So who else is doing IMBrazil? I leave Friday morning - looks like I’m going to have to go to the Thursday night midnight showing of Episode 3. I arrive Saturday sometime(damn layovers), in time to do a one loop ride of the bike course with Ken Glah’s group on Sunday. Anyone else showing up for the pre-ride?
Since I’m going over a week early, I don’t want to use my race wheels exclusively. What do you guys do to take 2 sets of wheels?
Those of you who’ve been, what’s Florianopolis like? I’m staying for week afterwards, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it up to Rio, unfortunately. Will I get bored in Florianopolis?
Race wheels are carry-ons, training wheels are in the case. If you are nice they will put your wheels in the coat closet for 1st class (and maybe let you sit there - show them the shaved legs with m-dot tattoo).
I’ll be arriving next Wednesday early morning… check out Ken Glah’s optional trips, you might find something else you could do instead of just staying in Floripa, since you will be there a week before the race already… His packages’ prices are bad at all… http://www.endurancesportstravel.com/imb_opackages.asp?prova=brasil. I would check out something in the Northeast of Brazil… BTW, you could go to Rio for 2 days and see lots…
Also leaving Friday to ride the course with Ken Glah on Sunday. See you there!
Beware: I contacted Varig Airlines (I am flying out of NYC through www.endurancesportstravel.com) and they said will not let you bring a wheel (or wheels) as a carry on. I am having my girlfriend, who is coming down next week, bring my disc as one of her two checked pieces of luggage.
I'll be arriving monday afternoon....
Is there any chance that we can meet the ST's during the week ?
I'm going by car ( since I leave in Sao Paulo ) just to carry two sets of wheel plus all the things that will be usefull during the week there... I'll be carry two wetsuits ( one full and one sleevless ).
I'm checking the weather and I think is gonna rain during the week there. This week is being really hot but the weather is gonna change on thursday... be prepared guys....
See you...
Luiz
I did IM Brazil in 2003 - my first. Ken Glah does a great job organizing his trips. The Brazilian people are really friendly. I didn’t spend nearly enough time there.
If you get the chance go to Iguassu Falls - it’s amazing.
I went to Rio but with the limited time I had I wish that I would have done the Amazon instead. Someday I’ll head back there and take a month or two and travel throughout South America.
Yes, you will get bored in Floripa after the race,after 3 days let alone a week. Don’t forget it is a resort out of season, and not a lot happens although it is a beautiful place. We went with KEn Glah’s Endurance Sports last year and the deal was that if you used them for all your flights you go free flights to your domestic trips that you booked with them after. This meant that we stayed in Rio for 4 days for an extremely good price. I suggest you do the same it is well worth it. Oh, and yes some of our friends stayed in Floirpa for the 4 days after and were bored witless.
This is a very good point. LAst year we had four tropical storms in the three days before race day, it was very cold and extremely wet and windy. Take some warm long sleeved tops and a rainjacket, I didn’t a had to buy some there.
I was bored of my ass only one day after race day last year. I wish I had joined my friends in Rio. If you have a week after the race to hang out, find something to do. If you can’t make it to Rio there are other options locally offered by Ken’s company.
One other thing; if you have a special ‘night before the race’ dinner that you prepare, find a way to bring the ingredients with you. For instance, I would bring low fat canned chicken, dry pasta, pesto…whatever shelf stable stuff that you need. I did my preprace pasta feed at a local restaurant. That was a mistake…not that the food was nasty or anything like that, but I would have been better off preparing my own grub. The food prepared by Ken’s chefs is good, but I think you would be better off preparing your own meal.
Unfortunetely I received today bad news from Latin Sports ( the organizer of the event )…
Last year they provide us water in very unaproprieted containers… this year is gonna be even worse… they will use plastic cups…
This is unbelievable !!! My option last year was using a aerodrink but this year I have a Ergomo Power meter that makes impossible to use the aerodrink…
Is that on the bike, Luiz? My God, it was bad enough with the silly little water bottles last year because of the sponsor needing the identity of their product on the packaging. What excuse can their be for it being in cups?
