Buffalo Springs or Boulder

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2012-10-08 4:10 PM

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Expert
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Oklahoma
Subject: Buffalo Springs or Boulder

I'm looking at nailing down my "A" race for next year which is going to be a 70.3.  Right now I'm looking at Buffalo Springs and Boulder but I'm open for suggestions.  I need the race to take place between July and 1st week of August and be within driving distance of southern Oklahoma.  The closer it falls to the 1st week of August the better.  The things Boulder has over Buffalo Springs is date of race and destination.  Although I'm very worried about racing at altitude.  I live at 1000ft and racing at 5000+ worries me that my race may really suffer.  Really the only positive I see for Buffalo Springs is that it is much closer to home so less windshield time which in turn saves money.  I've read numerous race reports on both races but would love to hear from people that have raced either of these races.

2012-10-19 8:40 PM
in reply to: #4445604

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Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs or Boulder
Haven't done Boulder, but watched Buffalo Springs in 2010, and raced it in 2011. How do you do with heat? Of the 100+ degrees and 1% shade on the bike/run courses variety? The high plains winds tend to be blowing also...

The weather would be the deciding factor for me if it's your A race.
2012-10-22 9:54 AM
in reply to: #4445604

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Veteran
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Colorful Colorado
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs or Boulder
I've raced both.  Both races can be hot and windy, although Buffalo Springs is definately hotter in general.  But you're from Oklahoma, so you're used to that .

On the bike course, the hills on the Buffalo Springs course are steeper -- on the Boulder bike course, they are more "false flats" than hills.  The Buffalo Springs run is hillier than Boulder with a few climbs coming out of the canyon where the lake is located.  I think the Boulder course is more scenic overall, and probably faster.

I live at altitude (just outside of Boulder), so can't speak to that -- if you decide to do Boulder, then you might get there a few days early to give your body a little time.  A significant amount of acclimitization occurs in the first 48 hours.

And of course, Boulder is a nice place to visit!

Good luck in whichever race you pick.
2012-10-22 10:55 AM
in reply to: #4445604

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Pro
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Houston
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs or Boulder

I live in Texas. My husband did Buffalo Springs this year and I just got back from a trip to Boulder at the Retul University.

Go to Boulder!

2012-10-23 3:22 PM
in reply to: #4445604

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Amarillo
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs or Boulder
I have done both and live in the Texas Panhandle. I have done Buffalo Springs twice and vow to never go there again.  Did Boulder last year and will go there every year as long as I can.  Great race, great venue.  Boulder is a wonderful town as opposed to Lubbock.  Altitude was not a factor.
2012-10-25 1:36 AM
in reply to: #4445604

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Expert
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Highlands Ranch, CO
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs or Boulder
Just an FYI.  There is talk of them making the Boulder two loop bike course into one loop which would probably change the profile of the course to some degree. Boulder is hot with no shade on the run but I can't compare it to Buffalo Springs.

Edited by Kath2163 2012-10-25 1:37 AM

2012-10-25 4:59 PM
in reply to: #4445604

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Buffalo Springs or Boulder

Um, Buffalo Springs Lake is usually the last week in JUNE...so, that doesn't match your timeframe.

I've done both races.  BSL is much hotter, but at lower elevation (3k to Boulder's 5.5k).  It's my favorite race.  Lubbock is probably cheaper than Boulder too (in fact, I know it is).  You really need to love hills and wind (both run and bike) to like Lubbock.  Boulder isn't nearly so hilly or windy.  Oh, and Boulder is smoother roads too.

I've posted all my RR's from both races on this site...2xBSL (I've done it 3 times but I wasn't on BT for the first one) and Boulder once.  Feel free to read those for info.

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