Ironman 70.3 New Orleans : Official Thread (Page 8)

That's the advisory from the NOAA/NWS that I have been telling people about all day.  Nice that weather.com finally put something up there... not that they changed their forecast.

Everyone just wants to look at The Weather Channel's website (weather.com) which has a forecast very different than NOAA/NWS or Weather Underground (which uses the NOAA/NWS forecasts). Weather.com's forecasts are usually best case scenario which is probably unrealistic 90% of the time.  That advisory is what made my final decision to bail on the race.  No way the swim happens if the conditions are nearly as bad as the advisory and I'd agree the bike could be in jeopardy as well.

Tri-a-betic and other DISC Wheel Riders: 

Disc's in High Winds are usually not allowed.  See history of this at Kona.  Also, that solid wheel acts like a sail... so when you're hit with a 35 MPH Wind gust it is strong enough to topple you over. 

I would go with a shallow wheel.  I'm riding Zipp 303's.

The reason they don't allow discs at windy races like Kona is not because of the disc but because of what front wheel people use in combination with the disc.  Without getting into a whole bunch of science about it, the disc helps stabilize the bike in all conditions.  The problem is the front wheel.  The deeper the front wheel, the more difficult the handling.  Basically the rule is in place as a stupid-o-meter because people will use a too deep front wheel with the disc which can and will cause handling issues in high crosswinds.

It's cycling urban legend that the disc causes the problem.  That defies scientific explanation.  It may sound back asswards but it's the truth. 

The disc is fine.  Run a more shallow wheel on the front if concerned about the wind.

GMAN - Thanks for the insight on the Disc's

I'll have to read up on this as I would be interested in the physics behind it all.

I had a rough day out there, those winds wrecked me. Did a 5:09. My one goal going into the race was a sub 2 hour run split and I managed a 1:56 so happy I achieved that. I was that dork with the cameraman following me.

How did you guy's race go?

Hey all!

I did okay with a 5:26, 1st half of the run I was on a great pace for a 2:10 run but 2nd half died when my knee starting hurting.  I am very happy with my bike time, gotta love those tail winds!

Overall a good day and am quite happy.

Well, it was just a long training day for me.  My run training isn't where it needs to be this early in the season, so that was a huge implosion...legs fell off about mile 5 of the 2nd run.  Had a good bike for me. No crashes.  Wind was ...um...windy!   I liked the run course, except I don't do well on concrete, so my knees and feet were not super happy.

Wonder what a mess the bike would have been if we had to deal with airshow car traffic? Glad it was cancelled.

And can race directors not ever get the mileage right on where aid stations are going to be?  Indicated with course revision that aid was at miles 11/26/41....actual was more in the neighborhood of 18/30/41?   Not a huge deal, but not hard for them to get that right. 

Hey all!

one question, for those that did the 2011 race would you say the wind was stronger this year?  Trying level set as I look at my times. 

As for the temps, yeah a little warm but compared to 2010 it was wonderful.  I think last year was a little cooler.

One more question (I posted this in the Louisana forum but will post here also):

Anyone have info on the where they are moving the swim to?  I am assuming that means the bike and run will change also?

My BF and I are tempted....we had fun, in spite of the issues. At least we have a few days to make the decision.

The $50 off prob isn't going to work for me for other races due to my work and other race schedule, though Augusta looks tempting. Have you done that one before?