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2008-05-20 7:23 PM

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Subject: Hy-Vee Triathlon
jdwright56 - 2008-05-20 9:34 AM

OK - I went out and took the Garmin on a ride and run up the hills in question. First the run. I noticed on the map that they have switched the course to run up Grand. The hill there is a climb of about 65 feet and the distance is just about 2 city blocks ( measures .2 miles). That is a grade of 6.1%. The difference in the routes (last year vs. this year) is the distance covered of the climb. The grade up Grand is longer but more gradual, while the distance up walnut (793 ft) and about the same elevation (68 ft) or a grade of 8.6%. Pick your poison.

For the bike, the hills consist of the one on Grande and the one at Jordan Creek (which is the turn around). On the way out, you are basically flat or near flat until you make the turn onto Grande Avenue. Then you begin to climb. The climb is very gradual and comes in small sections. You travel up 4 or 5% grades for .2 of a mile about 4 times and then have another .2 to .4 that is flat. it is not a hard climb as you get plenty of time on the flats to regain some momentum and hit them hard. At the top you start down, do a little hump and then it is straight down. I have ridden it hard before and hit 40 going down. I did not do that yesterday (it was 7 PM and there was a good amount of traffic). It is a 177 ft descent in about 1.5 miles. At the bottom of that hill is a hard left hand turn that you really have to slow down for, especially if there are others with you at the time. It is a street to street turn from a five lane lane (Two lanes each direction and a left hand turn lane) to a five lane (2 lanes each and a left turn) so basically you have to make that turn from three lanes to two. Common sense tells you to stay right on the descent and turn from the far righ to the far right, but if it is crowded - there could be some issues. From there on out you are basically flat until you get to Jordan Creek (it is the largest shopping mall in Iowa). When you get there you go in on the North side and ride around the outside of the mall to the west - up a hill that is descent and then loop through the mall area to the bottle exchange - then loop around another area of the mall complex and then back down the hill and you are on your way back to the transition area. There are no difficulties to deal with until you get back on Grande - and then you havee to climb the "devil hill". The first and steepest part of it is about 1/2 mile long with a climb of 98 ft (about 4% grade) it continues to climb, but not as steeply to a total of 144ft over 1.07 miles, so the second part of the climb is a less steep 1.4% grade. When you get to the top you go down hill all the way to the lake and T2. I rode the route in under 1 hr 30 min and that was in traffic. It is not a bad ride.



2008-05-20 7:25 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
33 days till Hy-Vee 2008.... John is in my Mentor group and said that he was going to post this cut at pasted in to this one.
2008-05-28 5:45 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
What hotel is every one staying at? and what day are people going up on?
2008-06-01 9:13 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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TinkerBeth
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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

Hi

Just found this thread - now it's only 21 days!  woo hoo!

I'm staying at the Radisson - going on Saturday - going to hit Adventureland  

2008-06-01 11:19 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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Regular
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Dubln, Ohio
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
I'm arriving Friday evening.  I was able to get in a Holiday Inn.
2008-06-01 7:52 PM
in reply to: #1436317

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Champion
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Urbandale, IA
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

Lagnar - 2008-06-01 11:19 AM I'm arriving Friday evening.  I was able to get in a Holiday Inn.

Are you downtown?  I think they cal it The Holiday Inn Mercy Capitol??



2008-06-03 2:00 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
Anyone interested in a BT Get Together/Potluck on Saturday around noon?  I will be flying in from AZ Thursday night, and staying at my sisters in Ankeny (suburb on the North side of Des Moines).  I have already cleared the pot-luck with my sister, and am going to have one regardless with some local friends who are doing the race, but I thought I would open it up to the whole BT crew.  It is not often that us BTrs get to meet up when we live in other states.  If no one is interested, it would not hurt my feelings.  We just had a huge BT potluck here in AZ before IMAZ, and have them before other big races down here, so thought I would try to drum one up in IA.  Chime in if you are interested.

Edited by StandsWithFist 2008-06-03 2:01 PM
2008-06-03 3:21 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Altoona, Iowa
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
I wouldn't mind getting together with some other BTer's. I can't race Hy-Vee this year but would love to meet some other tri folks. If it is a go just PM me with the details. I live in Altoona which is 15 minutes from Ankeny.
2008-06-04 8:12 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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urbandale, ia
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
Does anyone have any idea on Current Water Temp for Grays Lake?
2008-06-04 9:20 AM
in reply to: #1443867

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TinkerBeth
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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

tnoah - 2008-06-04 8:12 AM Does anyone have any idea on Current Water Temp for Grays Lake?

not sure what the current temp is -

it warms up pretty quickly as it is a very shallow lake - (maybe 9 or 10 feet deep if I remember right) - last year the water was pretty warm

2008-06-04 9:22 AM
in reply to: #1443867

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Altoona, Iowa
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
Gray's Lake is closed to swimming right now as everything is flooded. I might be able to take its temperature next week.


2008-06-04 10:06 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

There wasn't wetsuits allowed last year was there?

2008-06-04 10:08 AM
in reply to: #1444237

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TinkerBeth
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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
Joeyrollin - 2008-06-04 10:06 AM

There wasn't wetsuits allowed last year was there?

I don't think so

2008-06-04 10:09 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
I haven't heard any temps for Grays Lake, but Copper Creek Lake (there's a tri there on Sunday) was 63 degrees last Friday. I did an OWS at Big Creek last Wednesday, and it couldn't have been any warmer than 60. Having said that, Grays Lake is very shallow overall, as previously mentioned, so it may be a bit warmer. But based on the weather we've had here, and the upcoming forecasts, I'd be very surprised to see the water temp get over 78 by race day.

Last year the temp was 80 degrees, and wetsuits were not allowed. But we did have about 2-3 weeks of 90+ temps leading up to (and including) the race last year. This year, the highs so far have been 75-84 or so.

Edited by robfornoff 2008-06-04 10:10 AM
2008-06-04 10:42 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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Urbandale, IA
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
I'd have to agree, unless something changes in a hurry and we get a blast of hot weather, I am betting Hy Vee to be wetsuit legal.
2008-06-04 1:14 PM
in reply to: #1437129

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Dubln, Ohio
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
It is one west of the downtown by the mall


2008-06-09 8:53 AM
in reply to: #1442476

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

BucNIowa - 2008-06-03 3:21 PM I wouldn't mind getting together with some other BTer's. I can't race Hy-Vee this year but would love to meet some other tri folks. If it is a go just PM me with the details. I live in Altoona which is 15 minutes from Ankeny.

I would like to get together - but I have to be at the officials clinic from 1:30 to 4:30 on Saturday, so that limits my availability somewhat.  I will be officiating at Hy-Vee since I haven't received the doc's clearance to swim yet.

2008-06-09 9:00 AM
in reply to: #1444979

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

Lagnar - 2008-06-04 1:14 PM It is one west of the downtown by the mall

OK - that's Merle Hay.  Really easy to find.  Easy access to the interstate.  Lot's of stuff around.  Unfortunately - not an easy way to get to the downtown area from there.  I would go back out to the interstate (I80) and head to the east to the I235 interchange.  Head west/south on I235 (It is a west designation, but the actual direction is south) and get downtown that way.  You would probably want to take MLK exit off of I235 to get to Fleur (where Gray's Lake is at).  It is easy because all you have to do is follow the signs to the airport from I235.

Closest bike shop to your hotel is Irwin's (Felt, Specialized and Cannondale dealer) that is north on Merle Hay about 2 miles from your hotel, on the west side of the road.  Hy-Vee grocery store is another 2 blocks up on the same side of the road. 

2008-06-09 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1414938

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Urbandale, IA
Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
heard yesterday @ the copper creek tri from someone who does Tri's and works @ the HyVee Corporate office. They are worried about the swim - flooding & bacteria counts, etc. But as of right now they expect the water to be at max 77-78 degrees making it wetsuit legal.

Keeping my fingers crossed and praying for a nice long dry spell!
2008-06-09 1:19 PM
in reply to: #1453991

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

jhilsch - 2008-06-09 10:45 AM heard yesterday @ the copper creek tri from someone who does Tri's and works @ the HyVee Corporate office. They are worried about the swim - flooding & bacteria counts, etc. But as of right now they expect the water to be at max 77-78 degrees making it wetsuit legal. Keeping my fingers crossed and praying for a nice long dry spell!

As of right now - the DNR is saying that Gray's will pass for swimming.  We are supposed to be dry until Thursday - and a little warmer too, so that should work in favor of cleaning it up.  They are working the levee's hard to keep everything in control and right now they think they are good, but if they get another set of rains like they had last week, they are in trouble. 

2008-06-09 5:42 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
Hyvee ITU triathlon - NEW Quote | Reply

Driving through Iowa today heard on the radio that the site of the Hy-vee triathlon (Gray's Lake) is closed due to flooding. The lake is currently 7ft above flood stage and Fleuer Drive the only road to access the area is also closed due to flooding. Doesnt sound good with the race only 12 days away and more rain in the forecast.


Fatmouse

Jun 9, 08 15:04

Post #2 of 3 (29 views)
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Re: Hyvee ITU triathlon [IsuTriGuy] - NEW [In reply to] Quote | Reply

Not too good for water quality either, as all the fertilizer from farm fields collects in the lake. Last year went great though. 12 days is a long time for the water to recede.

_____________________________________
"Also, of course the United States can't do everything. It does not follow that we should do nothing." AF


Enginefour

Jun 9, 08 15:33

Post #3 of 3 (6 views)
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Re: Hyvee ITU triathlon [IsuTriGuy] - NEW [In reply to] Quote | Reply

the word is that the decision to have or to scale down the swim will be made on Wednesday. If you want the actual email pvt msg me. It comes from official channels.


2008-06-09 5:44 PM
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TinkerBeth
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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

How would they scale down the race?  change the route?

interesting - who would have thunk it?

2008-06-09 5:53 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
They could change it to a Duathlon.  That would be getter than canceling it all together.
2008-06-09 6:02 PM
in reply to: #1455321

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TinkerBeth
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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon

StandsWithFist - 2008-06-09 5:53 PM They could change it to a Duathlon.  That would be getter than canceling it all together.

ugh - the swim is my favorite part LOL - ok, so not that they would be worried about that -

the bigger thing is that in the afternoon is the Olympic Team Selection event - the third and final member of the US team will be selected based on the outcome of the afternoon event

I hope the weather cooperates!

2008-06-09 6:18 PM
in reply to: #1414938

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Subject: RE: Hy-Vee Triathlon
Yeah, I feel bad for the Olympic hopefuls.  Have no idea what they would do about that.  But at least if they just cut the swim, then people like me who are flying in, who planned their whole family vacation around it, AND incidentally don't like to swim :-) , it still saves the day!  Haha!
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