Kona Race Week: sightings, tall tales and WC race buildup
Lots of people arriving on the island, and, in the classic words of '80s rocker Glen Fry, the H is O. It's almost race week, and let's get this thread going to channel some energy to our happy EN race team ( and honoured EN alumni) who will be toeing the line next Saturday.
I started the day late with a half-a-rr swim, and soon met new EN friends Tim and Heather. Off the the very busy Bicycle Works on the queen K to get geared up, and met equipment guru John Cobb and his wife Ginger. Lovely people. I have at least 4 of cobs products on my bike from his Blackwell Research days and I'm a big fan of everything he creates.
Next off to the queen k for a short jog into the energy lab. Despite it being a cooler day, I still suffered in the heat and left two thirds of my lunch on the side of the road. More on more bikes on the road, and every runner seemed to be going at 7:00 miles at "very easy" RPE.
Looking forward to seeing Teri, Jay and Kate as the week progresses! Noticing the Australian ESPN crew has set up camp in my hotel over the last few days, but they don't seem to be biting on my suggestion of a "middle age Canadian age grouper" theme for their Aussies
Abroad Kona coverage.
I started the day late with a half-a-rr swim, and soon met new EN friends Tim and Heather. Off the the very busy Bicycle Works on the queen K to get geared up, and met equipment guru John Cobb and his wife Ginger. Lovely people. I have at least 4 of cobs products on my bike from his Blackwell Research days and I'm a big fan of everything he creates.
Next off to the queen k for a short jog into the energy lab. Despite it being a cooler day, I still suffered in the heat and left two thirds of my lunch on the side of the road. More on more bikes on the road, and every runner seemed to be going at 7:00 miles at "very easy" RPE.
Looking forward to seeing Teri, Jay and Kate as the week progresses! Noticing the Australian ESPN crew has set up camp in my hotel over the last few days, but they don't seem to be biting on my suggestion of a "middle age Canadian age grouper" theme for their Aussies
Abroad Kona coverage.
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In honor of Kona Week, I've been recycling old blog entries from my 2006 race experience there (converting them from a previous web journal to a 21stcentury Word Press site)
They start here (onSept 29) and will be popping in daily until about the 15th or so:
http://bikrutz.org/triblog/?p=1245
Just click the right arrow at the top or bottom toget to the next one, or go to my blog via link below in sig line; last ten entries are on main page; or choose Category Hawaii Stories on right
Quick ride turned into another expense with a big ol gash in the sidewall of a brand new tubular 28 miles into the afternoon's ride. Hitchhike back to town, spend more $$$ at Bicycle Works, and return to Killer Tacos for the fortieth time this week.
Great stuff Dave. We are all living vicariously through the EN Kona Krew this week. Especially those of us prepping for late season IMs. Keep it coming! I'll save 'good luck' for later this week.
On my way to TBT yesterday I'm checking out Basik (breakfast/lunch place) as I walk by and a girl waves and yells Tim. So I ran up the stairs to meet Teri and Stephanie. While chatting we saw a dolphin on the swim course jumping/flipping and having fun. Very nice peeps and look forward to more time with them.
Went to where I thought TBT was and couldnt find it. Woman setting up the IM tent got on her phone and got me directions to TBT 1/2 mile behind me that I already walked by. Its hidden with a little tiny sign. Was amazed how friendly and helpful she was. Ran into several others who were looking for TBT as well.
Finally found TBT and got my bike. That was a zoo and I'm a bit worried about my bike finding its way to IMFL from here after several conversations with TBT and them wanting me to remind them where its going when I turn it in. I'm doing a 3 way transport and there was/is a little confusion.
Out for a 2hr ride on the Queen K and I decide I can't deal with the binding headset on my FELT DA2 that showed itself on the day I turned it in for TBT. It was getting worse and effected my handling. Stopped at Bike Works at 5pm thinking no way I'm gonna get help. Went in without bike. You picking up? no. What do you need? My bikes headset is binding. Do you have it here? yep. Get it we'll hook you up. Bring bike in. Immediately grabs a tech asks are you familiar with Felt Bayonet to tech? yep intimately. Gives bike to tech tells me to walk around store and we'll have an answer in 10 min. 10 min later bring my bike to me , your all set , bearing is on the way out but still good we don't have replacement but loosened it and its perfect for now. $20.83 and out of there by 5:22 ..... I was blown away by how efficient , quick, friendly the service was. Highly recommend them. We also rented a bike for Heather from them.
Please go here to update https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At8t0x4dO0EHdHAwWXB6RXBOYWhIZDB3TUcweHFnUkE&usp=drive_web#gid=8
Thanks Kids
I will be sending him the link on Tuesday, but it will update him when you update the list, so you can go in up until the day before the race.
To all you Kona folk, wanted to let you know my Chiro / ART / Graston Dr. -- Kym Wilkens will be at the ART tent doing complementary tune-ups and therapy. Her hours are W-F 7-12. She really, really knows her stuff, has worked on just about every Tri-Pro, and Olympic runner there is, she specializes in leg work and running gaits. She knows to be looking for EN folks, so if you are feeling tight or having aches pop-in and see her!