Anyone doing the Treasure Island tri?

I think I'll be doing this one too.  I had a wedding to attend last year so I missed this race, so I hope this year my schedule is clear.  Hey Abbie, it would be great to be at the start line with you for another race!

Check out past race reports (mine's online) to get a good feel for the race and the course.

I did this last year (was my first real oly), but I haven't decided if I'll do it this year.  On the plus side, it is well organized, the location is convenient for locals, and there is no other race that time of year.  The main drawback to me is the bike course for the same reasons Abbie said.

he course was potholed pretty badly in some sections...not all, but several areas.  There was also a lot of litter on the ground as people's stuff (bottles, tires, gus, etc.) were ejected from their bike. 

As she also said, the course is quite technical with 19 turns per loop (with 6 loops, do the math...) so you there are only short sections where you can get a steady pace going.  You'll be slowing down for turns and then accelerating again. 

Doing 6 loops is also a little mentally taxing in its own way.  Many devise ways to remember what lap they are on. 

There is a small hill towards the end of the loop and last year I believe they shortened this section due to bridge construction, but I haven't checked to see if they made the hill section longer again (still plenty of bridge work going on!).

The swim is in the bay, so be prepared for those temps.  It's in a little cove so it's protected from waves, but it's plenty cold if you're not prepared. 

Run course is a flat as a pancake out and back, 2 laps. 

my buddy, poweredbyfear, and I checked out the course today.  The course is pretty different than last year.  Only 5 laps now with about 15 turns per lap (compared to 6 laps of 19 turns last year), which means one less climb (small as it was).  Road condition is crappy, but it seems not as bad as last year.  Still, it's bumpy so expect that and all kind of junk littering the course as stuff ends up ejected off of people's bikes and pockets.

Run course is also revised, shorter, so now 3 out and backs instead of 2.

Weather was beautiful today, warm and sunny, but water was typical bay chilly.

I've never worn swim booties when swimming in the bay, even on new year's day.

I do recommend a neoprene cap/hoodie and earplugs.