Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 3)

I'm thinking early too.  Maybe between 7:30 and 8:00.  Really I could make anytime work - earlier or later.

If we could meet at the park at 7:00 and be off by 7:15, that could work for me. My wife has to leave for work by 9, but I live fairly close to the park. Does that work for you?

Alright... to make it official, I'll be at the park at 7, and leave for the oly bike route by 7:15 at the latest.  If others are interested, i'll see you there. I'll ride to the park, and I'll have a silver trek with blue accents, and my Ireland cycling jersey.  I imagine some people may be waiting till later to incorporate the swim and/or transition clinic, but this is when I have to get 'er done.

Thanks,

Ryan

Missed it...

Thanks to Boosted for dragging me along today. Hopefully you were able to get a good enough workout in.  Beautiful conditions, light NW breeze. The course is in decent shape, though it definitely needs to be swept. There's a lot of gravel at roads and driveways, particularly along 117, and there's a big collection of gravel and rocks on the left-hand bend of 101 toward the end of the route. Also some glass at the south side of the intersection of 116 and cty 10 (bass lake road). 

I'm definitely am ready to start my taper!

Yeah good ride this morning, the conditions were great!  I agree the roads need to be swept.  Hopefully they're waiting until right before race day in hopes of preventing any new buildup of sand and rocks.  

Chasingkona,

There are a number of places close to the race site that would be great to stay and eat.  Likely even close enough to bike to transition in the morning.  For the best selection of restaurants within walking distance to the hotel, I would look at either the Holiday Inn or Courtyard.  Both are right of highway 61/Hemlock and are surrounded by restaurants.

Congrats on signing up for the 111. I'm interested to see how it goes (and whether Macca will beat me doing the olympic)

The Cambria Suites on Maple Grove Pkwy (near the MG hospital, home depot and target) is probably the closest hotel to the race site. The other two hotels noted by Boosted CVC above are a little further, but closer to Arbor Lakes, a large retail development with lots of chain restraunts (Biaggi's, Buca di Bepo and Olive Garden would be the italian joints for carb loading, though smarter locals could likely point you to a better Mom and Pop place in the area) Campgrounds relatively close would include KOA just north of the race route on Cty 101, or Baker Park Reserve (where the Liberty HIM and oly race is held in June) about 15 minutes by car. Both of these would likely be booked so close to the weekend.

As far as the race course is concerned, swim is in Weaver Lake. Should be wetsuit-legal (though it may be close to 78 with some of the higher temps this week; haven't seen anything RE current temps from RD yet) It will be a clockwise triangle swim this year to avoid returning directly into the sun. Minimal weeds coming out through a public beach, maybe 10-15 yard run into the water before you can get swimming. Water clarity is around 3-4 feet right now.

Bike is mostly on county roads with decent shoulders, but the roads will be open to the public. Police will control traffic at all turns and major intersections. Rolling hills and fairly exposed (South wind would be most helpful), though no major climbs (except maybe on the 111 route where it goes through Hansen, i haven't ridden it before, and only drove it once).

Run is 2 laps around the lake on blacktop trails and roads. One climb coming out of transition, then fairly flat until about Mile 2.5/5.5 with decent rolling hills to the start of the next lap or finish. Long steady climb again after short downhill to start the second lap

Roster and Wave start times have been posted! Looks like around 70 people in each wave That seems like a lot to me. Weather looks like it will be perfect (low 60s to start, high 76, partly cloudy, relatively light north wind to push us back in.) MeXMan, looks like they're starting the "geezers" last among the olympic racers at 8:03. Emily, i'm just the local yocal, and not creative enough to find good training routes on my own. 

I'm starting to get anxious/nervous....

I'm doing the sprint - Men 35-39.

Is the transition area really totally closed off after 7:00?

So, what exactly is the problem with being crawled over by a bunch of young men?   I haven't found start times/waves for the 111.  Ideas?

What did you have in mind, I'm planning on picking up my race packet Friday night so I am open to a possible get together.