OWS's in NC (spring 2011) - How early?

In the piedmont, I would think that April is about as early as I would want to try it.  Do you ever come to the mountains to ride?

Yeah, I'd say April.  I think that Beaverdam was the second week in April last year and Falls Lake was in the mid 60s.  I made a graph of the water temperature leading up to the event.

Wow! 55*F the end of March? I don't think I want to try that. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk Beaverdam, because a 2 week shift in when it warms up could make a painful difference.

Yeah, it was in the 40s until mid March.  On March 31, the Army Corps measured it at 57.  By April 5 they got it at 66 and FS Series posted that it was 70 degrees in the cove. 

I think that it all depends on what kind of winter we have.  It was exceptionally cold last year and I'm sure that had some kind of effect but I wouldn't expect the lakes -- at least the Raleigh area ones -- to be in the 60s until sometime in April regardless.

I'm looking at a tri with a swim in April (in New Orleans).  I guess I'd best get used to a wetsuit this fall.....lol.

I see that Belews lake had an open water swim clinic on the 4th of April, this year.  That timing would coincide AWESOMELY, if they do it again, this year.

Anybody have access to a large(r) pond that might warm up quicker in the spring?

Thanks.

I believe Belews lake is unique due to its location (maybe a power station??) that it is between 68 -72 early in April.

Jeff

That may be the ticket.  Pick up a few stray nukes and suddenly your mutant-tri-guy!!!

If Belews is 68deg. at its' coolest all year round, I'll swim earlier than April.

I'm gonna check into it.  I live within 40min. from there (at the most).

I think it all depends on the weather.  People were going on about Belews being warm but Falls and Jordan were actually the same temperature at the time.