2009 Timberman or RI 70.3? Which is better?

My vote is for Timberman. I did it this past year and am doing it next year as well. Last year was RI's inaugural year and I know a few people that did it that did both and liked Timberman better. The big difference that I can see is the ocean vs. lake swim. They say its protected but one of my friends said it was rougher than she thought it would be. There is also the big issue that the bike was not a loop back into the same transition so I believe your stuff is carted from one place to another??

Timberman's awesome...heard very mixed review about RI.

There is also the Patriot Half that is beginning of July.  I did it the first year and it was well run.  I assume it has only gotten better.

I am also thinking about HIMs next year...
I would love to do Timberman but I can't cough up the reg fee right now and I know it will sell out soon .
Providence is appealing because it's closer and it won't sell out before the end of the year (I could be wrong on that) but the reviews were mixed and it's an ocean swim (major deterrent for me!). If Patriot gets their course closer to 70.3 I would seriously consider it because the Cranberry people put it on and Cranberry is one of my favorite races .

I heard something about the Patriot Half being in June instead of July this year -- nothing's up on the website yet.