I’m having Spring Break really early, from 25th Feb till 5th March and I’m thinking of bringing the bike somewhere for a solid week of training in preparation for my IM race in June. I’m in Michigan, so I REALLY want to get somewhere where its warmer and I can BIKE and RUN outside comfortably.
Still a poor college student so I hope to keep the cost down as much as possible… < $800 for travel and lodging???
Suggestions anyone??
I went to Ocho Rios Jamaica…worked out, ocean swims, scuba diving, and …lots of rum punch. yea mon. NOW I am ready to really train.
I am assuming you are going to drive so that you can keep the costs down. If that’s the case here’s a list: Athens, GA: Home of UGA, good cycling community, weather should be pretty good (probably in the low 60s during the day) Asheville/Brevard, NC: great mountain cycling, weather probably in the 50s-60s during the day. However the higher you get the colder it will get. Destin/Panama City/Pensacola, FL: much better weather, pretty flat terrain. Downside, Panama City Beach is Spring Break central but heck you are in college.
Let me know if you want some more suggestions in the SE or if you want to head to the SW.
PH: If I get down to Florida, you think the ocean is warm enough for me to do some swimming this time of the year? that will be an ADDED incentive for me to drive that couple of 100 miles more. 
Don’t care TOO much about spring break partying, but I wouldn’t mind some eye candy after a hard day of training!
Water temps (according to the National Oceanographic Data Center) in February/March in Pensacola (on the Panhandle down the road from Panama City Beach) are in the high 50s to low 60s. Not sure I would train in that but I am sure you can find an out door pool in which to train. When I was in college I used to go on spring break with the UofI swim team to places like Sarasota and train in the pool and then lounge on the beach.
I just MIGHT take up that offer Tibbs…beware…hahhaa
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Asheville is a great city with lots to do. there are alot of areas for great running and riding and plenty of extra outdoor activities (hiking, paddling, etc). i know there would be several options for people to stay with who are or will be in the full swing of training. the weather should be pretty good then too. this weekend it’s in the high 50’s so it’s great training weather. let me know if you’re interested in asheville.
I’d say you should just aim south, and try to find someplace where another Slowtwitcher lives that would be willing to put you up for a week. They will know the area, and greatly help to cut your costs. If you want ocean swims this time of year, I’d think the Gulf is your best bet since Cali waters are frigid year round and the East coast is still pretty chill right now, but I haven’t lived on the Atlantic side of FLA so maybe someone can hook you up there.
ncrunner23:
Thanks! I’ll look into it! and definately will get to you if I decide on Asheville. Its about 9 hours away from here…much closer than Florida…
bump
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