What the hell am I thinking???

I recommend riding lots of hills until the number of hills on the course no longer looks like a lot. 

the simplified version.  Either will work fine though. 

At least you drove the course. Columbia was my first tri on 2007 and I got the pleasure of being surprised by the hills. Just ride a lot.

There is some pretty steep downhills too. You should have some experience there so you're not scared to death like I was.

Also, keep an eye on the Maryland thread there will be plenty of group rides on the course before race day.

Edited by SCamp07 2011-02-28 8:19 PM

The best way to get good at hills is to ride them. And remember, if you can ride the hills, you can ride anywhere.

Thanks everyone!..... Heading out for a hill workout......I know what needs to be done....lets hope its enough!

Looking forward to the Columbia Experience.

Ride safe.

S

Hills - it's what's for breakfast!

I love hills!!!!

Biggest tip I can offer is to change your gearing if necessary (i.e. change your cassette and/or crank, though just cassette is probably all you'd need).  Getting easier gears to allow you to keep a higher cadence while doing the ups will help A LOT in saving your legs.

Also, just ride more in the hills  

That's my take.

I love the smell of hillwork in the morning... The smell, you know that sweaty smell... Smells like, victory!

I have found that my driving perception of hills and my riding perception of hills can be quite different. I've had it go both ways that a course is easier than I expected based on driving it as well as it was harder than I expected.

Best thing you can do since it sounds like you live close is go ride the course.

and that course is harder than it looks in the car, I would definitely try to ride it as much as possible, you can get a pretty good feel for where to push it and where to take it easy.  Once you get comfortable with the course it doesn't seem so scary.