How to Prepare for the Kona Trip
Once you qualify for Kona, you actually need to take care off all the stuff related to GETTING and BEING there...no small feat, and not cheap at all, as you will soon discover. Here are my tips for you.
Overview Video
Resources for Your Family / When In Kona
We have created a basic guide on all things Kona. You'll find at least one thing cool here that will make your trip even better!!
>> view it online here
Flights & Car
I recommend you fly direct to Kona vs flying to Honolulu, etc, and then "island hopping" over. It's a nightmare, esp with your bike on a smaller plane.
The sooner you can get there to acclimate the better...ideal window is arriving the Friday before (makes for a 10 day trip).
Rent a Jeep (can hold 3 folks plus bike box) for your transport. Allows you to park anywhere like the locals and very durable. If you are really on it, request the Soft Top so you can enjoy the sunshine and even transport your bike sticking out the back (not a good idea to leave your bike inside your open Jeep).
If you have more than three people and bags, you can always make two trips to the airport...
Power User Tip: When you land, have your family claim stuff while you jump on the shuttle to beat the crowd to the rental place...then return with the car to pick them up!
Your Bike
I recommend flying with your bike to Kona. Being able to train on your bike for the final three weeks into your race is almost mandatory. Given that some transport services take your bike three plus weeks pre race it just makes sense. Bonus if you fly a great airline like Alaska Air that only charges $25 one way for you bike.
Lodging to Consider
There are quite a few places you can stay like hotels (@tim cronk stays at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Kona, for example), most of the Air BnB and VRBO houses are bait and switch set ups. There are corporate run resorts or agencies (see below) that can help you out and you are just "done" with it. Make sure your place has Air Conditioning as you'll want it.
Admin Stuff
Anyone else??!!!
Overview Video
Resources for Your Family / When In Kona
We have created a basic guide on all things Kona. You'll find at least one thing cool here that will make your trip even better!!
>> view it online here
Flights & Car
I recommend you fly direct to Kona vs flying to Honolulu, etc, and then "island hopping" over. It's a nightmare, esp with your bike on a smaller plane.
The sooner you can get there to acclimate the better...ideal window is arriving the Friday before (makes for a 10 day trip).
Rent a Jeep (can hold 3 folks plus bike box) for your transport. Allows you to park anywhere like the locals and very durable. If you are really on it, request the Soft Top so you can enjoy the sunshine and even transport your bike sticking out the back (not a good idea to leave your bike inside your open Jeep).
If you have more than three people and bags, you can always make two trips to the airport...Power User Tip: When you land, have your family claim stuff while you jump on the shuttle to beat the crowd to the rental place...then return with the car to pick them up!
Your Bike
I recommend flying with your bike to Kona. Being able to train on your bike for the final three weeks into your race is almost mandatory. Given that some transport services take your bike three plus weeks pre race it just makes sense. Bonus if you fly a great airline like Alaska Air that only charges $25 one way for you bike.
Lodging to Consider
There are quite a few places you can stay like hotels (@tim cronk stays at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Kona, for example), most of the Air BnB and VRBO houses are bait and switch set ups. There are corporate run resorts or agencies (see below) that can help you out and you are just "done" with it. Make sure your place has Air Conditioning as you'll want it.
- Kanaloa at Kona: https://goo.gl/maps/uXjDUksnke62
- Wyndham Kona: https://goo.gl/maps/qwqA6Fks5aJ2
- Other places: https://www.konacoastvacations.com
- If you arrive early, do the Ho'ala practice swim the Saturday before race day. You need to register by 8/15 for this.
- Plan on the Underpants Run because it's a tradition...you can register morning of, just be there early.
- Registration opens on Tuesday, and it's usually 9a to 2p...during that time there's a bike check in front of the hotel.
- Monday to Friday there is Gatorade Bag Check in AM, 7 to 9 for sure, maybe 10, where they will watch your stuff.
- You can time bike check with bag check to have your stuff taken care of.
- Try to avoid riding / driving on Alii starting on Wednesday as it's just too damn crowded.
- Best place to eat / chill during the day is Daylight Mind cafe next to the Expo area.
- Best yummy / chill eats at night + drinks is Huggos on the Rocks.
- Best date restaurant ($$$$) is the ULU Ocean Grill...amazing food on the beach (ask to sit outside).
- In Hawi you have to eat at Sweet Potato Cafe.
- To ride to Hawi you can park at the Waikoloa Resort (60 mile round trip) or up just after the turn on 270 (36 mile round trip, side of the road parking).
Anyone else??!!!
1
Comments
Food- Island Naturals- Is a local healthy natual foods store with hotbar, saladbar, prepared/prepackaged foods for all eating choices... Expensive but great place to eat but not shop... Walmart, Cosco, Safeway for more affordable shopping.
Another great resource for IM Hawaii logistics is the annual guide put out by 'KonaCoffee' on ST.
Registration is now open for the Ho'ala Ironman Training Swim on Saturday, October 6, 2018
@matt limbert is already signed up as well
The major car rental companies have slim pickings at super-high prices, so consider a carsharing company such as Turo. Their operating model is similar to Airbnb
I'd avoid sites that serve only as booking agents. They have supply agreements with rental car companies, and will show you low prices, but when everything is overbooked they'll get stiffed, and then they'll cancel your reservation
Further Delta requires a limited release form for anything other than a hard shell bike case: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/baggage/before-your-trip/special-items.html :
"If the bicycle is packaged in a hard shell case specifically designed for transporting bicycles, then a limited release form is not required.
If the bicycle is packaged in a soft sided travel bag or anything other than a hard shell case, a limited release form will need to be signed."
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Paul Curtin commented on How to Prepare for the Kona Trip
I went with TBT to keep things simple. The only drawback is not having my regular bike those last 10 days of training
Update on the soft-bag embargo by Hawaiian: Dan Empfield has confirmation from the airline that this policy will be suspended during October . look for a ST article soon.
One fewer travel headache!
Ha! Typical! Just after I go and buy a new hard case! 😬
@Coach Patrick You mentioned that we might have some group workouts/events on the island (i.e. Ho'ala practice swim, run the energy lab or the ride to Hawi)? What kind of things do you have planned or recommend the week before?