Beach to Battleship

Hello!

My husband is doing B2B this year, and it's his first full iron-distance event. I'm trying to get my spectator plan ready, and my only real concern is the bike portion. I know I can take a water taxi from downtown to the bike finish/run start, but I'd really like to camp out somewhere near mile 25, where I'd be able to see him come out and back (25ish and 104ish) along 421, but I'm concerned about my ability to GET there by car, and my ability to PARK somewhere. It seems to be fairly rural, and I'm not sure if I can just park along a side street the way I typically do for his events. Any help/suggestions from those who have done the race before, or just know the area?

Thanks in advance!

I don't think you'll have any issue with parking. The area out on 421 just as it leaves Wilmington is industrial and there are lots of plants that are close for the weekend ... and lots of empty parking lots. The bigger issue, I would think, will be getting back in to the finish area once you've left town. With the race going on, that could be a challenge. From what I understand, traffic around the battleship area was a nightmare for locals last year.

Psycholist is right - parking out on the course should be really easy, but navigating to and around the battleship or downtown is likely to be a major hassle. The traffic tie ups last year all around downtown were spectacular, and they were nightmarish at the immediate battleship area. I know they're hoping it will be better this year since we're not taking up both bridges, but even so, we're talking major traffic arteries, so I imagine that traffic will still be a problem. And the water taxis were not very efficient, so the logistics are pretty stout no matter what you do. Best bet is to catch him early on the outbound bike leg and then hustle to downtown and hope that you get across the river in time to see him come in on the bike.

Wifey

Roll out to 421 as you say, and as others have indicated, you can park on the side of the road, or near an aid station or one of the friendly country stores and you will be all good. There will likely be other supportive family caravans out there (if last year was any indication) and you will be good to go.

Then go downtown and park in one of the parking decks. If you want to see him at T2, take the water taxi or bus over (buses are made possible this year by virtue of not using the big ol cape fear bridge. However, we just dont know yet if the bridges being open, more water taxis and the buses will combine to make things smooth, or as others fear, just lessn the hassle by a degree or 2. Obviously, we are hoping for smooth.

But I digress...my suggestion, having gotten wonderful support from the fam last year, is that you not sweat t2. Just stay downtown on water street and migrating either north or south at you leisure, you will see him at mile 2-3, 10-11, 15-16, 23-24 (advise 22 here). If you find yourself in one of the local bars having a drink with other suffering family support stalwarts, nobody could blame you. Then, after the final sighting at mile 23, you go get on a taxi or a bus (having been there all day you will have a feel for ease vs delays; hassle vs smooth) and bam! You are there for the finish. He is forever grateful and you live happily ever after.

If you have kids involved, let me know and I will give you some thought on that as well. Hope you enjoy!

Joe

Thanks for the excellent responses! So if I can drive and park on 421 without too much problem, I think I will plan to do that.

Thanks for the advice, joelocal.. I was thinking of skipping T2 for the reasons you mention, but your description definitely solidifies that.

One more question -- what's the best place to actually pick up 421? I'll be watching near T1, so my concern is that heading into downtown wilmington may NOT be the best bed, and that perhaps I should take a less direct route, maybe heading north on 117 and cutting over at some point? Any suggestions there?

The most direct route is Eastwood (which is takes you to T1 under a different name) and then changes names to MLK Pkwy to N 3rd street, then over to 421. That will get you in the vicinity of T2 without having to worry about downtown. We will run over a portion of N 3rd street going and coming on the run but we won't bike on it this year. You can head north on 421 and you'll run into that are you're talking about at mile 25/104.

roweboat73 wrote:MLK Pkwy to N 3rd street, then over to 421.

Isn't that bridge (from 3rd to 421) the Isabella Holmes that you'll also be biking over? The traffic warnings suggest avoiding this bridge all day. Do you think they're just being over-cautious? It sure would be quicker than going way north and cutting back on 210..

Wifey,

Here is my 2 cents: Come off the beach on Eastwood, let it turn into MLK, head toward downtown, go over isabella holmes bridge, take right onto 401North, and drive out. You can either pull over just after the 140 interchange to say "hi" or go further north to just shy of the left Blueberry rd turn.

Isabella Holmes will be no big deal at that time of day and those lanes are not altered anyway.

Come back to downtown wilmington and hang out (Dixie Grill has good breakfast and port city java has great coffee). You have done enough. He can keep pedaling. I would not stay out on the bike course. The sightings are so brief and the later you stay, the more you run the risk of trouble returning into town on 401S.

Hope it goes well for all.

Joe