No one said it’s not serious, but suggesting they would move the race and other stuff is ridiculous. Meanwhile the turn off date - which applied to Cape Town - was extended to mid May and they have had rain. I will be conscious of my water usage while there, but I am not expecting water rationing on the course on race day.
Gotcha 
Yeah I don’t think the race will be affected.
http://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2018/01/19/ironman-route-changed-ensure-cyclists-safety/
The planned cycling route for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship has been altered to provide a safer course for the thousands of international triathletes expected in Port Elizabeth in September.
“Instead of going out to Kings Beach, Marine Drive to Schoenmakerskop and onto the Seaview Road, will go along the beachfront and up Walmer Boulevard and Heugh Road, through Mount Pleasant to Seaview and then turn around,†he said.
.
http://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2018/01/19/ironman-route-changed-ensure-cyclists-safety/
The planned cycling route for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship has been altered to provide a safer course for the thousands of international triathletes expected in Port Elizabeth in September.
“Instead of going out to Kings Beach, Marine Drive to Schoenmakerskop and onto the Seaview Road, will go along the beachfront and up Walmer Boulevard and Heugh Road, through Mount Pleasant to Seaview and then turn around,†he said.
Cool thanks.
Does anyone know if they have upgraded the road surface on the bike route? (Heard some rumours that they planned to do it)
I’m racing the full distance there in April and a new road surface would be nice.
Hi guys,
A bit of unsolicited advice here, from someone who lived in South Africa for 19 years… they don’t call Port Elizabeth ‘The Windy City’ for nothing. It is a regular venue for windsurfing events because it can really blow there!
I’d suggest you if you were planning on solely using a rear disc, don’t… take an alternative as well.
Good luck!
Does anyone know if they have upgraded the road surface on the bike route? (Heard some rumours that they planned to do it)
I’m racing the full distance there in April and a new road surface would be nice.
Hey Stormo,
Without wanting to stray into the arena of political discourse, I think that the likelihood of the road being resurfaced to be EXTREMELY low.
Unlike football (i.e. soccer), for example, which is the national sport of the nation and where no expense was spared in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Cape Town, triathlon is a lot lower down the list of priorities in the eyes of the general public. Hence, although you’ll no doubt be met by a wonderful reception and uber-friendly hospitality throughout the course of your stay, in a country where the majority of the population live on the bread line (or below it), there’s not much appetite for spending government funds on a nice new road for cycling tourists, when local schools and hospitals are crying out for improvements to their infrastructure.
I think, if you’re lucky, they’ll fill in a few potholes…
ER
Asking for a friend headed to 2018 Worlds 70.3 in SA…He’d like to rent bike there rather than travel with but is having hard time getting response from any local bike shops in PE area. Anyone have info on rentals there? He’d prefer TT but ok if the only option is road. Thanks!
Free chainsaw with every rental.
Asking for a friend headed to 2018 Worlds 70.3 in SA…He’d like to rent bike there rather than travel with but is having hard time getting response from any local bike shops in PE area. Anyone have info on rentals there? He’d prefer TT but ok if the only option is road. Thanks!
I have no knowledge of any rentals. He would be competing with dozens of others who harbor the same hope in an area with no demand for such bikes outside of a couple of events.
How windy are we talking for this course? Any issues with a jet9 front?
Port Elizabeth is known as the windy city so you never know. For IMSA last year, I subbed out my 80mm front wheel for a 45mm but it turns out I could have easily ridden the deep front. Based on only 1 week of experience there I would have called it the breezy city…and since they adjusted the first part of the course to go through town instead of along the coast, I would think that wind shouldn’t be a problem. But who knows what it will be this Sep 1-2?
Thank you, that helps. I had a few pucker moments in Lubbock that have me second guessing, though that was steady 27 gusting 40
Does anybody have an idea how strict they’ll be with regards to the swim wave seeding according to my AG? I just moved from 40-44 to 45-49 and while the former starts at 7:38, the later is supposed to start at 9:28, so much later and potentially a lot more wind on the course. Hypothetically: Would I get DQF if I just mix into the young 40-44 crowd?
In addition: Does anybody know when T1 will close for the bike setup? Will I essentially have to get my bike ready at 6am and then hang around for three hours before I am allowed into the water?
Does anybody have an idea how strict they’ll be with regards to the swim wave seeding according to my AG? I just moved from 40-44 to 45-49 and while the former starts at 7:38, the later is supposed to start at 9:28, so much later and potentially a lot more wind on the course. Hypothetically: Would I get DQF if I just mix into the young 40-44 crowd?
In addition: Does anybody know when T1 will close for the bike setup? Will I essentially have to get my bike ready at 6am and then hang around for three hours before I am allowed into the water?
Yes. You will be DQ’d if you start in the wrong wave.
T1 will close shortly before the pro’s start. So yes you will be waiting around.
Does anybody have an idea how strict they’ll be with regards to the swim wave seeding according to my AG? I just moved from 40-44 to 45-49 and while the former starts at 7:38, the later is supposed to start at 9:28, so much later and potentially a lot more wind on the course. Hypothetically: Would I get DQF if I just mix into the young 40-44 crowd?
In addition: Does anybody know when T1 will close for the bike setup? Will I essentially have to get my bike ready at 6am and then hang around for three hours before I am allowed into the water?
No worries.
If I were you, I’d sneak into the Pro wave. Less windy AND cooler temps.
If I were you, I’d sneak into the Pro wave. Less windy AND cooler temps.
And drafting off Frodeno is probably super efficient - do they sell e-wetsuits? I mean, there are e-bikes, right? There’s gotta be e-wetsuits!
Does anybody have an idea how strict they’ll be with regards to the swim wave seeding according to my AG? I just moved from 40-44 to 45-49 and while the former starts at 7:38, the later is supposed to start at 9:28, so much later and potentially a lot more wind on the course. Hypothetically: Would I get DQF if I just mix into the young 40-44 crowd?
In addition: Does anybody know when T1 will close for the bike setup? Will I essentially have to get my bike ready at 6am and then hang around for three hours before I am allowed into the water?
No worries.
If I were you, I’d sneak into the Pro wave. Less windy AND cooler temps.
this forum never disappoints
Does anybody have an idea how strict they’ll be with regards to the swim wave seeding according to my AG? I just moved from 40-44 to 45-49 and while the former starts at 7:38, the later is supposed to start at 9:28, so much later and potentially a lot more wind on the course. Hypothetically: Would I get DQF if I just mix into the young 40-44 crowd?
In addition: Does anybody know when T1 will close for the bike setup? Will I essentially have to get my bike ready at 6am and then hang around for three hours before I am allowed into the water?
Sure what the Freak just swim when you want to buddy
Make up your own rules as you go along
Motors are allowed on the bike and if you like yiu can get a lift from a taxi on the run
It’s almost as if he had never done a 70.3 before! And he posted the same question on the South Africa 70.3 WC facebook page.