KONA planning Q's.
I'm going to use TBT for bike transport. They are going to do a 3 way transfer for me. NH to KONA , KONA to IMFL , IMFL to MA.
Dates for KONA 10/3/13-10/15/13 looks like 12 nights and bike will be available for use starting on 10/5.
Party of two Heather and I. Need kitchenette. Prefer walking distance convenience.
Where to stay?
How far is acceptable 1 mile?
Need car?
Bike rentals , training for Heather ?
Never been to the area so any tips on the layout and race week from people who have been will greatly be appreciated.
Thanks Tim,
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Comments
I stayed out of town about 5 miles or so at the Kona Coast Resort. It was a great family place. I think there were 20 in my group
I needed a car but if you stayed downtown, you could cab it from the airport and walk everywhere. If you needed to go a little further, bum a ride from a fellow EN athlete. There will be lots there!
Bike rentals from Bike Works. Reserve early.
Car rental suggested for sight seeing. The Big Island is big. Lots of neat historial sites. Volcano. Etc.
Eat local food. Poi. Kalua Pig. Lomi lomi salmon. Manapua. Sushi. Malasadas. Though maybe only the Poi and Malasadas for the vegetarians. Maybe not the day before the race.
There are really 2 options for lodging. #1. Downtown Kailua-Kona where all the action and vibe goes on. The King Kam is the host hotel. Old hotel but everything is right there. Registrations, dinners, awards ceremony, etc. #2 Out of town-much quieter, peaceful less energy. Lots of options from hotels to condos. Do you want to cook or really vacation and eat out often? So you have to decide if you want to be surrounded by the energy and excitement of the race or want peace and quiet. The nice thing is that you qualified fairly early so you might have a good chance at reservations.
The Big Island has so much to do. Great beaches with lot of sea turtles, horseback riding on cattle ranches (I had to do for SAU), Volcanoes National Park, helicopter tours, snorkeling, pool time etc. I get the feeling from you podcast that you will want to take in the entire experience, then I would recommend downtown. And it only gets really crazy the week before. Congrats on a great race in TX and conditions will be similar to Texas-hot and humid. The winds in Hawi will be unbelievable unless you can get to Mt Washington and turn on a heater.
Here's the condo where I always stay, 1.2 miles from the pier (walking distance), at the turnaround of the swim course, sitting DIRECTLY over the surf: Hale Kona Kai, Adeline Andres tell her I sent you. RIght next to the Royal Kona Hotel, about 1-200 meters from any restaurants and Lava Java, along Ali'i.
Car is invaluable for driving out to various places on the bike course for training, as riding out through town and traffic gets old, and it's 50+ miles to the turnaround in Hawi; riding up that hill (and the others and the lava fields past Waikoloa) is imperative pre race day, and you don't want to go five hours just to do that.
Purchase "Big Island Revealed" from amazon, check out their website for hotel reviews with aerial photos of condo locations.
Tim I'm looking at a few places about 6-7 miles out of town in the Keauhou area and there is shuttle for $2 to take you in to town and back. I'm also going to do what Al suggested and try to get some prices on the Hale Kona Kai. I'm not sure if there will be 2 of us or 6 @ this time. In 2011 we stayed out at Waikoloa and the winds up to Hawi have to be experienced. You know my stature and I was almost blown into the ditch or the middle of the road a few times. Varying pockets of hot air too but what view. Like many have said a car is a must due to the size of the island. Too much to do and see on one visit and that not including the fun training, swimming out to the coffee boat, and then there's the race. I just can't wait to get back!
Bike shop in Waikoloa also rents bikes to ride (Cannondale).
Being married to Steve I know he would ALWAYS choose to stay close and within 1/2 mile of the swim start. He LOVES the excitement and likes to go to everything. It does not make him nervous at all. Our favorite rental for 8 of the years was at KONA PLAZA. 200 yards from the finish. We also stayed at KONA PACIFIC which is a little over a mile away. Not bad at all and still can walk to everything. We have stayed in Keahou but don't recommend it as it is very far out9 5-7 miles. A pain to get to stuff but great if the hoopla of the week makes you nervous. It is beautiful there. Quiet. We stayed at Keahou Gardens at Kona Coast. VERY NICE if you choose to stay that far out.
We always rent an SUV. We both bring our bikes in bike boxes.
My friend rented a bike from a bike shop in Waikaloa. 25 miles away so was a pain to get it for him. There are shops right in Kona and reserve now for Heather- you should be able to get what you want.
My favorite places to eat:
Kona Brewery
Lulu's ( fish tacos)
Lava Java for sandwiches
Java on the rocks for amazing coffee
grocery store: Safeway
health food store also near Safeway
IronPrayer is on Thursday before the welcome dinner at the old stone church near the finish on Alii, about 200 yards before. At 4PM
Let me know if you have any other questions.
CC
Secured a place at Hale Kona Kai for 12 nights. Heather was already in communications with Adeline and told her you sent us Al. Was a toss up between there and 2 place's about 1/4 mile from pier. One got rented and the other was being held while we thought about it.
Gonna rent a mini van for a week in the middle of the 12 days for training and tourist stuff.
Bike rentals only available from Bike Works 90 days prior so will reserve then.
Got the book ordered , reviewing menu's...... nothing to do now except pay for it all and show up healthy!
Poi sounds good I'll skip the rest.
Thanks again all !!!
Couple more questions for the vets!!!
Being KONA is the welcome dinner and awards ceremony worthwhile?
I understand swim course is always open?
What day does the coffee bar go out?
Swim "course" parallels the shore, some buoys go up the final 7-10 days, about 400 meters apart. Best early AM before wind & chop.
? Tuesday on coffee bar; not an addict so I dont know.
Must do...Place of Refuge Natl Park < an hour south of town & Two Steps snorkeling spot immeditely north of Park; Donkey Balls (choc covered mac nuts) on the way back.
I'm a firm believer in training your gut. So I'm already guzzling KONA coffee and eating Macadamia's from KONA , Mom got me for my KQ!
Glad you were able to book your lodging.
The coffee bar is out there at least Tues. Wed Thurs Fri of race week. SO FUN. You are going to have a great trip. I can help Heather in regards to spectating. I AM A PRO.