I anticipate that in the next few years I will participate in an Iron distance event. Not sure when or where, but I think that it would be a cool thing to do around my 40th birthday (I am 36).
I am aware that entry into domestic (US) Ironman races is competitive, and difficult to achieve. A lot of preplanning seems necessary, ie voluteer in this year's event to race next year's event.
I began to wonder about the European events, specifically France, Spain and Germany. Those destinations would make an excellent vacation in addition to doing the race.
Anyone participated in these events and have feedback to report? Does the language barrier present a problem? How about foreigh cuisine?
Thanks.
Language barrier shouldnt be
Language barrier shouldnt be a problem.
I would suggest Ironman Germany as it is the best organised race apparently.
Check out Ryan's IM Germany
Check out Ryan's IM Germany RR: http://www.trifuel.com/forum/14784/race-report-ironman-germany-with-pics
krazyfranco wrote:Check out
[quote=krazyfranco]Check out Ryan's IM Germany RR: http://www.trifuel.com/forum/14784/race-report-ironman-germany-with-pics...
If you have any questions, e-mail me at r.burns2 at gmail dot com. Without re-hashing the whole thing, Germany was easier to get to/from than a US race. You could fly NYC to FRA nonstop. Frankfurt is an [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city]Alpha world city[/url] so there isn't any service you can't get there 24hrs a day within a block from your hotel. I got off the plane and was in my downtown hotel - with my bike - within an hour. I was a 5min walk from the race site and I stayed at an American hotel chain for less than $100 USD a night. Everyone speaks English, they like Americans (my experience), and as you'll read, the TdF is the same week and it's a short train ride away; and the Running of the Bulls/Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona is also the same week and is just another train ride past France.
I've done Switzerland,
I've done Switzerland, France and Germany. All were relatively easy to get into. I sat on the computer for Germany to get in and the others I'm not even sure if they filled up. I speak German which did NOT help me at all in Switzerland (even though it's German and not French in Zuerich) or France and I didn't need it for Frankfurt.
Will this be a family vacation too? Let me know if you have questions on them. 2011 I plan on doing the new one in Regensburg.
TriSooner wrote:krazyfranco
[quote=TriSooner][quote=krazyfranco]Check out Ryan's IM Germany RR: http://www.trifuel.com/forum/14784/race-report-ironman-germany-with-pics...
If you have any questions, e-mail me at r.burns2 at gmail dot com. Without re-hashing the whole thing, Germany was easier to get to/from than a US race. You could fly NYC to FRA nonstop. Frankfurt is an [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city]Alpha world city[/url] so there isn't any service you can't get there 24hrs a day within a block from your hotel. I got off the plane and was in my downtown hotel - with my bike - within an hour. I was a 5min walk from the race site and I stayed at an American hotel chain for less than $100 USD a night. Everyone speaks English, they like Americans (my experience), and as you'll read, the TdF is the same week and it's a short train ride away; and the Running of the Bulls/Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona is also the same week and is just another train ride past France. [/quote]
Sooner, you just sold me on another IM and vacation destination :)
I've finished Germany,
I've finished Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Germany was the easiest bike course with 3000 ft of elevation, then Switz with 4000, and Austria with 5000. All have flat run courses near the water. The races are very spectator friendly: Germany had 500,000 spectators the year I did it! The Europeans live for this stuff, and they will be at nearly every corner of the race course cheering your name!
They do sell out quickly, so I was online as soon as they opened. The bike is a royal pain to take through customs, but your bike box will hold most of your gear. I needed a mechanic to rebuild my bike in all places, which may or may not be an issue for you. Direct flights to Frankfurt and Zurich for us from Tampa and Miami, but Klagenfurt was painfully expensive, because it's such a small village to get to.
The food is "wunderbar!" The pizza in Western Europe is to DIE for and we try our hardest to try out every pizza join in the area :) Of course the pasta and bier are delicious too!
I try out my 'Deutsch' when I'm there (my husband speaks German and Swiss German) but they usually end up speaking English with me.
My advice: GO FOR IT! It is the icing on the Ironman strudel! You can read all three race reports on my old blog: http://star.trifuel.net. Search for them in the Race Report section. Good luck choosing which one!