In 2016 wore just a tri kit and was shivering on the bike.
In 2017 wore a sleeveless wind breaker and that was perfect. I’m sort of a local (Seattle) and don’t need gloves in those temperatures. May think about arm warmers this year however, or even a long sleeve wind breaker. Looks like a cold day.
This race is typically low 50s to start and high 50s maybe low 60s by the end.
Can you comment on riding to the race site (from Sidney) on Saturday for check in? Is route 17 safe for riding, or would it be better to take smaller streets to the west side of the lake (east saanich road?)?
Thanks. Coming from Seattle too, heading up tomorrow to check out the course and town. See ya there
The highway is safe enough if you don’t mind riding on a highway, but it can get busy if you hit traffic coming off the ferry. I’d recommend just taking the Lochside trail from Sidney. It’s a protected multi-use path. Paved for most of it and hard packed trail for the rest (though you can avoid that part if you actually ride the bike course in reverse). You can actually take all the way into Downtown Victoria. I use it often for my commute home from work. And it’s dead flat. Take it to Sayward and come across to Hamsterly. There is a lighted intersection at Sayward to allow you to cross the highway.
East Saanich is fine, but you have to climb a pretty decent hill so I’d probably avoid that before the race
EDIT: made you a map: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/18830959
Weather has been absolutely perfect for the past many days. And it will continue so next week. But Sunday is still on track for rain and 57F/14C.
Does anyone know the lake water temperature?
Looks like the rain should hold off until we finish, so that’s something. Anyone already in town? If so, please post water temp after briefing tomorrow. I’m taking the ferry tomorrow evening.
Went for a swim this afternoon. Don’t know the exact temp but with my wetsuit on it feels like cool pool water temp.
I wouldn’t say it’s frigid by any means and once you get going it is fine. I’d say it’s once you’re out of the water where the cold would be a concern. It is for me at least.
Good luck to those racing this weekend!
Stay warm!
I don’t know what the water temperature is, but I’ve been swimming there for the past few weeks (wetsuit). It’s been very pleasant, and I’m a delicate flower if the water is cold.
That was a nothingburger. Rain held off until well into the run. Forecast was 49/57 but it was already 55 before sun came up. Overcast in PNW brings warmer overnight temps. Clear nights lead to cold mornings. It felt… almost warm before race start. I put on a long sleeve jersey over the tri kit in T1 and that was enough. No gloves or booties or anything else.
Honestly I was expecting carnage on that bike course if the rain had started. That was first rain here in almost a month. Rollers the entire way on the bike, and how many 90 degree turns? About 20? Dry conditions didn’t stop a few people from wrecking in corners though. I saw at least 3. Every year in those corners there’s a few young guys on the ground and ambulance on the way. Took the corner too fast.