Lake Placid - "Best" questions

Triathlon Forum
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Seems like there has been a lot of Lake Placid questions out there for those of us planning next year’s trip. I’d like to pose a couple of more (maybe a couple of repeats) to those that were there Sunday: Best Hotel? Best place to eat (breakfast, lunch, dinner)? Best carbo dinner before race? Best place(s) to visit while in Lake Placid? Best airport to arrive from? Best bike shop in town?

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  1. I stayed at the Whiteface Lodge. It was a first class condo but it cost some coin. This is the BEST option if you have a family IMO.

  2. We ate all over the place in LP, but I think the best food for the money was at Lisa G’s. In fact, we ate there a couple of times. Had a very nice dinner at the Veranda I think it was called (across the street from the Holiday Inn) but it was very expensive.

  3. Made carbo dinner for myself at the condo - a great option!

  4. Ski-jumping and Whiteface mountain. Great for kids too.

  5. I drove

  6. Only went to Placid Planet and they didn’t have what I needed

Hope this helps, Andy

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Best Hotel? I would look into renting a house. There a lots available in Lake Placid and it’s usually cheaper than a hotel. Best place(s) to visit while in Lake Placid? You gotta check out the ski jumps and the ice skating center. White Face Mtn. is also a nice hike. Best airport to arrive from? We flew into Albany and drove up from there. It’s an easy 2 hour drive. Best bike shop in town? Placid Planet. Great local shop, service is awesome and prices are very reasonable.

Gary Mc

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Lake Placid Pub and Brewery - the answer to all the questions, mmmmm…

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My two cents…I dnf’d this year, crashed on teh bike, but have been there, b/t training and racing, six or seven times.

  1. Best Western Golden Arrow. Heart of downtown, on the lake, walk to everything. Allows pets and kids. has an indoor pool, lake swimming, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, arcade, everything you need. Next year I am staying in a rented home, on mirror lake drive. check out www.lakeplacidvacations.com for rnetals, they are going fast. compared to two hotel rooms and restaureants of every meal, renting a home for the family is actually cheaper.

  2. There are no good breakfast places that I have found. Lunch and dinner, Nicola’s on Main is very good, I enjoy the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, and Tail of the pup for family freindly fare. The Boat House on Mirror Lake has great food and atmosphere, on the slightly higher end.

  3. nicola’s had a pasta buffet, I tried it this yer, not too bad. I think cooking in the room is the best option, if you have a place with a kitchen.

  4. Whiteface Mtn., High Falls Gorge, the bobsled run, olympic venues.

  5. I drive, but albany is about 2 hours away, lots of people fly in to there, smaller airports in burlington vermont.

  6. High Peaks or placid Planet, but i got everything I need at the expo.

enjoy.

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Sorry to hear you crashed (details, please). I was checking on your results through the day, and wondered why I saw no splits following your 57:xx in the swim. Hope you are better soon, if not already.

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Best Hotel? Didn’t stay at a hotel, managed an awesome deal at a B&B about 1/2 mile from the finish.Best place to eat (breakfast, lunch, dinner)? Breakfast - our B&B, lunch - I’d say Lake Placid Brewery, dinner - The Boat House - absolutely awesome customer service. I would like to sat the the ABSOLUTE WORSE place to eat would be Jack Frost - across from the transition area - terrible food and horrible customer service.Best carbo dinner before race? Best place(s) to visit while in Lake Placid? Best airport to arrive from? Drove up…Best bike shop in town? Placid Planet…

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Hey Ken…

Fairly easy swim for a 57:4x, smooth transition, on the bike around 1:03.

Going out of transition, there is a fairly steep little hill, followed by a sweeping left hand turn, then a right hand turn. Coming down the hill, I took it too fast into the left hand turn, and went wide, into a “no man’s land” with some chewed up pavement. Flatted, traveling about 25-30 mph at this point, and the inner tube rolled out of the clincher, wrapped around the hub (HED 3) and locked the front wheel. did not go over the handlebars, but laid it down on the right side. wrecked the front brake lever, tore up my ankle, hip, elbow and shoulder, (all right side) and somehow strained my left hamstring.

I jumped up, changed the tire, and got back on the bike. Did not notice the brake lever right away, but could not rest my elbow in the aero bar armrest. Bike seemed to be fine, but by the time I got to the top of the hill before descending into Keene, the adrenaline had worn off, and I was a hurting puppy. I pulled off, and told a volunteer I was done. A race offical asked if I need an ambulance, and I told them no, but a ride back to town was needed.

An hour and 20 mins. later, a ride showed up.

I entered for next year, even though I told my wife this was my last one, I couldn’t end it like this. Seven IM in five years, the lack of finishing might do me some good.

see ya’ at the pool

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Goldberries for breakfast buffet.

Placid Planet for best bike shop!!!

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Best Hotel? Can’t say. My parents have a house up there, so I’m set.Best place to eat (breakfast, lunch, dinner)? Jimmy’s 21 is fantastic for dinner.Best carbo dinner before race? The one I’ll make.Best place(s) to visit while in Lake Placid? The bobsled run and ski jumps.Best airport to arrive from? Albany. Anything else will be much more expensive or much further to drive. Besides, the drive up from Albany is gorgeous once you get off the Northway.Best bike shop in town? No basis for opinion here.

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Thanks for all the info. I will be traveling with family so I will check out the rentals. One more question,

Where was the best place to start the swim from (est. 1 hr)?

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I rented a 4 bed condo from Lake placid accomdations it worked out much better than a hotel.

High peaks cyclery is bike shop placid planet is not even in town.

Grill 211 next to nicolas

My italian mother in law made the carbo load for 14 it was awesome ( I can probably rent her out)

good luck

Book your place now most people don’t leave town with out planning next year and a training trip.

Kevin

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Best Hotel? - can’t give a good answer as i don’t stay at the high end places. also i usually travel soloBest place to eat (breakfast, lunch, dinner)? - i’m a fan of the lake placid brewery as well. i recommend the frostbite aleBest carbo dinner before race? - i ate mcdonald’s the night before last year’s race. you probably don’t want to follow my example, though i was fine and had a good race.Best place(s) to visit while in Lake Placid? - i thought it was cool to check out the miracle of ice rink, though i should get around to checking out the bobsled and ski jump sites like others recommendedBest airport to arrive from? - i drive, but i’ve heard some people recommend burlington, vt. it’s probably not that much further than albany.Best bike shop in town? - i don’t think you can go wrong with either placid planet or high peaks. though being the cervelo groupie, i usually swing by placid planet. picking up a new ride there this weekend as a matter of fact.