What is the closest place to transition area to stay at?
What is the closest place to transition area to stay at?
Host hotel
.
which is?
My mistake, it seems its not the host hotel but this is the closest one tot he race:
Radisson Hotel Racine Harbourwalk
223 Gas Light Cir
Racine, WI 53403
.
Radisson Harbour Walk is the closest to the race. It is about a 5 min walk from the hotel to transition. I stay at the Racine Mariott about a 7 min drive and park right next to transition.
I have done both - stayed at host hotel (radison) and also stayed at hotel near mariott/super8 area. Honestly, the walk from the radisson is much further than anticipated, and I have thought that it was much more convenient to stay near all of the hotels, get in car on the morning of, park on the sidestreets near transition and then when the race is over take my stuff back to the car and drive off. If staying at radisson you then have to get stuff and bike back to the hotel (or drive from hotel to the transition area the morning of the race). And if you are driving anyway, save the cash and stay further away…unless of course you have a family or other spectators who don’t want to wake up as the crack of dawn…
I found a homestay right on Michigan Blvd and St. Patrick…across the street from transition and finish. She let my girlfriend and I stay there for free. If you’re looking for that, it’s as easy as asking them.
Adding to this Racine 70.3 thread: What are people’s opinion of the road conditions this year for the bike course? I’ve read in previous threads that the road conditions were pretty rough. Any more current input?
I did Racine 70.3 last year and I had no issues with the road conditions. There were a few spots here or there out in the country that were a little more rough than the average for the ride. Overall, I thought it was a great course. Had no worries about messing up my race wheels due to road surfaces. However, I will qualify my statement by pointing out that I am from Illinois, so my standards for roads are bottom of the barrel.
Thanks for that feedback. Yes, road conditions are relative to what you’re used to. I was in southwest Michigan last year and found the road conditions to be deplorable. I was glad i wasn’t trying to race on those roads - would have knocked my dentures loose.
The roads are on par with what you will find in the Midwest…which is expansion cracks, divots, shallow potholes and general rough chip seal in about 40% to 50% of the roads in the race. Some roads were redone the last 3 years in spots, but the worst for me were the expansion cracks and I doubt there is anything they can do about those.
But at least it breaks up the bitching about the heat/ humidity.
I did the race in 2012…I found most of the roads to be in relatively good shape, especially with the sections that had been recently repaved (but I also live in Northen IL, so I am used to the roads).
By far, the most uncomfortable sections were on the main road going in and out of town. Regular and frequent expansion / frost heave cracks. Not so bad on the way out of town when you are fresh, but kinda suck when you are coming back in after 50+ miles.
I had heard they were supposed to repave that section last year, but it sounds like it didn’t happen.
However, after the harsh winter we have had this year, the road conditions for this year’s race is anyone’s guess. Most of the roads around us look like war zones right now…
Adding to this Racine 70.3 thread: What are people’s opinion of the road conditions this year for the bike course? I’ve read in previous threads that the road conditions were pretty rough. Any more current input?
It’s all relative as others have mentioned. A good portion of this course is fine but there are long sections with the worst expansion seams and cracks I’ve ever seen. Ever. Small children have been lost in some and never found.
However, after the harsh winter we have had this year, the road conditions
for this year’s race is anyone’s guess. Most of the roads around us look like
war zones right now…
Exactly! Even some roads repaved in 2013 have suffered through the brutal winter. Until it warms up and some of the frost heaves are pushed down you won’t know how bad the course is.
As for hotel. I live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago so I stay at home and travel on race day. Having had friends who stayed at the Radisson I would say it wasn’t worth it. Find a cheap hotel further out or if you have family stay near Six Flags Great America in Gurnee and make the morning commute.