Ironman Canada: Official Thread (Page 6)

If you are coming from the Vancouver Airport, it will take approximately 5 - 5.5 hours depending on traffic getting out of Vancouver.  You can take the Coquihalla Highway, which I believe does not charge a toll anymore, and is a great short cut that spits you out not too far north of Penticton. Kelowna is about equidistant (but north instead of south) from where the road spits you out.

Where is the best place to exchange money?  At the airport, or a bank here in Dallas?  I know when you go to Europe, it is better to get the exchange at a local bank before you go.

I'm not super knowledgeable about this.  I don't think it matters either way.  When I go to the States, I generally exchange my money before I go.

Also, I noticed that there is no scheduled practice swim.  Do you just get a swim in the lake, whenever and wherever?  In Louisville last year, they had a two scheduled practice swims.

You can swim in Okanagan Lake anytime.  They will likely not have the buoys out until later in the week, but if that is the case, there are white buoys that are in place for regular swimming that is in the same general area as where the race will be held. I don't know if there is anything more organized.

Lastly, are the climbs on the bike course, Lowest Gear, Out of the saddle climbs, or are LONG and Steady climbs.  Now I know that it all depends on if you're Lance Armstrong or a total slack, but in general how are they.  On the profile, they look like they are straight up to the sky. 

There are three 'named' hills on the course.  the first is Maclean Creek - very early on in the race. It's on a back country road, is short but steep, and the pavement isn't great.

Next is Richter's Pass.  It is a long steep climb that can be broken up into 4 sections, with plateau's or even a bit of downhill in between them. 

After Richter's are the 7 rolling hills.  Not to be confused with rollers, as they are decent climbs themselves, but much shorter than the Richter's climb - I'd say about 1/4 as long.

After the 7 rollers the next named hill is Yellow Lake. It is not as steep as Richter's, but because of it's location in the race, will likely seem much steeper.  Good thing about this one is that cheerleaders often line both sides of the road to cheer folks on - it's very Tour de France.  It's broken up into a few segments as well.

A couple more hills after this that shouldn't be forgotten, then generally downhill into town.

All of these hills I can manage to climb while seated on my 650cc Felt S22 with a 12/25 gearing (I think!).  I'm not saying I LIKE them, I'm just saying I can do it. sometimes a little standing to add a little power if I'm really crashing.

Hope this helps! I've never done IMC, so take it all with a grain of salt. 

I think that's it for now.

Hey Yaqui, have you done Wisconsin or Placid before? If so how do teh runs and bikes compare to those course? From what I have heard Canada easier bike but tougher run.

Thxs for your comments very helpful!!