From my files ... this should support KP's samrt strategy:
Swim Course:
The swim of course takes place in the Russian River. The river is relatively shallow, has very little to no current, and you can stand up in many places. Because you can stand up in many places it is very safe, especially if you have any technical problems. Other details:
-The course is an out (upriver) and back (downriver) run in a counter clockwise direction keeping the buoys on your left.
-Sighting is easy because there are a number of large orange buoys and the large green redwoods that surround the river provide a great back drop.
-Water temperature could be anywhere between 72-80 degrees based on race week weather. We have only had year that wetsuits were not age group legal.
-Overall the swim course is easy to navigate and very safe.
Bike Course: (1700 vertical feet of climbing)
-Miles 1 thru 5 is perfectly flat NOTE: there is a sharp right hand turn just past mile 5 on to Sunset Rd.
-Miles 5 thru 27 contains a mix of flat to rolling terrain
-At mile 27 you will have a gradual 1 mile climb up Canyon Rd.
-Mile 28 thru 40 is mostly flat, overall downhill w/a couple small rollers near mile 39.
-Mile 40 begins Chalk Hill Rd. where you find some rolling terrain followed by three quarters of a mile up a 400 foot climb. This does have a couple steeper spots but is not very long.
-Mile 45 to the transition area is virtually downhill and flat with a couple of very small hills to go over.
I like to describe the bike course as slightly challenging but fair. Your key is to be patient until you get to the top of Canyon Rd. at about the half way point. If you have a little bit extra in the tank at this point you should be able to get it moving pretty good the rest of the way.
Run Course: (700 feet of climbing)
-Miles 1-2 are virtually flat
-Miles 3-6 are a mix of flats containing a couple short hills and rollers. NOTE: just shy of mile 4 is the toughest hill on the course.
-Mile 6-7 is a flat loop around the La Crema Vineyard on a dirt road.
-Mile 7-13 is just the reverse of the outward bound 6 miles. Except this time you get to go down the big hill!
-The last 2 miles are flat all the way to the finish!
-------------------------
Dave Latourette
http://www.TTENation.com
Swim Course:
The swim of course takes place in the Russian River. The river is relatively shallow, has very little to no current, and you can stand up in many places. Because you can stand up in many places it is very safe, especially if you have any technical problems. Other details:
-The course is an out (upriver) and back (downriver) run in a counter clockwise direction keeping the buoys on your left.
-Sighting is easy because there are a number of large orange buoys and the large green redwoods that surround the river provide a great back drop.
-Water temperature could be anywhere between 72-80 degrees based on race week weather. We have only had year that wetsuits were not age group legal.
-Overall the swim course is easy to navigate and very safe.
Bike Course: (1700 vertical feet of climbing)
-Miles 1 thru 5 is perfectly flat NOTE: there is a sharp right hand turn just past mile 5 on to Sunset Rd.
-Miles 5 thru 27 contains a mix of flat to rolling terrain
-At mile 27 you will have a gradual 1 mile climb up Canyon Rd.
-Mile 28 thru 40 is mostly flat, overall downhill w/a couple small rollers near mile 39.
-Mile 40 begins Chalk Hill Rd. where you find some rolling terrain followed by three quarters of a mile up a 400 foot climb. This does have a couple steeper spots but is not very long.
-Mile 45 to the transition area is virtually downhill and flat with a couple of very small hills to go over.
I like to describe the bike course as slightly challenging but fair. Your key is to be patient until you get to the top of Canyon Rd. at about the half way point. If you have a little bit extra in the tank at this point you should be able to get it moving pretty good the rest of the way.
Run Course: (700 feet of climbing)
-Miles 1-2 are virtually flat
-Miles 3-6 are a mix of flats containing a couple short hills and rollers. NOTE: just shy of mile 4 is the toughest hill on the course.
-Mile 6-7 is a flat loop around the La Crema Vineyard on a dirt road.
-Mile 7-13 is just the reverse of the outward bound 6 miles. Except this time you get to go down the big hill!
-The last 2 miles are flat all the way to the finish!
-------------------------
Dave Latourette
http://www.TTENation.com