Ironman Hawaii 2008 – the bike check-in.

The athletes had 5 hours today to check in their bikes into the bike pen on the pier. Numbers below 900 were told to check in their bikes from noon to 2:30pm and the numbers above that should use the time from 2:30pm to 5pm. Slowtwitch was there to capture some of the athletes and their bikes.

The first folks arrived well before noon and had to wait until the gates opened.

Early on there was actually a line, but by 12:30pm it did not take long to get in.

Pros can pretty much show up anytime between noon and 5pm, but Torbjorn Sindballe opted to arrive quite early.

Luc VanLierde was in line with all the age groupers and his new Look bike.

Leanda Cave should be one of the first females out of the water.

Scott Molina returns to Hawaii for the 30th anniversary event on a coupled Zinn bike.

Benjamin Sanson should be the first guy out of the water.

Sergio Marques is representing Portugal and Team Timex.

Andy Potts looked very relaxed as he checked in his Felt DA.

Luke McKenzie should be able to break into the top 15 tomorrow and make his sponsor Scott proud.

Chris Lieto with his new white Trek bike.

Jonnyo was put to work by his sponsor Cervelo and handed out t-shirts to Cervelo owners.

Linsey Corbin is a long way from Montana.

Eduardo Sturla won Ironman Brazil and is looking for a high placing in Kona.

Macca poses with a young fan as he checks in.

Timo Bracht gave a quick interview as he checked in his bike.

Vanhoenacker was 5th in Kona last year and would love to move up a few spots.

Chrissie Wellington was all smiles as she arrived and was surrounded by photographers and well-wishers.

Michael Lovato showed up relatively late and he is ready to show tat last year's top 10 wasn't a fluke.