looking for some direction.
Never been any where near the Northwest. I’m looking to stay nearest to transition on the cheap.
1 guy, willing to camp or go rugged - BUT would prefer a roof over my head.
I’ve looked at the private condo / house route (way expensive and geared more toward the group)
Also any advice on bike transport would be welcome.
If you are going cheap, then I assume you won’t be renting a car. The only places that are within walking distance of the race site are along Lakeshore Dr( google it and check out the geography for yourself) FIY - Ground zero for the event is more or less Gyro Park and the Lakeside Resort and Casino. These are unfortunately, the most expensive places to stay. That’s the way the market works in towns that host IM events. The camping and other less expensive hotels are a drive away and a car or access to car through others, is more or less needed.
My guess is that right now everything is booked. Your best bet at this stage is to start phoning around and seeing if any places have waiting lists. As the race approaches, there will be cancelations and places will open up, but this will not likley start happening until July perhaps later.
Since you’re trying to keep this cheap, how are you planning to get to Penticton? I had limited funds in '07 when I raced there and flew into Vancouver because that was the cheapest flight (by almost half). But we then had to rent a car and make the ~4hr drive to Penticton. So getting to the town can be pretty pricey (or involved) as well. Taking the commuter plane from Vancouver or other cities into Penticton nearly doubled the flight cost.
Not trying to paint a grim picture for you. But staying close and keeping it cheap will be a challenge. I’m sure there is someone on here that it’s the same boat and will go in on a hotel/condo/room with you. Hell, maybe you rent a van and just sleep in it??!?!
But we then had to rent a car and make the ~4hr drive to Penticton.
Too be fair and honest - it’s closer to a six hour drive. A nice and beautiful six hour drive - but it’s not 4 hours.
I’m in the same boat as you. Not sure what my plans are exactly, but like someone else said, renting/sleeping in a van might work fine for me.
Tribike Transport services this race, and I will be using them. They do great, reliable work and you can send up to 2 gear bags with all your bike stuff that you won’t want to fly with.
Good luck
I called Tribiketransport last week, no go, they aren’t doing this race. Unless you have some inside info I missed.
I like the rent the van and sleep in it idea though. Any locals know a good parking spot that wouldn’t disturb the locals and how relaxed is the local constable?
Where are you located? They definitely are doing the race, but at the current moment may not be servicing your area. Rarely do they turn down business, though. Even if today they don’t have a LBS close to you, by the time August rolls around, they might.
PM me if you want to talk more about it.
Look again, its right on their website… www.tribiketransport.com
Go to the IMC chat room page : http://www.mile141.com/chat_can/index.php
Post you’re willing to share accomodations with someone near transition area (Lakeshore Drive). It’s likely some kind soul out there has an extra bed/couch/roll away in their room and willing to share.
And it’s a nice way to meet new people.
As for flight/car rental: I’d ask about that as well. For example, I fly into Seattle, rent a van, and drive to Penticton. I’ve shuttled others before. The only downside is once you’re in Penticton, you won’t have a vehicle, but you wouldn’t really need one.
If you’ve never done IMC before, I’d recommend catching a ride with someone who’s going to drive the course. It’s always nice to see Richter, the rollers, out and back, and Yellow Lake, so you have no surprises come race day.
If you’re really on a tight budget, don’t go to the expo! :^)
Best of luck.
You can have a room at my place free of charge if you want, I live up here. 10 min ride from transition
actually not free of charge, you can buy me my post race steak!
You should get free beer to
Oh oh fancy beer like Lake Port !
Or imported like Keystone 
I dunno what route you take, but if it takes me longer than 4 hours (4.5 MAX) then I must have run out of gas or had a flat.
But we then had to rent a car and make the ~4hr drive to Penticton.
Too be fair and honest - it’s closer to a six hour drive. A nice and beautiful six hour drive - but it’s not 4 hours.
Fleck are you a grandma driver or what…I can do it in 3.5 on my motor bike and easy 4 in my truck…you’ve been away too long;)
Yeah I know what it was now… not that they dont work that race - they don’t have a partner shop within 1000 miles of me.
Ah, that makes sense. I’ve used them twice up there and they move a LOT of bikes. And I wouldn’t race without them!
Sean,
How’s it going??
From Maple Ridge or where ever you guys are on the east side - I can see that. From Kitsilano(or the airport in Richmond) - impossible! It would take well over an hour just to get over to the Trans Canada. Then crawl along for another hour to the Port Mann bridge - so there’s your 5 - 6 hours for me. The downside of living in a hip neighborhood I guess Past tense of course, as you know I am back east now. Yikes it has been a long time since I lived in Van.
Love to use them, but I guess at least I’ll have to race without them…
I hope you have PMed Dubsey by now. Can’t believe his generous offer and you seem to have not responded either way
I hope you have PMed Dubsey by now. Can’t believe his generous offer and you seem to have not responded either way
Holy “mother I dont need” batman.
Julian, MYOB PMed back and forth a few times already, but thanks for the nose.
Sean,
How’s it going??
From Maple Ridge or where ever you guys are on the east side - I can see that. From Kitsilano(or the airport in Richmond) - impossible! It would take well over an hour just to get over to the Trans Canada. Then crawl along for another hour to the Port Mann bridge - so there’s your 5 - 6 hours for me. The downside of living in a hip neighborhood I guess Past tense of course, as you know I am back east now. Yikes it has been a long time since I lived in Van.
things are great…yes we live about 45 minutes out of north vancouver (vancouver main street about same time) (maybe add 10 more minutes to kits), so yeah maybe closer to 5 hours, but definitely not 6 unless you hit rush hour or drive like a grandma:)
sean