Signed up for the BK for the first time. Any advice from any BK vets out there? How’s the swim around the pier? Waves? Any good hills on the bike? I train with a 13-25 on the back because its quite hilly where I’m at. What will the weather be like? I’ve read that Santa Cruz can be comfortable but not hot.
Hi there, congrats for entering the race. Where are you coming from?
I feel like the swim was a bit short 2 years ago and a bit long last year, hopefully they will have it right for you this year. I ran by the swim venue this morning, it was as flat as a pool. Who knows how it will be on race day, but I would say there is no reason to worry or lose your sleep over it. Typically, if there are waves, they only are an issue within 25 yards from the beach. Just make sure to look over your shoulder when you exit the water and you will be fine!
There is at least one good hill about 15 to 20 miles in the bike. Nothing too long or too steep but it is there. Otherwise, the course is fairly rolling.
Whether should be sunny, with a possibility of wind. Santa Cruz does not get Phoenix-hot, but it may be hot enough that you wish it were a bit cooler for a long race…Does that make sense?
As for me, I will likely be volunteering…
great 1/2…
swim - great seeing peir next to you the entire swim.
bike - i small hill, otherwise perfect rollers
run - 96% flat and nice scenery.
great race!
I’ll be coming from Hawaii (ironic isn’t it?). Anything lower than 60 is cold for me.
Yes, pretty ironic. I forgot to mention that you may want to use a neoprene cap for the swim.
Also know that the run course starts and ends on sand. It’s slow going and a little frustrating, but if you know this ahead of time, it helps.
I forgot to ask. Is there any bike shop in Santa Cruz that I can get CO2 cartridges? I’m flying into SFO on Fri and need to get 2 for the race.
The Spokesman Bicycles (http://spokesmanbicycles.com/site/intro.cfm), downtown SC, is less than 0.5 miles from the race start. There is also a decent expo on Saturday, where you will be picking your race package.
Swim - no waves. Even if there is a decent swell - and the point half a mile up is firing - there will not be any waves on the swim course except maybe a small shore-break. Usually no chop fom wind in the morning. Water is cold. Last year swim was quite long - about 5 minutes for me (I usually swim about 27-28 and I went 32-33 last year swimming fairly hard). I’d consider a neoprene cap and I wish I had sleeves on my wetsuit. I didn’t see any great whites. Bouys are a bit far apart so be prepared to do some good sighting and check the course out from the pier ahead of time (hopefully this year - they will set the buoys up a bit earlier - they were still moving them around last year when the first wave went off…).
Bike - I froze during the beginnning of the bike. I also had trouble getting my shoes on as my hands were numb in T1. If I do the race again - I’m wearing arm warmers on the bike. It warms up nicely as the morning progresses. Rollers - no sustained climbs. Might have a decent head wind outbound and tailwind back. Cars on highway 1 are o.k. - stay right.
Run - sand at start and end is tough. Little hill at start - then fairly flat. You run a fair amount on a twisty bike path. Nice run. Aid every mile but mile markers last year were not particularly accurate.
Post-race: Kinda sucked (food and drink-wise). Not much in the way of good food or beverages. Can’t remember details - but I found it a bit lacking. Have your own food/drinks unless they go more upscale…but the location of the finish on the beach is awesome.
Weather - coastal so should never get too hot or humid. Can be chilly in the morning. Winds can be a factor.
Any specific questions?
Dave