MUSKOKA 70.3 - Official Ontario Thread (Page 7)

Really depends on how well you climb.  Me, I tend to be quite good at longer inclines, but with a slightly easier grade.  Short steep hills don't suit me very well - and that's what is in the last 30km.  First couple of times I rode this course was in 09 with a 12-25 and standard crank.  I did fine, but you will feel it in the legs.

This year I switched to a compact crank and stayed with the 12-25.  I just wasn't ready for the hills in the last 1/3 of the course, training wa short of what it should be.  12-27, IMO, may not make that big a difference.  It's not going to give you the option to "spin" up these hills as they are too short and too steep - but it will save the legs a little for the run.  And the run is a beast.

So folks, did the course this week end and, even if the course is just stunning, it is also brutal !!! 

First 15k up to dwight beach road are steep rollers, dwight beach road up to Hwy 60 is very fast and really fun to ride. Then, it's looonnnnnng stretch of straight roads and then, the last 30k are just freakin' tough from Brunel rd up to the finish...

Loved the course, some very steep hills, nothing very long but steep but very tough...

Will be interesting in September, for sure... 

Just so you know, thre is some road construction from south portage road up to dwight beach road. All gravels everywhere but it's only for 4/5 km. Hope it will be done by Sept...

Ahh its not that bad just imagine that in September you will have already swam 2km before you even get on the bike!

And that realy is something to keep in mind.  For me, 40min in the water is going to take something out of me at the end of the bike.  And then there's that run....

Thx Neil....I do like to climb ( anything ) as well and currently running a compact with a 12-25 which works for me....I will be up to bike the course and think I will do so with the 12-25. ....see how it goes from there.

Thanks for the heads up!  I was hoping to get a training ride in this year but not sure if there is going to be enough time with my vacation.  Looks like I'll just be plugging my miles in around my neck of the woods. 

You sure you have that right?  I think you mean South Portage to Dwight Beach Rd - that's what was gravel (partially) when I rode.  Dorset is 36km into the ride!

Yup! That's what I meant.  My second attempt at riding the course and I still haven't made it in that direction!  I'm getting good at riding Brunel both directions though!

Just a quick update for anyone who was wondering....I emailed the people at World Endurance Canada about the section of road that is under construction on the bike route and they responded by saying that the District of Muskoka has assured them that the road will be safe for race day.  Whether "safe" means paved or not is another question!  I guess we'll find out!

Good luck to everyone!

I finally signed in. At this point in time it was difficult to find a hotel. Deerhurst is fully booked for that weekend as well as Holliday Inn, Best Western, and four others that I have contacted. I was lucky to find a cottage that was available and close to South Portage. I usually wait to the last minute in case an injury puts me on the side….. Does anybody know if the bike portion is exactly the same as last year? Or if they have managed to shorten it to 90 km from the 94 km. These 4 km extra km are the longest km I have ever ridden!!. 

Anyone going to be on the bike course this weekend? I'm gonna be there on Saturday morning, just to see what I have gotten myself into. I'd love to have company. Let me know if you are interested! Will be camping in Algonquin.

Also, regarding race accommodations, I have a suite at the Hidden Valley resort just 1km up the road from Deerhurst for the Saturday night, and I could probably take in a roommate. Originally, it was going to be me, my gf, and my parents (which is why I got the suite), but I'm not sure that my parents are even coming now. If anyone is in need of a roof that night, let me know, too.

FYI,

I've been through the construction zone by car on monday and it is still under construction...

I don't know how long it takes to repave the road but I'm very doubtful it will be done by the end of the month...

I'm very interested to know what do they meant by safe condition... 

That mapmyride link looks pretty straight forward. There are no wrong turns on that, is there? ;)

Edit: Quoting didn't work?

I just used the one from the website, and had no issues.  Keep in mind that "West St" is really S. Portage.  Can't really go wrong though, just turn left at the end of N. Portage.  What's not listed is that you need to turn to go through Dorset.  If you don't pay attention you'll just keep going straight along the highway (no big deal since the road in Dorset will re-emerge onto the highway).

The first time I rode it I stayed at the resort and couldn't even figure out how to get on Canal Road!  I saw a sign for Portage and turned right LONG before S Portage turnoff so that was another waste.  Then when I finally got to the point where I should have made a left I turned right and rode the whole thing backwards.  At Baysville I realized - passing the 4th cyclist going in the other direction - that I might have made a mistake.  Doh!  Glad to see I'm not the only navigationally challenged rider!! Hope the route is well marked on race day LOL 

I had actually emailed the race support and asked for a better map and then just sent me the link to the site.  Good luck on the ride this weekend!