Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 42)

Hello AshleighK from my home town...

Let me ask you a question regarding wheels. How are your bike handling skills? 1080’s are DEEP wheels and while the back wheel will stabilize the bike the front will move a bit in winds. While deeper is faster, if you are not comfortable with a noticeably “squirrelly” front end I would stay away from it. A cross wind will move the front end of the bike around and wind gusts can get very scary. I have a 1080 front wheel that I ride maybe once or twice a year and I am not at all comfortable on it and I have been in Tri’s for a long time.

In my first IM I wore a swimwsuit and then changed into cycling shorts because I thought I would be more comfortable. In my second triathlon I wore trishorts the entire race and I was quite comfortable and happy with my decision. If your trishorts serve you well for the 70.3 distance, they will likely serve you well over 140.6. (At least this was my experience).

Definately don't swim in cycling shorts.  Change it T1 if you want them.  For my first ironman, I actually wore board shorts that went over my knees during the swim!  I figured it didn't matter since I had a wetsuit on over it anyway.  And it was easy for me to rip off in T1 and switch to cycling shorts.  Obviously this wouldn't be wise for Louisville because it won't be wetsuit legal.  I'd suggest just a pair of jammers (or a speedo ) for the swim if you want to ride in cycling shorts.

As for me, I'm planning on wearing a pair of tri shorts for the entire day.

jhouse you're from Springfield? Too cool!

Bike handling skills are average I guess. I'm pretty new at cycling, this will be my 3rd season of triathlon and never did any cycling before that. That being said, I can usually hold my own in group rides and in wind and such. From your info here on 1080's I don't think I want to find out just how my skills are on race day, since that'll be the only time I use the wheels. Sounds like 404's or 808's are best? Maybe 404's on front, 808's on back?

Ashleigh

I'm heading to Rev3 Quassy instead.  I was signed up for the OLY last year, after experiencing the venue my wife asked not to return.  Wasn't horrible just not as spectator/kid friendly as others.

Jasmel - I had the same question last year (what to wear on the swim) but didn't think to come to a forum and ask. I didn't own a pair of tri shorts so I just opted to wear my cycling shorts, they seemed tight enough and I wasn't concerned about the pad. BIG MISTAKE! The problem was that my cycling shorts don't have a drawstring so they balooned up and acted like a parachute. My answer: don't swim in anything that doesn't have a drawstring... ever!

Ashleigh - I rented wheels (808s) last year and feel this was likely a mistake too. I know everyone says the dimpled deep dish wheels are way faster (and I fully expected this to be the case, so no self-fulfilling prophecy here) but I felt like I was riding on a first wheel invented by man (you know, the one carved out of stone). I am not a great cyclist and any type of hill can crush me, so take this with a grain of salt, but I will never again race on a set of wheels that are heavier than my normal training wheels. I have done an IM before and felt great on the bike so I know it wasn't the distance, but by the end of the race every turn of the cranks was an extra effort. I had a lot of nutrition/hydration issues that also likely contributed to the problem, but it may have been visa-versa. By contrast, my wife, who is a weak cyclist, rode non-aero road racing wheels (Mavic Krysium SL) and did great with plenty of legs left for a fast marathon. Bottom line: If you are a strong cyclist and hills don't bother you, go for it and enjoy the free speed! As for me, I got a set of Reynolds DV3K Tubluars (road racing, 1389 grams, just came in the mail today!) and I can't wait to race on them!

By the way, if you decide to rent, I rented through Race Day Wheels and they were great. Easy to pick up in Louisville and everything was as promised, and they threw in a free headsweats visor!

Man, everybody I train with is doing the Rev3 Quassy - good thing I didn't try to sign up because there wouldn't have been any spots left!  I can imagine that it's not spectator friendly, and it looks like nobody's there watching in most of the photos.  What did you think of the course?  Do you have a race report you can send me?

Sorry I don't have much course info...long story short...it was supposed to be my first tri, lots of rain, swim was cancelled and they shortened the bike.  I didn't race.  I wanted my first tri to be a tri   I had friends race the 70.3 the next day, and like what I have heard and read in race reports, they said the bike was hilly  

If you are signed up, good luck! If your thinking about it good luck with the decision.

 Thank you to all who answered my questions reg this race! Sorry it took me this long but I was away skiing for one week...Thank God I am back in one piece..lol

I am super excited and ready for some serious training...being away for one week makes me feel like I am starting over eventhough I had high cardio w/o.

Safe training everyone!!! and thanks again

Alicia