But that was a prime location to collect water bottles and various bike parts that flew off!

I just booked my hotel room in Anderson but they won't give me a checkout later than noon. Does anyone know if there are showers available to use at the race site? It seems like I read somewhere that they were. Worst case scenario I guess I can just jump in the reservoir, but I'd prefer to shower before driving 3-4 hours, if only for my wife's sanity and sense of smell!

fYes- we have a new bath house at the Reservoir with showers. Was a new addition last year. If its hot (which it more than likely will be), we will setup the "cooling showers" if you will and have the usual misting spots on the course. The park has done an amazing job over the last couple years making improvements and getting that park in great shape. See you in a few months. Brian - RD

Quick update on the number one question these days... water temp! It's warm, upper 70's, and we don't expect that to change with the warm days and high humidity ahead. So what does that mean? That means you should bring a wetsuit if you want to wear one, but also be prepared to swim without one. In the last 20 years, with two exceptions, the water temp has been within a degree or so of 77 degrees. The official water temp will be taken race morning, as always. We will post on here and in transition when we know (should be around 5am). The temp of the Reservoir can and has changed quickly. If the winds pick up, it essentially "turns over" and can drop 4 degrees overnight, so anything is possible. We will not be updating water temp again until the race briefings unless something drastic changes. If we have a "wetsuit optional" swim (water temp between 76.2 and 83.8), and you choose to wear a wetsuit, you will start in a separate wave, after the last wave, not in your age group wave.