This is the first time for me for this race and I just pulled the trigger on registration and now need to work the logistics. The web site recommends the following places to stay:
Shawnee Resort and Conference Center Ramada Portsmouth Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Super 8 Portsmouth Comfort Inn Portsmouth Days Inn PortsmouthI checked the Shawnee Resort and Conference Center and it showed no availability for the weekend. It did give a list of alternate properties:
Burr Oak Lodge Deer Creek Lodge Hueston Woods Lodge Salt Fork Lodge Mohican Lodge Punderson Manor Lodge Maumee Bay LodgeI’m looking for something that will be convenient, comfortable, and affordable for 3 athletes. Suggestions from veterans of this race or locals of the area ?
Define comfort.
In 2009 I camped out for the triple t and I was comofortable,
My brother and I will be camping out for this years triple t
Super close to race site, cheap, meet other athletes, fun
The cabins on top of the park are probably already sold out, but i know people who fit 10-15 in them.
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This is the first time for me for this race and I just pulled the trigger on registration and now need to work the logistics. The web site recommends the following places to stay:
Shawnee Resort and Conference Center Ramada Portsmouth Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth Super 8 Portsmouth Comfort Inn Portsmouth Days Inn PortsmouthI checked the Shawnee Resort and Conference Center and it showed no availability for the weekend. It did give a list of alternate properties:
Burr Oak Lodge Deer Creek Lodge Hueston Woods Lodge Salt Fork Lodge Mohican Lodge Punderson Manor Lodge Maumee Bay LodgeI’m looking for something that will be convenient, comfortable, and affordable for 3 athletes. Suggestions from veterans of this race or locals of the area ?
All of the “alternatives” in the second list are state owned lodges in other state parks. In other words, they are nowhere near the site and are only “alternatives” if you’re looking for a weekend in a state park - any state park. So, ignore that list and stick to the first list in your post.
Portsmouth is a nice enough town, but it’s Appalachia so don’t expect the Ritz. All of those places are modest hotels that - for the most part - are only there to serve highway travelers or visitors to the (very) small schools in town. You’ll find them all to be plain vanilla but I think the Comfort Inn is probably the newest of the bunch.
(Edit disclaimer: I am neither a veteran of the race nor a local. But I do live in Ohio and travel through the SE part of the state frequently.)
I’ve stayed at the Holiday Inn and the Days Inn out in town at certain occasions.
Of those two I would pick the Holiday Inn. Fairly nice place for the price. Bring a tent for between the races on Saturday or have someone ready to drive you to your hotel right away so you can take a nap.
What’s the camping like? Do they have electric and water at the sites? Shaded? Hot showers? Pit or flush toilets? Firepits? Do they sell out to where you need a reservation before getting there or can you get a site if you roll in on Friday afternoon? Thx!
What’s the camping like? Do they have electric and water at the sites? Shaded? Hot showers? Pit or flush toilets? Firepits? Do they sell out to where you need a reservation before getting there or can you get a site if you roll in on Friday afternoon? Thx!
Well in 2009, I literally camped right outside transition and they were okay with it (maybe 100 meters).
Going to sound gross, but showering was the last thing on my mind, we did our business at transition or in the woods, or up at the lodge.
Here is a link to the ‘actual’ camping at Shawnee State Forest where they have actualelectric hookups, waste disposal, heated shower houses, flush toilets and laundry facilities
I did the Triple T in 2008 and stayed at Ramada in Portsmouth. Free breakfast was awesome! They even have a heated indoor pool if you’re not getting enough exercise during the race! Free WiFi too. Only about a 15-minute drive to the race. I slept in my car between races on Saturday to avoid the drive back to the hotel. The race had plenty of food for competitors after each race, so I didn’t really need to bring much of my own.
like others have said if u stay in town …no big deal… 15 min drive to park and plenty of space to park. ideal to stay in a cabin but any hotel in town is ok. I stayed at the ramada X6 and was ok. u will love this race, one of the best events in the country and thats after 24 yrs of tris blah blah! Dont come to get in shape because with about 10K in climbing and distance of an IM its a kick in the balls… but a fun one!! Well done HFP bad ass!!
Last year I stayed at the Ramada inn in Porsmouth. It was ok, but under major renovations at the time, which they were clear about when I made the reservation. No pool, lobby tore up etc… But did look like it was not too far from done and going to be nice.
In 2008 I stayed at the cabins. Honestly, it was nice to get away from the race and to a clean room to rest, shower and so on.
It’s typically cold to freezing. Last time I did it it was in the 50’s I think. I’ve always been happy with full suit. It’s not really water…it’s kinda like a swamp. But, it is a GREAT ‘race’.
Stayed at the Days in last year. Not too bad. I stay in a lot of hotels so my high tolerance level is pretty high. There was plenty food places around and the hotel was clean. The drive was about 30 minutes or so to transition. We came back and had plenty of time for a nap between races on Saturday. Most importantly it was cheap. I think we only paid $62 a night to stay there.
ter…it’s kinda like a swamp. But, it is a GREAT ‘race’.
jamie
Oh man, don’t tell me it’s a gross swim. I can deal with cold but I don’t want to swim in sh#t. Is it worse than IronHorse (Springfield, IL)?
ter…it’s kinda like a swamp. But, it is a GREAT ‘race’.
jamie
Oh man, don’t tell me it’s a gross swim. I can deal with cold but I don’t want to swim in sh#t. Is it worse than IronHorse (Springfield, IL)?
dunno. 2 years ago it was a pretty dry winter and it was really swampy/smelly and cold. I’ve done it 4X and it’s usually the worst swim each season. Not a show stopper though.
We stayed at the Comfort Inn just north of Portsmouth proper last year. Nice place. Worked for us. MissP won the women’s race so good Karma!
I found some amazing riding just over the ridge to the east of that Comfort Inn. Had to climb this 10%plus grade almost right out of the hotel but ounce over in the next valley - spectacular riding. The riding in and around the park was outstanding too of course.
Due to the cancellation of the Lifetime Fitness Epic 250 in May, we may be heading back to the Triple T!
ter…it’s kinda like a swamp. But, it is a GREAT ‘race’.
jamie
Oh man, don’t tell me it’s a gross swim. I can deal with cold but I don’t want to swim in sh#t. Is it worse than IronHorse (Springfield, IL)?
The swim really has two parts: The first and last 100m, and everything else.
The first and last 100 m of each loop are shallow, and most people will do a combo of swim, run, or dolphin dive. And the lake bottom is pure mud / silt. So with the TT start and two loop config, unless you’re the first dude in the water, you’ll be swimming through some pretty murky stuff stirred up by the people in front of you when you’re near the start / finish.
But…on the plus side, when the water gets really cold (from the stream feeding in near the finish) and you can taste the silt in your mouth, it’s a nice reminder that you’re almost done.
But…on the plus side, when the water gets really cold (from the stream feeding in near the finish) and you can taste the silt in your mouth, it’s a nice reminder that you’re almost done.
I’ll make a suggestion to all Slowtwitch members in general; when calling a triathlon “GREAT” please let the swim count for at least 20% of your recommendation ;).
Free WiFi too. Only about a 15-minute drive to the race. I slept in my car between races on Saturday to avoid the drive back to the hotel. The race had plenty of food for competitors after each race, so I didn’t really need to bring much of my own.