In Bintan

So I have made it. I am officially in Bintan and all settled.

Actually Ihave been here for around 24 hours, but getting to a post last night was just one thing too many. The trip up went smoothly and so has my first day here.

One of the nice things about this race is that while the trip up here takes most of a day, it is fairly straight forward travelling, which makes the trip an easy one. So it is perhaps not surpising that I made it here is one piece. Thankfully my bike made it in one piece too.
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My first day here has been a deliberetly busy one. I know from experience that my body doesn't react well to being shut up in an air-conditioned room all day. So whilst I have been careful to stay out of the heat today, I have also made an effort to get out and about.

The day started with a bit of a ride on the first portion of the course. Refamiliarising myself with hills that I last saw in 2013. I had a short swim this afternoon and a nice solid short run in the late afternoon. Plus I spent a bit of time down at Transition checking things out. It has been a nice full day.


It has been good to be back on Bintan. Comng here I was wondering how I would find it without the rest of the family, and I have to admit it is a little strange. Particularly being back at Nirwana Gardens without them. Makes me miss them just a little bit more I think. I think it is the sort of place that is more fun with a group. Still it has also been nice to be able to be here and stay fully focussed on racing. I think I would bring them famiy next time though.

As well as being here without family, the other big change to the race is the location. The race has moved up the coast so that it is so longer based around Nirwana Gardens. Time will tell if the move ends up being a successful one. I think long term it will be, but at the moment the new base for the race is a bit of a construction site. Could make for a hot run leg since it is all quite exposed at the moment. There are enough buildings there for it to be an impressive race HQ, but I think it might need a couple more years of construction before it will feel complete. Come back then though and it should be a pretty awesome set up.
 
Although a few things may have changed at Bintan, one thing that hasn't is the weather. It is still oppresively hot and humid here. At least this time I was expecting it and so it hasn't been such a shock to the sytsem. I remember being a bit gobsmacked last time. It really does hit you in the face though, will definitely be a factor on race day.
Another busy day tomorrow, although things get a bit more serious with registration and rackng all tacking place. For now though time for sleep.