Does anyone have any good ideas on “alternate” places to stay for IMLP? I have my hotel right there in town booked and all so I’m not going to “go without” but as the race gets closer I’m getting more and more pissed about the whole 4-day minimum and it costing me a grand to stay there. I’d rather drive 30 minutes race day morning than pay all that jack (hell, I can get a nice Renn with my savings!).
I’m very aware of my hotel’s cancellation policy and stuff like that, but am interested in hearing from people who have been there…do I have an alternative? Other cities or whatnot? 30 or so minutes away is fine with me.
I was just up there this past weekend. You could try Saranac Lake (about 20 minutes away) or 45 minutes to Tupper Lake. I bet you could save some a lot of money that way.
I had similar issues last year and contacted the local tourism board who put booked me into place in Wilmington - this had no minimum stay and was about 30 mins drive from the town - pretty peaceful and right on the bike course. I think I got the tourism details from the web site…In addition I got pretty sick about a month before the race and ended up cancilling - sent them a medical certificate and they gave me a full refund with no issues what so ever.
We ended up getting a hotel for Lake Placid last year sometime in June as my wife did a qualifying race to get an entry. I simply called the vistor bureau and ask what was available. They gave me a bunch of options and we ended up getting something for a very reasonable rate (definitely under $100/night) with I think only a 3 night minimum? If I remember correctly, it was called the Northway Motel. The place turned out to be awesome. Right on the course, just a few blocks from transition. Very clean, and quiet and like I said before, very reasonable in price. I know that Ken Glah was also staying there, so it must have a decent reputation amongst the pros too.
For Tupper Lake Tinman we are staying in Saranac Lake, which is about 20-30 minutes from Lake Placid. Try the Ampersand Bay Boat Club - we got it for only one night before Tupper Lake (i.e. no minimum stay). Its $260 for the night, but sleeps 6. And looks very nice. Just a thought.
Did Lake Placid in 2002 and, wanting to stay for 5 nights, could not find anything below 1000$US (about 1650$ CDN at the time).
So instead we bought the ‘car camping kit’ (we already the very small and light camping kit) and for half the price we got a huge tent (and I mean huge) with integrated kitchen area, folding table, two chairs, one hummock (sp. ?) and a queen size inflatable mattress. We stayed at the KOA, 10 miles outside Placid on the bike course.
We saved 500$US and have used the equipment quite a few times since.
Going back to Placid this summer, but renting a house, cause my wife is very pregnant (otherwise it would have been camping again)
