Lake Minnetonka Triathlon : Official Thread

I wasn't planning on the group ride.  I was, however, hoping to talk you into riding the route with me some time and showing me the important things.

You're on!  Maybe next week some nice evening?  Others welcome of course!

When school is out and my early morning kid duties lighten up I might join once in awhile, thanks.

So, any tips on parking?  The town doesn't strike me a parking mecca, although perhaps that early in the morning it's fine.  Any other advice for this one?

there is alot of spots behind the stores on water st. and alot of side streets with street parking

x2.

I just drove the bike course.  There are some big hills out by Lake Lucy, yikes.  The rest seems fairly tame, IF it's not too windy.  I am really looking forward to the run.

I do like this course a lot.  The swim can be pretty tough if the wind is up.  Last year a good number of people got pulled out of the water due to tough conditions.  It is a pretty cool set up with the swim being point to point and going around a point.  Bike does have more hills than I had expected but the run is pancake flat.  After two pretty lack luster weeks of training I'm hoping to have a good streak heading towards this race.

I had appendix surgery the night before this race last year, so this year I am hoping to rock 'n roll!  Just not sure if I should blow up on the swim, bike or my usual, the run.  :-(

Yeah, I think this year will be better for you!

I read your and others RRs and decided that the swim was going to be a non-issue.  I am NOT going to be freaked out in advance    Water is water and that's why I have nose plugs

Is this USAT rules?   If not, I would like to draft you, Bryan.  Kthxbai.

I'm an Excelsior local and will be helping with Saturday's race. Good luck to everyone - we welcome you to our town with open arms. This is a great event and we love having a local triathlon each year.

A few things:

1. Parking: At 6am on a Saturday morning, parking won't be a problem. There are two big public lots behind the stores that are a 1-2 block walk from the transition area, and the little streets in Excelsior have lots of little nooks and crannies with spots. The residential block right next to the lake is permit-only and they do ticket (signage is clear). If they didn't, these poor folks would have cars and boat trailers parked in front of their homes all summer long. No signs means it is fair game.

2. Swim: Lake Minnetonka can get a good chop with a breeze, but it is usually from the South or West. That means that you only need to contend with it for a short bit before you turn to the East. If your nervous, know that this RD has lots and lots of very good lifegaurds in the water. More than your average race, in my opinion.

3. Bike: Just did the bike course (literally, finished 20 mins ago). Great course with generally nice conditions. The hill on Lake Lucy can catch you off gaurd, and when you get to the bottom of it you have to turn around and do it again. It is not as flat as one would expect, but without wind has the potential to be a fast ride. The huge flag in downtown Chanhassen that you see about 2.5 miles into the ride will tell you if the wind you feel is real. You can't miss it.

4. Run: Yeah, this run course is as fast as they come. Flat on hard-pack limestone. You can't ask for a better surface.

Good luck, and if you are so inclined hang out after the race and support the local businesses!

Edited by Hazelmn 2011-06-13 11:40 AM

Thanks Paul!  The town was packed when I drove through the other night around dinner time, I am sure the summer is crazy around there.  I will come by when the weather turns bad and patronize some establishments.  Actually, my husband and I rode to Excelsior a few weekends ago to have breakfast at 318 Cafe.   Love that path!

Cool. Yes, 318 is one of the more underrated restaurants in the area, in my opinion. I get takeout from there way too often. And your right, after about 5pm on summer Thursdays through Sundays can be very busy. The charter boats and restaurants bring alot of traffic to town, but people who live here generally like the buzz. Good luck.

Go for it Emily. The view sucks but I do provide a nice draft. .

It would be fun to meet-up before the race to say hi to other BTers and maybe snap a pic.  Any suggestions on a time and meeting spot?

I agree.   I am apprehensive about making a suggestion not knowing the race at all myself.  Normally I would pick a spot by transition, but I am unsure of how it will all work with the point to point swim and the timing of everything.  But I am definitely up for it!     Is anyone bringing a spectator that can snap a picture?

At the very least I can identify some of you (Eric, Bryan, Jared) myself.

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