2012 Chica Revenge Tour? What about going independent?

Nemo Brauch

 We had a big surge of excitement after IMWI 2010 to do a revenge tour at IMLP in 2012.  But as the dust settled several ladies found the budget of going to LP just wasn't in it for them and a few others of us have sort of "had enough" of WTC.   As a result I think we have a somewhat split up crew.

So I'm just gonna throw it out there to see if I can get any bites.  Anyone interested in doing one of the following races with me in 2012?

Vineman:   In July so roughly the same basic timeline as IMLP.  Beautiful location (Sonoma Vally) but it would be a little farther for east coast kids to get to.  http://www.vineman.com/triathlon.htm

Rev 3 Cedar Point:  In September (same weekend as IMWI).  Great family friendly location in Ohio (a little more central for all of us).  Have heard just great stuff about this group being very athlete focused.  http://rev3tri.com/cedarPointComingSoon.htm

 

Down side to this of course is that I don't think we'd have R&P in pink Speedos at Mile 18 since they'll be at other races.  But then again, maybe that's not really a "down" side! 

 

 

gigiboswell

I'm planning on doing the Rev3 Knoxville 1/2 in May 2011 so I can check out the Rev3 group and let you all know. It's somewhat centrally located so if people want to do that in 2011 let me know and perhaps we can meet up. There may be a group from Wis going down for it. I've only been to Knoxville once and that was to visit the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame so I don't know much about the city or anything about the course. Has anyone heard anything about it? Side trip after the race to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry! I'd be up for Vineman and CedarPoint in 2012!

jburbatt

I'd vote for either race, both sound like good options.

Beth_S

Either for me. Teeny-tiny preference for Vineman, since it is on my bucket list, and I'd get to support the IMWI crew of the year! I also like Vineman's policy of buy two entries, get one free! And OMG food.

Rev 3 could also be lots of fun.

Michele Cellai

Totally on the same page Nemo.

Vineman would likely bring Rich out if there is no competing WTC even that weekend.

Like Beth- Vineman is on the bucket list, but would do either to be with the girls

Yasko Howell

I'd vote for Vineman. Love the location, and it's a lot easier logistically for me. Either way, I would love to join the Chica fun in 2012.

rah2774

Hard for me to know about 2012... right now I agreed toit being an IM-free year... but if that changes, I'd be totally down with Cleveland... I need an OH marathon (already done CA), not to mention, it's driving distance (save lots of $$$) and I'm from Cleveland so maybe I could get some family support...

Although, swimming there is a bit scary (there's a nuclear power plant near Cedar Point)... that's even a bit more bizarre to me than swimming in the Potomac River here in DC!  But, I suppose anywhere we swim for these events it's that cities' Potomac or Lake Erie... be sure you're up on your shots!

With all this WTC nonsense, I'm definitely thinking Kinetic HIM and Chessy Man full are on my lists!

Linda Patch

Indie fine with me. Personally, I think centrally located works the best (fairer?) for everyone (cost wise?). I vote for Rev3.

Swoodowrth

I'll put the thought out to Kathy and see. I might be up for this. Ironman distance is Ironman distance....

marianne

Sept 2012 is too far for me to think about. so I can't commit to any race right now!! m

Kitboo

Indy race sounds great! Count me in for whatever/wherever y'all decide...

Nemo Brauch

Can I just tell you all how much I love you?

Leigh Boyle

rev3 does have that kick ass amusement park....

cariesumida

I've done Rev3 Quassy HIM 2 years in a row now and found it to be a very well run race, even in it's inaugural year. The course was well marked, transition was beautifully laid out with boxes like Kona (not racks) so everyone has a designated spot and equal space with no one banging their bike into yours, they took a picture of you with your bike as you checked in for security purposes, the food was great and so was the schwag. You got a t-shirt, visor and drawstring bag before the race and a long-sleeve technical finishers shirt and medal. The aide stations were still stocked until the very end even for BOP'ers like me. Elite Bicycles provided the tech support on both Saturday and Sunday (unlike Eagleman where they do not have any race day support anymore from what I was told) and the staff really prided themselves on going above and beyond to make your race experience "better". The only downside I found was that because I'm at the BOP, I was by myself for the end of the bike and much of the run since the first year only had about 700 athletes or so and last year only had a few hundred more...nothing like the 3000 at Mdot events. I felt like I was last throughout the entire run. I would do that event every year, except that Quassy is a ridiculously tough, tough course and took me longer than 1/2 my Ironman times at Lake Placid and Canada; which is pretty insane for someone with my running abilities (or lack thereof) so I use it only as a build up to a hilly Ironman if that's what's on the calendar. However, Cedar Point is flat...

So that's been my experience with Rev3 thus far. As far as travelling to either Ohio or California, it's all the same to me (I'm in New York City) if I have to disassemble/ reassemble my bike in my teenie tiny apartment, pack my bike in the box, drag the box up and down the stairs of my apartment building, pay for the box on the plane, rent a mini-van to get me to and from the airport in New York, and rent an SUV to accomodate the box at the race destination. For that reason alone, I still would prefer Lake Placid although I have also had it with WTC. The 5150 series had me on the edge already, then the access card (rescinded or not) nearly pushed me back into retirement mode. As for the race itself, I would probably prefer Vineman...although I could easily be swayed either way.

Nemo Brauch

Thanks so much for that input Carie! FWIW, Cedar Point has a little added appeal to me because my sis-in-law wants to come to my next IM race, and a venue like that would be easy/cheap option for her to bring my nieces with her too. We have some time to decide of course, but I'm super psyched to know many of you would consider one of these options. It would be awesome to have a big group of Chica's swarming one of these races!

gigiboswell

Nemo - I would love to do Cedar Point as well in 2012 but then you might have co-worker(s) & family spectating...that ok?

Swoodowrth

Spoke with Kathy, I think we have our hearts set on IMLP....even with the hoopla. I would still love to do a Rev3 though and would maybe do that Cedar Point the same year as LP? That would be fun. I assume this changes the reunion in LP for registration?

Nemo Brauch

@Gigi- totally forgot about that little point! Could be interesting having my boss at the race huh? HA HA HA! Yeah- that would be OK.

@Sheryl- totally understand you guys wanting to do IMLP. I personally can't imagine doing 2 in one year- but I know many folks do.

Carrie Chavez

Vineman is a beautiful course!! I love it. I have raced the 70.3 many times and did the full Vineman once. Not sure how it works now but back then a women's 1/2 called Barb's race was held on the same day. So full Vineman started first. Two waves: men and then women. 2 loop swim. 2 loop bike and 2 loop run. Might be different now like a 3 loop run?? Not sure. Anyway. Very few racers so you have lots of space and often feel like you are just out for a bike ride. The 1/2 racers kind of do their thing before you're even off the bike( strange). I remember vividly running the last portion of the marathon alone. No one around. And I was like top 5 women. 2nd AG. SMALL race is all that means:-).

If you want space, inexpensive lodging( compared to LP), and BEAUTIFUL scenery, this is the one. And if you LOVE Wine!!! You will be in heaven.

Not sure I would do it again but if you all decide on Vineman I would do it for sure!!!

ht001

You girls are speaking my language!! As Tracy can attest I had WTC in the dog house long before this most recent shenanigans. (She listened to my snarky comments all weekend in Madison - Love ya T!! ) Anyway, the thought of doing an indie race with the chicas is a little bit of sweet music to my ears!! Vineman sounds spectacular (and would be an easy sell to DH due to the location), I'd consider the OH one as well though for the reason that Linda brings up. It could help everyone logistically. I'll continue to watch this space for on-going discussion.

krisf

I'd possibly be up for Cedar Point but Vineman... not so much. Rev3 Knoxville is on the maybe list for next year so I can possibly kick in some feedback then. Even if I didn't race Cedar Point, shepa'ing would still be very doable for me.

Would still LOVE to do Placid at some point but with Canada sucking up budget next year, think a vacation may be big ticket item for '12. Still would kick around FL as well...

Jane Hargraft

HI guys

I am new, and mostly race in Canada, where the events are not WTC - 2012 is too far for me to plan as well - although I know I am going to do my first IM distance (50th birthday present to myself).

what's the problem with WTC races? sorry to sound like a dolt....

Jane

Michele Cellai

Some of us feel that WTC has become the Microsoft of the triathlon world. That they are a money machine steam rolling any competition. My first iron was an independent race and I really enjoyed it despite the "no frills". I did IM Wisconsin in September and all of the hoopla was nice, but not necessary.

Personally- and this is STRICTLY MY OPINION- WTC is well organized but does not necessarily put on a better race. My independent did NOT run out of food/ drink. IMWI ran out of cola early!
I don't need a wetsuit stripper. I put it on by myself, I can take it off by myself. I do it every time I train and every other race I have attended.

I could go on, but I'll stop.

Here is more info:

http://endurancenation.us.dnnmax.com/Community/Forums/tabid/101/aff/32/aft/4050/afv/topic/afnp/55659/Default.aspx

http://endurancenation.us.dnnmax.com/Community/Forums/tabid/101/aff/32/aft/3864/afv/topic/afnp/55659/Default.aspx

ironmtngrl

I might very well be up for that. I'd vote for Vineman because it just seems a bit cooler.
Bev