Heard after the race in Kingston that there had been two or three crashes on the bike course. I didn’t see any myself but was told that a woman was hit by a car. Does anybody know anything about this? Was everybody OK?
I didn’t hear about a car accident but some guys were talking about a big crash at the KOS race today in Kingston. Apparently there were some groups riding together on the small paved shoulder of highway 2 when they came upon one of the distance signs that were set up. The front of the group swerved out and missed the sign but at least one that was riding too close didn’t have time and smashed into it and crashed. I guess this is one case where drafting didn’t improve the bike split. The guys talking about the crash were saying that the signs should have been much farther off the road for safety … Funny … I didn’t have any trouble seeing them or avoiding them when I was out there.
Towards the end of the long course bike a guy was down at the bottom of the hill, just before the causeway. He was being attended to at the time, and was even laughing. All I could see was blood above his right eye. After the race he was comfortably walking around transition, with a bandage above his eye and his right shoulder taped tightly against his side. He didn’t look in as much pain as he was no doubt feeling!
As for those distance signs Allan mentioned, I came within inches of hitting one of the larger black ones, looking up just in time. I too had to swerve, and very fortunately there was nobody around me.
K-Town is a GREAT race! This was my first time there, and it won’t be the last. The long course distance is a nice bridge between olys and 1/2s - although it doesn’t play to the strengths of a non-fish (further incentive to bust ass on the bike and run, though!). And it ranks right up there with Keith Jordan’s races in N.H. in terms of on-course support and post-race food. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever done a race that had better aid stations on the run. EVERY station - not just one or two - had sponges, and it worked well that the e-load was in those small cups, just about the right amount to take in at a time. K-Town has to be obne of the hidden gems in North America; on the other hand, it always sells out, doesn’t it?
The race is always well run. The run course is deceptively hard with the corners and short, steep hills along the waterfront trail but the aid stations are top-notch. I’ve done the race the past 6 years (it is one of my favourites) and am considering doing IMLP next summer which would make it tough to keep my streak going … but then again, I’ve done crazier/more stupid things 
If K-town is always on the Civic Holiday weekend (is it?), then you might be in luck next year – you’ll have TWO FULL WEEKS after IMLP to recover!! Piece of cake!
Allan – I saw you yesterday but you were hobnobbing so I didn’t intrude.
Cerveloguy – Were you #211 or something? Saw your bike, didn’t see you.
Better luck Sept. 3.
"Cerveloguy – Were you #211 or something? Saw your bike, didn’t see you. "
Yup. I had the red P2K. My wife was the blue one #210 parked beside it.
Now my next question - how would you recognize me or my bike? Have we met before?
Nope, not in this life, anyhow.
I was perusing the list before the race. You’re a Greg, and there it was - #211. And as for identifying somebody based on a Cervelo THESE days, well, that’s pretty damn hard, huh? How many Cervelos do you figure were there yesterday? That’s why I descibe mine as a first-generation P2K (and it looks it, too; I really must take better care of it!).
“And as for identifying somebody based on a Cervelo THESE days, well, that’s pretty damn hard, huh?”
There were a heck of a lot of Cervelos in Kingston. In fact I swear half our bike rack was Cervelos. Probably saw more Soloists than other models.
…this is why if you guys actually use your names on this forum, it is much easier to identify you at races or in race results. I have had countless guys look up my race number at registration and then come over to my rack (when they are numbered) and then we can go through the intros…seems to be a major benefit, meeting ST guys at races.
Back to the topic of this thread, Andy Fong was the one who crashed, and he is Ok. Here is his report from today’s trirudy.com:
6. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AT K-TOWN Andy Fong (General Comments)
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I just wanted to send a big Thank You to everyone at K-Town for coming to my aid on Sunday, when I unexpectedly crashed out with 1K to go on the bike segment … While descending on my last hill to the walk bridge, just before the finish line, cruising at around 50-55K, I lost a bit of focus on what was ahead of my, and all of a sudden, found myself losing control while on my aerobars, with the only option of steering my bike to the left (on coming traffic, NOT) or right and hitting the curb … Well, you guessed it … being so close to the right curb, it was a quick contact with the curb, and a few seconds after, I found myself flying off my bike and, … Apparently, the ground broke my fall …
I guess all those lessons in the dojo (karate, jujitsu, taekwondo, aikido, etc.) paid off, as I instictively completed a perfect shoulder roll/break fall … As it turned out, only suffering a bad case of road rash (cuts and abbrasions) to my right shoulder and another bruising/cut to my right eye (apparently now turning black and blue) … After getting up from my fall, I immediately got up and did a quick check to see all my parts were still there and functioning … with nothing apparently broken, though a bit of blood on my face, I immediately got up and reached for my bike to continue and finish the bike course …
Then suddenly a race official/volunteer and several other spectators who witnessed my crash, immediately rushed over to see how I was doing … When I responded that I was fine and ready to continue, the Official noticed that my helmet (Rudy Project) had a big fracture on the front right side and a lot of blood oozing down my face, instructed to me sit down and asked another volunteer to call for some medical assistance … Noticing how I landed on my head, he/they were concerned that I may have suffered a mild concussion or some other head injury of some sort… Although I protested a bit, that I was fine, he ultimately overruled me and, more or less, and called said my race over …
Eventually, the ambulance arrived about 45-50 minutes later and after a quick checkover, they took me to the Emergency Room … About 30-45 minutes later, after getting looked at, and patched up, I was released from the Hospital, and found my Guardian Angel waiting for me in the Waiting Room and eventually escorting me back to the Race Site … Apparently, with a 2 inch cut over my eye (caused by my sunglasses, as it was impacted by my helmet, as it hit the ground … and some road rash on my right shoulder, I was pretty lucky that my Rudy Project Helmet limited the amount of potential damage, otherwise would have occured … as well as, my Running Room Platypus Waterpack, which took the brunt of my fall, otherwise, my back and shoulders would have been much worse …
I would like to give a specail thank you to the Race Official/Volunteer and my Guardian Angel, Kristian Ewen, for coming to my aid when I crashed out, taking the responsibility to call my race over, informing my Coach and her Husband (Jane Armstong and Andrew Armstrong) of my predicament, in taking my bike back to the Transition Zone, as well as bringing my backpack to the hospital and escorting me back to the T-Zone … I realize that it was more than your Call of Duty, when you volunteered at today’s race, but to me, you were a god send … Thank you again, Kristian … Perhaps, whenever you are in Ottawa we could hook up and have a few, on me of course
I also wanted to thank the other 3/4 spectators who also stopped and stayed with me until the Ambulance arrived … I apologize for not getting your names (or simply just forgot them) and am also greatly appreciated of your care and support …
Special thanks to the Medical Personnel in Kingston (both Ambulance and Hospital) for taking care of my injuries … and, of course to the Race Director and OAT Officials who were concerned with my well being … And, last but not least to both Andrew and Jane Armstrong for securing my bike and belongings, as well as driving me and my car back to Ottawa/Kanata and home safely … And, as a final gesture of goodwill Jane Armstrong, unselfishly gave me her Finishers Medal …
I will update you in 2 or 3 days, once I go back to the doctors for a follow-up on my scars, cuts and abbrasions …
As a final note, BEWARE K-Town, 'cause in 52 weeks, I will be back, and with a vengance … and, plan to be one of first registrants for the 2006 Edition of K-Town …
I guess it’s time to buy a new Rudy Project Helmet and Running Room Platypus Waterpack 
… And, taking my Felt B2 Bomber to the Emergency Ward for a check up and possible transplant of a new rear derailleur, shifters and front end … though, the Easton Aluminum Frame appears to be unscathed …
Again, another example of why Wearing Helmets could Save Your Life and/or Coconut …
Take care and talk to you all later … andy Peace !!!
BTW: Anyone know how to get a hold of Rudy Project and Platypus? I was told that they like to have these accident victims back for analysis …
Andy Fong
vincentandy.fong@sympatico.ca
Wow. Glad to hear that Andy is OK. That’s a fast part of the course as the last downhill section before the bridge. It could have been a lot worse crashing at that speed.
Thanks for posting Dev. I also was told about a woman hitting a car, but this hasn’t been verified yet.
yikes! i’m sure glad andy is ok! i didn’t hear of this at all! of course, i’m slow so he was probably back at home by the time i got in.
A women did hit a car at the last intersection before T2. She was stunned but ok. She is a local from Kingston and was wearing a team andy jersey and riding a brand new black P2K. The officer at the intersection was looking up the road and not out towards the incoming cyclists and waved a car through just as she was entering the intersection. One would think this officer would have learned after he waved a car through right after the short course leader and directly infront of the leaders of the Du. Luckily the driver of the car slammed on his brakes and avoided them.
All in all another great race!
dev-
Thanks for the update on Andy, as well as the “push” to dump the screen name in favor of the real thing (most of it anyhow - the full thing is in the profile, for anybody who cares…).
And 48 hours after the fact, K-Town, in my mind, just keeps getting better and better!
It was really an incredible day. The water felt great; there was a bit of a tail wind on the bike back; and the run temperature was as good as you could expect for late July.
I really enjoyed the long course. Fantastic race. I’m glad the injured racers seem to be okay.
They have hired a few new officers (young) in K-Town in the past few years. I have made a point to keep an eye on the traffic and the officers. More than once I have brought my approach to the officers attention.
It was a great race!
K-Town is always very well organized. Mike/Joe and crew always try to do things the right way.
The bridge operator should be thanked as well. There was an irate Boater who wanted the lift bridge opened (usually on the hour) at 11:00 and was told 12:00 and not before as it created confusion for the race organizers. The Bike organizer then was willing to negotiate a time but the bridge operator wanting to do his part for the race said he would deal with the boater, she did not need to listen to his abuse, she had more important things to attend to. The bridge did not open until 12:00 as promissed.
There are many more stories of co-operation from the community.
Rick
So how did everyone do? I’ll start:
I raced the short course. I was #220 (Michael Nuttall). I ended up 54th overall. I had a decent swim for me, sloooow T1, excellent bike (13th overall!), and an okay run. Still not bad for only my 4th triathlon. It was nice biking past the in-laws house and having my parents, wife, and sister cheering for me at the finish line (Kingston is my hometown).
I think what always makes the K-town tri such a huge success is the volunteers. The entire town gets behind their tri every year. Great place Kingston.
NIce reading about the race (other than the crashes of course). I raced the short course as well. 5th overall. I had the red P3 with the Zipp disc. I normally do the long course but I have a 1/2 IM on sat so I thought I’d go shorter this year. I love Kingston and this race very much. I live in Michigan and have been going to Wolfe Island every summer for 35 years so this race is a nice end to my annual family vacation. I can’t say enough about the course and the volunteers. I did notice however than the distance signs were pretty close to the asphalt and I remember thinking to myself that they could be a problem for someone not paying attention. Other than that…no issues at all (besides the giant bus that hogged the whole lane going over the bridge coming back iinto town…really had to check up hard in order to not rear end it). A great race and a very nice result for myself.
Doug Campbell
Doug, congrats on a great race. I remember seeing your bike on the course as I did my usual MOP award performance. Swim and run were OK (for me) but my run really sucked, even worse than usual. My wife did win her AG, sixth fastest woman and beat me by seven minutes, but I did beat her bike time, which is all that really matters.
“Swim and run were OK (for me) but my run really sucked”
Whoops. Make that “swim and bike”