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Post deleted by waterdog
Re: 1/2 Ironman Decision Part II - Monaco 70.3 [waterdog]
[ In reply to ]
If you are a weak climber i wouldnt do it. I did it last year, I am a weak climber, nad it was a HUGE waste. the entre bike is 3 long long long hills. The only people who are compettive on that course are euro-roadies who climb really well. Its a kind of demoralizing race- run course is slow too.
i think in the hills per mile metric it might be the hilliest course i have ever heard of. Not steep, but ENDLESS
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Proud member of the Guru Cartel, EH!
i think in the hills per mile metric it might be the hilliest course i have ever heard of. Not steep, but ENDLESS
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Proud member of the Guru Cartel, EH!
Re: 1/2 Ironman Decision Part II - Monaco 70.3 [waterdog]
[ In reply to ]
i did Monaco last year and it was an amazing experience. Triangle does a great job in organizing the event, maybe except for the queueing at the bike check-in and the finisher party, which is located a bit offside since there really is no room for nothing in the tiny town of Monaco.
the race itself is more like an xterra race, with a long bike portion consisting of three main climbs (the first one starting just as your leaving T1) and "technical" descents (meaning you should know how to corner and brake, especially if it's humid and therefor very slippery). The run course on most parts of the F1 race course is as gorgeous as it is tough and you will think of my words when you're suffering on the way up to the casino, while the F1 cars clear that passage within seconds.
All in all it was a great race and a superb weekend in Monaco, combined with a trip to Nice. If you've ever wanted to know what the world looked like if anyone could afford Lambos, Ferraris and Bentleys, go there. If you go there to qualify for Kona or Clearwater kepp in mind that the course favors a totally different type of rider than the one which will win Kona.
Only real downside are the costs: race entry fee EUR 330,-! A small cup of ice cream EUR 12,- *ouch* A double room in the smallest, dirtiest, most F.U. hotel (no kidding, the double room had the size of my bath room, no air conditioning, lots of traffic noise and it looked as if it were for rent by hour...) in the neighbor town of Menton EUR 55,-/person & night (sans breakfast etc.)
:::: Rocco's Studio 69 ::::
the race itself is more like an xterra race, with a long bike portion consisting of three main climbs (the first one starting just as your leaving T1) and "technical" descents (meaning you should know how to corner and brake, especially if it's humid and therefor very slippery). The run course on most parts of the F1 race course is as gorgeous as it is tough and you will think of my words when you're suffering on the way up to the casino, while the F1 cars clear that passage within seconds.
All in all it was a great race and a superb weekend in Monaco, combined with a trip to Nice. If you've ever wanted to know what the world looked like if anyone could afford Lambos, Ferraris and Bentleys, go there. If you go there to qualify for Kona or Clearwater kepp in mind that the course favors a totally different type of rider than the one which will win Kona.
Only real downside are the costs: race entry fee EUR 330,-! A small cup of ice cream EUR 12,- *ouch* A double room in the smallest, dirtiest, most F.U. hotel (no kidding, the double room had the size of my bath room, no air conditioning, lots of traffic noise and it looked as if it were for rent by hour...) in the neighbor town of Menton EUR 55,-/person & night (sans breakfast etc.)
:::: Rocco's Studio 69 ::::
Re: 1/2 Ironman Decision Part II - Monaco 70.3 [waterdog]
[ In reply to ]
Instead of Monaco have you considered Gerardmer on 5th September -it has a great pedigree and costs alot less than Monaco check it out on http://triathlondegerardmer.free.fr/.../eng/accueil2_xl.php.
They have changed it this year from 3/4 distance to 1/2.
probably 4 hours from Lyon.
jonesey
They have changed it this year from 3/4 distance to 1/2.
probably 4 hours from Lyon.
jonesey
I did Monaco a couple of years back. It's an amazing location to race in and I really enjoyed the experience. I'd love to do it again some day, but before I do I would want to seriously work on my descending.
As others have mentioned your ability to climb and descend will decide how the race goes for you. There's 3 steep climbs, they're pretty long too and each has a technical descent. My experience was whilst I held my own on the climbs I would lose any places I'd gained on the descents. It wasn't helped having crashed a few weeks before and being a bit nervous from that too.
It should also be mentioned there's a nasty little climb on the run too and with 4 laps you get to experience it often enough. It comes right at the end of the loop too so it's just before the finish line. I remember my quads almost cramping the first time up it and wondering how I'd manage 3 more times!
Still it's a great race and if your priority isn't placing well then the climbing/descending may be less of a concern.
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As others have mentioned your ability to climb and descend will decide how the race goes for you. There's 3 steep climbs, they're pretty long too and each has a technical descent. My experience was whilst I held my own on the climbs I would lose any places I'd gained on the descents. It wasn't helped having crashed a few weeks before and being a bit nervous from that too.
It should also be mentioned there's a nasty little climb on the run too and with 4 laps you get to experience it often enough. It comes right at the end of the loop too so it's just before the finish line. I remember my quads almost cramping the first time up it and wondering how I'd manage 3 more times!
Still it's a great race and if your priority isn't placing well then the climbing/descending may be less of a concern.
--
Blog - Twitter - Coaching - Training Camps