So I’m gonna do a “make up race” after Osoyoos last weekend.
I was thinking of Sooke which I know is a gorgeous course but looks to be quite a small race. I notice that Sylvan Lake is the same weekend, though.
Anyone done this one? Worth the trip from Vancouver?
Thanks,
Miranda
What’s wrong with small races?
I really like the more laid back kinda races but it’s also nice to have lots of people to chase as opposed to doing a totally solo TT most of the way.
Just thinking of options …
Aye.
Sylvan:
Not a bad swim… the shallows extend about 50m offshore… so it makes it a slow exit. The water can be a bit green at the end of July too… yum
Bike… I love the course. a good mix of rollers and flats. There is usually a strong wind.
Run… great course, except the 1km along the lakeshore at the start/finish. they might change it, I duno…
It’s not called the “redneck riviera” for nothing… plenty of pot smokin, hard drinking morons with inflatable rafts, beach chairs, etc… oblivious to the racers coming down the path to the finish line.
Crowd and traffic control in Alberta’s busiest beach area is always a concern…
I might throw my name in for it… despite it’s minor problems… a good race.
Bike is tough…surprisingly tough when i rode the course.
She needs lots of asses to kick - not just a few. 
Miranda
Did it the inaugural year 2004. Toughest HIM I’ve done so far due to heat and lack of aid stations. They made many changes since then and I’ve heard the swim and run course are a lot better (the first year the swim started from the beach it was a run for the first 250 m, then the run did two laps around a section of canola fields in 35 degree heat with two aid stations). Now the swim starts on the pier in deep water. The bike is surprisingly tough - when I was on it I said many times “these bastards rounded up the only hills in all the prairies!” The run goes out and back north of town. I second that this lake is redneck central. It gets hot as f$%& and it feels worse then the Okanagan. The campgrounds are crappy in town (unless you own a $100K “RV”) and the provincial park felt like a concentration camp (rules) and packed with party hardy Albertans (at least the one I stayed at). The town is overcrowed and feels like Daytona Beach on Bike Week or the 500. I don’t think it’s worth the drive from Van for the race alone. However, the drive through the Rockies and Foothills is always a delight. I would do Sooke, or wait till the Vancouver one or even the Grand Columbian in September. The best race to do in Alberta is the GWN on Canada Day long weekend.