Lake Geneva HIM

While it started off as a training thread, I think the overall pros and cons of this race are outlined pretty well here:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

I hope it helps.

Edited by jenndocmartin 2009-08-12 4:26 PM

If you decide to do it, just learn the bike course so that you don't make any wrong turns.

I rode the course three weeks ago.  It isn't difficult and occasionally you will see little white arrows on the road telling you where to turn. My biggest complaint is the railroad tracks towards the middle of the course.  Part of the road is missing and there is gravel all around them. My advice is be careful when you cross them.  I fell twice and I have never fallen on tracks before.

The run is brutal but really easy to follow.  I have heard lack of water is a huge issue so bring plenty. I intend to carry my fuel belt on the run and bring an extra bottle for the bike.  There is only one gas station if you were to get desperate.

One of my friends who did the HIM last year got totally lost and I can see how that would be easy to do because there are a lot of turns.  With only 150 people doing the HIM you have no one to follow.

Sounds fun, huh?

I just went to the website and saw they changed the bike course due to poor road conditions.  Hopefully that means they got rid of the railroad tracks

Edited by SSMinnow 2009-08-12 8:26 PM

Not really getting a warm fuzzy regarding this race, might decide to look elsewhere for a late season tri.  Sounds like his races are lacking in a lot of areas, hopefully safety and medical support are not one of those areas.  I just finished the Steelhead and even though it was a large race you always knew that there was plenty of support, of any type, available if necessary.

Good luck to those competing and I hope the event turns out great!  If I was local and wouldn't need a room etc to add to the cost I would consider it, but I don't want to drop a lot on an iffy situation.


Greg 

Don't worry, you'll all be following me

But seriously, can you at least see the railroad tracks coming? Or are they somewhere that will surprise you, like around the corner at the bottom of a big hill?

I just want to be able to set up my 10-foot bunny hop. That's all.

Maybe  , but if you are even one mile ahead of me, I won't see you and am totally directionless.  Definitely downloading the course to my Garmin.

Yeah, you can see the railroad tracks coming.  I'll be back at out there and will give ya the exact mile marker......if we are lucky maybe the recent course change eliminated the tracks.  The road sucked.

thanks for all the info Suzy...I may decide to do it...

just FYI, its a drive (but easy one...), but the Toyota Challenge in Ohio is a great race (yes, they have a half...and I LOVE it!) Its put on by HFP (same as SOR). Ive travelled there twice, and maybe this year too. Awesome course! Its Sept 27th.

I'm not sure, but I will see if I can figure out where the big changes are tomorrow when I ride the course.

The new couse is now available on their website. Thanks for the info!

I looked at the map. Do we go over tracks 5 times in the race? I hope there aren't any actual trains out there!

And is the run on the road or a trail?

The course profiles actually look pretty favorable. The bike is flat and the run has a very nice downhill finish. Might be time for a little PR action...

Yep, you definitely go over 5 railroad tracks.  My advice is to slow down before you hit them.  Two of the are tricky, one requiring going way to the right and the second you need to nail the middle.  I need to see if I can figure out exactly where they are...can't remember.  The ride is mainly flat except for a steep hill at the start and coming back into Lake Geneva there are a few steep hills to get over before T2. If you PR the run, you are good.  The hill starting at Stearns is a bear.  Yes, you get to go down it, but you still have to go up it twice.

Suzy, thanks for all the continual updates! I really should do this HIM!!