Here’s the deal. Two of my longtime training buddies, who now live in Wisconsin and California (I’m still in NJ) are doing Nats next weekend. They are trying to goad me into joining them. Registration closes tonight.
The problem is that I’m cheap (that, and I don’t do well in hot weather). How can I do this without it costing an arm and a leg?
airfare: I can use FF miles on Continental both ways, although coming back appears that I can only get a flight the next morning at 7am, which means getting up at like 4am to drive to Birmingham. Why are there no flights from Birmingham or even Atlanta into Newark late afternoon or evening (at least w/FF availability)?
bike transport: is there a cheaper way to get my bike there in time than checking it in? If I fly Continental but actually ride a Delta plane, whose bike policy do I get?
getting between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa: I won’t need a rental car the time I’m there: what are my options considering that I’ll need to get back really early Sunday?
rooms: I figure I might stay with one of my friends.
entry fee: fixed at $130.
I’ve never done Nats, and it would be fun to do this with my friends. Too bad Dave Campbell (aka h2ofun) won’t be there, as he’s in my AG…
I’m thinking it will be darn fun for you. I am racing local next weekend, and checked the start list here, only to see some of the fast oldsters missing (In the 50-55 that would be Bob Evans), so I was bummed to realize that nats was the same day. At any rate, if you are healthy and in decent shape, unless you believe in reincarnation (and that not as some lower for of life…like Republican ), you should go!
Ken, would have been fun to race, but with my back issues at the moment, I can barely move. Will see if I have a disc issue or a Sciatic issue. No fun!!!
I had no desire to go this year for 2 reasons. First, I just can not handle heat and humidity. And second, have no interest in the world locations the next 2 years.
But with that said, it is a great race to be at to get ones butt kicked! Go and have fun.
Do it. If you have to ask, you’ll regret not doing it.
+1 Life is about having great experiences; going to nationals definitely counts. Years from now you won’t miss a couple $100 in your bank account, but you’ll always wonder if you should have gone. Do it! I went six times in the 90’s…great experiences all; now I work an insane schedule and it’s hard to get there…I’m glad I did it when I could.
Some day will you tell your grandchildren about the time you saved some money by not going to the National Championships?
Let me add another unhelpful answer. Drive. It’s not even a thousand miles. Maybe it just comes from growing up in the west, but that kind of drive is just not that far to me. I did it once for Powerman Alabama when I lived on the east coast. Especially with the cost/hassle of packing/unpacking a bike for air travel, this one would be a no-brainer for me.
I keep hoping one of these years tri or du nationals is going to be somewhere west of the Rocky mountains and south of Canada (ok, so tri nationals were not in Canada last year, but it was close).
If you are going to fly then convince your friends to drive you around. I did that once with TriBriGuy and another buddy at Powerman North Carolina
Come to Tuscaloosa, enjoy the heat, humidity, and fried food.
I think that there is a shuttle that runs from BHM to Tuscaloosa, although my wife tells I am wrong all the time. May want to check with USAT since there are probably a decent number of people in the same boat. I know they have arranged transportation from Birmingham for elites and may have a spot open.
Let me add another unhelpful answer. Drive. It’s not even a thousand miles. Maybe it just comes from growing up in the west, but that kind of drive is just not that far to me. I did it once for Powerman Alabama when I lived on the east coast. Especially with the cost/hassle of packing/unpacking a bike for air travel, this one would be a no-brainer for me.
I keep hoping one of these years tri or du nationals is going to be somewhere west of the Rocky mountains and south of Canada (ok, so tri nationals were not in Canada last year, but it was close).
If you are going to fly then convince your friends to drive you around. I did that once with TriBriGuy and another buddy at Powerman North Carolina
Chad
Actually, it is 1,000 miles:
"Driving directions to Tuscaloosa, AL 1,000 mi – about 16 hours 0 mins" **** I guess that, since they are nagging me, the least they can do is pick me up at the airport. Getting them to drive me back at 4:30am might be a stretch, though.
Can’t help you with the logistics or cost, but just wanted to chime and say that Nats is a pretty darn awesome experience. I got to go last year when it was in my backyard, and if it ever comes back within a 12-hour drive I will be there for sure. And I got my ass kicked (52 of 57 in my AG).
I haven’t been to any other Big Races (Alcatraz, etc), so can’t compare.
when are you arriving? I am coming in on wednesday and unfortunately the cars are 35-40/day but if you come in on thursday they are only 15/day! Its rediculous.
when are you arriving? I am coming in on wednesday and unfortunately the cars are 35-40/day but if you come in on thursday they are only 15/day! Its rediculous.
No kidding? With which agency? I’m coming in on Thursday!
when are you arriving? I am coming in on wednesday and unfortunately the cars are 35-40/day but if you come in on thursday they are only 15/day! Its rediculous.
No kidding? With which agency? I’m coming in on Thursday!
I got $75 total for Thurs-Sun, with Avis, but that was booked quite some time ago… via http://www.kayak.com
Also I fly into Huntsville because it was $160 vs $400+ for Bmingham.
Astonishing that you can get anything at all on FF miles, at this late date…
I think you should do it, come on down y’all and sweat with the rest of us… it’s the most competitive race in the US over the short distance.
), you should go!