Rider Comments #2: 2009

I preferred the 100 mi route this year.
Well organized event and the good attitudes of the volunteers made the torturous weather bearable. Thanks. - Craig

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This was my first MN Ironman, and definitely not my last. One request for next year, hot chocolate! Those of us who aren't coffee drinkers were suffering big time as we tried to warm-up. Hot Chocolate!!! Thanks. Erik

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Thanks very much for the heroic efforts in keeping everyone safe again
this year. Having no control over the weather makes your job considerably
more difficult than just marking a coarse and providing rest stops. I have
ridden the Ironman many years and very few of them have been “good”
weather but none have been as bad as ’09. - Jerry, Winona, MN

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All I can say is wow ! This was my first Ironman ride and it was the most challenging ride I've ever experienced. I rode the 65 mile route. Cold temps, wind chill, wind, lightning, and oh - did I mention the 45 miles in the rain. The rest stops were great, good food and plenty of it ! I thought the ride was well organized. It will be an experience I'll never forget. Will I ride next year ? You'll need to order more sunshine. LOL ! - Mike

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Was the hot pasta at the second rest stop planned? It sure hit the spot. Did the local VFW (or some such group - I forgot - I think that part of my brain froze) do this on their own? The reason for my questions is that I'd like to send them a thank-you note. It was one of those seemingly simple, but monumentally important, actions that should be recognized. If you have contact information, I'd sure appreciate it. - Gary

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This was the first century ride of my life. Loved it...wouldn't have changed a thing, except to have used more "glide". Thanks for all of the great work. Awesome event! Scott

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I did attend my first Ironman and attempt at a century ride and was incredibly impressed with the organization and speed by which you were able to process that many people. Aid stations were great, and even with added workload to the Sags, it all went well. Thank you and please thank your team for all its efforts. - Terry

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I last rode the Ironman (the 100) in 1974 at age 20. Thirty-five years later I rode the 2009 Ironman(65 this time). I carried may 1974 patch with me(quite soggy at the end). Between the bone-chilling cold, the feet that felt like frosty stumps, my fingers so frozen that I could not work my shifters and hills steeper than any I trained on, I thought the ride was great...absolutely great. The funniest moment for me was the rider who passed me and said "It's an Ironman NOW"...the lightening was flashing, the wind blowing and I think sleet was pounding my face. Just a great event. My only regret is missing so many rides over the years. In all seriousness, it was fun in that strange twisted way. I'm thinking about next year already...watching the MIBR clock....feet dry. - Mark

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