I've ridden the old Pineman course (Deer Creek) numerous times, and finished Ironman Canada last month. I've signed up for Ironman Wisconsin next year, and I'd like to get some comparisons from anyone who's done both Wisconsin and either Deer Creek Pineman or Canada.
My assessments of Canada and Deer Creek:
Canada - the toughest climbs I've ever ridden (Richter and Yellow Lake) - but also long stretches of flats and rollers for recovery, and a long screaming descent down the back of Yellow Lake (44 mph for 3 miles - woo-hoo!)
Finished in 7:33. (overall finish 16:48)
Deer Creek Pineman course - no individual hills to match Canada's largest, but no long recoveries either. I've heard it described as "relentlessly hilly". I always wondered how the course map could show 9 "significant uphills" and only 2 "wicked downhills" but that seems about right. Plus - multiply that by two for the full distance. I know I had race day adrenaline going in Canada, but the Deer Creek course beats me up worse every time.
So - how does Wisconsin compare to either or both of those? Judging by the course map and profile, it looks like there are no large hills as in Canada, but the frequency of hills might be more like Deer Creek. How does the severity of hills compare? Also - it looks like cornering skill would be a much larger factor at Wisconsin - would that be an accurate assessment?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Bob Leckron
Indianapolis, IN
My assessments of Canada and Deer Creek:
Canada - the toughest climbs I've ever ridden (Richter and Yellow Lake) - but also long stretches of flats and rollers for recovery, and a long screaming descent down the back of Yellow Lake (44 mph for 3 miles - woo-hoo!)
Finished in 7:33. (overall finish 16:48)
Deer Creek Pineman course - no individual hills to match Canada's largest, but no long recoveries either. I've heard it described as "relentlessly hilly". I always wondered how the course map could show 9 "significant uphills" and only 2 "wicked downhills" but that seems about right. Plus - multiply that by two for the full distance. I know I had race day adrenaline going in Canada, but the Deer Creek course beats me up worse every time.
So - how does Wisconsin compare to either or both of those? Judging by the course map and profile, it looks like there are no large hills as in Canada, but the frequency of hills might be more like Deer Creek. How does the severity of hills compare? Also - it looks like cornering skill would be a much larger factor at Wisconsin - would that be an accurate assessment?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Bob Leckron
Indianapolis, IN