Just got a copy of the travel stuff for 2007 worlds from the Polk Majestic Travel Group.
Looks like all that is being organized is the hotel stay, and a few things like that.
Looks like travel to and from this hotel is totally on each person. Is this the same info
other have gotten?
Dave
Ok Dave we get it, you’ve qualified for Worlds.
http://www.premiumplus-sports.com/events/TriShortChamp/itinerary.html
Probably a much better deal. Research on the internet isn’t really too difficult.
THanks for the help Cathy
Dave
.
You’re welcome. Tell Deepak hello.
clm
Last year premium plus said that the package included travel to and from the race site, to training, etc. In 2004 he provided this, but last year he gave people what was worth than less than $10 of bus passes (which you weren’t supposed to bring your bike on anyway). I would check and see how close the team hotel is to the race site (it is probably close enough to walk). Also check into train/metro stations. We took the train from the airport last year. It is much less expensive and probably not that much less convienent than premium plus. We made our own arrangenments last year when Deepak first ran out of rooms, then didn’t tell anyone for a couple of weeks so that with 5-6 weeks until the race he led us to believe that we had rooms or that he was going to find us rooms. Someone finally contacted me from Premium Plus after 3 weeks and LIED and said that they had no prospects on any rooms in Lausanne although they were booking team members in 2 other new hotels. Before this I had told them I had a room in a nearby town tenatively reserved as a backup but obviously preferred to stay in Lausanne with team members. Perhaps since I had a room, they didn’t think I needed to have the option of buying one from PPS in Lausanne. Never received any sort of apology from PPS for any of this. Deepak sent out an email saying none of it was his fault. This was after he stuck his head in the sand for three weeks and didn’t tell us we didn’t have a room while we could have been making other arrangements.
So I stayed in a beautiful waterfront hotel which was half of what the PPS people payed for their ugly hotel which had a view of the train station. We did have to take the train into Lausanne, but it was a little nice to get away from the hoopla. Taking the train from the airport was about half the price of PPS airport transportation and that is with the expensive Swiss trains. German trains are less expensive. Trains in Europe are much nicer and much more efficient than in the US. It is a really good way to get around while you are there.
The first time I used PPS I had an okay experience. But he put everyone on the same flight, so it couldn’t accomadate all our bikes (part of this was due to the small planes flying to the island). I didn’t get my bike until the day before the race. He didn’t send us one of our tickets for the way there for one of our connections (we didn’t have e-tickets for this) which caused a major panic. We missed our connection on the way back due to the tight connection he scheduled. He didn’t know the difference between a private airport and a commercial airport. I had to keep insisting that I could not fly out of Winston-Salem(where I was living at the time)–there was no commercial airport and he kept saying there was.
I wanted to use them again in 2006 because I wanted to stay with the other team members because I had a good time in 2004. But I still had a great time. If you are outgoing, like it seems you are, you will meet plenty of people and have a good experience. I saved a lot of money doing it on my own. If you are bringing your family, you are going to pay alot. He charges per person, whether or not you are racing. Besides, he does not have the Team USA hotel this year. You may luck out and have a good experience with Deekpak. Or you might get burned.
My suggestion–book a room in the hotel with other team members. Take a train or taxi from the airport (are you flying into Hamburg?). There really isn’t that much that goes into planning. I hope I didn’t scare you too much about the flying…
Cathy and others, another question for you folks who have traveled.
With the race on Sunday, how many days before hand would you recommend one gets there to recover from the trip?
I was thinking to leave Wed morning from SFO, which I assume could get me to Hamburg on Thurs evening. Rest 2 days,
race Sunday, and start the flight back home on Monday? Would this work? (Wife and kids would like to take as few days
off work as possible. I could have a new car for what this darn trip is going to cost. :o( )
Travel is one (of many) thing in life I know NOTHING about. :o(
Dave
Ok Dave we get it, you’ve qualified for Worlds.
Congrats Dave…Ignore this guy’s comment above… us old guys still need a little fun occasionally. Did you get under 2:15 on that course?
Dave is the KING of ignoring asshole comments like mine…but us young guys still need a little fun occasionally ;^) Seriously though, i’m happy for Dave and his Tangents.
These drive-by gloats remind me of the daily ‘Kona’ threads by Marisol 2 years ago…
Every time I fly to Europe (6 times), it takes me at least a couple of days to recover. Last year was the best because 2 weeks prior I started adjusting my time schedule at home to be a little earlier every day so that the time change wasn’t as much of a shock. I would recommend getting there earlier if you can. You’re spending all that money, you might as well spend some time there and make it worthwhile! Maybe you can come earlier and some of your family can come later if they can’t take the time off work.
They usually have the parade of nations/opening ceremonies on Thursday, which you probably don’t want to miss since you are in it for the full experience. Since the race is on Sunday this year, maybe they will move it to Friday. Also, last year they made us pick up our packet at specified times as a team. Last year it was Wednesday for a Saturday race. They made exceptions for people who got in later however. Maybe the race website has info up for all that stuff. If you get there earlier it gives you some time to scope out the course and get to know other people.
For a Sunday race with that many time zones, I’d leave on Monday at the latest. But that’s just me. I like to have a little time for any problem that may come up and to get a couple of good night’s sleep in.
clm
Wish I were that fast. 2:18:45. Got my buck kicked on the bike. Being tall, hills do not help me.
With that said, I am still going to try and get more time in the seat for next season and see if I can improve some.
Yea, I learned a long time ago on ST, to TRY and ignore the attacks. All I did was post trying to get some help
from folks. This is why I have not taken the time to write and post a race report, since when I do it,
I get attacked. When others do it, they get praised. So yes, I am human and do have feelings!
But, there are so many great folks on ST, that I just try to walk the high road.
Dave
Martin, I agree. So, any experience on how many days you would get there before?
Dave
Cathy, thanks for the input. Seems like a Weds leave is cutting it to the bone.
And, if the business tickets are the 5K or more each that I am seeing, not sure this is really smart to do since I am a tight wade.
Brain is sure going a mile a minute on options. :o(
Dave
My experience from flying for work is it is at least three days before I really start to feel normal, and I am Eastern time zone, you have another three hours to adjust to.
You really should check this site out - http://www.netlib.org/misc/jet-lag-diet - I knew some of the people that worked on this. It is very good at re-setting your circadian rhythms prior to your flight, and can shave your down time considerably.
I just wrote USAT to see if they have a day by day schedule of events. They may have already, and I just have missed it.
Dave
Thanks, will read.
Dave
2:18 is an outstanding time…I’ve have been at this a long time with consistent training and never hit that mark…congratz and enjoy your Worlds…you earned it…
Wait a second…h2ofun qualified for worlds? Next you’re gonna tell me that the guy bought some Zipps, changed his mind and then bought even more expensive Zipps.
I agree about not leaving the day after the race.
SFO - Munich or Frankfurt on Lufthansa or United would be my choice.
clm