I’m traveling to Austin May 26th or 27th, haven’t decided yet for the Captex Tri on May 28th.
I was hoping for some tips as this race seems pretty technical. So anything about the race is appreciated.
Also for those who travel to Austin or live in Austin what are some good hotels, and which should I avoid? (I got an expedia groupon today which should make stays somewhat cheaper) Also which restaurants would you recommend for both before and after the race?
Thanks!
Book the Embassy Suites to be close to the race. The bike is dangerous because there are bottles all over the road, it’s crowded, there are hills steep enough to gain some speed, and there are a lot of turns. The run is hot.
I can’t speak to the race conditions but I can suggest hotels/restaurants. Take a look at the Hyatt Regency downtown along with the Embassy Suites (both are extremely close to check in and start). The Hilton, Radisson, InterContinental, and Driskill, are also downtown and within walk/bike distance from the start.
Some of my favorite downtown restaurants are Lamberts, La Condesa, and Manuel’s; all are within walking distance of the aforementioned hotels. Additionally, SoCo (south Congress) are has a bunch of good places to eat. If you have a car, I would suggest making the trip down to Salt Lick, which is about 25 minutes south of downtown. IMO, best BBQ in/around Austin. The Ginger Man is a great beer bar, if you’re into that sort of thing. Have fun!
I would not call the bike course technical at all. It has some fast 90 deg corners, a turn around at the top of 2 hills (either end of Congress) and otherwise is a fast, fun bike course. Bottles and other riders can make it interesting, but not the roads are super wide and I found it to be easy to blow by the slower riders.
I live right downtown and would say that staying anywhere downtown will be fine. It’s a small, walkable area and has a great vibe for a visit. I would avoid the race hotel (if there is one, as it will be chaos that weekend).
Agree that Lambert’s is great, as is Perla’s, Coal Vine, Taverna, Garrido’s, South Congress Cafe, Enoteca Vespaio, and of course, the Moonshine Grill. Chuy’s on Barton Springs is a classic and a great place for lunch, as is Home Slice, Hopdoddy or Shady Grove.
For drinks, the Gingerman is a great beer place, Cru or House Wine for wine and many, many others for good times.
Happy to share more thoughts if you have other questions.
Cheers,
go on priceline or hotels.com and do the name your price option, if saving $$ is your priority. I got a $37/night hotel 2 years ago. It was the crappiest, dirtiest, worst customer service hotel (took 45 mins for someone to appear at the front desk) I’ve ever been in. Not even sure if the hotel had a name…but it was cheap!! 
Enjoy Austin and save yourself some frustration – skip the race.
CapTex is the worst run race I’ve ever done and always seems to have SNAFU’s every year. I’ve stopped doing this race because the headaches are not worth it even thought it’s local and 10 minutes from my house.
there are plenty of discussions about the race in the forum if your run a search. My opinion is not unique.
if you choose to do the race, the course can get crowded on the bike with a lot of people lined up across the road in places.
It’s not unsafe if you are appropriately cautious and patient at times, but it can be frustrating or dangerous if you’re aggressive in your passing and turns.
Have to agree with JChapATX. Was there this year to spectate and it was a disaster. They lost pretty much everybody’s registration the day before so everyone had to re-register on site. Was taking hours. Seems like half my friends got the wrong packet. Timing was such a disaster during the race that they canceled awards and I still don’t know if it was ever correct. Plus they screwed up the pro race when they led all the male pro’s off course during the swim. Don’t know if it fits in with you goals this season but the Avia Austin race in Sept is so much better its impossible to even compare them.
Also the Embassy Suites is awesome for the location but be prepared to be woken up on at 3 am on race morning by TNT’ers chanting strange things in the lobby.
I hate to hear these horror stories. This year, it is our paratriathlon national championships. So, we pretty much have to race it. We do sprint distance, so seconds can separate a win vs. 2nd place.
unfortunately I agree with the folks cautioning you on the race. I lived downtown and litteraly on the course the past few years and did the race once and watched it the other years. The bike portion is crazy. You are mixing top Oly age groupers, sprint folks and folks on hybrids and even beach crusiers on a 6 or so mile loop. It is so crowded and many people are all over the road and terrible bike handlers. I really want to do the race but the crowded bike portion keeps me away. With the price of races these days I would rather spend my money on a race I can actually race the bike portion rather than try not to crash as CapTex is these days. That said if you are just looking to come to austin and have a fun race and not go all out then by all means.
My experiences:
2006 - was a great race with great spectators. Bike course crowded by last lap, but lots of space to pass - its not technical and mostly flat. I only remember four turns (per lap) that actually required braking. Overall very nice experience.
2007 - registered and stayed in hotel - race cancelled first thing in AM. No refund (even partial) or reschedule. Kinda pissed off…
2010 - swim and run were long and not by a little bit (~300m & ~1/2mi) - very lame. Nice technical shirts for AG podium’ers. Same great spectators, not so nice a vibe.
2011 - Thought race was too much $$ for screw-ups so didn’t register. lots of ST bashing threads post race (use the search!)
I won’t be racing CapTexTri again, despite loving it the first time and great venue.
Hell skip CapTex and hold out until July…Tri Waco Oly…only 3rd year but quickly becoming a very popular summer race here in Texas.
Looks like an interesting race.
I’m curious why last years times are slow, especially the swim? Temps, long distances, current/wind?
that race has been a big screwup the last couple years, and is insanely crowded on the bike course.
I am pretty sure I am not going to do it again.
however, there are a lot of competitors, and a lot of fast people there, so that is a plus.
last year was windy. very very windy.
Going through downtown was the first time I wanted a jet6 instead of a jet 9 =)
Looks like an interesting race.
I’m curious why last years times are slow, especially the swim? Temps, long distances, current/wind?
waco was 100 degree weather, so that run melted a lot of people that didn’t pace well… it had a little long swim, perhaps, plus no wetsuits (very warm water), and run is slightly hilly. Great race. I wish I could make it again this year.
The last two miles of that Waco run were the most brutal of any of my races last year. I managed to go from 7th to 14th in less than 2 miles it was that ugly. Didn’t help that was my first race back after an injury and 2 months not running. That said its an awesome run course with all the climbs.
I’ve done the race several times, as noted, it’s usually a mess from packet pick-up to race results. The race itself is a hoot, the swim is one of the best (Alas, last years pro wave was vintage CapTex and not in a good way, however, for AGers last years rowing buoys every 10 m was terrific, no sighting necessary, thanks, more please), and altho’ it can be dicey, bombing down Congress avenue is a thrill, and the run is well the run, it’s usually one of the first really hot days of the year, lots of spectators tho’. Brad Davidson, RD, is a piece of work. During last years pick-up disaster he was working the lines assuring all, everything was going to work out, given the race’s history, I was not so sure. I was reminded of these lines from Shakespeare in love:
Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.
Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?
Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
Hugh Fennyman: How?
Philip Henslowe: I don’t know. It’s a mystery.
Plus, if you get a top 5 finish you get free entry to Toyota Cup in Dallas. Warts and all, I’ll probably do it again.
Oops forgot the tips: Best to get lodging on the south side of the lake. If you get a hotel on the north side be sure to allow time to get to the transition area, lots of road closures downtown.
yeah,agreed on the awesome run course. Following my coach’s advice to keep the effort moderate in an Olympic seemed strange until that last stretch of the run when people started fading all around me.
I actually think this is one of the most fun races I have done. But it has drawbacks. It’s just cool to race in downtown Austin.
I hear that the “No Problem Hotel” is always open in Texas, but Austin has only a few open rooms.