Bone Island Triathlon 2014 (Page 2)

Originally posted by davidfedez

I did the half distance this year and this will be my overall opinion for each leg:

1. Swim: Wetsuit legal (63F water temp). The distance was measured incorrectly (we swam between 1.4 and 1.5 miles according to most people's Garmins), that's why many people's time was longer than expected. The water was flat.

2. Bike: This was the worst part of the race.
a. We biked in the shoulder of US1. As you can imagine, there was a ton of the debris and many people got flat tires.
b. The road surface was very rough and there was a significant amount of potholes. I am lucky my frame didn't break.
c. The most dangerous part was passing other cyclists, the shoulder wasn't wide enough, so we had to use the highway lanes to do so. I was almost hit twice by cars (lot of traffic).

3. Run: Nice, flat, and fast.

4. Overall: Very well organized (lots of volunteers and aid stations). On the other hand, post-race activities were below average (only coke and pizza), I was expecting some recovery drinks, especially since we were racing a long distance race (HIM & IM).

The swim and run were great, but the bike was too dangerous. It was a great early season race that I would do again if they change the bike course and/or add some safety measures (dedicating one highway lane for the race will be enough), otherwise, I don't think I want to risk my bike and body again.

Originally posted by topolina
The bike portion is exactly why I didn't do it a second year (did it in 2013). I live here (KW) and I can tell you that there is not going to be a change in the bike portion route. There really isn't an option to change it and you cannot stop traffic for even a part of U.S. 1 for that long since it is the only way in and out of the Keys. The Island is too small and too few lanes (and too many tourists) to do circles around the Island. The only potential change would be to work out an MOU with the the Naval Air Station to do most of the miles looping inside the NAS. The Key West TRI (oly and sprint) has done that in the past. We didn't do it this year though, so the new CO out there might have tightened up the access rules. In an event, not likely to change and I agree with your assessment of the road conditions.

Originally posted by boomer2it

I haven't done the BIT, I did have it on a short list of possible races, but after reading several glaring reviews I don't think it's one I will travel for.
On a positive note I have done the KWTRi (key west tri). For those that would like to travel and race in an exotic location like the Key's this is a GREAT choice. They do not offer long course, only Sprint and Oly. I raced in Dec 2012 and it was a VERY well run event. Closed dedicated bike lane along the ocean road for sprint course (not sure about the oly distance as they continued off the island for a portion of the race). Excellent post race refreshments and drinks, (beer and margaritas as you finish!!), many volunteers and officials that were very enthusiastic, well marked courses and just an amazing setting for a Triathlon. This race is normally the first weekend of December which is a quiet time for Key West.
Another option if your looking to enjoy the Keys and compete in a Tri.
Boomer

Originally posted by bwalling


How are they doing with the Heritage Overseas trail? (I realize it's not wide enough for an out and back route in a race, though I guess it's at least as wide as two road shoulders)