On-site when registration opens is pretty much a gaurantee of getting in.
On-line can be risky. Not sure how fast CDA fills up. IMWI and Florida close in hours.

You're talking about '08, yes? When does registration even begin?

Generally on line reg. opens at 9am EST (I believe,could be CST) the day after race day. ON site quarantees you'll get in. On line is a roll of the dice but if you have highspeed and are sitting on the computer at go time...you should be fine...my but they do sell out quickly!
Always some excellent indy IM's if miss out.

I got into IMFL online, just sat at my computer the second registration opened up, and I have high-speed internet.

IM CDA did not fill up immediately LAST year. That being said, I plan to register in person for 08.

As long as you are there online when it opens you should be fine. Don't wait a few hours or worse days there is a good chance you won't get in.

Depends on your current level... That's over 6 months so it shouldn't be a problem. I have met folks who went from couch to finish in less. Lots of base miles to begin with...look for a good training plan, or get a coach if you can afford that. Hook up with a local tri club if you haven't already. Read...ask for help.
I have a deep base and am just now starting up for IMLP after a week completely off.

It's not too bad...on the first lap!;)
No worse than where I ride often in Maryland.
Some folks say the IMOO course is worse because it's rollers that just keep coming. I rode most of the MOO course last summer and didn't think it was that bad.
Set my downhill mph record on the IMLP course...58.9mph...heading down into Keene...scared the hell out me!

Here is the story on the bike course change...looks to be a little hillier than the last course, which really wasn't all that bad...then again I live in the bay area, not Florida.

KOOTENAI COUNTY -- Switching the Ford Ironman's bike course from Post Falls to Hayden is all downhill from here.

Hayden Lake was the last city to sign off on the proposal and did so Monday night.

"There's still some details to iron out, but we're moving forward believing this will be the new course," said race director Andy Emberton. "Over the next few days we'll determine the exact streets here and there, but overall we have a pretty good idea."

The course runs up 15th Street to the plateau above Hayden Lake, through the Rimrock area, then comes south on Government Way.

Triathlon athletes believe the course will be a stiffer challenge than Post Falls due to the rolling hills and less recovery period as a result. That's why they're looking forward to the change.

"The new course will be hillier, but then you can let go on the downhill and won't have to slow down any," Coeur d'Alene's Bill Travis said Tuesday. "I think it will be a lot better."

Travis called the Post Falls route "boring." Riders said they won't miss the tight, technical turns of Riverview Drive, where multiple accidents have occurred, the wooden ramp over the railroad tracks and the thin Centennial Trail.

"Change is good," said Post Falls' Chrystie Hjeltness.

Coeur d'Alene's Mike Gaertner said there was a lot of "meandering" in Post Falls, including the Greyhound Park and the railroad bridge, that slowed riders down.

He said even if the Hayden route needs tweaking after the first year, the potential for a better course is greater.

"Even if it isn't smooth the first year, I'm sure they can get dialed into a smoother course," he said. "I love riding in that area."

Emberton called the Hayden course "better and safer."

"We're eliminating some things that caused us concern," he said. "With Post Falls' growth, businesses are moving there like crazy."

Emberton said one of the few remaining unsolved areas of the course is where to connect Government Way to Fourth on the way back to Coeur d'Alene.

Hayden officials would like the course on Government Way to create a vibrant downtown event and have set aside $10,000 to pay for expenses such as traffic control.

Emberton said construction is planned for Government Way, but hopes a lane will remain open during the race.

Having Hayden Days coincide with Ironman in June is being considered.

The mood has been different in Post Falls, where city officials realize the economic benefits Ironman brings but have asked for reimbursement for extra city services used during the event. Their reasoning is that Ironman is an out-of-state, for-profit company.

Post Falls' expenses have been about $11,000 per race and have been split between Ironman and the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce.

The 112-mile bike course will still include Higgens Point along Lake Coeur d'Alene. Coeur d'Alene's downtown and City Park are the hub for the race, which also includes a 2.4-mile swim and a 26.2-mile run.

IMOO is IMWI (Moo = cows = Wisconsin = Dairy State)