FIRMMAN 1/2 Iron Triathlon

Which FirmMan?

I'd like to know how the Firmman MASSACHUSETTS was.

I did the Narrgansett RI one in 2006.....original race I planned for Sept got cancelled, so I did this one instead.

Blatantly put, I thought the bike course sucked.

After giving it some thought, I am going to sign up for this race. Mostly on the prodding of my coach/co-worker why had done this race a few times. His opinion of the course is that it is much more user friendly than the RI 70.3...especially the run course and a little less so the bike course. The weather is a little less humid in RI in September also, although you can get the odd late summer heater.

Having done a lot of swimming at Narragansett Town Beach there is a possibility of getting waves on race day. Keep in mind that this is Rhode Island and not SoCal.

VM

Thanks for answering some questions.

1. How hilly is the bike?

Not particularly.  There are some decent rollers in the mile 20 range (at that point you get off the highway and ride around on some country/back roads for 10 miles) and there are a few climbs but nothing serious.   

2. Heard there is usually a head wind going out?

Depends on the year.  Two years ago there was a pretty decent head wind coming back in, last year it was pretty calm (although the ocean was rather choppy -- but provided a nice current to swim with once you got past the breakers). 

3. The bike leg looks kind of all over the place??

I don't mind the bike.  You go through some ocean side neighboorhoods for the first 5 miles them hop on the high way for another 15 or so.  Get off the highway at mile 20 to do some rolling stuff, back on at about mile 30, quickly to a turn around and then completely back on the opposite side of the highway.  There's a pretty decent sized lane coned off and lots of volunteers, although you do have to go across on/off ramps, which can be a little scary.  There are some pretty parts, but its not sccenic overall.  Of the 8 HIMs I've done, my fastest bike time has been on the FIRMman course.   

4. How many aid stations on the bike?

2 -- if I remeber correctly last year they were at miles 20 and 38 or so.  Had water, HEED and gels. 

5. Is the hill at the beginning of the run the only one?

There's also a hill at the out/back section turn around, approximately mile 9.  None of the hills are particularly hard (and this is coming from someone who hates hills).  Plus the run course is very well supported -- both official volunteers and lots of locals who set up their own aid stations.   

6. Do they cone off the bike lane on highway, umm, 1 (or 4, not sure)?

Yes, across the on/off ramps, otherwise for decently long streches, bikers get the breakdown lane with no cones.  There are plenty of signs & bikers to make it not so much of a problem. 

So I read the bike description on the FIRM website, and it says something that makes me think the course has changed:

"The Quadmultisport Bicycle Course is a 56 mile rolling course mainly on highways, with one hilly section of scenic Rhode Island. This is the same bicycle course that received high praise from participating triathletes in the 2003 event. Quadmultisport will provide mechanical support along the bicycle course."

But I looked at their course online HERE, and it seems to be unchanged.  What do you think?

That line has been up for at least three years.  The map is of the same course in 2006 and 2007 (and since 2003). 

I did it as a relay in 2006.

I wouldn't do it again unless it was the only one that fit in my schedule.

I don't think the bike course is safe. Riding on the shoulder of route 1 when cars are going by you at 50-60 mph..no thank you. I was almost hit by a car even though a volunteer was directing them to stop.

Firm does okay at races but other HIMs around in the area are much better organized and have better vibe, swag and safer courses.

I'm interested in hearing about the one held in MA that's held in early June. Anyone? Anyone?

Would not do it again.

Good:

Liked the parallel swim, rather than an out-and-back

Good terrain variety on the run and bike courses

Good support (included some unofficial stands with fruit, etc.) at aid stations.  No running out of any promised items.

Bad:

They did not cap the number of entrants, and allowed entries right up to the race day.  In a race with that kind of logistic requirements, bad move.  It showed in the lack of parking at packet pick-up.

As noted before, VERY poorly conceived bike course.  Route 1 is limited access, like an interstate, and there are entrance/exit ramps every mile or so.  You know how there is really no "right" way to navigate on/off ramps? Imagine doing that about 30 times, with trucks pulling boat trailers whizzing past.  Just not safe at all - they do their best with marking and such, but it is fundamentally unsafe.

Late start.

Email today from the RD states they added an aqua-bike option for the race.

 VM