70.3 Rhode Island vs Eagleman
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Quincyceltic posted 17 weeks ago.
I also was planning on one of these two for my first HIM, but I also added the REV3 tri in CT to the list. From what I heard it was an awesome race with tons of pros and great accomodations. It is not a "ironman" brand, but then I was gonna do Timberman later in the season to satisfy that want.
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jperubog posted 17 weeks ago.
Rev3 was a great race, I was only spectating, but I rode the bike course a week(maybe two, can't remember) before, hard as hell, very demanding, one long 7 mile climb, and constant rollers, and the run from what it looked like wasn't any easier. Support and race direction looked as good if not better than other races I've done. If you are looking for a tough 70.3 in a nice rural setting, then I would definitely sign up for this race, No comment on the others.
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hoss19 posted 17 weeks ago.
i did both the rev3 and RI 70.3 this year. I was planning on attending eagleman as a volunteer with my GF but we broke up just before and i didnt end up going.
In terms of lodging, eagleman was a pain in the ass from what i heard. Rooms are in short supply and those that exist are snatched up early. RI was awesome, plenty of rooms in providence (i recommend hilton downtown). For Rev 3 i stayed in hartford (1 hour away) with my parents.
As for the race itself, i liked both rev 3 and providence. rev 3 is a tough bike and tougher run, so incorporate lots of climbing and hillwork into your training. support was terrific for both. the giveaways for the rev 3 were much better (finished t-shirt to first 300, a regular t-shirt, and a nice visor). the food afterwards at rev 3 sucked, whereas at providence they had some tasty treats.
overall you cant miss with either of three. but personally i think eagleman is too easy of course to walk away satisfied. i mean dont you want something that is challenging? At rev 3 the bike is tough and the kswiss hill on the front turn is wicked. At RI 70.3 you have (possibly) some tough breakers to deal with on the swim and arguably one of the best hills when you climb College Hill. Cambridge on the other hand...the whole thing is completely flat and the much talked about "headwinds" there ceased to exist both times i rode the course.
Let me say that the dual transition at RI 70.3 is really not that bad. just get there early saturday and take care of things, it is really no big deal.
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jwillia852 posted 17 weeks ago.
Now that is exactly what I was hoping for. Except for the part of wanting something challenging, lol. The food was probably the deal breaker.
That just about sealed the deal for me - Rhode Island it is.
Jeff
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hoss19 posted 17 weeks ago.
jwillia852 wrote:
Now that is exactly what I was hoping for. Except for the part of wanting something challenging, lol. The food was probably the deal breaker.That just about sealed the deal for me - Rhode Island it is.
Plus Providence is, arguably, home to the best italian restaurants outside of italy itself. Atwells avenue has no shortage of mom and pop and modern italian restaurants. we ate lunch al fresco at one of the spots in "the square" and then ate dinner at cassarinos. both meals were outstanding. I wanted to go to old canteen but it was closed (vacation) and al forno (downtown) was too expensive, but casarinos was incredible.!
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gfd posted 17 weeks ago.
My friend did RI last year. Hilly course and very pretty course. Nice area to stay, things to do.
I have done the IM version on the Eagleman course. It is in the middle of nowhere (The county's population is 30,000) but I thought it was pretty. Flat marshy wetlands. Not many places to stay or eat. If the headwinds do kick up, forget about easy. There where whitecaps all over the river/bay and when cycling into the wind I was lucky to hit 14mph.
"If we help someone else up a steep hill, we get nearer to the top ourselves." ~Unknown~
~Garen~
http://baldhungariantriproject.blogspot.com/
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jwillia852 posted 15 weeks ago.
Great input. Registration opened up for RI yesterday and I am signed up. Should be a fun year :-)
Jeff
Based on overall experience, ease of lodging/transportation, and spectator 'services' can any of you offer any insight or recommendations to which race you all prefer? One of these will be my first HIM (registration opens in two weeks for Eagleman), and I am trying to figure it all out so I can plan the year.
Thank You!
Jeff