Bala isn't that far away. I've driven to race there several times and I would 100% endorse that it's worth the effort. I wish we did all still go and do it.
The problem for me is that it's sat poorly on the calendar for the last couple of years.
I did chat to the coach the other day and he seems to think we have ages yet to sort out when/where, I am of the inclination that people need to know and to book holiday time and to sort out pennies and what have you
If you take it as read that 2015 is Austria for the PSOF Anniversaire Champs - entries will need to be done as soon as poss after the openning date or hour which is likely to be July ?? 2014 (IMO) needs to be one that doesnt fill or that people can enter fairly late in 2013/early 2014 and then have time to find the funds for the big 'un
Outlaw we have done and that will still always get the crowds of newbies as I think it will become the longdistance version of Bala Henley we will have done this year Most of the European ones have been covered At the risk of a few gasps there is still the IMUK option and there is the IMWales option for 2014, neither of which are beginner friendly but as has been pointed out previously any IM that has a Pirate presence is newbie friendly
There are a plethora of new Ironman distance races in the UK springing up but (and again IMO only) the best atmosphere is where the majority are
I think we should make an effort to get a big group to Bala 2014 for the middle distance and I think unless there is huge opposition we should do IMWales in 2014
as I have mentioned before in this thread - you need to factor in that 2014/15 MAY see a new UK IM event. Both Bolton and Wales only have a licence for another year I believe and my source says, WTC might can both events and just have one UK IM event but not based at either of those venues.
but like many things WTC there are facts and rumours and that one is still in the rumour mill
I agree with Mouse though, we need to get away from the UK a bit, I think the UK events we've done lack the electricity and atmosphere than when a loy of us are holed up in a hotel overseas.
IM France could be another option, but thats going over old ground.
Not discounted but Personally i fail to get excited about Barcelona or Almere, i see that theyre choices of some people. I also worry that theyve got the potential to fail to get others enthusiasm in the same way that Henley has.
I decided to enter Henley this year to show solidarity as it was chosen as the Pirate champs and support the race despite Lanza being my preferred choice.
Its a bit dissapointing to see some of those who were pushing it last year are not doing it.
It was easier to reach a consensus in the past as all the races were new to most of us. Over the years the options have become more complicated as some people have done a lot of races so rule themselves out from certain events.
There were also no decent UK events until Outlaw & Wales, now those and other new UK races are an easy option for people, this skews the decision process I think, it also has the potential to limit us reaching a decent consensus for an overseas race (except in the example of Austria 2015 which seems a special case)
It could be that given the change in dynamics we'll now struggle to get a dozen or so committing to any overseas race? Personally I dont think that should matter, its also not to say that UK, Barcelona etc are not viable options. We should be looking to explore and excite, pick races that are spepick (special and epic)
Comments
That all depends on what you drive
The problem for me is that it's sat poorly on the calendar for the last couple of years.
Its not sitting well for this year either but we should make a concerted effort to make it happen next year
Doesnt it sell out around Christmas time?
I appear to have killed the thread
So, has a decision been made on where I am holidaying next year whilst watching you lot suffer?
Is it Sweden? Is it not?
Nah not Sweden ... ;-)
I did chat to the coach the other day and he seems to think we have ages yet to sort out when/where, I am of the inclination that people need to know and to book holiday time and to sort out pennies and what have you
If you take it as read that 2015 is Austria for the PSOF Anniversaire Champs - entries will need to be done as soon as poss after the openning date or hour which is likely to be July ??
2014 (IMO) needs to be one that doesnt fill or that people can enter fairly late in 2013/early 2014 and then have time to find the funds for the big 'un
Outlaw we have done and that will still always get the crowds of newbies as I think it will become the longdistance version of Bala
Henley we will have done this year
Most of the European ones have been covered
At the risk of a few gasps there is still the IMUK option and there is the IMWales option for 2014, neither of which are beginner friendly but as has been pointed out previously any IM that has a Pirate presence is newbie friendly
There are a plethora of new Ironman distance races in the UK springing up but (and again IMO only) the best atmosphere is where the majority are
I think we should make an effort to get a big group to Bala 2014 for the middle distance
and I think unless there is huge opposition we should do
IMWales in 2014
IMAustria 2015
Please discuss
as I have mentioned before in this thread - you need to factor in that 2014/15 MAY see a new UK IM event. Both Bolton and Wales only have a licence for another year I believe and my source says, WTC might can both events and just have one UK IM event but not based at either of those venues.
but like many things WTC there are facts and rumours and that one is still in the rumour mill
Your case for the opposition?
Ahaaa!!!
Mousey wants a sabatical and if we go to Wales then she wont be able to resist !!!
Not at all. I just thought that the champs have been in the UK for two years now and I would be nice to actually *go* somewhere!
I like the sound of Sweden.
C'mon, get out your wallets and passports and come play in Oz. Port Macq is May time, WA/Busso is December, or IMNZ, Cairns, Challenge Wanaka.
You know it makes sense ...
Lol yes it would be Cougs !!!
I'd need more than my wallet Kanga
Mousey, so you are not having a year off then? !
Mouse is having this year off i thought?
I'm doing Wales this year, I'm not IM next year apparently so i've been told.
All the more reason to come and play in 2014 the Mr F !!
so he gcan get himself in trouble...........anyone whoi does IMW this year can have a year off next year to recover for 2015 in austria
Is there a danger that choosing Wales could leave you hanging in the wind if there is doubt over 2014 event? Id guess we'd not find out till Sept/Oct.
Does it matter if only say dozen people go to Sweden?
at the moment it only seems to be you and mouse barley
IM France could be another option, but thats going over old ground.
I decided to enter Henley this year to show solidarity as it was chosen as the Pirate champs and support the race despite Lanza being my preferred choice.
Its a bit dissapointing to see some of those who were pushing it last year are not doing it.
In that case I'd go for Sweden. Its a beautiful place, not cheap thoguh
Having said that, I've not done my first yet, so I've no idea why I'm even thinking about what I'm doing next year
There were also no decent UK events until Outlaw & Wales, now those and other new UK races are an easy option for people, this skews the decision process I think, it also has the potential to limit us reaching a decent consensus for an overseas race (except in the example of Austria 2015 which seems a special case)
It could be that given the change in dynamics we'll now struggle to get a dozen or so committing to any overseas race? Personally I dont think that should matter, its also not to say that UK, Barcelona etc are not viable options. We should be looking to explore and excite, pick races that are spepick (special and epic)
that'll be Himalayan Man, then ... or Arctic Man ... or how about Andes Man?!!