according to their website, it took about a week

Since it was the first year for it, it was slow to fill. I registered knowing only the date and distances, and the area it would be in: there was no course info, etc. So that was also part of it. Depending on how it goes, it will fill faster this time. Although probably not in a matter of hours like some of the more established ones -- I think even IM AZ (the last new one) took days or a week to fill even this year (but I could be wrong).

Mike and I will both be there racing. His competative level is yet to be determined -- he's still definitely feeling that car that hit him during Vineman!

You gonna be there? I don't remember where we are staying (it's all at home) but right at the finish area. So we'll have to try to meet up!

Once we are a bit closer we'll have to start a thread of who will be there and when to meet up. I think those IMC folks are jumping the gun a bit... but it also just scares me how close we are!!

I'm at the Galt House too, but I won't arrive 'til the 24th.

We are not staying at Galt house but in another of the hotels attached to that area right at the finish line. We arrive the 23rd as well. Our bikes left today (I'm nervous for them... it's their first trip without us by their sides).

For hills I found similar elevation changes and angles near me to get an idea of it... Oh we do have a similar ride we have done. Here is the Vineman profile (from my garmin). Here is the IM KY one from another garmin (I just find comparing 2 motionbased ones can help since all sites do elevation a bit differently). At Vineman Chalk hill was ~200 ft. of climbing over ~1.25 mi. Looks like the IM KY out and back on loop 1 will be similar to that. Not sure how much that helps, but I just look at both profiles and find spots that are similar to get an idea of it, and to know "hey I can do that!" about them :) I find comparing the course profile to stuff around me gives me a better feeling for what to expect. No, I'm not a GPS geek, why do you ask? ;)

I've heard the bike course will be rollers, constantly. That you will be changing gears (in the back) much of the ride. A couple spots might make you need to change in the front to the small ring (depending on how strong a rider you are).

I have heard the wind might be an issue, although probably not side wind, but head or tail.

Thanks GPS Geek! The data you posted was exactly what I was looking for. Chalk hill wasn't 10% as scary as everyone said....I thought the Vineman course was pretty smooth and definitely not nearly as challenging as the announcers made it out to be. KY looks like it has about 6 or 7 chalk hills, though! I shipped my bike off tonight, too....with my new rear disc. Not sure if I should have done that or stuck with my conventional rear rim. Oh well.

I do have to agree that the beginning and end look great. No worries there...but we'll have to see about the middle, eh?

As for the temps....yeah....it's been pretty cool this whole summer in CA....was hoping to get some good 100 degree days to acclimate myself a bit, but it looks like that's not gonna happen.

How clean is the water? Should I get Hep A and B shots?

Spend your last week or so wearing long sleeved shirts and pants and trying to stay warm enough that you feel like you should take it off. Don't and just suffer through it and that should get you nice and acclimated for the heat there.

Good luck at IMKY you guys! Have a blast and enjoy your day you've worked so hard for! :)

Ok ok I'm going to start a thread now to make sure we can get info from each other and meet up (that means you too durhamj11!) :)