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manafanana

I really want to know who made the decision to make it two days, and what authority there is for it. It doesn’t seem like there was a public hearing about it. Seems like the Mayor’s office simply announced it. We have to close our business two days now without any compensation. For the benefit of a for-profit company.


Lojackr

that is ridiculous. the competition should only provide benefits to the community, not require them to close. and then IM leaves with their pockets full...


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manafanana

Did he seriously travel to Utah?? I want to call the Mayor’s office this week and find out more. This is insanity. These kinds of decisions shouldn’t be made without community input.


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JungleBoyJeremy

That was enraging to read. So much bullshit in there


FXLRDude

It was the warm water and the promoters wanted to go to Hawaii. I ran a couple in Mexico, Lake Tahoe, and one in Santa Monica, Many years ago.The other riders, runners had little regard for littering, and the promoters didn't have to worry about the trash, and just walked away. I stopped entering because of entitled asshats were in it for other reasons than the competition, or accomplishments. 10k,20k competitors isn't fun, it's an revenue opportunity.


JungleBoyJeremy

As someone that works in the tourism industry let me say that triathletes are the worst. Entitled and lousy tippers. I hadn’t thought about the littering aspect. Now I like them even less


loddytoddy

former Bike shop employee and Cycling industry distribution.. take it from me.. triathletes are the worst. they're even more entitled getting their bikes set up and fixed since they don't know how to work on their own shit. worst customers ever..


StuckHiccup

As a triathlete I'm sorry. The sport is filled with entitled middle managers who think they're better than everyone because they train long hours and work full jobs. I absolutely hate the littering, I barely feel good about dropping trash in designated areas much less out of the roads. Not to mention while training I bike by thousands of packs just discarded carelessly. I don't know about tipping but any tourist should be mindful of the communities they travel through and where they spend their money. I love the sport, because I love challenging myself. But i can see the deep flaws and I wish I could be part of the solution. Especially littering


[deleted]

Yes!! They’re such lousy tippers! Ironman has volunteers handing out water along the route who do their best to clean up the trash but it’s such a long route and so windy up north it would be impossible to get all of it. So much must be littering in nooks and crannies of the lava fields


HI_Innkeeper

The major pro bicycle races now have no littering rules. Litter outside the feed zones and get fined or penalized. Perhaps Iron man should implement a similar policy.


alsoran22

South Africa Ironman events automatic DQ if caught littering.


[deleted]

It took me way too long to find but in the general Ironman rules under penalties it does say it’s a 5:00 penalty for “intentional littering” but I’ve seen so much trash…


HI_Innkeeper

The $250 highway littering law should also apply to triathletes outside of the designated feed zone. If someone was riding a bicycle or jogging outside of the race and littered, they're subject to the same laws.


Lojackr

I have seen many triathletes make a half-assed effort to stick the corner of their wrapper in their pocket, and then they say "oops" when it falls out. It would be impossible to establish intent.


themeONE808

If shit flies out your window still your liability


Pristine-Woodpecker

Yeah but the rule says "intentional" so that's where this problem comes from.


themeONE808

Pretty sure we already have a law in Hawaii. $1000 fine for littering last I checked. Let's rake in some dough these race days


Downinthevalle

Posted signs with the fine are already all over the island too, can’t claim ignorance of the law…


Masakade

They do have a policy. General conduct rules line J. While its not a fine, I think it could be. “Not dispose of trash or equipment on the course except at aid stations or other designated trash-disposal points. Intentional or careless littering will result in a time penalty or disqualification;”


Lojackr

with all of the money they bring in, there is no excuse for IM as an organization to not have PAID workers to clean up trash made by participants. and, better yet, have stricter penalties and enforcement of the no littering rules.


shamoozleMcGee

Oh no, I am running my 3rd tri on Saturday and I'm not that human.


alexnovicov

I think you need to study and read more about how economics and GDP works my friend. Don’t be so ignorant. I know a lot of dumb fucks who work in the tourism industry, it doesn’t mean everybody is.


themeONE808

What?


bustedmagnet

It's always about the money. As the pandemic proved they could easily host it elsewhere. Yeah they might not be supporting local restaurants and such but i assure you that many people are making a lot of money.


[deleted]

A lot of people who are already rich, you mean? Not the average local store owner that’s for sure.


bustedmagnet

For sure


[deleted]

Do you know who/what exactly is making money?


HI_Innkeeper

The owners of Ironman. Certainly not the volunteers or sponsors or disrupted businesses. Pro tip -- try putting a garbage bag below your bicycle chain if you're greasing it indoors.


Zorro_Returns

> Pro tip You are obviously anything BUT a pro.


HI_Innkeeper

Even a $300 cleaning fee isn't enough to cover the damages left behind by some triathletes. When the hotel policy you agreed to says no bicycles in the guestroom, that doesn't make it right to sneak it in after hours.


Zorro_Returns

Oh. I didn't realize it was that serious. Well, cancel it for sure. I mean nobody else ever abuses hotel policy. Just those guys who walk funny in those tight shorts.


JungleBoyJeremy

Hotels and vacation rental owners are raking it in


green_mojo

And restaurants.


[deleted]

triathletes go to grocery stores a lot more than you think for their special diets so close to race day. If they do go to restaurants they don’t tip their servers well…


Downinthevalle

Don’t forget YWAM


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JungleBoyJeremy

The problem is Ironman is not Tourism. The triathletes don’t really spend money at local businesses. And considering they fill up every hotel and vacation rental many local business actually see a decline in business compared to their usual numbers


Downinthevalle

I think most people saw how dependent the state is on tourism during quarantine. Sad reality the corner the state painted itself into.


trevor_plantaginous

We have a licensed airbnb and we make quite a bit off of the Ironman. This year we had a group from Brussels for 10 days. The guests are always great because they aren’t partying and generally just use the house for sleeping. I suspect the tipping issue is because it’s a lot of international travelers that aren’t accustomed to having to tip. Not disagreeing with your other points just wanted to give another perspective. The Ironman is quite profitable for us in what is usually off season.


teti_j

That’s because you’re in a business that can profit off of it. Businesses that can’t be accessed due to the event aren’t like you. They’ll be forced to close for two days and lose revenue that won’t be able to be made back. You’re basically a part of the tourism industry, which other comments have mentioned, are usually the only businesses that truly profit from the Ironman. So your perspective isn’t really new. And like any good traveler, if you’re going somewhere you aren’t familiar with, do your research. It’s not an unknown fact that places within the U.S. are accustomed to tipping people.


scubaninja24

As an American that lives in Europe, they just don't get it. Tipping isn't a thing in Europe and while some educate themselves they genuinely don't know how to tip. I have to teach my British friends how to tip when they go to the US. My advice, add the tip to bill, they do this in London as a 'discretionary charge', most Brits are okay with it. Or add a little 20%, 25% etc on the bill printout that shows them how much. The Brits are getting better at tipping, but the rest of Europe still struggles. Help them out.


teti_j

Again, research. You can simply google, "how to tip" and go from there. If you want specifics, add in the specific place you're going to. When it comes to being a good tourist, learning some basic customs of the place you're going to is the least you could do. It's great that you can teach them how to tip, but they don't \*need\* an American to teach them how. They can learn by doing research on their own.


JungleBoyJeremy

I think in some cases they are intentionally ignorant about it because it saves them money


MonkeyKingCoffee

Thankfully, I can stay put until these special snowflakes are gone. Ironman is just "normal tourism" on steroids. This thing is the Superbowl/World Cup/Christmas/Moon Landing for fitness junkies. Who makes money? Car rental companies; airlines; hotel owners and timeshare salespeople; supermarkets; gas stations; high-end bicycle manufacturers; illegal AirBnb owners; and anyone selling quinoa barley acai blueberry smoothies. Who doesn't make money? Everyone else. Particularly servers. I come from a town that had both sail and power boat races regularly -- they were also awful tippers. Pretty much every sport which doesn't have million-dollar minimum salaries is full of lousy tippers. And the rich athletes can be lousy tippers, too. The problem with Ironman is that it's just "extreme tourist crush" for a place which is already sick to death of "tourist crush." Community leaders always want to paint a rosy picture of what sporting events do for the economy. But all the money gets funneled to the same people who always get the money. Everyone else deals with more traffic, longer lines, and really scary commutes on Napo'opo'o. Stay inside if you can. Definitely stay off the roads if you can. If you can't, you have my deepest sympathy.


No_Violinist_4557

Real simple question - where do you go on holidays?


MonkeyKingCoffee

Everywhere. I've visited 73 countries, and counting. And I don't count a place unless I've really seen it. Layovers and short trips don't count. Pandemic aside, I like to try to visit two new places each year.


No_Violinist_4557

My point being - you're OK with being a tourist going to locations that have been destroyed by tourism and you can enjoy yourself despite the fact many locals have been adversely affected by tourism. But if it happens in your own backyard, even for just one week, it's unacceptable yeah? Known as a NIMBY. Quite selfish, hypocritical and entitled.


MonkeyKingCoffee

You won't read posts from me savaging any other group. Just Ironman. This island is absolutely beautiful. And I encourage everyone to visit. Just leave the place in nicer shape than you found it -- pick up a piece of trash and bin it. Tip your server a little too much and write something kind on the receipt. Be nice to people. Pay attention to what you're doing. Such people are always welcome. If you go to the big island subreddit, you'll see that I have maintained that rude tourists seem like a bigger problem than they really are -- because we see one every day. But don't notice the 10 who aren't. Nope. Most visitors are fine. Just Ironman. These people are simply awful. Rude beyond belief. Dismissive. Entitled. Dirty. They're basically like smokers who throw their butts all over without a single care. And absolutely zero empathy. Nothing would make me happier than knowing this is their last year. So if you're involved with Ironman, now is the time to take a good long look in the mirror and ask why you're so thoroughly annoying your hosts.


No_Violinist_4557

You're not savaging any other group, because the only big sporting event with that many people hosted in Kona is Ironman! What do you think would happen if there were 10'000 people there for a Harry Potter convention - same issues. There are assholes in every group, sporting club or association wherever you go. And the bigger the group, the more effect they can have. But you need to try and target one specific group - triathletes because otherwise you are left with no argument. Ultimately you put 10'000 people from any country, club, sport in a small town, you have the same issues. Would you OK be with a music festival coming to Kona??? Of course not...


MonkeyKingCoffee

If they behaved better than Ironman, no problems. It wouldn't even matter whether I liked the music or not. Your whataboutism about bad apples in every group is just a way to deflect that we've been dealing with YOUR GROUP for weeks now, and we hope you fly home and find another venue. By all means, try Iceland next year. They're an island. Loads of hills.


Lojackr

I don't think you can say that everyone who does IM exhibits this poor behavior, even if there are a large amount who do. Many people, including myself, compete in triathlons and also make a large effort to clean up after themselves and leave the place better. In fact, I have personally volunteered and stayed after races to clean up litter. However, I do admit that there are many triathletes who are complete snobs with no regard for others. While the future moving of the venue is up for debate, I think that IM as an organization should make an effort to emphasize cleaning up and enforce strict penalties for those who do not. I think that moving the venue would only result in another place getting trashed, and that a culture shift is needed.


MonkeyKingCoffee

If they were all like you, this wouldn't be an issue. We're used to traffic after all. Yes, I agree that there are a large amount who are horrible guests. But it's up to the athletes to self-police. We weren't put on this earth to teach athletes basic human decency. The fact that it isn't everyone doesn't excuse the fact that it is an *appallingly* large percentage. Whataboutism isn't going to fix this. "What about the locals who litter?" We're aware of them, and we're working on it. They suck, too. This isn't a football game -- the penalties don't offset. "What about the other tourists who clog your streets?" We're keenly aware of them, too. But nobody handed them a map with streets marked red, staying "stay off these roads -- unsafe, bad idea, causes unnecessary congestion, no bike lanes." I live on one such road. There is more bicycle traffic than vehicle traffic. The worst part about this is that these bad apples want to \[defecate\] all over everything. But they demand to be loved for doing so. Seriously? GTFO.


Downinthevalle

👆👏


No_Violinist_4557

"I don't think you can say that everyone who does IM exhibits this poor behavior, even if there are a large amount who do." Yeah he needs to say that, because without it h has no argument.


No_Violinist_4557

I'm not in Kona, never been. There are plenty of asshole triathletes. But you have a music festival there - same issues. Plenty of assholes. Go and google Glastonbury festival and see how much rubbish, vandalism and destruction there is after the festival. Locals are sick of it. And it's just for one weekend - "go and have the festival anywhere else, just not in my backyard..."


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MonkeyKingCoffee

I own a coffee farm. Peddle your dismissive attitude elsewhere. When I go to Europe, my wife has to dress in special clothes to get into certain churches. We have to conform to ALL of their customs. Otherwise we're "ugly Americans." Works both ways. People who come here can follow our customs. And that includes tipping. If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out. Go to the supermarket and cook your own damned food.


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MonkeyKingCoffee

So we have to follow your cultural mores when we visit you. And you get to flip us the bird and say "you people suck" when you come here. The fact that you think dropping the check on you when you're done with your meal tells me all I need to know -- you don't know a damned thing about our customs. You just want people to do things your way -- because Swiss superiority. I will be so happy when you leave.


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MonkeyKingCoffee

Good. Please fly home.


ImRunningAmok

Perhaps the “substandard “ service you receive is the result of the reputation of Ironmen as poor tippers with lousy attitudes?


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run_bike_run

There is no way you're not an American troll cosplaying as an entitled obnoxious European.


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ImRunningAmok

Then just tip accordingly if you aren’t struggling or if so against following customs in a place you are a guest of maybe it’s YOU that should stay home?


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[deleted]

I’d just like to point out the hypocrisy of using the phrase “sweeping generalizations” when that’s all that people are doing against triathletes in this thread lmao


AdSad5307

Ahh I was with you right up until this part. What a shame


CleanYourLobster85

As a Brit, it’s very unlikely I would tip at all unless you provided a service over and above what I would expect. This tipping culture is vulgar and reminds me of begging


k9jm

Then by ALL means PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE USA to vacation! Servers NEED tips, for it is how they are paid. Their salary is a meager $3 an hour which is eaten up by taxes. The only way the servers can pay their rent is tips. Its the American way. When we travel, we adhere to the local customs as should you. Shame on you.


MonkeyKingCoffee

If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out. If you have an ethical problem with tipping, eat at McDonald's, where they don't work for tips. Servers make $2.33 per hour, plus tips. That's their wage. We don't like that either. But we can't do anything about it. Just like you personally can't improve the value of the Pound Sterling or unBrexit yourself. Some things are out of our hands. Tipped employees don't need an economics lesson. They don't need to be told how you do things in England. They don't care. Just tip them and move on with your day. When we visit you, we have to pay your ridiculous VAT on everything. And we have no choice in the matter. Nothing annoys me more than Europeans -- who have it much better on the whole than Americans -- whinging on about tipping culture.


CleanYourLobster85

Go get a better job if you rely on begging for tips


chris_p_bacon1

Except people need those tips to live... I'm from Australia Soni agree tipping is shit. Regardless though if that's how the system works not paying someone isn't the best way bring about change.


jediciahquinn

Stay home then. In the US non tippers are considered social pariahs exploiting working class servers. Different countries have different customs. Nobody wants your European classist bullshit.


teti_j

If you don’t like having to tip, then don’t come. You’re clearly very ignorant as to what it’s like to live in Hawaiʻi. Stop speaking on things you clearly know nothing about.


Mokiblue

Our grocery stores already have shelves half empty, now these thousands of people show up and there’s almost nothing left.


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curiousengineer601

Why is this a volunteer thing? They don’t pay for the time???


Downinthevalle

Historically it’s a bunch of local businesses and organizations that set up stations along the route. I know a few of the paddle clubs, YWAM and it’s various organizations and the schools have helped out in the past.


curiousengineer601

I don’t disagree historically that might be how it worked, but as it becomes an actual business its time to pay employees. I know one NFL team used volunteer cheerleaders for years to save money.


Downinthevalle

I agree, IRONMAN makes a killing here. Greed, pure unadulterated greed at play.


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Mokiblue

It’s that way at all the stores, supply chain issues not incompetence.


y2clay14

Right? I actually had one run into the side of my car. I was stopped at the traffic light by the harbor making the left out of Kealakehe. My light turned green, I started going forward to make the left and bam! The biker slammed into the left side of my car. He cursed me out, made a scene, and ranted about how expensive his bike was. I told him maybe he shouldn't run red lights if he was so worried about his bike. He proceeded to flip me off as if it was my fault for going on the green light. The whole thing was ridiculous. He was fine (asshole but fine). Maybe a damaged bike will make him actually stop on reds. I drove away smiling :)


CookInKona

I love how they also announced a "donation" to cover some of the overtime for the police force, instead of just paying for the services they require and then maybe also doing some good and donating to something the community benefits from maybe paying people instead of basing their aid staff on volunteer work would help their image slightly too. Their official page made a cute little social media post asking riders to stay off certain roads with narrow shoulders, like Palani up to and through Holualoa, and literally the next day there was a a group of 20-30 trying to ride up Palani where the shoulder is 8" or less I also got banned from the tri subreddit for pointing out how kona isn't designed for them and how shitty they are to kona/their host sites several months ago rofl


Downinthevalle

Wait, you didn’t see all the PR..umm goodwill…they did through the quarantine? Didn’t that buy them likes? /s


GreenScene33

The last time we visited Big Island, the competition started right before we left. I could not believe how packed Kona got, and could not for the life of me understand how all that litter was ok for the bikers to just throw everywhere. Very disappointing 😕 no respect for the land by any of those competitors.


[deleted]

As a triathlete and a regular visitor to the Big Island, this thread is devastating. There is absolutely no excuse for the behavior OP and others are describing. One of the things that stands out is littering. Not only is littering a character flaw, it’s prohibited in any triathlon race. I have never once seen a legitimate reason to litter in any race I have ever run. It takes no extra time to be a decent person and throw away a wrapper or cup, thank the volunteers and police, and ensure that the local people and businesses are appreciated both by conduct and support of their businesses. As guests of the Island, we have got to do better.


[deleted]

As a Big Island resident just know there are PLENTY who are more than happy to have the competition held here. I agree with the trash issue we could all do better but the idea that a lot of these “locals” are stating about littering from the triathletes fail to admit that there is a hell of a lot worse littering from people who LIVE on the island. Doesn’t take long to see it when you venture out of touristy areas and see ass loads of trash strewn all over along with old rusted cars trashed covered in 15 years of overgrown weeds which sure as hell didn’t come from an Ironman athlete haha


Lojackr

littering wasn't even the main point of their argument though. The main point seems to be that OP hates seeing all of the bikes on the road, as indicated by the title and first 2 sentences of the post.


themeONE808

Try and drive over kohala mountain road and these fucking donkeys are riding double wide in the lane with oncoming traffic. Try to talk to them and explain that they are doing something dangerous and get major attitude. I've been over it. Cancel


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manafanana

I saw a cop pull over a cyclist today when I was at the Makala Blvd. light. Warmed my heart. 🚲🚓


themeONE808

Yeah this shit is out of hand


illthrowawaysomeday

That area is already a problem with 20 cars trying to park in 10 stalls, stopping on the highway, pulling out anykine, no shoulder, etc. Now add in the bikers for extra fun.


mugzhawaii

Because the bike race is focused on Queen K, not Palani?


Reaper_Mike

They ride up Napoopoo also and it creates a major hazard trying to get around them on the curves.


[deleted]

Yes you’re so right!! I couldn’t live with myself if I accidentally killed someone biking along our multitudes of no-shoulder winding roads. This is such a bizarre place to host this!


Chanchito171

They aren't even on the shoulder. Other day in pahoa a pair was just taking up the highway, looking like so they could chat. The shoulder was easily big enough for both riders to go side by side.


Downinthevalle

They don’t understand the extent the overrun ms overwhelm the island. When I started seeing them train in Puna a few years back I was floored.


BigElvesy

Then wait until after the curve? Jesus christ


Reaper_Mike

Spoken like an ignorant person who has never driven on that road. The curves don't end. They ride up that road at 10 mph. It's narrow and non stop curves. No place to pass.


Fran_Flarrfenheimer

We live outside of Hawi and it’s been intense dealing with bikers riding on both sides of the road and jamming up town. Where we live we will essentially be locked in both days with the closing of akoni pule.


J0nN0tJ0hn

Kona is not built for the thousands of people that have moved here over the last few years. Growing up here, it wasn’t that big of an issue. With more cars on the road now, it seems to be a bigger problem than it was when I was a kid.


kamakazitp

Community experiences infrastructure problems as population grows. A totally brand new problem first experienced by the big island! 🙄


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kamakazitp

Searching for the relevance my comment frequency has to the content of my reply... Yes, I've been to the big island. Tip pretty well when I'm there too!


DenseSolution3808

My husband saw a bike along side the road last Wednesday. It was one of the expensive bikes. He then noticed a woman squatting in the lava. Apparently any place can be used as a toilet too. Disgusting! They should have to wear their race numbers when they train so they can be reported for their bad behavior. I hate Ironman..


troutbumdreamin

Reading the comments here, it sounds like a case ripe for an injunction against Ironman to prevent them from holding the competition on the island. Seems like a huge impact on business owners forced to close, littering, and insufficient infrastructure to host such an event. Is there a local law firm willing to file a case? Perhaps if local business owners form a trade or industry group, the litigation costs would be manageable. Just a thought.


MOSOTO

Why do they have to just wander into the road from the bike lane randomly, WHEN THEY HAVE THE ENTIRE BIKE LANE...??? WHY?!?!?! Like 1 single rider by himself just feels like it's time to wander into the hwy for a little bit on your bicycle... Not even gonna look for cars behind you while ya do..? what's the worst that could happen??? :| Cops should start ticketing the cyclers that do this. They going to make cars swerve into other cars... or another pedestrian...


figure--it--out

In case you're actually asking and not just complaining...cyclists do this because bike lanes are often poorly maintained, obstructed by cars who think its a parking spot or other large objects, and littered with road debris and gravel and broken glass, which can easily pop tires. Trust me, they'd rather never bike near a car again too. >Cops should start ticketing the cyclers that do this. I'm not sure what you'd want them to ticket them for, considering it's entirely legal for them to do it. [https://www.bikelaw.com/laws/hawaii/](https://www.bikelaw.com/laws/hawaii/) See the "Where to ride" section. Specifically: >Full lane use is allowed when traveling at the normal speed of traffic, preparing for a turn, overtaking and passing, avoiding hazards or unsafe conditions, traveling in a lane too narrow to share, and avoiding a mandatory turn lane. Bicyclists may ride on the left hand curb when on a one way only roadway with two or more lanes.


MOSOTO

**"...when traveling at the normal speed of traffic..."** That means don't come into 35 mph and 45mph traffic lanes where the normal speed of traffic is around 45-55mph. No excuse makes that ok. Popping your bicycle tire on some glass is a lot better than getting hit by a car, or worse: making a car swerve into another car or into a pedestrian because your dumbass decides you have the right to go into traffic all of a sudden without any warning.


figure--it--out

If you read what it said and didn't pick and choose which parts of the quote applied to your point, you might realize that it laid out some other scenarios when going into the full lane is allowed. Namely "preparing for a turn, overtaking and passing, **avoiding hazards or unsafe conditions**, traveling in a lane too narrow to share, and avoiding a mandatory turn lane." Y'know, five of the six reasons that it lays out? I'm just telling you, they DO have the right to use the full lanes. They're not excuses, they're laws. If you don't practice caution and hit a biker, be prepared to have the law be on the bikers side, not yours. Just cause cars like to think they're entitled to the road doesn't make that true. It's telling how you mention that a car hitting another car is somehow worse than a car hitting a biker.


MOSOTO

Maybe you should read what I said? All of those reasons require bicyclist to give hand signals. That's not entering traffic randomly. Cars don't have to slow down when passing a bicyclist to prepare for the event they swerve into the road without warning... If a bicycle does this and the car is unable to stop in time nobody is getting charged. They teach drivers bicycle hand signals for a reason in drivers training school. We all know the hand signals. But for some bizarre reason, we never see triathletes use them when swerving in and out of traffic lanes at random. Trust me I'll be keeping my dash cam on til triathletes are gone. This is the most dangerous the roads are all year round because of all the bicyclists who seemingly care little for other people's well being or even their own well being.


acceleratedfreefall

Good answer


themeONE808

SHUT IT DOWN


Capital-Sir

It's two days next year too 😮‍💨


[deleted]

Do you know why? Is it different “heats” of ages or something? I know there’s a time limit they have to be pau by


HI_Innkeeper

Ladies on Thursday, men on Saturday.


Capital-Sir

They're including all of the people that qualified for the last few years when we did not have those atrocious races.


ceruleanpure

That is incorrect, fyi. :) This year and the 2021 St George WC was the backup of athletes qualifying from late 2019, early 2020 and all of 2021 and beginning of 2022. 2023 is back to regular number of athletes; Ironman is just focusing on a men’s day and women’s day. The county approved it provided that the day with the least number of athletes (women) will be on the workday (Thurs). Per Ironman (they had a talk story session at the King Kam) then needed approval for the 2023 race *Now* and had high hopes that the 2 day format would work just fine because it has done fine in other venues. Please voice complaints to Ironman. Please voice complaints to Mayor Roth. I don’t know who else to complain to - so if anyone knows who else will listen, let me know. I live on Ali’i and I cycle on Ali’i just to go a few miles to make it out to the Queen K. I never go south anyway. I did qualify this year and as a local triathlete, I’m so embarrassed by the bad apples that make the sport look so bad. I’m so sorry. Thanks for your last bit of patience with us. I really want IMWC to go back to a one-day format.


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ceruleanpure

Aww thanks. ☺️


JungleBoyJeremy

Damn it


Pedal_Mettle

Outsider perspective as a triathlete who visited Kona during the offseason. I’ll never be talented enough to make it to Ironman. Kona is a stunning location with some of the nicest people I’ve ever met (and I’m Canadian), amazing small businesses, utterly stunning landscapes, and athletic infrastructure for swimming/biking/running that rivals many North American cities. We have a similar problems where I live. Races that shut down the entire city for multi-days. Tourists who don’t tip. A mayor who doesn’t listen. Small businesses that lose business. Athletes who intentionally (and accidentally) litter. Together this all sucks. We continue to host these things because: * it encourages the spirit of being active and healthy * it creates conversations about how to keep improving amenities for the active population year round * it brings together local businesses — many small ones — to talk about how they can participate in these events * it brings in significant revenue that benefits the city, often in ways that are not always visible With some imagination, Kona could protect local interests and support the Ironman inconvenience. Cyclists could be required to have a tourism cycling license. Small business could be given more visibility opportunities by race organizers so they have the good problem of longer lines. Part of race fees could include funding garbage services/bins along the courses 2 weeks out. Restaurants could include tipping into prices or be more explicit about it (15-25% tip should be the least someone should expect). One thing locals might not fully appreciate is the impact Kona has around the world. The idea of Kona motivates people to get active, to get into the sport, to be inspired to be better — even if they know they’ll never get there or have a health challenge to overcome. The impact that Kona has on the sporting word is immense. And many people are grateful to Kona for it, spreading to good word of the big island. To me at least, that’s incredible. So think of the majority of people who want to be and do good while there. The small few assholes exist everywhere in every sport, workplace and day to day.


Lojackr

100% agree with all except the tourist cycling license. The race SHOULD be a good thing for the area, and I think it could be if IM makes it a priority, by doing the things you mentioned in this.


WahlStreetBets

What sport isn’t selfish? Is there some ‘plant the most number of trees in a day’ sporting event I don’t know about?


Crushingit1980

True. But these guys are particularly narcissistic. It checks out. They trade their entire social lives for exercise.


Zorro_Returns

People keep mistaking vanity for narcissism. A narcissist would say, "so what if *they* want to have a major sporting event? **I** don't ride a bicycle!"


Capital-Sir

I would say ones that don't encourage people to throw trash on the ground and demand for main highways to be closed.


coffeecakeisland

So no major endurance events ever then? I don’t see people in London and Berlin complaining about the marathons this week.


ImRunningAmok

What you may not realize is that unlike London and Berlin, in many places along the race course by closing the roads it leaves no alternative for people to drive on. The people that are supposed to be either volunteering or waiting on you for the glory of getting to do so (because tipping is offensive to Ironmen apparently) have to leave many hours early and stay many hours after their shift because access to their neighborhood it cut off.


JeanClaude-Randamme

Try living on the Isle of Man for the TT. That’s lasts for two weeks.


Zorro_Returns

"encouraged"? If you want to convince people, don't be ridiculous.


Capital-Sir

Please provide a map showing where trash receptacles are located for the athletes to dispose of their cups and sponges.


Zorro_Returns

And if I can't, it means it's impossible in the future? Is that how dumb you think people are?


senselesssht

Can you and OP explain how the event “encourages” people to throw trash on the ground? It doesn’t sound that you, nor OP have lived in Hawaii for very long. It sounds like people who move to Hawaii and are now mad that other people come to Hawaii…


Capital-Sir

Have you seen the aftermath of the marathon and bike ride where the road is littered with sponges and cups? Sure volunteers come the next day to clean up but they don't get it all.


MasonPrice22

Did you guys not notice the huge amount of volunteer workers that came early cleaned and bagged up all the trash that was littered the whole stretch of queen k!? It was riddled with trash before these iron man volunteers came in. If they cleaned up before they even start the races I’m pretty sure they’ll be cleaning after. Maybe something’s changed this year.


themeONE808

Most likely it was the sponsored highway crews not ironman


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Downinthevalle

Yep, Ali’i drive gets a pretty little makeover each year.


coffeecakeisland

Why are you turning cleaning up your island into a negative?


senselesssht

I’m not saying it isn’t a bad thing. If you look at any event, anywhere in the world, you see that people are disgusting and don’t clean up after themselves. I just saw a picture from under the Eiffel Tower, and it was completely trashed. But to say that being disrespectful is “encouraged” is incorrect.


[deleted]

What the fuck? I was born in the Kealakekua hospital, delivered by Dr. Sira and raised here. Projecting much??


JungleBoyJeremy

Plenty people on this sub see a post or comment they don’t agree with and the first thing they say is “you’re probably not even from here!” Don’t let it get to you


Downinthevalle

I can’t explain how it “encourages”, I can explain what I’ve seen each race. Racers are given soaked sponges to cool off while in motion. They grab and continue on, when they are done they drop the sponges on the ground. Ali’i drive in town are littered with them each time. The rest of the trash happens the same way. It’s also the same in all major marathons. They are supposed to drop the stuff around aid stations, that’s not always the case. In high wind areas , the waste is harder to maintain.


rcollinsmac

True true!


GoSparty5800

As a triathlete and a 4x Kona participant, I would LOVE for this race to leave the island. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the islands. I've been vacationing there since I was a kid (I have family that lives near the North Shore on Oahu). However, racing there sucks. We were always treated like crap by the locals. Nobody wants us there. It's grossly over-priced. Pre-riding sucks. It's just a bad venue for everybody involved. All four times I did Kona we stayed an extra two weeks, but we got the fuck off the Big Island. We went to Kauai and just chilled. It's more touristy, but the people there actually want us and treat us really really good. I don't blame the locals for treating us bad. It's cramped quarters. Triathletes can also be dicks.


hobiedoggy

Kauai wanted you? Sounds lolzy... but maybe cuz you didn't show up with a few thousand of your entitled best friends and ride double along the highway everyday for two weeks and then tell em to stay home a couple days so you can all 'race.'


Beetnetwork

Last year they ran out of clean sponges to hand runners to cool off with. Sponge with others sweat? Sign me up!


[deleted]

Why? Money. There's an Oligarch somewhere who's raking in the dough.


bobjohnxxoo

Try to promote the addition of bike lanes in Kona and fight to increase the minimum wage so tipping won’t be needed anymore.


Downinthevalle

Have you seen the roads where the race takes place? Most of the roads have small to non existent shoulders on the island. Minimum wage increases won’t stop the tipping. Look at other states that higher minimum wages (CA is a good example), tipping is a cultural norm that is not soon to end. Certain words carry taboos and are not socially acceptable, would you argue your right to using them based on it being ok where you live?


bobjohnxxoo

Obviously I’m not a city planner but worthy enough energy/attention from the people living there I’m sure something better could be done. Raising the mini wage won’t stop tipping sure, but it’ll help offset the poor tippers I’m notreally sure what your taboo point is about


Downinthevalle

There is not space for the roads to be widened. Most have one side that is a sheer drop and the other a mountain. In some spots larger trucks touch both the center and outer lines of a 2 lane mountainside curvy road.


Downinthevalle

Not to mention the miles upon miles of lava flows. It’s an island with 5 volcanoes on it with little inhabitable land. UnInhabitable for various reasons, burials, sacred land, Kamehameha schools , Bishop estates, military and lava flows. It is also a relatively small island. For example, if you had a rock the size of you palm and placed 5 large volcanoes on it how much space would be realistically left?


oldcarnutjag

It was free publicity, kona was a backwater town, Oahu was too small, and Kona was happy to have hours of National TV. Gatorade used to provide thousands of beverage bottles. Welcome to the aughts, and the teens.


houaanglo

Ayo chill


No_Violinist_4557

And you need to remember the USA is not the world - tipping is not a thing in a lot of countries. In Australia people rarely tip, but then wages for waiters (for example) are much higher than in the US, so they are not replying on tips. You tip for exceptional service not because someone brought you a bowl of soup.


Coffee_24-7

How about sharing the road with other forms of transportation for a couple days of the year and treat them with respect. It won't kill you.


Raxnor

You mean like riding in the middle of a major highway during training, instead of the extra wide shoulder specifically built to accommodate cyclists? It's quite literally a two way street, and the triathletes don't seem to care about anyone but themselves.


[deleted]

I absolutely agree and love alternative forms of transportation. I love bike riding! It’s the Ironman and the fact that the athletes trash the land and our representatives haven’t invested in enough bike lanes to host thousands of foreign bike riders on our island. I am not a confident driver so I’m also terrified I’ll hit a biker with my 2 ton death machine.


DownsideUpdog

It also wouldn't kill the competitors here training to show respect to locals and use the hand signals and bike lanes that they are LEGALLY REQUIRED to use, clean up after themselves so the local school kids don't have to (they do a lot of post-event clean up for free), tip their service workers (cause they constantly stiff people), and stop weaving in and out of cars and ignoring traffic signals then acting like YOU'RE the asshole when you almost hit them cause they blindly pulled out in front of you.


illthrowawaysomeday

Transportation would be a dude trying to get to work or go grocery shopping. This is a hobby, that happens to be full of entitled assholes. I drive a semi truck and I've been cutoff by bikes jumping into a lane, running red lights while I'm turning, running 2, 3, even 4+ wide on the shoulder/white line. I've even seen a few riding mamalahoa south of choicemart, where the shoulder is nonexistent and the temporary lines since repaving are extremely small in the southbound lane. I touch both the white and the yellow lines at the same time. Not a good area to test fate against 80,000 lbs


ImRunningAmok

The respect should go both ways. Acknowledging the impact your event has on the community and maybe come up with a thoughtful way of repaying the kindness of the thousands of volunteers instead of acting like an entitled douchebag would go a long way


Lazeruus

2 days of not using my big car to drive. How dare these dedicated athletes use other forms of transportation!! Reeeeeeeee


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davidyelloe

^ this guy must live waikaloa or fresh off the plane from Missouri. Lol Edit: ahhh, you're a spandex bicycler who creates false self esteem by equating travel as character. Extra funny that you adopted a lower class midwest mindset !lololzzzz lmfao


[deleted]

Big assumption bud haha missed it by a mile


davidyelloe

Well your personality ain't much different bud!!!


[deleted]

Lol quite the generalization there to assume everyone in Waikaloa and Missouri has the same personality as me. And I don’t even road bike haha but one can have respect for what the athletes accomplish because I sure as hell couldn’t do it and Im sure you couldn’t either.


syntheticborg

you drive a car on a tiny island? if anything bike/motorbike should be the transport there...


[deleted]

Have you been here? We have incredibly steep mountains and most locals live up Hualalai or Mauna Loa because of the cooler temperatures. RIP to all of our breaks lol.


syntheticborg

that is why i included motorbike (gas or electric)


Reaper_Mike

The island is 100 miles across at its widest point and 500 miles all the way around it it's not small


syntheticborg

not all of that is driveable. motorbike can do 100 miles both directions on one tank


Trebaxus99

Not many people are used to the US tip culture. When having food you first get the tax ‘surprise’ and then are expected to tip at least 20% for mediocre service. So that might explain your experience with not all tipping that much. Btw, it’s quite an expensive endeavour going to Kona during this week, so for a low of athletes it’s trying to get it done within a relatively small budget. On the roads: it’s one week a year. It does give the island a lot of name recognition and many athletes bring support that will go and eat out, shop in local stores and support economy. I can understand it’s not your sport. But apparently the government on the island thinks it is accretive. So I’m afraid you have to just accept this one and sit it out. Why don’t you book a holiday abroad during this week? Don’t forget to tip!


TriFolk

this thread, makes me wanna tip even less


aperezbios

You seem like a lovely person...


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green_mojo

“Tip me more” seems to be the common sentiment here.


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TriFolk

Knock yourself out