Can anyone here give me more info about this race other than what is on the website? Any locals up there have suggestions on which hotels to pick and what bike/tri shops to visit while I am up there? Heard about it from a Birmingham couple (Jason and Sara I think) that was down here at Fort Rucker for the cancelled TinMan Triathlon.
Michael
I am not racing in the BB Tri this weekend because I have having trouble walking since RNR Man but have raced 4 or 5 times in the past. The best area to stay for this race is on Hwy 119 just off of the I-65 exit. There are several hotels and restaurants in the area. It is 5 minutes from the Oak Mt. entrance and Cahaba Cycles is located at the corner of Hwy 119 and Hwy 31. If the hotels on 119 are full due to the race and/or a concert at oak mt. then go one exit toward B’ham(Valleydale Rd) and you will find a nice La Quinta. It will only add a minute or two to your drive and if there is a concert at oak mt you will be much happier staying here.
I will probably come out and mt bike Sunday so if you see a guy on a yellow Specialized it might be me.
Like he said the best place to stay is at the 119 exit off of 65. It is right at the edge of the park and there are plenty of places to eat. Cahaba cycles is a stones throw away. Bobs bikes(bobs-bikes.com) is about 10 minutes away 65 north to the vestavia/ hwy 31 exit and has a little more of a tri selection than Cahaba(I think). It’s a nice race all inside the park a few hills but the roads are nice in that you don’t have to worry about traffic. See you out there.
Let me know if you want specifics on anything.
I might be in Montgomery this weekend and may take a drive up to do the race. I looked at times from last year and they don’t look too impressive (particularly the run times). Was the course drastically different last year than this year? Also tell me a little bit more about the actual race itself. What is the deal with this time trial swim start? I much prefer trying to drown the guy next to me for the first 30 meters.
If I go I won’t have a chance to see the course before I race it, so any info on hills during the bike and run would be greatly appreciated. I’d hate to sit back on the first few hills only to find there aren’t any hills late in the race.
Talk to me Goose… talk to me.
I was not in it last year but heard form a couple of people that they messed up the run leg last year and made it longer than it was supposed to be, not real sure about it though. The run is not bad. Hills are a little subjective. To me the park is a little hilly, someone from Colorado would not flinch. If you look at the pdf of the bike course layout:Bike out to turnaround 1 slightly uphill(not bad). Bike turnaround 1 to Findlay is mostly down hill( little rolling). On findlay to turnaround 2 you got one decent hill up and then rolling to turn around 2 with biggest hill on course right before the 2nd turn around. Down the hill before turn around and the up after the turnaround. All of the hills are on Findlay between terace drive and the back fishing lake. From findlay to the front gate and turn around 3 slightly uphill. From turn around 3 to terrace dr you should make good time and will be the fastest part of the course. I’m not real good at distances or measurements so I cant elaborate on the hills to give you any kind of grades or length.
The Buster Britton Tri has been around for 10+ years and every year that I have done it(last 5 years) they have had the same run route with the same turn around. But for some reason last year, Team Magic decided to measure the run using GPS. Well half of the run is in a very wooded section where GPS is not accurate. The run ended up being close to 4 miles. Not very fun when you take off at a 3 mile pace.
I agree. Bob’s Bikes has a better tri selection.
Sounds good. Just registered and made hotel reservations at the Howard Johnson’s Inn further up the interstate. Had a good dinner/meeting with some of the Slowtwitcher’s in Macon, GA this past weekend and was hoping to set something up here.
I hear there are lots of good restaurants in the area and a couple recommendations from the lady at the hotel were “Lavoy’s” for Italian food or the “Florida Grill” for fish. Both are local places and should work out.
Anyone on here around the Birmingham area have any ideas? Was thinking maybe a 6pm-ish meeting and am open to ideas about where to go.
Let’s here some ideas!
Michael
I would not mind getting together with anyone. The only problem I have is that I have to shop for “big boy” furniture for my son with the wife so it might be a little sketchy. I’m not even sure when they have packet pickups on Sat. I may have to pick mine up Sunday morning. Not a big fan of the FL grill myself, I could think of a lot better places to eat depending on what your in the mood for. Where up the road did you end up. Oxmoor?
Yes, Howard Johnsons Inn on Oxmoor. The info I am getting says that you can do packet pickup on Saturday from 3-6pm or on Sunday at 6-6:45am. I am not sure about my timeline either.
Any other takers?
Michael
That area is not too bad but I would make sure you lock your doors and don’t walk around alone. Lavoy’s is pretty good. I have never been to the Florida Grill and probably would never go there. Dimitri’s in Homewood on 18th is very good italian as well.