As usual, I’m planning WAY ahead, but I’m curious.
It would appear that I’ll be able to enter IMC '05, through the generosity of someone I know who’s in the event this year, and has agreed to sign me up for next year. I’m starting to look into the details now, as we have to do a lot of traveling in 2005, and I have to start figuring out budgets.
If I’m looking for reasonably-priced accomodations close to the start/finish, what would people recommend? I’m not looking for the bare-bones – while that doesn’t bother me, my wife may not be duly impressed. However, we needn’t stay in uber-luxury. Decent amenities are a good thing, as I don’t want her to be bored to death.
On the same note, how long a drive is it from Vancouver? Is flying into Vancouver, and renting a car from there the best way to go?
My girlfriend and I are going this year and are flying directly into Penticton on AirCanada and staying at the Spanish Villa. We lucked into the Spanish Villa when there was a cancellation. The cost of the flight directly into Penticton (from Detroit) wasn’t much more than going to Vancouver, especially if you factor in the cost of renting a car for a week.
However, my understanding (from AirCanada itself) is that your bike will not fit on the Penticton plane and will have be transported by an AC truck to Penticton. You may want to double check this information.
Don’t worry about your bike not coming in on the same plane. They (AirCanada) do a fantastic job of dropping them off at everyone’s hotels the evening you arrive, or worst case I’ve heard was the next morning, but mine was always (4+ times) delivered during dinner if it didn’t land with me. If this really freaks you out, explore shipping your bike to the hotel or the Bike Barn via UPS.
Have fun. You are about to experience the best Ironman on the circuit. (IMNZ equally good, but so far away)
Vancouver-Pentiction is 4-5 hours if I remember right, depending on which way you go and how fast you drive. Very pretty drive and a nice way to see some of Canada that you’re unlikely to see otherwise. I liked driving because airport b.s. and the possibility of lost luggage stress me out and because we got a flight to Vancouver for $250 r/t and Pentiction would have been twice that. That said, if you’re going to drive, plan to arrive way early. The drive takes it out of you a little and 36 hours was probably not enough time to recover, especially since I was running around doing registration and other stuff during that time.
Can’t help you with accommodations. I stayed at Apex. Nice place, but close to the finish it is not. Glad you don’t need uber-luxury because Penticton is not the place for that. Lots of decent family motel-type places but Ritz-Carlton has not quite made it to Penticton yet.
If you’re going to do IMC, consider a couple of things:
You can stay just outside Penticton and save mucho $$$
Kelowna is an hour away, and Osoyoos (on the bike route) is 40-50km (sounds about right) and very very nice. Similar to US Southwest (desert) and beautiful lake for your taper swims. Try the Adriatic Motel.
Although I have never taken AirCanada to Penticton (plus bike), they are about as dependable as an old Atari ZX42 computer (circa 1979!). Using AirCanada to fly anywhere is an adventure upon itself (trust me, I have the frequent flyer points), and I consider myself lucky to get my luggage whenever I land. If you can, fly to Vancouver on another carrier.