I swam at JKP this morning. Water was almost dead calm. My faster OWS in a long time. Maybe 1" waves, 3-6" swells just south of the park. Water was perfect for a wetsuit. Maybe 65-70F. Warmer in the shallows near show, colder off the sand bar. Forecast is calling for thunderstorms Thur - Sat. AM. Typically that means the lake stays turned over, so expect mid 60's water temps. Cool but not freezing. Calling for North winds 4-10mph Sat. night, so I'd expect some chop through the morning. Should make the bike fast, as the winds will build through the morning and should be a stronger tailwind on the return leg than going out on M-63. Plus the light headwind should spread out traffic just a little by creating more diversity in speeds.
Race day temps look below average, might be a beautiful clear day, but the sunshine will make it warm. Humidity has been really low this week so far, hopefully it stays.
For logistics, plan to find parking about 1/2 - 1 mile from registration. Same on race day morning. Traffic backs up a bit on the roads coming in. They usually route south bound traffic down to Upton Drive, which helps create 2 directional flow. Better than most events. For packet pick-up, you can park closer sometimes if you buy a day pass. I have an annual, so I drive in. I suggest jsut waking up a little early and keeping it stress free. At most it's a 1ish mile walk to transition. Not too bad, typical of an event this size.
If you like to ride Friday or Sat. M-63 has very wide shoulders, smooth fast pavement (except the 1st 1/2 mile out) the first 12 miles north, then gets narrow. Moderate traffic on that road and it's going 55-60mph. about 9 miles north is the biggest hill on the course. Maybe 80-100ft elevation, maybe 8% grade. You barely hit 40mph going down it. Meh. The course is lightly rolling and very fast. I cant; remember if OWS is allowed Friday and Sat. I think so. It's a public park, even though it's a private rental by WTC those 3 days. The park is still open Friday to visitors with limited parking. It closes at 10PM. Waves are much higher in the afternoon and evening.
For restaurants, they're a pretty good selection. Its' a tourist town, a playground for Chicago and Indiana visitors. Lots of 2nd and 3rd vacation homes for those with plenty of disposable income... like triathletes. the event fits perfectly. There's a new brewery on the run course at the turn up the hill at Klock and Northshore, good food across the street there. The best breakfast/bruch is "The Mason Jar" cafe, but expect to wait on the weekend unless you go late in the morning. Farm to market and delicious! The food reminds me of Island Java Lava in Kona, but less focus on coffee. On your way out, stop by the Nye's fruit stand at the west side of the Niles Road exit and get your 5lb box of fresh local bluberries!!! Our family has been pounding 1 box almost once a week. I'm super anti-oxidized!!!
IN Benton harbor there's also good food at "The Inn" at harbor shores and the Harbor Shores Golf Course Club House. Next door Renaissance Athletic club I think allows free day pass to Steelhead athletes. All of the standard restaurant chains are at the Napier Ave. exit off I-94. Blah.
One of the best parts of the area is the St. Joseph downtown. There's 2 or 3 new restaurants and several expansion that last 2 years. A Silver Harbor Brewing Company has great reviews, and I hear good beer. Rybelles is the fancier steak & seafood house. You needs reservations on the weekend. Great food at "The Boulevard Inn" hotel, but you might need reservations. Best pizza is Silver Beach Pizza down blow on the bluff next to the Amtrack station and the Whirlpool Compass Fountain. There's a kids museum, a real early 1900's carousel original from the amusement park that was once there and of course Silver Beach in that area. Best ice cream, fudge, candy is Kilwinn's located on State Street. Parking is limited downtown, so you either get lucky or might have to walk a little. Bet burgers are at "The Buck". Best lunch and coffee is Cafe Tosi. Best Italian food is more towards Stevensville near Red Arrow highway at Tosi's. Heading into the wine region in Baroda 10 miles south of St Joe, there's Tabor Hill Winery and restaurant. I don't think they take reservations, but it's really busy on the weekends. There's a 1/2 down other wineries in the area. I'd suggest staying and extra day and do a winery tour on Monday if you can swing it. Probably the best winery region in the US outside of Napa. Very similar climate to Southern Germany I think, but more snow... with the lake effect that keep summer and winter more mild and more rain AND more sunshine both.
Any other questions let me know.
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