If you had a vote, which place and date would you vote for, Kansas City in August or New Orleans in late June. New Orleans bike course would be essentially flat, two loops with an app. 50’ high bridge crossing 4 times and usually some wind.
Do you think destinations like New Orleans, Orlando, San Diego would get more participation than Kansas City, Rochester, or Shreveport.
Bob Sigerson
“Do you think destinations like New Orleans, Orlando, San Diego would get more participation than Kansas City, Rochester, or Shreveport.”
That’s a rhetorical question, right?
Nothing against New Orleans, I have raced there many times, but I wouldn’t want nationals to be there. With only the odd overpass for a hill, that is not the kind of course that I would want for a race of this caliber. San Diego would be a great location for the race, but if the swim was in the ocean, we’d never hear the end of all the whining about the surf. I’ve only raced in KC once, back when the old Coors Light Duathlon series had a stop there. I thought it was a fine city to host a race. Personally I go to a race like Nationals for the race, not so much for the sights, but I may be in a minority on that.
Kansas city is almost driveable for me. Shreveport was not. I prefer something slightly more central (or at least that has cheap airfare to and from.)
just a thought … how about the notion of finding a National championship course that resembles the World Championship course? If the World Championship is to be held on a flat course then by all means select a course for Nationals that flat course specialists will do well at. On the other hand if you know that there are signifigant hills or lots of corners than select accordingly. Surely the United States has enough geography to accomodate.
If my sweetie were looking to go to Worlds we would opt for the more challenging course.
New Orleans is far from everywhere and expensive. Given this choice I’d prefer Kansas.
Ideally I like slowman’s suggestion from some time ago - an off-season resort town, centrally located. Easy for everyone to get to, cheap accomodation packages, climate most likely moderate rather than the brutal heat/humidity of Kansas/N’awlins.
My vote would be KC in August. The season up here doesn’t even start until June and I’m not usually in top form until August.