i’m moving soon to NYC from Manila for work. of course my primary concern is my triathlon! any recommendations on places to train (particularly swimming pools), tri-clubs, tri-friendly cyclist clubs, races, etc? i’ll be working/living in the Washington Heights area (Columbia-Presbyterian).
Thanks!
Kim
The absolute best pool in the city is at Asphalt Green (91st and York Ave–on the far East Side). They also have a tri club there, tri-specific swim clinics, etc etc. But oh that pool!
You’ll be somewhat near Central Park which is the second best riding and running park in the city (Prospect Park is #1 in my book).
You’ll be very close to the George Washington Bridge which takes you on some of the most scenic and challenging rides in almost all of NYC/NJ.
There are also plenty of bike shops in your area that cater to triathlon related needs (Toga is the best on the upper West Side, but R and A Cycles in Brooklyn is the absolute best in the city).
If you move here by June there will be a and NYC Triathlon on June 27th, I think which will start not too far from you near the boat basin at 110 street. I did it last year but the swim had to be cancelled beacsue there was too much bacteria in the water (!) from heavy rains. I did get to have my picture taken with Craig Walton after the race, which was pretty wonderful.
I hope this helps.
Welcome to the Big Apple!
Kim:
You’ll have lots of options - especially up in your neck of the woods. There’s great riding just across the George Washington Bridge, or you can head a few miles south to Central Park. There’s a great Pool at Riverbank State Park, just a couple of miles from Washinton Heights. You can also look into the pool at City College, which hosts a masters workout and isn’t far from you. Chelsea Piers has a growing Tri club (in the interest of full disclosure, I do some seminars and coaching with them) and a gorgeous pool and facility. If you’re at Columbia - Pres, you’re also spitting distance from the Armory, which has one of the nicest and fastest indoor tracks in the world. Between that, Central Park, the West side path and lots of streets, you’ll have no problem finding places to run.
You can also check the newly formed triathlon association of NY (OK, I think I’m doing some work with them too) at ww.tanyc.org for more info or take a look at trifind.com or nytc.org for local races.
If you’re looking for more specifics, feel free to post again or write to me directly.
jc
The Triathlon Association Of New York City (you can join TANYC at: www.tanyc.org) is New York’s premier independent non profit triathlon organization. They have a large and growing membership, expert coaching, live brick sessions, mentorship program, discounts, and access/information to all the resources you need to quickly melt in to New York’s triathlon scene. Most of the benefits mentioned are currently free to TANYC members for a low yearly fee.
Mo
Welcome to NYC!
In addition to housing the best pool in NYC, Asphalt Green (www.asphaltgreen.org) also features the widest range of programs and services for triathletes though the Asphalt Green Triathlon Training Institute (www.agtri-institute.org), which includes a large and growing club, coaching program, educational institute, bike-fitting service, traithlon swimming clinics, and training/social events. Call Asphalt Green when you get to town and ask for information about the Triathlon Training Institute, I will make sure you get some free guest passes.
Depite being an amazingly urban place, NYC has some great road and mountain biking easily accessible from Manhattan, as well as a mind-boggling number of opportunities to do running races (courtesy of New York Road Runners: www.nyrrc.org). Though I would never have believed this when I moved here from California a couple of years ago, Manhattan is actually a pretty fun place to train for triathlon (despite the occasional rabid cabbie)
Paul
thanks all! i’ll make sure to hook up when i get there!
Kim