Going to be there 8/13-8/22. Any insights regarding training locations in the area is greatly appreciated. Masters swimming, long ride routes etc. Hoping for a fairly big IM block that week.
jimswim,
Check out our Jacksonville, NC (neighbors Topsail) triathlete community Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/groups/120601671356622/
Post on it and people will can give you some routes / may join you (if you want)
The actual Topsail Island is extremely sandy for riding, but the water will be great for swimming, and roads are fine for running. The only hill for miles is near there too (the bridge). Shortly off the island are some good roads to the middle of nowhere for solid riding.
What sort of mileage are you looking at, bike-wise.
There’s also a Wilmington Tri Group. Sorry I don’t have details, but a quick search should find them.
Another option may be to contact the TrySports store in Wilmington - they should be able to provide some advice.
Thanks for the tips. Appreciated.
Good running - just run along the Island! My prev business partners owns the last house on the Island by Pendleton and I stay there often. Terrible cycling though - usually pretty windy, dead flat and hot. Only hill is the bridge over! Narrow country roads with low traffic if you stay away from Jacksonville, but no berms and so,so country drivers not used to cyclists for sure. Swimming actually tough in the ocean there with pretty strong currents out and to the river.
Hit up Try Sports in Wilmington. They have rides that go out, also look up “The Bike Shop” also in Wilmington very close to Try Sports. Bike riding there is fine, I lived there for years and put in solid miles, you can go down the Island towards Surf City, bang a right onto highway 50 and take it all the way down. There are ways to turn that ride into a loop if you want to go down south once you go inland or you can just do an out and back. Many, many, many options. Look up those shops I told you about though to get snapped in.
Awesome guys thanks so much!
I am planning a long 100ish ride on Saturday the 20th from at or near Surf City if anyone wants in.