Belews Lake International Triathlon : Official Thread

Last year I believe it was looking like it would NOT be wetsuit legal in Aptil.  If my memory serves me right, setup measured the water the day before @ 79.  The race was cancelled due to the massive t-storms that came through (the ones that spawned the tornado out near raleigh).  The year before it was a perfect 70 degree water temp. 

This is the first year for the olympic distance so i can't really give any insight on that but the sprint two years ago was well run.  Bike was typical rolling NC terrain with a headwind the first 4-5 miles.  The run starts out uphill which isn't terribly steep or terribly long, but steep and long enough that you will certainly know it is there. 

Coming into the race site, if you need a place to "drop the kids off at the pool", there is a Sheetz gas station about 10 minutes from the site on the way in.  It is pretty much the ONLY place around.  

Note that the bike starts out on this same hill. Be sure you have your bike racked in an easy gear. I saw many people struggling to change gears while trying to clip in and pedal up the steep starting portion. I think it is probably a good 7 or 8% grade, but only for, maybe 50 yards, then it is gradual. But you don't wanna be in some hard gear when you first start out.

techknowgn - I'm also planning to preride the course soon. Let me know when you're going if you'd like some company.

-MJacaruso

That would be cool but I have to tell you im pretty slow uphill so we might not be riding together for long. Im looking at 2 weeks out at this point. If youve already done it, let me know what you think. I found a hill locally that is 14% for about 25 yards so im gonna keep pushing at that

If you are going to pre-ride just for the hill at the beginning, don't worry about it.  By my garmin elevation numbers from the race in 2010, it is only a 3.1% grade (99ft over .61m).  Just remember to keep in the small ring out of T1. 

Race Elevation on the bike (one loop):

(Race 4-17-2010, Elevation.png)

That is supposed to be pink, right?  For awards, you can wear wetsuits up to 78 degrees.  You can wear wetsuits up to 84 degrees, but you can't win a an award.

There is a big difference between 55 and 65 degrees.

That is a big difference. I thought 55 seemed a little low since Jordan is already in the 60s. Where did you get that number, Chubby?

That is a big difference. I thought 55 seemed a little low since Jordan is already in the 60s. Where did you get that number, Chubby?

I got that number from a comment posted on the fishingnotes.com website. The website currently states the water temp to be at 59 but someone commented it to be around 65.  Lake Norman has a very accurate reading which updates every 15 minutes and Lake Norman is currently at 69.  So I figured that Belews Lake is most likely in the mid 60's as the guy stated.

Ha ha.  I swam in Norman yesterday am.  65isch sounds about right

Went to the race site on Wednesday and bricked the bike and run courses. The hill out of transition is not that bad. It's mainly a bunch of hype. Keep your bike in a low gear to start, and stand up in the last few hundred yards before going down into T2 to stretch out for the run back up that hill. The run goes farther down Campsite Rd than that of the sprint and is a little hillier because of it. Not much shade, but there are a few sections under some trees. According to IOS, the water temp is currently 69, and they estimate race day temps between 70 and 72.  

Should be a fun race. I'm psyched!