Toyota Challenge at Deer Creek 9/23

Hello,

I am doing the Oly distance/ or mini or what ever it is called I was going to do the the half but changed. I would love to talk with you.  HFP runs a really nice race and are not confusing at all.

Chris

Great see ya there.

I'll be the female in the Team Javelin Kit riding the Yellow/Black Javelin. Look towards the back of the pack...that is where I usually hang out Good luck to you!!

Chris

I was crazy and signed up for the half......Chris you know me by now.....LOL  Hopefully I am recovered enough after IM KY???  Short bike today until I had a flat and forgot to change over all my repair stuff to that bike so had a nice walk down the highway in KY.  I am thinking I should be fine.  I told Scott I may have to downsize but would rather wait until raceday.

See everyone next weekend!  Terrific race and yes HFP does a super job!

acsdesign - 2007-09-15 12:16 AM OK All I think I am signed up for Deer Creek as well..... I too am new to this whole thing.... I would also like to hear about transition areas as well... I have addtional questions as well...... There are rules????? Where do you find those??? How early do I need to get to the race site in the morning? Do I need something to hold up my bike? Will i really need a wet suit? is the water that cold? are we assigned areas in the TA or is it first come first serve? And the list goes on and on.... If someone can respond to me either in a post or in a private note.. i would be very gracious.. Thanks Andy

Andy,
You can find the rules at USAT's web site, there are a lot of rules.  The basic rules that will impact you.  1. Wet suit - They are permitted when water temps are under 84 degrees, between 78 and 84 they are permitted but your race is basically not counted if you wear a wetsuit.

You should plan on getting to the race about 60 minutes early.  That will allow you time to warm up and set up.

You will put your bike on the bike holders that are provided by the race.  You will have an area that you are assigned to, depending on the race that area could be small or larger.  Most of the races I have done allow the transition area to be basically as wide as your handle bars.

Last year I did not use a wet suit, and I was fine.  The water was chilly, but not freezing.  Water temps will vary from year to year, you can rent wetsuits, but it is not cheap.

The TA will depend on how the race organization handles it.  HFP generally says here is the row you need to set up in, but I have been to other races where they assigned a specific spot for you to set up at.  One of my HFP races had a set spot, most it is the "use row Red E."  So that would sort of be first come first serve.  (If you want an end spot, toward the end of the row on the asile you will need to be there much earlier.

Ill see you guys there ... it will be my first HIM, gonna be awesome weather for a race.  As for the rules, there are really only 3 major rules which you need to watch out for:

* PUT YOUR HELMET ON BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR BIKE - You can get disqualified on the spot for not wearing a securely buckled helmet when in transition.  Safety first!

* Drafting.  Keep a 3-7 bike length distance between you and the person in front of you, otherwise its considered drafting and you can get penalized for it.  When passing you can enter this zone, but only for a few seconds to complete the pass.

* Race numbers!  Wear your race numbers they provide ... usually one for your bike, helmet and one for the run.  Dont forget these ... especially the one for the run when leaving T2.

Take it slow and have fun.  Its going to be a long day! 

As far as I can tell there are a few of us BTers going to be there. Here is what I see from the RaceLink:

arieth81,

devilwillride,

grit_nugget,

jlusk,

moreland007,

mzemmelman,

rpm1418

The rules for drafting/passing is:

You must keep 3 bike lengths back from the rider in front of you, once you enter the 3 length area you have 15 seconds to pass.  If you take longer than that to pass, it will be called drafting and will result in a varible time penalty.  Once you are passed (the passing bike's front wheel passes your front wheel) you have to drop back out of the draft zone prior to passing back, again failing to do that will be viewed as drafting with the same time penalty.  You may not ride side by side with another biker, that again will result in a time penalty.

Your best bet is to check the USAT web site for the FAQ items.

You might not get called on the drafting, but I would not count on it.  They do patrol the route, and depending on cewhere you are, you could be caught or it could be missed.  (to my knowledge another racer could turn you in, but I don't think they would count it against you.  Since the 3rd place winner could turn in the first place winner and move up a spot.)

I am going too and doing the Mini (OLY) I think it doesn't come up in the race nexus because I have it listed as the Toyota Challenge at Deer Creek But I'm looking forward tomeeting more BT'ers. I'll be the one in the back on the Yellow/Black Javelin with the Team Javelin Kit.  Say Hey as you go by

Chris

Hey everyone.  Good luck on Sunday.

Is anyone staying up there Saturday night?  Where is everyone staying?