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2008-10-13 12:21 PM

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Expert
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Subject: Chicago Triathlon
Am planning my races for 2009.  Opinions/experiences on the Chicago Tri?


2008-10-13 2:30 PM
in reply to: #1738704

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
abake - 2008-10-13 12:21 PM

Am planning my races for 2009.  Opinions/experiences on the Chicago Tri?


Cons:
It's crowded, very crowded.
Transition is HUGE!
Lakeshore Drive sucks to ride on (because of the potholes and crowding)

Pros:
It's a huge race so it has great support.
Volunteers and spectators pretty much along the whole thing.
Beautiful venue right along (and in) Lake Michigan.

That said, I love doing the Chicago Tri. It's a warm, but flat course.
2008-10-13 2:59 PM
in reply to: #1739138

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Master
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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon

 Cons:

  • Huge race and transition
  • Swim can be crowded
  • If you are in the last waves you can wait 4 - 5 hours to start from the time transition opens

Pros:

  • Great support. Fans can walk along the swim course and cheer you on
  • Venue is unbelievable
  • Flat fast bike and run course
  • The top pro's are there
  • Great specatators and volunteers

One thing to keep in mind is they are repaving Lake Shore Drive from Irving Park to Hollywood.  At least half the bike course should be on new pavement, assuming it survives the winter

I also know that Accenture isn't sponsoring it anymore.  I'm not sure if that will have any impact on it. 

 

Matt

2008-10-13 3:40 PM
in reply to: #1738704

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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
Thanks for your insight.  I wondered about the crowds.  Sounds like you both had good experiences there.
2008-10-13 5:46 PM
in reply to: #1738704

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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
I loved it.  The year I did it Lake shore drive did not seem all that bad.  I was in second to last wave so I did not have the crowds I bet others did and racing with the pros passing you was really cool actually.  I would probably do it again someday but with my IM dreams I am putting it off.
2008-10-13 6:41 PM
in reply to: #1739776

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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon

chirunner134 - 2008-10-13 5:46 PM I loved it.  The year I did it Lake shore drive did not seem all that bad.  I was in second to last wave so I did not have the crowds I bet others did and racing with the pros passing you was really cool actually.  I would probably do it again someday but with my IM dreams I am putting it off.

Now that would be very cool!



2008-10-14 10:00 AM
in reply to: #1738704

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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
I volunteered at the swim start of this years Chicago Triathlon. It was there that I decided that I need to do one myself! I think I'd like to try the sprint in 09.
2008-10-14 3:35 PM
in reply to: #1741128

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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
I did the Chicago Tri this year as my first one.

I thought it was AWESOME.

Swim - very good, its in the harbor so waves were minimal.

The transition area was big but there was plenty of room and I didn't have any problem setting up or finding my bike.

LSD was not too bad but there were some bad spots. The ride is beautiful.

Run was nice and flat and tons of crowds.

The overall experience was top notch I thought.
2008-10-14 9:29 PM
in reply to: #1738704

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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
It is a definite must do. They already have patched most of the problem areas on the northern part of LSD. Despite the immense size it is very well run and a blast to ride your bike down Lakeshore Dr.
2008-10-14 9:40 PM
in reply to: #1738704

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
OK, all of these positive reviews are getting me seriously psyched about this race.
2008-10-15 11:33 AM
in reply to: #1738704

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Chicago Triathlon
I did the Triple Challenge this year at Accenture. I won't do this race again. LSD is dangerous unless they repave the north section. From all the cracks and pot holes, my aero pads were bent down at a 45 degree angle when done from the shock. One women was put in an ambulance (that I saw, maybe more), the road is littered with water bottles and co2 due to bumps. Tons of flats and even a couple of broken wheels.

The Sprint was fun, only because I was wave 1 and had only a hand ful of people on the road. By the time I started the Olympic the roads were packed.

I'll do the Super Sprint again at Foster Beach and then volunteer at the kids race - That was my fav of the three races oddly enough.


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