are and a lot are organizational(WTC). Doesn't mean we don't like them ... just means they need to put on a better product like NAS.
Dave


What organizational issues are you talking about?


maura9900

Dec 7, 08 14:43

Post #12 of 14 (1344 views)
Re: IM Lou [goregrind] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Mike Reilly WAS at IMLou in 2007. He switched on and off with the German/French guy.


goallout

Dec 7, 08 19:16

Post #13 of 14 (1219 views)
Re: IM Lou [MTF5] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
Mike Reily was definately on the Mic. when I finished in 07. The other guys was also on at times I noticed after I finished and was hanging out on 4th St.

For what it's worth I did Lou. in 07 and thought highly of the overall experience. I have done LP and MOO and had zero complaints about Lou. I would have no reservations about doing Lou. again but i'm taking a little IM hiatus. I have HIM fever I guess.


Shakeandbake

Dec 7, 08 20:30

Post #14 of 14 (1189 views)
Re: IM Lou [namaste] [In reply to] Quote | Reply
exactly! There has to be tons of people that can do that job better than him. I am not a mean person but this is not the profession for him. It is hard to listen to. He reminds me of the night club DJ's that try and talk over a loud song and just yell something that no one can hear. If Mike was at IMKY in 07 I missed him.
"injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" MLK

   
 
 
 
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