Hi guys,
Any insider tips on the course? I’ve heard prior years have been non-wetsuit because the lake gets pretyy hot this time of year?
Anything to look out for on bike course? Whats the surface like?
Hi guys,
Any insider tips on the course? I’ve heard prior years have been non-wetsuit because the lake gets pretyy hot this time of year?
Anything to look out for on bike course? Whats the surface like?
Hey mate, you’re probably better off asking in the Transitions forum - it’s Australian, quite a few peeps doing this race that can advise you. And yeah pretty sure it’s non-wetsuit this year, temps already up.
Thanks zedzded
.
The swim has previously been non-wetsuit every year. It is in the regatta centre so you can follow the bouys the entire time. Deep fresh water wave start based on AG.
The bike is relatively flat and fast. The surface (IMHO) is mostly good and fast rolling. Low winds historically. Temps have increased a lot through the day in the previous events - allow for this in your ride and bike setup.
The run is new this year, but the run will more than likely be pretty flat also - everything is flat out there.
The key to Western Sydney is knowing that the day will probably heat up a lot. It has always been a really hot race and you will need to have every management strategy in place - ice is on the run course and they do set up showers to run through. You might ride out and the temps are reasonable, but by the time you’re on the run or finishing the run it will be a stinker and you need to allow for this.
Its an event that seems to polarise people, some hate it, I’ve always loved it.
Thanks, some great info!
Been training in NZ so the heat will be a challenge on the run. Good to hear there’s ice at the aid stations!
Thanks, some great info!
Been training in NZ so the heat will be a challenge on the run. Good to hear there’s ice at the aid stations!
yes re ice.
Course is
flat swim, most likely wet suit free.
flattish bike, decent roads, getting warm
flat run, some say boring, but hey, not all bad as it’s totally within the regatta centre and visible for spectators, plus they have ice at aid station, because by now it’ll be HOT.
apply sunscreen first thing n the morning, then reapply just before the race,
enjoy.
flat swim, most likely wet suit free.
flattish bike, decent roads, getting warm
flat run, some say boring, but hey, not all bad as it’s totally within the regatta centre and visible for spectators, plus they have ice at aid station, because by now it’ll be HOT.
Run course has changed this year, half of it is out on Old Castleraegh rd and then through the industrial area to the river walk and then 2 laps in the Regatta centre. Will do well to break it up a bit.
Expect it to be hot and don’t be too surprised if the wind picks up late on the bike. It’s been pretty breezy here the past few weeks. Nepean Triathlon a couple of weeks ago was brutal on the bike.
Bike is flat, there is a little lump that you probably won’t notice the first lap but stings the legs a bit on the second lap. There are a couple very tight u turns on the course so if a marshal tells you to slow down, listen.
Hot. It was mid 40s the first year and mid thirties the second year. This is made worse by the Regatta centre having no where to hide and the sun reflecting off all the rock banks and concrete makes it feel hotter.
I haven’t raced western Sydney, but just be prepared for the heat, Penrith has a bad urban heat island effect and the UV is extreme. Generally it will never be bitterly cold, if it’s cool I’d take that as a win.
As for the course, from what I’ve heard from mates the bike is fast, even a slow mate of mine averaged 31kph on the bike.
Bring a hat. 36 degrees today, 38 tomorrow. That’s just over 100 degrees fahrenheit for the Americans in the room.
Having said that the temp in the lake is currently 23.5 degrees so there is a small chance of a wetsuit swim. I’m hoping for a non wetsuit swim so I’ll be peeing in the lake twice a day in an effort to bring the temp up one degree.
Haha! Thanks for the tip.
I need all the help I can get on the swim, I might chuck a couple of bags of ice in there Sat evening.