Is there a lap pool for workouts? Is there a fee to swim there?
Are there any bike shops that rent bikes ? Wife wants to swim and ride while she is in town.
Thanks!
I did the race last year. Awesome. You will enjoy it.
I’m not sure if there is a lap pool in town. I didn’t see one. Realistically, you can just swim in the lake, which is beautiful.
There were two bike shops in town, both quite good. If you are looking for a rental get there early and gt that tken care of quickly.
Have breakfast at the great brekafast place I mention in this editorial:
Yes, there is a pool in town. Ask a local and they’ll be able to tell you how to get there. One year, there was a swim clinic held there put on by Ironman Wetsuits and after the clinic they raffled a wetsuit off. Pretty nice. The swim hours might be limited and as Tom said the lake is great for swimming, just a little cold.
Good luck!
Geoff
There is a lap pool (the AC Baths) which is up Spa Road (north end of the town, near where you get out on the Broadlands Rd) - excellent swim centre with all the facilities that you will want (pool is only 25m though). You will pay for it, but you never know what sort of concession you might be able to “negotiate” with a smile.
In terms of bike shops, there are two good ones in town. One is in the main shoopping area, the other is at the northern end of town (Spa Rd again I think). You will also find an extensive “mobile bike shop” at the race centre. Not sure about renting bikes - I know that you can rent race bikes (from Avanti) but I’m not sure whether you can hire tri-bikes for recreational purposes. I suspect there are several bike rental stores in town (cruisers etc).
Tom and others,
Great editorial. How was the race itself? I’m still trying to figure out my race clothes plan. Do folks start with arm warmers and snivel gear and then just toss them away, or is there a way to recover anything versus biking 112 miles with it. I would imagine what ever goes into the special needs bag is gone forever?
Do they charge for the on site massage and mobile bike service? I need to get a new chain installed and a pre-race lookover.
Barefoot
I’ve raced IM NZ 6 times and never needed anything more than tri-shorts and a tri-top during the race. It’s a little chilly at the beginning, but since your ‘racing’ it doesn’t seem to matter. Each time I’ve had arm warmers and a vest (windbreaker type) in my transition bag, but never felt the need to put either on. Good luck!
Geoff
More important…does wireless internet exist in Taupo??? Have laptop, will travel.
clm
Not sure about wireless but the cyber-cafes will likely let you plug into their networks.
If your wife will swim a lot then look into the three or one month pass – I think that six swims in the breakeven point.
I’ve worn leg and arm warmers two out of three years – and – was riding a ‘decent’ pace most times.
See you there,
g/#4
Do you wear the warmers under your wetsuit, or put them on in T1?
I wear a thin pair of leg warmers under my suit with the tops under my race shorts – so they don’t get pulled downwhen the suit comes off.
The arm warmers, I put those on while trotting from the T1 tent to my bike.
g
One bit of wisdom for what it is worth:
If you plan to be out there after dark (or don’t plan on it and end up out there anyway like I did), be sure to get plenty of sunscreen on during the bike and early portions of the run and bring a cover up for the late night. Having trained through the winter I was not prepared for the late summer sun in NZ (read I was white as a ghost). Ended up with a serious sunburn. Then when the sun went down, I was cold as balls. Didn’t have a cover up as I never planned to be out that late.
Have fun. It is the most beautiful place on the planet.
Jeremey
Thanks for the replies all - can anyone elaborate on the special needs bags? If you don’t need everything you put in there - any chance you can get the bag back at the end of the race?
Thanks
any chance you can get the bag back at the end of the race?<<
I wouldn’t plan on it. A couple of years ago, when the race was smaller, they brought them all back and left them in a pile and you could go through them to find yours. Not sure if they do that now that the race has almost doubled in size.
clm
While we are at it - IMNZ staff recommends travel insurance - anyone do this? Contact info or price?
Thanks!