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Let's pick a West Coast Key Half Ironman for 2014

Coach RichCoach Rich
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

Team,

Let's select a west coast-ish half Ironman as a key race for 2014. Notes:

I'm definitely doing Wildflower. My tri club is also, so between EN and PTC it will be a partay! Oh, it's also a kickass race. Date is always the first weekend of May.

Yes, I know that IMSG is the same weekend as WF, but my thinking is this:

  • I think we have enough members in Cali that with enough notice, planning, and mojo, folks should want to race WF. And WF is more driveable for Cali athletes than SG. WF is 250mi from LA, SG is ~400mi
  • If we picked SG, then I see the travel for folks looking like this:
    • SoCal = 6hr drive
    • NoCal = 10+
    • Pretty much everyone else (except the folks we have in Vegas) will have to fly = the race just got MUCH more expensive for members, which we're not all about. 
  • So I'm thinking that, realistically, making WF an EN key race means is pretty much all Cali folks and, like I said, with enough mojo we could get a good sized amount of participation from the CA folks. 
  • I know that WF would be a PITA for non-West folks (camping) but SG wouldn't be that much better, considering the cost of flying with a bike. 

June: I've always heard that Pacific Crest is a good race. 

Early July: June Lake Half -- would be a great event for folks racing IMLT. 

I'm leaning towards WF and JL, both independent races. But I'm basically turned off from all racing, and probably training as well, after early July. Too much EN camp and race travel scheduled for Aug/Sept. 

Thoughts?

Comments

  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Also, I want to pick a race that doesn't sell out or doesn't sell out for a while, so that new members have time to join us and current members have to sort out their schedules NOW. This rules out CA (already sold out) and Vineman (sells out in hours).
  • jendatjendat
    Ugh! Wildflower was such a disaster for me this year, I don't know if I can face it again in 2014! I might go for Napa Hits or Napa vintage. Not as well organized or as big as WF... But good wine tasting post-race. Maybe earn some SAU's?
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    FWIW I plan to do St George in 2014, and it'd be really cool if a lot of EN-ers came out for it. I'm not sure if it will have expanded slot allocation for the 70.3 Worlds (Tremblant) again like it did this year, but that could influce folks. Personally I'm not into camping so as cool as the Wildflower concept is for many folks, it doesn't really appeal to me. Plus I feel like haivng done the American TTT this year I have had one of the "triathlon cult race expereicnes" already. Also it's a bitch to get to vs. flying to Vegas and driving to St George in under 2 hours. But I'm not a West Coast athlete so I'm in the minority of those who will show up to an EN "Key Race" out west.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Matt,

    Thanks for the insight. We haven't done a key race on the West Coast. Racine is already a key race for you guys in the MidWest so I'm trying to pick the bestest, easiest to get to race for WC/CA folks, understanding that anyone east of CA probably won't come to a WC key race anyway. 

    SG is a possibility but, like I said, it's a 6hr drive for SoCal but 10-13hrs for NoCal. WC is about 4hrs from SoCal and NoCal and driving = camping is MUCH easier. 

  • SHEILAMCCANNSHEILAMCCANN
    Wildflower is a classic race that everyone should consider. It deserves the "classic" title as it is a way more fun and interesting course and expo than the generic races out there. If you don't like camping, Paso Robles is 1/2 hour away and the Starbucks there opens early on race day. If you are into wine, San Luis Obispo County rivals Napa for wine tasting and there are plenty of micro-breweries too. I own a natural bakery cafe in San Luis Obispo called House of Bread, (shamless plug I know). I sponser the race and will share VIP passes and bakery treats. Just what you need for a challenging 1/2 Ironman-wine, beer and baked goods.
  • Robert SaboRobert Sabo
    I'm an East coast guy but did Wildflower about 5 years ago and it was CLASSIC. I would love to go back. I am not into camping but staying in a camper was fine. I am already commited to Blue Ridge Parkway Camp. Maybe next year the Natl rally and BRP could be spaced to accomodate WF. Sheila is doing a great job of selling CA. You should be in the commercials.
  • tgarsontgarson
    I'm sure I'm a little biased, but I'm definitely in for Wildflower next year.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Ok, WF it is and we'll start to talk it up among the CA crew 

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