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2011-06-22 2:45 PM

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Subject: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Despite the discussion of the race in various threads, I thought I would start the official one...

I was thinking about what folks have said about this race having an easy bike. I couldn't figure out why the times were so slow, then, from last year. Then I realized it: the course is a bit long. When I look at the ones mapped on mapmyride and BT they come out at 26.11 and 26.35, respectively.  Kind of a bummer because I realize now I cannot compare my times to Liberty and I will likely be even further away from that sub-3...

Anyway, I am still excited about the race. I am going to ride the bike route on Saturday with my husband.


2011-06-22 7:23 PM
in reply to: #3562508

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Expert
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Dodge County, MN (out in the corn)
Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Still not registered, but probably will in the next day or so. Don't see any price change, but don't want it to sell out before I get around to signing up.
2011-06-22 8:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
I should sign up to soon, Knowing my luck it will sell out right before I get to it.
2011-06-22 8:31 PM
in reply to: #3562508

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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
BikerGrrrl - 2011-06-22 2:45 PMDespite the discussion of the race in various threads, I thought I would start the official one...

I was thinking about what folks have said about this race having an easy bike. I couldn't figure out why the times were so slow, then, from last year. Then I realized it: the course is a bit long. When I look at the ones mapped on mapmyride and BT they come out at 26.11 and 26.35, respectively.  Kind of a bummer because I realize now I cannot compare my times to Liberty and I will likely be even further away from that sub-3...

Anyway, I am still excited about the race. I am going to ride the bike route on Saturday with my husband.
I don't know how other runs besides the Buffalo route compare, but this one seems like it has a lot of hills in the neighborhood around the lake, especially on the back stretch (which you will run twice on the oly). Sadly, that may not help with breaking 3 either As I mentioned before, the bike seems pretty flat compared to Liberty, so that may help get you a minute or two back...
2011-06-22 10:35 PM
in reply to: #3562972

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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Ack!  Hilly run?  I am in trouble! 
2011-06-22 10:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Dg0113 - 2011-06-22 8:29 PM I should sign up to soon, Knowing my luck it will sell out right before I get to it.


DO IT


2011-06-22 10:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
rowdypaint - 2011-06-22 7:23 PM Still not registered, but probably will in the next day or so. Don't see any price change, but don't want it to sell out before I get around to signing up.


DO IT
2011-06-23 7:58 AM
in reply to: #3562508

Minneapolis, MN
Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
The bike route really is pretty flat but I think the results from last year are a little skewed because it was really windy.  Once you get out of the park the route is wide open so there was nothing to block the wind and that slowed everyone down.  Granted it was fun when the wind was at our backs but unfortunately there was much more time spent fighting it.  It really was a fun race I look forward to hopefully doing it again next year.
2011-06-23 12:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread

I'm signed up for the Oly. in this one. It will be my second Oly. Looking forward to the challenge. And thanks for the heads up on the hills for the run. I did not map out Buffalo and the hill right before the turn around surprised me. I will be more prepared for this one. I'm looking forward to it since it is on roads I drive quite often.

Anyone planning any group swims\rides\runs?

2011-06-23 2:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
I am hoping to hit the next hosted ride, I am keeping an eye on their facebook page.

2011-06-23 3:33 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
The 111 looks like a really cool race, I'm just having a tough time justifying $175 for a good hard bike/run brick.


2011-06-25 1:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Just got back from riding the course.  I agree, there are no challenges as far as hills.  HOWEVER, the wind is nasty!  Yikes. I enjoyed the sections of tailwind, though

I am having a hard time imagining a race going on at that relatively small park, though.  And the roads aren't very nice. I am just surprised they were able to add on the TriStar111...
2011-06-25 4:35 PM
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Maple Grove, MN
Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread

BikerGrrrl - 2011-06-25 1:42 PM 

I am having a hard time imagining a race going on at that relatively small park, though.  And the roads aren't very nice. I am just surprised they were able to add on the TriStar111...

The ENTIRE parking lot is used for transition and sponsors booths and so forth, and it is plenty big for that.  What it isn't big enough for is that AND parking any cars.  So they make anyone who drives there (I live a mile away so I bike) park at a nearby elementary school and walk over.    Spectators have to park even farther, and take a shuttle bus.   This sounds horrible, but from comments last year, it works.  

2011-06-25 6:05 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread

BikerGrrrl - 2011-06-25 1:42 PM
 And the roads aren't very nice. I am just surprised they were able to add on the TriStar111...

Just curious what your definition of nice roads are?

What were the major issues you see with the roads?

2011-06-26 12:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
TooTallRunner - 2011-06-25 6:05 PM

BikerGrrrl - 2011-06-25 1:42 PM
 And the roads aren't very nice. I am just surprised they were able to add on the TriStar111...

Just curious what your definition of nice roads are?

What were the major issues you see with the roads?

The shoulder on cty 30 going west on the Oly route is pretty beat up, and 117, 30 going back east and 101 don't really have shoulders (gravel just off the white stripe)
2011-06-26 7:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
The first stretch heading south from the park starts out great, but then the shoulder disappears.  That's the worst part.  After that, the shoulders (and the roads) are just pretty beat up and in need of fresh pavement.  There was a LOT of dodging road debris. I felt like I had to focus on the pavement the whole way to avoid a problem.  There are a lot of gravel from the driveways and roads, too.  Maybe they are swept prior to the race?  We also happened to hit the peak lawn mowing time of day, apparently, which is just chance.

I am mostly accustomed to shoulders that are free of debris, I guess. Not when I am riding around the city, but for country roads I felt they were a bit more challenging than what I am accustomed to.
 


2011-06-30 7:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
I'm signed up for the Oly... my first.  Looking forward to it!
2011-07-06 8:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Finally pulled the trigger and signed up for the 111. Better start getting some more bike mileage pretty soon.
2011-07-07 11:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
If I remember correctly, last year the roads were great. They may have swept right before the race. My husband and I both said that they were the best roads we biked on all year (maybe we always bike on crappy roads... I do spend a lot of time on the River Road!) It was a great, really well run race last year, and I'm looking forward to it again this year!
2011-07-07 6:02 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread

Jelly21 - 2011-07-07 11:17 AM If I remember correctly, last year the roads were great. They may have swept right before the race. My husband and I both said that they were the best roads we biked on all year (maybe we always bike on crappy roads... I do spend a lot of time on the River Road!) It was a great, really well run race last year, and I'm looking forward to it again this year!

the last 1/2 mile on lawndale before you get to cty 47 (the part Bikrrrgirl noted the nice shoulder just ends) is in really rough shape this year compared to last. Last year they had just laid fresh blacktop on that stretch. In the spring it got destroyed by big trucks working on a new residential development to the east of the road. They just overlaid asphalt without really fixing anything, and it's pretty rough over that stretch. Also, the shoulder on Cty 30 going west on the Oly route is pretty rough.

2011-07-20 9:11 AM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Has anyone been riding the practice rides with Maple Grove Cycle?  How have they been and what kind of speeds are they pacing at?


2011-07-20 11:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread

A friend and I went with them last week. They are very nice and competitive people. Some of them do TNT. They ride moderate to fast pace with avg 20mph for over 50 miles. Their routes are usually over 50 miles. There's no-drop rule to a certain point. They will wait for you to catch up at the next stop or rest area. However they may not wait too long for you. It's a good workout.

grbac6800 - 2011-07-20 9:11 AM Has anyone been riding the practice rides with Maple Grove Cycle?  How have they been and what kind of speeds are they pacing at?

2011-07-20 11:56 AM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Good to know, thanks!  20 mph would be way too fast for me.  I am glad I saw the route once on my own already. 

Me_Xman - 2011-07-20 11:17 AM

A friend and I went with them last week. They are very nice and competitive people. Some of them do TNT. They ride moderate to fast pace with avg 20mph for over 50 miles. Their routes are usually over 50 miles. There's no-drop rule to a certain point. They will wait for you to catch up at the next stop or rest area. However they may not wait too long for you. It's a good workout.

grbac6800 - 2011-07-20 9:11 AM Has anyone been riding the practice rides with Maple Grove Cycle?  How have they been and what kind of speeds are they pacing at?

2011-07-22 12:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
Thanks for the input. 
2011-07-27 10:47 AM
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Subject: RE: Dare To Tri Maple Grove Triathlon : Official Thread
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