Anyone know the wave order for this weekend’s tri? I assume the following:
Pro
Elite
Sprint - by age group
OLY - by age group
When do clydesdale and athena go? Any other detail?
Thanks!
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The sprint age groups have been first for at least the last 5 years (that’s one of the reasons for doing the sprint) but I read that the people doing the new “triple” will go off first this year. The last couple of years the pros have gone last.
Pro’s go last? How do they not get stuck in the clusterf*ck of the bike turnarounds??
Here’s the real reason for asking - This is my first year of tri’s. I’ve done 2 other OLY’s this summer, finishing my first in 2:17 and my second in 2:10. I’m fairly confident that if I can get any open space (ie. not clogged like I’m concerned about) - I can go much closer to 2:05 - SO… I’m racing AG 30-34 - and VERY, VERY concerned that I’m gonna get squeezed because of this -
Any thoughts? Anyone else in this situation in the past? Am I DOA (dead on arrival)???
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I did the Oly in 2005. My AG wave M30-34, went off pretty early (like 7 or 7:30) right after the Paralympic qualifying and the Elite wave. We had the road more or less to ourselves on the first loop, then ran into a wall of sprinters on the second. My wife also did the Oly that year and her wave was very late. I remember having time after I finished to eat, walk back to the hotel, shower, dress, pack, and walk back to see her finish with plenty of time to spare.
Since I only do the sprint and 50+ is usually in the first couple of waves (I think they are worried about us old farts dying on the run because of the heat), I don’t know how bad the bike turnarounds are in the OLY. One problem with having a good finishing time at Accenture is the swim to bike transition is at least a 1/4 mile barefoot run on the sidewalk and the transition area is about 150 yards long.
I did the Oly in 2005. My AG wave M30-34, went off pretty early (like 7 or 7:30) right after the Paralympic qualifying and the Elite wave. We had the road more or less to ourselves on the first loop, then ran into a wall of sprinters on the second. My wife also did the Oly that year and her wave was very late. I remember having time after I finished to eat, walk back to the hotel, shower, dress, pack, and walk back to see her finish with plenty of time to spare.
That’s helpful - exactly what do you mean by “a wall of sprinters” - like, were you STOPPED?? That’s what I’m picturing!!
They go last arounfd noon so the bike course is already clean maybe one or two backof the packers but usually free. Run can be loaded with “walkers” so if you are one of them at the back of the pack watch out the lead bikes on the run course opening the way for the pros. oh and the media motorcycles too.
2:10? Don’t worry, if the crowd doesn’t take care of it the potholes on lakesdhoredrive will 
your only concern should be swim, other than that if you can’t ride in the crowd maybe look somewhere else to qualify for Elite wave and come back next near?
Since the sprints went before the Olys in 2005, I think you ran into the subsequent waves of Olys on the 2nd bike loop.
Pros start very late in the day…usually around 11:00 or noon. The course is clear by that time. I believe there is something like a 2 hour gap between the final AG wave and the pro wave.
Chicago is a little tough for a PR:
-500 meter run from swim exit to T1…2 minutes extra
-Transition areas are HUGE (except for pro transition). Expect top AGers to spend at least a total of 2.5 minutes in transition (combined T1/T2).
-Bike is actually closer to 41k…90 seconds extra.
All in all, Chicago is about 4-6 minutes slower than other flat/fast courses.
No, not stopped. Just had to do a lot more passing. Chicago was one of the few races I’ve done where they actually emphasize riding rules in the pre-race course talks. Probably because they’re opposite from every other U.S. race (ride left, pass right). It helps to a certain extent, but be prepared to spend a lot of time passing a lot of people if you’re going to go fast.
They go last arounfd noon so the bike course is already clean maybe one or two backof the packers but usually free. Run can be loaded with “walkers” so if you are one of them at the back of the pack watch out the lead bikes on the run course opening the way for the pros. oh and the media motorcycles too.
2:10? Don’t worry, if the crowd doesn’t take care of it the potholes on lakesdhoredrive will your only concern should be swim, other than that if you can’t ride in the crowd maybe look somewhere else to qualify for Elite wave and come back next near?
Yeah - I’m told not to expect this to be a PR race - which is frustrating - but I guess I should have expected it. So the potholes are really bad? The swim will be fine (I have a thorough swimming background) and I’ll be sure to get to the front of the wave - so I’ll plan to get through the swim and on the bike then hit the crowds -
I’m looking through the 2006 results - looks like many in the 30-34 AG aveeraged over 23mph - so it MUST not be that bad - right???
The run is no biggie, either - I do that same/similar run everyday training.
Thanks, Black - appreciate the feedback
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I did it a few years ago and the cyldes were at the beginning of the Oly. It is a tough race to PR at. The waves were about 2 minutes apart so the good swimmers quickly catch up to the wave in front. You swim in an area about 15-20 yards wide. Good swimmer had to work to weave through the pack.
The bike is kind of the same way you bike in two lanes so it is very congested. It seem like they had slow rider move to the left instead of the right.
So the potholes are really bad?
you’re kidding right? I just had a flat last week hitting one of the potholes and I was driving a Honda element. They are really bad specially the ones north of irving park road. There is one heading north just off irving park which you can fit your foot in it and it has been “fixed” by putting a rock in it. If you ride alone, you might dodge them but with the crowd blocking you becareful also watch ot other riders crashing/dropping stuff (stuff not only water bottles) infront of you.
Awesome! This is good stuff! So I pass on the RIGHT and dodge “THINGS” that other bikers will throw off. Ugh - should be a goodie!!
I drive up and down Lakeshore - never rode it - so I guess you really don’t NOTICE the potholes - but I’m sure I’ll notice on Sunday!!
Oh well - makes for a good comp. come next year - or maybe I can find another PR tri. in September - but the Chicago Marathon is fast approaching…
Oh yeah…and I would not suggest carrying any stuff to fix a flat. If you get a flat, plan on needing to climb up on the median on the left side of the road. Just way too many people out there to be fixing stuff on your bike. You can’t go off to the right to fix it either, because there are cars…
yup, even if you have stuff they pick you up if the van sees you. I’ve seen some quick people change before they were picked by the officials before.
Couple other reasons not to expect a PR:
The run after the swim: it’s approx. 1/4 mile to T1 and gets tacked on to your swim time. Some people leave shoes at the swim exit.
Transition area is enormous.
Pro’s go last? How do they not get stuck in the clusterf*ck of the bike turnarounds??
Here’s the real reason for asking - This is my first year of tri’s. I’ve done 2 other OLY’s this summer, finishing my first in 2:17 and my second in 2:10. I’m fairly confident that if I can get any open space (ie. not clogged like I’m concerned about) - I can go much closer to 2:05 - SO… I’m racing AG 30-34 - and VERY, VERY concerned that I’m gonna get squeezed because of this -
Any thoughts? Anyone else in this situation in the past? Am I DOA (dead on arrival)???
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I’ll be in the 30-35 AG, so perhaps we will be in the same wave, although I will be 10 or 15 minutes behind you at the end of the day. I’m a swimmer as well so hopefully I can at least be out of the water with you. I still can’t run though. I will be wearing an Endure It! jersey and sporting a silver dual on the bike.