Tri del Sol, July 18th

This is a very good race and I love that lake.  Last year it was hovering near the 78 degree mark and at the last minute was made wetsuit legal although i swear that water was at least 80 - it was really warm.  I am headed over to WI for the Spirit of Racine HIM so not doing it this year but would definitely say its a good race.

The bike course is packed on the out and back and traffic can be a problem - at least it was for me last year - there was no room for cars to get around which made passing tough for awhile especially since the mens waves went off after the women - it was a little tight for awhile.

Another very competitive race on the west side.

Ryan

I tried to get them to change the bike course as my normal ride loop is much nicer and is not an out and back. 

I am very confident that the race will be wetsuit legal this year.  Water temperatures are in the low 70s, its cold getting in without a wetsuit. 

Yes, there are people at every intersection so you don't need to stop but the roads are open to traffic so yes passing can be a bit tough. 

As for the swim, you will be fine with no wetsuit.  You might just want to take a warm up swim to get used to the water. 

Do they still have the beginners swim heat?  I swam that one last year, it was nice as it was not crowded at all so if you are nervous about the swim you might want to consider that. 

I am assuming the RD meant that not many people went off in the beginner heat to make it worth while but not sure.  The waves last year were not very big (that I could see from the few in front of mine).  I maybe had 50 people in my wave which is much less than most.  If you stay to the outside you should be fine and have open water.

Ryan