I checked out Tom’s info on the Curacao trip as well as Curacao’s website and got to wondering. Does anyone know how hilly Curacao is-what kind of gearing and biking to expect. I’m assuming a road bike would be best for the group rides. I also noticed that there seems to be a park with trails. Would a mountain bike be fun there?
Thanks,
Pat
I usually take a road bike with shortie aerobars to Doug’s camp.
This is well suited for the varied terrain. When we leave the Lion’s Dive and head toward Willemsted and beyond out toward Knip Beach (excellent Ironman training: I did long rides here in preparation for Ironman New Zealand in 2004) the terrain is genrally flat with just a couple rollers- one or two long ones. No big deal.
When we go up “Goat Road” it is a constant, gradual gradient going up and then a descent on the way back down. If the RBTT/Fatum Bank Triathlon is being held that bike course is hard. Id is four laps of a tough 10 km circuit with one brutally steep, short climb in it. You need a 39/25 for the race, but 34/23 is better (compact crank).
Overall, a road bike with shorties and a 25 tooth cog in the back will do you just fine. It is a fun trip- hope to see you there. I know Dan mentioned to me he and his associate were seriously considering coming there for the camp. It could be an ST convention off shore!
Here is the info:
Thanks Tom, that helps. One more ?, do you remember if the airlines charge for bike travel. I’ve heard they don’t charge for overseas bike travel.
An offshore ST convention could be fun. Hopefully we’ll keep skidmarks and sharing of body fluids to a minimum.
Pat
Trillini,
This will be my 6th year going to Curacao for the swim camp. We’ve always flown American Airlines and usually pay $100 for shipping.
As to your bike question, I’ve switched between my tri bike and road bike. Last year we road on the east side of the island more. Some of the decents and terrain make a road bike more practical. If you plan on using the trip to get in more 60+ rides then go with the tri bike. The ride to the west end of the island has a few moderate hills but is mostly flat (wind aided). The return trip (30+ miles depending on your route) is mostly into the wind and the aero position helps.
There will be at least two IMLP '06 people there and usually a couple more looking for longer rides so you won’t ever have to ride alone.
Hope to see you there.
-Andrew
Thanks Andrew. I’m in, it just looks to fun to pass up. I doubt I’ll do a lot of long biking though because I’m really hoping to take advantage of Doug’s swim coaching. I’m a very slow swimmer and my goal for the winter is to get into the MOP for the swim.
See you there!
Pat
Pat,
I will take good care of you in the pool and everyday in the openwater. We will do a 2 mile point to point swim on the last day.
Our bike coaches will guide you through the roads.
Always save a little bit for party time.
Doug
Another good reason to come to Curacao is the other campers at the camp- Andrew is an example of that.
I’m not a good swimmer. When I am at the camp I am on the steep section of the learning curve and the other campers- Andrew in particular, really helped me. Andrew gave me good insight into everything from what goggles work best to how to use your hands underwater to swim and sight straighter.
An enormous asset to Doug’s camp are the other campers. In addition to being a fun crowd they are a tremendous resource. Like Andrew, many are return customers to Curacao. They know the workouts, the roads, the beaches and the ocean. There is always someone there to help and always someone to learn from and have fun with.
I can’t tell you how geeked I am to drag my skinny, wine drinking, beer guzzling, liberal politics spewing, dog lovin’ S to Curacao to meet the famous Tom Demerly and Doug Stern. Should be a blast. See you in January…
Pat
Pat,
My daughter Cleo is in charge of Seaquarium site seeing, beach frisbee and history of the Island.
DougStern
Doug, does the 2006 camp coincide with that triathlon as in some of the previous years?
I will contact them and find out.
DougStern
completely unrelated to your post, however I am assuming the trillini is a reference to University of Illinois. Being an old alumni and out of state I did a search lookin to see if there was a tri club. Hoping to buy some illini tri gear. No luck with the search. If you are a fellow illini, any help? If not sorry for cutting into your thread.
You are corrrect. I sent you a pm.
Pat