Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet?

Aug 27, 14 17:25

Post #1 of 39 (6934 views)

A friend of mine is looking to travel for a destination race and his wife really wants to do the 70.3 @ Monterrey, Mexico.

I am in the security and executive protection business so he asked me my thoughts.

My knee jerk when he first said Monterrey was Hell no. I had an expat friend in my company living there who said it was like living in a "compound" all the time where you didn't go anywhere alone. We had drivers and bodyguards assigned to him.

I checked my sources at the State Department and they too had reservations about going there with a $6000 bike in tow screaming "wealthy American".

My friend's wife is enamored by the photo of the swim venue photos on the web page.

Both friends are lilly white and very American looking. My friend's wife is also pretty, which may or may not matter to a scumbag kidnapper.

If you had one shot at convincing them to travel to a safer location with an excellent / beautiful race, where would you go? The closer to the US the better, but I don't want to limit the geography.

Thanks,

Dave Stark
dreamcatcher@astound.net
USAC & USAT level 2 certified coach

Last edited by: karma: Aug 27, 14 20:22

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 17:32

Post #2 of 39 (6920 views)

Muncie

Me: https://carnivoreendurance.blogspot.com/...ever-comes-next.html

Latest: Colorectal Cancer is in the News Again. Don't Blame Red Meat
https://carnivoreendurance.blogspot.com/...news-again-dont.html

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 18:47

Post #3 of 39 (6831 views)

There might be nicer ones out there, but it won't beat St. Croix by much and likely have more complex logistics.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 18:50

Post #4 of 39 (6826 views)

karma wrote:

A friend of mine is looking to travel for a destination race and his wife really wants to do the 70.3 @ Monterrey, Mexico.

I am in the security and executive protection business so he asked me my thoughts.

My knee jerk when he first said Monterrey was Hell no. I had an expat friend in my company living there who said it was like living in a "compound" all the time where you didn't go anywhere alone. We had drivers and bodyguards assigned to him.

I checked my sources at the State Department and they too had reservations about going there with a $6000 bike in tow screaming "wealthy American".

My friend's wife is enamored by the photo of the swim venue photos on the web page.

Both friends are lilly white and very American looking. She's rather attractive too.

If you had one shot at convincing them to travel to a safer location with an excellent / beautiful race, where would you go? The closer to the US the better, but I don't want to limit the geography.

Thanks,

There's a 70.3 in Puerto Rico . . . I know nothing about it, but it's more "exotic" than Mexico. Anything in Oz or New Zealand I would throw in there too because I imagine they would be pretty.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 18:54

Post #5 of 39 (6815 views)

Puc�n is supposedly one of the most beautiful courses in the world. I've never done it, but it's gotten great press in some tri mags.

_____________________________________________________
Instagram | Team Kiwami North America

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 18:56

Post #6 of 39 (6808 views)

I will also add that I have done the 70.3 in Puerto Rico and IM Cozumel, where there I also a half. I'd say Cozumel is more beautiful as far as scenery goes, especially in the swim, but both are great venues.

_____________________________________________________
Instagram | Team Kiwami North America

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [Birdmantris] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 19:01

Post #7 of 39 (6794 views)

Birdmantris wrote:

Muncie

If its good enough for jerry gergich...

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 19:03

Post #8 of 39 (6789 views)

I've done San Juan 70.3, St Croix 70.3 and IM Cozumel (there is a 70.3 version also) and would say St Croix is the most exotic, downtown San Juan the most interesting, and Cozumel the most fun.

St Croix has Jump-up 2 nights before race day and is not to be missed. And if you aren't afraid to drive on the left, then you must find the beer drinking pigs in the rain forest...too funny! Nice restaurants, beautiful beaches, and fantastic snorkeling.

San Juan is a beautiful historic city that is fabulous to explore with lots of interesting shops. The old forts, city walls, blue stone streets, monuments, are well worth the time to see. Take a Segway tour from the cruise shop dock area...a blast. Excursions from your hotel to the rainforest can easily be arranged.

Cozumel has lots of all inclusive resort hotels with a central shopping district that is very tourist oriented. World class snorkeling and diving are available (same at St Croix), and very pretty beaches on the unpopulated east side. Cozumel has some museums, dolphin encounter centers, and a variety of tourist attractions to help separate you from your money.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 19:08

Post #9 of 39 (6775 views)

St. Croix. If they crave a nice swim venue it doesn't get better Thant swimming in the Caribbean in the harbor of Christiansted. That race also has the historic element of being one of the true classics of the sport. There are a surprising number of really good restaurants on the island too.

It is the mind itself which builds the body.
-Joseph Pilates

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 19:20

Post #10 of 39 (6745 views)

S.O.S Triathlon in New Paltz. Freakin' epic and gorgeous.

----------------------------------------------------------
Zen and the Art of Triathlon. Strava Workout Log
Interviews with Chris McCormack, Helle Frederikson, Angela Naeth, and many more.
http://www.zentriathlon.com

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

CobraKai Triguy

Aug 27, 14 19:32

Post #11 of 39 (6727 views)

St Croix, but the accommodations aren't the best there compared to typical resort locations. No other race's swim I've seen holds a candle to that one IMO and the front end and back end of the bike are breathtaking.

______________________________________________

"Sweep the leg...Do you have a problem with that?" - John Kreese

Last edited by: CobraKai Triguy: Aug 27, 14 19:32

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 19:33

Post #12 of 39 (6726 views)

karma wrote:

A friend of mine is looking to travel for a destination race and his wife really wants to do the 70.3 @ Monterrey, Mexico.

I am in the security and executive protection business so he asked me my thoughts.

My knee jerk when he first said Monterrey was Hell no. I had an expat friend in my company living there who said it was like living in a "compound" all the time where you didn't go anywhere alone. We had drivers and bodyguards assigned to him.

I checked my sources at the State Department and they too had reservations about going there with a $6000 bike in tow screaming "wealthy American".

My friend's wife is enamored by the photo of the swim venue photos on the web page.

Both friends are lilly white and very American looking. She's rather attractive too.

If you had one shot at convincing them to travel to a safer location with an excellent / beautiful race, where would you go? The closer to the US the better, but I don't want to limit the geography.

Thanks,

monterrey is no longer as bad as it used to be and there are a lot of Mexicans richer than your friend with the $6k bike living there. that said, though the swim does look lovely and the mountains in the area gorgeous, if it is smoggy the bike will likely not be nearly as pretty as Coz or St. Croix.

http://harvestmoon6.blogspot.com
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katasmit

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [Sbradley11] [ In reply to ]

Aug 27, 14 19:58

Post #13 of 39 (6677 views)

Sbradley11 wrote:

Puc�n is supposedly one of the most beautiful courses in the world. I've never done it, but it's gotten great press in some tri mags.

x2. Macca stated it was the most *beautiful race he has ever done.

*The word he used could have been breathtaking or majestic or something else, but you get the picture......

Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 4:08

Post #14 of 39 (6526 views)

Haven't done a lot of exotic racing but I would second St. Croix. View from the coastal road is incredible along the bike course. Should also disclose that it is the hardest race I have ever done... Including Kona. Half as long but twice as painful.

Tim Russell, Pro Triathlete

Instagram- @timbikerun

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [TimeIsUp] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 4:49

Post #15 of 39 (6471 views)

TimeIsUp wrote:

There might be nicer ones out there, but it won't beat St. Croix by much and likely have more complex logistics.

This. I've done St. Croix 5 times and it's all you'll ever want. Safe, quiet, historic, hard....

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [Birdmantris] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 6:16

Post #16 of 39 (6380 views)

Having lived, raced and worked in Muncie... I had to laugh at that. Thanks :-)

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 6:33

Post #17 of 39 (6349 views)

Looking at the list of 70.3 races, Mexico would be low on my list.

I'd do NZ, either of the Brasil races, Chile, but probably pick Aix-en-Provence.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 6:56

Post #18 of 39 (6294 views)

St. Croix is better than great, but I would have to go with Laguna Phuket as my #1.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 7:08

Post #19 of 39 (6276 views)

Mallorca 70.3 looks very beautiful from the pictures I have seen

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 7:15

Post #20 of 39 (6257 views)

Challenge Laguna Phuket in Thailand.

Long Chile was a silly place.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 7:56

Post #21 of 39 (6195 views)

Challenge Walchsee in Austria and Challenge Wanaka in NZ both look pretty spectacular.

___________________
Twitter | Kancman | Blog

Last edited by: snackchair: Aug 28, 14 7:56

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [BCtriguy1] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 7:58

Post #22 of 39 (6190 views)

BCtriguy1 wrote:

Challenge Laguna Phuket in Thailand.

ill look into that one once I learn how to swim. That should be an hour or so from Singapore?

http://RoadID.com/...te/4HC4V-TAFQ9XPJDTX

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 8:48

Post #23 of 39 (6125 views)

I recommend savageman. It's a very beautiful race.

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [karma] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 9:22

Post #24 of 39 (6068 views)

Alpe d'Huez. Did it this year. It was amazing. Not a WTC race, and actually a little longer than a 70.3, but an amazing, incredibly challenging race.

http://www.savagesentiments.blogspot.com/
http://www.tricoachmartin.com/
https://www.facebook.com/teameverymanjack

Re: Where is the most exotic / beautiful 70.3 race on the planet? [beachedbeluga] [ In reply to ]

Aug 28, 14 9:30

Post #25 of 39 (2086 views)

beachedbeluga wrote:

Alpe d'Huez. Did it this year. It was amazing. Not a WTC race, and actually a little longer than a 70.3, but an amazing, incredibly challenging race.

I've heard that this is one of the best races in the world. And hard as hell! I really want to do it!

Our Partners

transition-DOT-area-AT-slowtwitch-DOT-com

Advertise with us

©1999-2024 Slowtwitch, Inc., and Slowtwitch.com
Reproduction of material from any Slowtwitch.com page
without written permission is strictly prohibited.