BT Forum

I'm in. Started training and using sprints as part of training. Will be my first half.

Good luck at Muncie.

There's already another thread going for this race:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=189090&posts=581&start=1

I'm in... been training for it since the finish line last year :P

4:30 or bust this year.

I ran 53/39 12-27 last year and felt it was about perfect (for me at least). A compact wouldn't have hurt my feelings either though. There are not a lot of steep climbs in Augusta, but there are a couple of long false flats that will get under your skin.

I was wondering the same thing.  I'm on a 53/39 with 11/23.  I've tried it on some local hills and it seems okay.  A steep climb might be difficult, so I'm glad you noted that there aren't many of them.  Sure wish I could get down there to check out the course before the race, but that is not in the cards.  I doubt I'm going to spend money on a new cassette, so I better make sure I'm strong enough for my gearing!

I would advise against the 53/39 11-23. I wouldn't feel comfortable going with that gearing combo and I consider cycling my strength.

You can check out the course on Youtube. A gentleman drives it and videotapes it (with commentary) that might be good to check out.

no way to tell from your logs... how strong of a biker are you and what kind of climbing are you used to?

I log all my stuff in a notebook and not good at uploading.  On relatively flats, I average about 20mph with HR around 150 ... riding a good clip but not pushing real hard, just keeping a cadence around 85-90.  Have not done much hill riding at all but will start incorporating now.

Just wasn't sure if getting a 12-27 cassette would make enough of a difference vs getting a compact. 

I stand corrected.  The cassette is actually an 11/26 (although it only has 23 teeth).  There are gaps where 3 of the teeth would be but the gaps allow for smoother shifting (SRAM Red).

So it is 53/39 11/26 w/ 650 wheels which might make a bit of difference too.

I will definitely check out the YouTube.  Thanks for the tip!

I'm in....This will be 2nd time at Augusta, and my 3rd HIM. Using this race as a tune-up before IMFL (November 3rd). 

Coming from Fl(at)orida, the hills were a bit of a nuisance, but definitely not a huge deal at all. I would say more than anything it was more a lack of oversight in training hills mainly due to the fact that I was unsure as to the best way to tackle the hills from an approaching standpoint (purely talking about gear/shifting), I never ran out of gear, but I definitely tired myself out rather quickly as I would coast into the bottom of a few of the climbs and get in my easiest gear...I ended up wearing myself out, but once I started hammering through the approach, and the beginning ascent THEN downshifting (once my cadence started to slow) it made the difference between being passed on climbs, to passing a ton of people on the climbs. I am not by any means a strong cyclist, so this is probably pretty atypical advice...

Other than that, get ready to use ice/sponges on the run. The two-loop course through downtown gets rather hot (at least it did last year) as the buildings block a lot of the air movement on the run course. 

Best part, if you are a weak swimmer, get a wetsuit and prepare to have a great swim. If you are a strong swimmer, prepare to pass A LOT of people (depending on which wave you are in). 

I just swapped out for a 12-27 and noticed a difference on the hills but my friend changed to a compact and wow what a difference.  Not sure how much he lost on the downhills but he was doing so much easier going uphill.  I think I will stay with the 12-27 and hope for the best ... if I'm wasted after the race then I might rethink it but getting stronger in the legs would be better too ...  2 weeks and counting. 

Thanks for the info