The published course profile states the elevation gain as 8500 ft. Over the past 2 days I have ridden 4 complete course loops, 1 on Thursday and 3 on Friday. The mileage of each loop has been just slightly under 35, so about 105 miles for the 3. This would make the course right at 112 miles, as the loops begin and end at Rainbow Park (T1), which is about 7 miles from T2 (105 + 7 = 112).
The surprise has been the elevation gain, which my Garmin has consistently measured at about 1690 ft per loop. Allowing for the about 300 ft for the last 7 miles, it would indicate a total of about 5400 ft, far short of the published 8500. FYI- my Garmin data had the prior course at 7500, very close to the published figure.
Regardless of the actual elevation gain, this is a HARD, course, and will be much more difficult to hold a steady effort (wattage) than the prior course IMO.
Does anybody else have data on the actual course?
The surprise has been the elevation gain, which my Garmin has consistently measured at about 1690 ft per loop. Allowing for the about 300 ft for the last 7 miles, it would indicate a total of about 5400 ft, far short of the published 8500. FYI- my Garmin data had the prior course at 7500, very close to the published figure.
Regardless of the actual elevation gain, this is a HARD, course, and will be much more difficult to hold a steady effort (wattage) than the prior course IMO.
Does anybody else have data on the actual course?