We
are excited you're coming! - We've
been preparing this race for more than a year, and now it's
finally the time to start packing. We want to make sure you
have a great time while you're there, so make sure you take
the time to read this newsletter completely. Even if
you have to take a break, make dinner and come back to it. ITU
SANCTIONING
- Some
of you may have noticed that our race is marked with a
"P" in the ITU webpage. This is because we are
having trouble getting liability insurance for the organizers
and sponsors in Honduras, as required by the ITU contract. The
problem is that this kind of event insurance simply does not
exist in the insurance market there. We are working hard on
this, and we hope it can be resolved quickly. Everything else
is in place. SET-UP,
Inc.'s Container -
Bill
Scott is driving Monday to Tampa with his 22ft trailer
containing everything we will need to set the race. The
container will be shipped this coming Friday, and will be
waiting for us in Roatan. ITU
Rules - All
competitors planning to race Elite, must be well acquainted
with the requirements established by the ITU regarding
equipment. There are some aerobars, and non-conventional bike
handles that are not allowed. There are rules on uniforms
specifying where your sponsors' names can go and cannot go.
Most rules do not apply for age groups, but I encourage every
body to take a look at this link, ook for the "ITU
Competition Rules". http://www.triathlon.org/itu/index.htm Mandatory
Pre-Race Meeting - There
is a MANDATORY pre-race meeting, on Friday, March 7. Scheduled
at 5pm, at the Mayan Princess, in order to give a chance to
all flights to get in. If for some reason you think you will
not be in Roatan by this time, please let us know. ALL
athletes elite and non-elite must attend this meeting and sign
a form that proves you were there. Race
Course - I've
received several emails with questions about the course. Make
sure you go to our website, and check the link under
"International Distance", http://www.bayislandstriathlon.com/Olympic%20Distance.htm
If this does not answer your questions I'll be glad to answer
more specific questions. Special
Equipment - You
are preparing to ride a pretty hilly course. It's really the
first 5km that you need to be prepared for, the rest is
rolling hills. For some there will be no need to make any
changes. For others who live on flat lands or soft rolling
hills, you might need to check before you come. First,
make sure you give your bike a tune-up before leaving. Second,
make sure you ask your bike shop to check your rear and front
cassettes (some people call it "cogs"). I'm not very
strong on hills, so I'm taking a 27 cassette on the back and
39 on the front. I would say that in order to save your legs
for the run, this would also be a good combination. Sonni
Dyer, from TriMycoach.com suggests the following:
I'd say that
a 39 small ring (in front) and a 25 (on the rear) cog is a
must...........if not a 27 cog on the back.
Mosquito
Repellant & Sunscreen, Others - Please
make sure you bring enough mosquito repellent. You can
use OFF, but I prefer and suggest the fancier types with DET
that you can purchase at any outdoors or backpacking store. I
understand you can also find it at Walmart in the camping
section. These do a better job of protecting you for a longer
time. You want to be protected at all times. The island is
still "unspoiled" remember? This means that they
don't have very fancy ways of controlling mosquitoes. It won't
be a problem if you bring good protection. Besides, we are
arriving in their "dry" season, which means that
"pests" are at their lowest levels. Sunscreen
-
I guess I don't need to remind you of this, but make sure you
bring your favorite water proof screen. If you forget any of
this, you can find it on the island, but it might not be your
favorite type. Options on the Island are limited. It would not
be a bad idea to swing by a tanning bed to get your skin
prepared. Remember most
of us have been in long sleeves and pants until one day before
you get there. Pepto
Bismol, Lomotil, and similar - I wish
"Paradise" came without some sacrifice. Since you
are leaving the antiseptic world we live in, and traveling to
Latin America, it is always smart to bring your own diarrhea
medication. You can buy some great stuff there too, but don't
"leave home without it" if you have a choice. Being
Careful with what you eat - Hotels and restaurants are
very careful of how they prepare their meals and are always
conscious that our "tummies" are not so
resistant to foreign foods. Keep these few things in mind at
all times, and you should be okay. I'm not trying to scare
anybody, I'm simply trying to make sure you have the best time
possible. DO
NOT - use ice. Except if you have asked the hotel manager if
their ice is made with "purified" water. Filtrated
water is not good enough, it needs to be "purified",
or else just don't have any ice. Most good hotels and
restaurants are very conscious of this and will let you know
even before you ask. Bottled water is so cheap, that they buy
it and make ice from it. DO
NOT - eat foods from street vendors. DO
NOT - eat lettuce, tomatoes or fresh leafy greens, even if
these are served at your hotel. DO
- eat cooked vegetables, seafood, etc. All foods are safe if
you buy them at a restaurant, and in fact the island has some
great food. Very international, but with a touch of Caribbean
flare. DO
- eat fruits if these are peeled. If you buy any fruit, make
sure you give it a good scrubbing. We have great mangos, and
pineapples, so eat your heart up, just don't sink your teeth
on any fruit skin. DO
- buy bottled water and keep it with you at all times. Bottled
water is very cheap, and is used and sold everywhere. REGISTER On
Line - http://www.set-upinc.com/2002racepages/bayisland/bayisland.shtml By
mail: http://www.bayislandstriathlon.com/Register.htm
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