2017 ITU Age Group World Championships - Rotterdam (3 of 9)

Today started with a 100-110km/hr wind warning. Some went out on a short ride -- spoke to some teammates who got blown off their bikes, one into a car. I gave that outing a hard NOPE and had a latte instead. Two team course familiarization rides cancelled. Went for a run/sightseeing jaunt this afternoon, learned a tiny bit of Dutch after a trip/sprawl incident (see pic of sign for details). More friends arriving... kit pickup is tomorrow. Race day's getting close! 

Clare braving the conditions

Where's Waldo? Hint: near the middle, talking to her friend in the fluorescent yellow helmet, with a book tucked under her elbow rather than a bike in her hand.

Given the gale force winds and my lack of sleep, this seemed like the reasonable thing to do

Apologies for the half finger in front of the lens, but even with both hands on my phone the wind was threatening to rip it out of my grip — with Hilary Iwanowski.

Only thing flying on the deck today was patio furniture. All flags were put away.

Strategy 1: use a taller friend as an anchor — withHilary Iwanowski.

Down in the bowels of the ship. Hilary and I agreed this is the creepiest pool we have ever seen (only used on historical tour now, not open for use).

Awesome Jetson style staircase

Lucie and Catherine, glad to be off the airplane!

Still a beautiful day

Tough to see in this photo, but there is a wind vane on top of this tower (on the Hotel New York) shaped like a sailing ship. As it moves, the dial indicates the wind direction.

During my run: "Hey, that ends in a "!"… I bet it's something important. I wonder what it means?" - moments before I catch my foot on a 4" metal lip and go sprawling into a guard rail. My educated guess is the sign says "don't trip on this!" Idiot move of the day.

Setting up the finish area

Sometimes it changes out of the lycra and goes out to dinner

The water taxi pontoon at the SS Rotterdam

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2017 ITU Age Group World Championships - Rotterdam (2 of 9)

Have been here half a day, and already worth the trip. Took my bike for a test ride after putting it back together, explored the ship I'm staying on, walked around the area, stumbled on a tiny Thai restaurant that's the best I've ever had, got a first glimpse of the transition zone for the race, and stood on the spot where my Granddad boarded the Holland America Line ship that carried him to Canada.

Jacqueline has her own nook in my room. 

🇨🇦

It's as if someone crossed the Love Boat with the Diefenbunker. I love it.

Small sitting area near one of the gang plank entries

 Apparently this is what you do when you're at an intersection on your bike and want the light to change

The Luxor theatre, approaching the Rijnhaven bridge

I have no idea what this is. But it's super cool.

Floating trees. It's art, people!

Charming front entryway at one of the densely packed houses near the ship.

My floating hotel, the SS Rotterdam

Ever played the game Operation? Don't let the bike touch the walls!

Up on the pool deck. Deserted... it was a bit brisk.

Me and the captain!

Just nerding out again on the 1950s typography

Main staircase to the lobby

Thought the girls would like this… Look, it's a tiny truck!

See… I am a giant! Hahaha

Best tom kha soup ever

These posters promoting different local arts events give a feeling for the diversity of this area

Walhalla theatre

Rijnhaven bridge

Yep, bikes are a thing here. One of our team managers rented one of these bad boys to pre-ride our bike course this afternoon. — at Hotel New York Rotterdam.

This is where Granddad boarded his boat to Canada❤️

Preparations underway in the transition area (blue carpet)

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<<Rotterdam (1 of 9)     --     Rotterdam (3 of 9) >>

2017 ITU Age Group World Championships - Rotterdam (1 of 9)

This year marked my first trip to the ITU Age Group World Championships, at the Grand Final in Rotterdam, Netherlands. I traveled solo, and took lots of photos to share the experience with friends and family back home. As such, this isn't a race report so much as a travel journal -- following a fantastic week of new experiences with friends and teammates. Grab a coffee and pull up a chair!

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In advance of the race, Rotterdam Tri posted a video preview of the bike course. It became evident it was going to be more of a Tony Hawk-style parcour than a run of the mill road bike course.

Stairs... at least we get a ramp overtop?

And... yeah. Other bits included cobblestones, narrow bike paths, a tunnel, a number of bridges, and what appeared to be permanent outdoor furniture on the course (in the end, they unbolted and removed it).

 And we're off!

✈️

Salad! Because nobody posts pics of the leftover birthday cake they had for breakfast. Also, if you haven't tried this place, it's delicious.

It was a little tricky getting my bike bag and suitcase down the narrow hallways and around the tight corners, but my room is enormous by cruise ship standards! I'm staying on the SS Rotterdam, a decommissioned ship from the '50s. So cool! I even have a pair of portholes!

When you get your bike reassembled by yourself, and it runs beautifully and no pieces fall off...

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Want to see more? Here ya go! -- Rotterdam (2 of 9) >>