So, as my second HIM, I am planning on doing the Auburn Half, billed as “The World’s Toughest Half” I just finished my first HIM, Oceanside 70.3, and while I can’t say the hills weren’t a bitch (including the 1/2 mile, 11% grade hill), I did manage to make it up all of them without walking, and without swerving back and forth, on my tri bike with a 52/39 front and 12-25 rear. However, I am thinking about using my road bike, which has a 52/42/30 triple front ring. Any suggestions/advice from someone who has done the Auburn? Are the hills really tough, or would my tri bike be fine? Should I think about switching to a 12-27 rear on my tri bike?
If you survived CA70.3 with 52/39 - 12/25, then I think you could survive Auburn using a 12-27 on your tri bike. There are some climbs at Auburn that are steeper than those at CA70.3, but if I recall correctly, they are not as long. FWIW, I used a 50/34 - 12/27 at both CA 70.3 and Auburn last year and was glad to have the 34-27 for some of the Auburn climbs. I’m a bit stronger on the bike this year, so I used a 50/34-12/25 at CA70.3 last weekend and plan to do the same at Auburn.
Auburn’s old course was harder than Silverman but now with an easier run - I think Silverman is harder - unless of course its 100 F at Auburn…
Auburn may be the one tri I’ve done that I’d choose my road bike. Not a lot of flats on that course…you don’t need a triple either way.
David
Based on my experience last year (1st overall) and what you have said about your Oceanside effort, I would choose the bike with the triple, with clip-ons, and the lightest aero wheels that you have. There are portions of the course where a good aero set up will serve you well, but there is much more time to be gained (or lost) depending how fast you climb and descend. Think high cadence on all of the climbs and it will serve you well on the run.
From what you said, I would throw the triple on your tri bike. I ride about 25 minutes faster at CA70.3 than Auburn. Although Auburn is futher along on my training schedule, so I am typically stronger.
Like Steve said, you want to be able to spin up the climbs as grinding will hurt your run.
if using your tribike, keep your eyes open on some of the shady descents…there are some big potholes on some of the back roads. Also, be very aware descending back into town on frontage road next to Hwy 80. Cars exit Hwy 80 and have pulled right into bike course…even with CHP trying to control traffic. Almost t-boned a car a couple years ago.
From what you said, **I would throw the triple on your tri bike. **I ride about 25 minutes faster at CA70.3 than Auburn. Although Auburn is futher along on my training schedule, so I am typically stronger.
Like Steve said, you want to be able to spin up the climbs as grinding will hurt your run.
Not really an option. Shimano 105 triple won’t work with Dura Ace bar end shifters.
Maybe I could convince my wife to let me splurge and get a new 50/34 crankset, and a 11-28 cassette…that would make for pretty good climbing power.
You don’t need bar end shifters, just clip on aero bars for the faster sections of the course. You will not be shifting or braking much in those sections anyway, so you should be fine.
You don’t need bar end shifters, just clip on aero bars for the faster sections of the course. You will not be shifting or braking much in those sections anyway, so you should be fine.
I guess the other variable I forgot to mention is that my road bike is somewhat lower end than my tri bike, and substantially heavier. The tri bike would make a good climber if it were geared correctly.
I’ve done Auburn four times now, and I’ll give my opinion as a MOP biker (a bit over 3 hrs for Auburn). I only have a tri bike, but wished I had a road bike. The course has many sections where I did not feel comfortable in the aero position. Guys like SL can manage, but I found it hard to find a rhythm. There are many twists and turns, rapid changes in elevation, and it seemed I always needed to shift gears. Regular bike with clip-ons would have been ideal. I have done Ocenaside many times also and found it overall much more consistant, and faster for me by over 20 min. OS had longer, steeper hills, but at Auburn, the rolling hills were relentless. But like I said, I’m only average on the bike.
Interesting differences of opinion on here. I’m also a MOP cyclist, and I saved 20 minutes on my bike leg doing it on my TT bike (once) vs. doing it on my road bike (twice). I can’t compare the runs, because a) I had a stress fracture last year and couldn’t run it, and b) the run course last year was significantly less steep than years past.
For the hecklers, yes I know doing the bike alone doesn’t compare to doing it as part of a HIM. I dropped 20 minutes on my training rides too, so I think this is suggestive that the more aero setup is better. My road bike is lighter than my TT bike, and I used the same wheels.
Anyway, what everyone said about wanting to spin is accurate. Going too hard early on, from Rattlesnake Bar to the Overlook especially, can really blow you up for the rest of the ride. I think that first bit is actually the toughest part of the course, so use whatever will let you spin through that comfortably. Let people go there, and know that you’ll bring them back over the rest of the course. Be sure to eat and drink plenty too. I wilted in last year’s heat, and didn’t recover till I finally took a bottle from the last aid station, which was a bit late.
For me, 39x27 was plenty of gearing, and again, I’m a MOP cyclist. YMMV. The hills aren’t steep, but they are neverending. The first 6 or 7 miles out of the lake are hard. From there you have many miles of false flats up, followed by a fun lollipop rollercoaster section that ends with a fairly steep mile-long climb. The rest of the ride contains relatively little climbing. The “LeMond walked” hill is too short to be worth a mention. The little out-and-back section is also a false flat, and it’s late enough in the ride you’ll notice it, but it’s only three miles.
Oh, I wouldn’t recommend a disk, I think it’s a bit too much weight to carry around. I passed plenty of guys on disks, anyway. Hope that helps.
Not really an option. Shimano 105 triple won’t work with Dura Ace bar end shifters.
Says who? Front derailleur shifters are friction only. A slight low stop front derailleur adjustment might be required.
Another detail to pay attention too, is what bike are you most comfortable with over the race distance and terrain. Lighter is better, but only if you are happy in the position required. I say I would spend around 80% of the race in my aero bars. Just an estimate. Although I am on the other side of the 3 hour bike split than most.
Comfort during a race is over-rated.
one 11% grade hill for 1/2 a mile. You should check out www.savagemantri.com I did it last year, (loved it-even though it killed me) and there were at least 4 hills at 12% with one hill at 31%!
it is a must do in my opinion for a HIM
one 11% grade hill for 1/2 a mile. You should check out www.savagemantri.com I did it last year, (loved it-even though it killed me) and there were at least 4 hills at 12% with one hill at 31%!
it is a must do in my opinion for a HIM
www.savagemantri.org
Wrong side of the country. A race that does look like a good time.