Nice. Yep what we had yesterday was a shampoo, blow dry then 42k.

What is wrong with the current course?

Ok yesterday there was no wind and they got fast times. Doesn't mean a change needs to be made.

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2017 Cervelo P2
2017 Cervelo S2
itraininla.com
#itraininla

the current course is not a worthy test for the incredible pro athletes that do the race. A more challenging bike course would add to the challenge IMO

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

The current bike course is challenging. Especially with tough conditions most years. Yesterday was certainly an anomaly. Most folks hate to swim. Everyone loves to bike. Bikes are sexy. I get it. But it doesn’t always have to be about the bike.

The Hawaii Ironman course is fairly easy as far as bike courses go... there are many others on the circuit that are more challenging.

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

What was up with the part of the bike course that had bikes coming across the intersection that runners were crossing? Is that new?

nope... same every year

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

It might have been “fairly easy” yesterday but bike times from the previous 39 years would state otherwise. Most would agree that it’s course + conditions that make the ride there most years anything but “fairly easy”.

I'm against holding the WC elsewhere than Hawaii, since Hawaii and Kona are legends.
But a change in the course would be acceptable.

The course which ericMPro suggests would probably be a huge improvement because it would involve climbing in the beginning. And I mean especially for the AGs, avoiding the groupriding which is seen to date.

I also notice that people call for more challenging bike courses, but why not also more challenging run courses? I'm thinking one like Big Sur (it's a net loss in elevation, but those climbs in between are rough).

Ok, I am not a Pro (I assume you are based on your signature line)
I am a Middle of the Pack Triathlete Sprint to 70.3 triathlete on my BEST old ass day.
Ironman distance I am a tourist at best.
I have completed 3 Ironman Races CDA 2007 2008 and Tahoe 2013.
I have done Honu on the top half of the IM Hawaii course 4x.

Now with that being said:
If they get an easy day, Yeah I can see where you MIGHT say that is an "Easier" bike course.
However on most years, you have Gusting Winds for most of the trip up to and back on the road to Hawi.
Most years, THERE IS NOTHING GOOD that happens on the return trip on the QUEEN K, hot and headwinds and crosswinds.
Especially from the Mauni Lani to the Airport.
That is not to mention the heat.
If you add Waima, you will add climbing ok, but what about the heat it is pretty cool from Waimea to Hawi.

The athletes and equipment are a bit faster, but that does not mean the course any less of a factor. Everybody has to play in the same conditions.

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2017 Cervelo P2
2017 Cervelo S2
itraininla.com
#itraininla

Let me know when Ironman cares. I'll be waiting.

The REAL solution here is to restrict the race to ~1000 athletes. That's the one that will actually work.

A good, tough course for sure, but logistically untenable for the island. You can't close the upper road and the Queen K at the same time - the upper road is how people get around on the island on Ironman day. Similarly, you wouldn't get any support for cutting off Waimea - the section of 19 between the upper road and the mountain road to Hawi is the only option for cars. It works for Ultraman because the road isn't closed and there are only 40 athletes, who are way spread out by that point.

Ian

I'm talking about the pro race. The amateurs can keep doing the Queek K.

Obviously this is totally hypothetical... as if anyone cares or as if it's feasible or acceptable to the residents of Kona.

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

That's even more delusional. Also, you think the guy that went 8:24 in the AG race is gonna want to do this so-called "age group" course? Please.

so is limiting the race to 1000 paying customers...

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Eric Reid AeroFit | Instagram Portfolio
Aerodynamic Retul Bike Fitting

“You are experiencing the criminal coverup of a foreign backed fascist hostile takeover of a mafia shakedown of an authoritarian religious slow motion coup. Persuade people to vote for Democracy.”

Exactly.

You don't think they could raise the price by 150% to maintain revenues and still sell out? I'll take that bet.

But it would make the race far less interesting for the island, with fewer tourist dollars...

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the bike course is variable from years to years. This was a once in 40 year special condition.

but nothing wrong with the current course, will most likely be a much slower day next year.

but the kona course as nothing of easy in most years. it s one of the very hard course because of it s condition.

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Jonathan Caron / Professional Coach / ironman champions / age group world champions
Jonnyo Coaching
Instargram

But the swim doesn't win races. Bike and run have enough distance to make up time.

= = =

No way would this be acceptable to the residents of the Big Island. Probably not acceptable to the public safety folks either. If you wanted to add climbing, it would be easier to extend the course at Hawi to go uphill there. Far fewer residents would be affected. And you would postpone the X-factor about climbing legs until later in the race.

Dude, I drove out on course with my friends at Cervelo on race day using the belt loop and we said this EXACT thing.

I saw something similar happen in NASCAR this year: the Charlotte fall race a couple weeks ago debuted the "roval" course; a mix of half oval, half road course. It was an absolute hit.

Ironman will never (nor should they) move the race; there's too much history. But changing the course,—if even for a year—would be legendary. Totally different approach, different climate (was clear and cool up there this year before we dropped down at. still the same island. Safe enough for the athletes, but would have to curtail media access due to tighter road sections. Would absolutely reward more well-rounded cyclists (those that can climb and technically descend).

I say bring it.

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Jay Prasuhn
Marketing Specialist, American Bicycle Group (Quintana Roo//Litespeed//Obed)
twitter.com/jayprasuhn

I get 114 miles using RWPGS mapping. Not sure if one could cut a corner somewhere.
Over 7000ft of climbing. That would certainly break up the drafting but oh the DNS rate. LOL.
If they changed the course to this, I would try to qualify!!