Buffalo Triathlon - Sprint Course : Official Thread

So, you don't say?

(p.s. I can delete this if you posted it accidentally, just ask)

Here's something relevant to this thread...

My Local gym has started a "Try a Tri" workout program.   There are several people signed up and they have all registered for the Buffalo Tri as their first...

What a great first tri! I hope they love it.

Water temp was in the upper 60s in 2011, and it warmed very quickly in the last week of May (58-64 from May 17-24, per their news thread from 2011). The lake is relatively shallow, so as long as we get decent temps in May, it should come back in line. I would think it would have to be in the 50s before they would cancel it. Lots of races are run with the temps in the low 60s (though I doubt many of those bill themselves as "beginner friendly"). 

I think the Blaine tri on May 18 is in real danger of moving to a duathlon, on the other hand...

Their website says the ice is off and water temps should be normal.

As a newbie, how hilly is the bike course?

There are definitely rollers, but no huge hills.  Expect to work a little.  You might benefit from reading the race reports and see what folks say.  Look here:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/directory/link-detail.asp?linkid=4885

Many roads were resurfaced and I think the route changed a little, so I would just read the reports from 2012.   The main challenge with the sprint bike course is that it's quite crowded, so you have to on your game the whole time. 

I am surprised they are saying the water temps should be normal, maybe on the cold side of the average.  Good luck!

Does anyone know if you can swim there during the week? Looking to get a few OWS in before the race. Any place in the NW metro for OWS? Looking at Buffalo because I need to figure out how long it will take me to get there the morning of the race.

I know they have a practice swim the Tues before the race, is there anything illegal about me going on my own?

As Pete mentioned, you can swim at Buffalo. i did this in 2011. In NW metro, the Three Rivers park at Fish lake in Maple Grove is decent place to swim. Nice roped area, as well as a bay that is all no-wake you could swim across (though it's really deep-60 feet). Bryant Lake Park in Eden Prairie is also a popular BT OWS swim spot. Generally the Three Rivers parks don't put up a fuss about swimming without guards, but again, they frequently don't have guards. Weaver Lake in MG doesn't open until Memorial Day (I think) and explicitly bans swimming without a guard there. You can get fined/cited for it. 

I live south of Bass Lake Rd down Lawndale, and enjoy swimming at Fish for my OWS. MeXMan and Chris2533 also live in Maple Grove, and there is a cadre of other BT'ers in the west metro that will congregate for OWS when it's announced on here. It's always good to swim with others, and maybe we can get a group together a few times over the summer.

Originally posted by rdailey1 Congrats to Pete on a second place age group win with a 2:16:xx time at Buffalo today. 4th fastest swim time overall (although he did get chicked, it appears What an incredible race!!! I also believe I heard Mike Ewen picked up some hardware today. Congrats to all BT'ers who made it out to Buffalo. Other than a little wind, the weather couldn't have been more perfect! I PR'd by over 9 minutes.

Wow - great job everyone!!!