I was thinking about doing the Buffalo Springs Tri next year . Was looking to get some opinions on the race , and how is compares to Vineman Half , California Half , Big Kahuna ?
THANKS BRUCE
I can compare it to Wildflower for you. The bike is a combination of short steep climbs with fast decents and windy flats. It’s hot but not humid by my standards. (South Louisiana). My bike was slower at Wildflower but that was 03 with the bad weather. Run has same short steep hills at begining and end with a flat section for middle. Temp gets over 100 on regular basis. There is a reward for pros breaking 4hrs. I don’t think it has been done.
Not nearly as pretty as vineman
Hot and windy, passing through oil fields and lots of cows
if you drive from Scottsdale AZ it’s a loooong drive. I never they grew so many sweet potatoes in west texas.
run has a long hill both ways, otherwise maybe flatter than vineman
but i would go back, enjoyed it.
Man, that locale is tough. I did it in '98 and it was damn HOT!! HOT, HOT, HOT!!. Plus, the bike is tough and the run doesn’t let you hid under the shade anywhere. I was going sub 4:15 at 1/2IMs that season, and I was lucky to pull a 4:38.
Thanks for the input . I also did Wildflower 03 , and if it compares to that race it will be challenging. We will make it are family Tri road trip of the year. Anyone recommend a place to stay near the race ? We will be traveling from Central Ca.
Bruce
Just stay at the hotel that hosts, or one nearby. They are all cheap. This is Lubbock!
I’ve done the race 4 times and I’ve done Vineman, Wildflower, and the full IM Cali (same course or close to it for the half?). I’ve also done Eagleman and Gulf Coast.
I think Lubbock is the hardest half out there, in my opinion. Combination of factors make it hard - the course, heat, and wind. It aint pretty scenery either. It’s just a hard-core race.
Tinely spoke there one year at the expo and said he thinks it’s he hardest half out there. It will be your slowest half IM, most likely.
But you should do it for the resume!
Great race & very well run. It’s not as slow as Wildflower but it’s certainly tough. The bike course is challenging but not too bad. The run is usually slow due to the heat.
To answer your question, I’d say it’s similar to Ralph’s in terms of difficulty, maybe a bit tougher. Certainly harder than Vineman and Big Kahuna. Not even close to Wildflower unless it hits 100 when you start the run(not out of the question).
now, when is Mr. Grier going to admit that the lake is always too warm for a wetsuit swim? 
Hopefully never. I’ve got unfinished business on that course.
Hey gang, many thanks for asking questions about Buffalo Springs Ironman 70.3 and we appreciate all of the replies. Any time our race is mentioned on this forum we are very flattered. While I would have to agree with all of the comments, i.e. tough, middle of no where, cheap hotel rates, hot, windy, short hills, organized, etc., we think that this offers a diversity to the many race options. It is my hope that there are always different course options to chose from. While I have done most of the races that have been mentioned in this discussion I would have to say that they are all different not only in course design and geographical location, but they also have their own personality which is usually generated through race management. Examples, Vigo(Eagleman), Pugh(Vineman), Buffalo Springs (Greer’s,Mike & Marti), Wildflower(Davis’s). So, let’s hope this aspect or triathlons never dies and there are options out there.
The water temperature and wetsuit subjects of Buffalo Springs have taken on a life of their own, and I get a real giggle when I hear the stories about my fixed thermometer, or putting ice in the water where we measure, or holding a gun to the head of the USAT official, or threatening to cut their hands off if the temp go above 78, etc. The real story is that this lake is fed with 13 springs and does stay at a constant temperature in the summer, generally 72-77, plus with the semi-arid climate and early morning lows between high 50’s to low 60’s it seems even colder. The other point here is that we have had some of the toughest USAT officials on the planet as our head officials, i.e. Charlie Crawford, Robby Timberlake, Jergen Heise, Esther Weise and their thermometers do not lie. Now, I realize I have a reputation for liking wetsuits, since I float like a rock and swim like a turtle, but always remember the USAT temperature rule is 78 degrees and it is your option whether or not you elect to wear one. We do not require it and they remain an option, unless the water temperature goes above 78.
In response to the statement, “since WTC can control Buffalo Springs, it will stay in the fold,” I am a little confused. Buffalo Springs Ironman 70.3 is licensed by WTC to offer slots to Kona and Clearwater. We are proud to have this distinction and work hard to adhere to the requirements of our mutual agreement. WTC is a very professional company and we enjoy working with them and hope to do so for a long time. The ownership of Buffalo Springs is within the BSLT Triathlon Inc.,a Texas Non-Profit Corporation, 501 (C) 3, benefitting the Youth Corps of Lubbock, so there is no control of this race by WTC as a legal entity. Since we have been associated with them since 1994, we appreciate the leadership and innovative ideas they bring to the sport.
Again, thank you all so much for including our race in the discussions on st. We also can report we are still taking entries for 2007 and since our entries are ahead of last year, at this time, we encourage all who would like to partake of our West Texas hospitality, please get your registration in.
Also, sorry for delay in responding, I have been doing my duty for the sport while attending the race directors conference and USAT Board meeting in Colorado Springs. We are now back in West Texas enjoying the cold.
Mike Greer
mikeg82617@aol.com
fasttwitchmind.com
I must disagree with TxDude’s assessment that BSLT “ain’t pretty scenery”! No, Lubbock itself is not pretty, but the race course is beautiful IMO. The lake area is actually pretty green and somewhat shady, and the bike course goes through some gorgeous canyons. Visually, I think it’s very appealing! (Then again, I’m only a tri-SPOUSE, so what do I know?) My husband has done BSLT 4 or 5 times, and has always had good things to say about the race.
I did this race last year and it was a blast. Flew into DFW, and drove with friends to the race. It’s a long drive, but we kept ourselves entertained as only a car full of triathletes can.
The BSLT course is fun. The swim was fast ( for me ), but there were some helpful winds last year. The bike is different, as the climbs are all up out of canyons. This is important to note, because there’s no real recovery (as in a downhill) after the climbs. You pop out of the canyon and you’re on a flat. The downhills aren’t really technical, though a couple of them do twist a bit and depending on how bunched up the riders are, it can get a bit interesting if you’re behind someone who is less agressive on the downhills than you are. It is fairly scenic, in a southwest kind of way. I certainly didn’t get bored on the bike.
The run was challenging. There’s only 3 climbs, but it gets HOT ( and DRY! ). The “Energy Lab” out and back stretch had a lot of people blowing up and walking. There’s zero shade. What got me was the lack of humidity. My throat got “dry”, as I was used to a more humid climate, but just kept sipping on water and it was okay.
The support on the bike and run was great, plenty of aid stations, lots of friendly volunteers.
The walk up the hill from transition/finish back to the parking lot, not so great, but there’s really no way to fix that.
I am signed up for this event and part of why I signed up is that it is associated with WTC and that wetsuits are usually allowed. I have yet to understand why so many people “hate” WTC and wetsuits but oh well.
This will be my first time at Buffalo Springs so it is good to hear some of the stories from people who have raced before. One question is what are the TA areas like? Are they fairly spacious or are people right on top of each other? Also what is the swim like, is it usually pretty calm water (besides the splashing triathletes) or can it get pretty “bumpy” out there?
Keep posting stories from past races if you got them because I would love to hear them!
Hope to see some Slowtwitchers out there in June!
Mike
One question I have about Buffalo Springs is what do people think of wheel selection? Too windy for a disc? How about a set of Zipp 808s? Or do you need to stay more cautious with something like a 50mm front and 50mm rear?
Any suggestions would be great, thanks!
Anyone know the approximate date the race filled last year?
I did the race last and year and have mixed feelings. If you are going for the race it is great. The organization is excellent, the course is challenging and the volunteers are awesome. It was a hard race but I enjoyed myself all day.
If you are planning vacation around the race it isn’t the best place. It is in the middle of nowhere and you will have to drive several hours to find something of interest for a vacation.
dt
Is the swim a mass start or a wave start? Also how many people usually race in this event?
Last year it was a wave start, pros then about 6 waves 5 minutes apart. I think there were about 800 finishers. Enough so you always had someone nearby, but not too crowded.
- Stopped Clock
Sounds good.
How did they divide the waves? Did you seed yourself or was it by age?
waves were divided by age.
- SC
Sucks that Shelley and I have missed the race the last two years since we are doing IMCDA…It is a great race and venue and a definite must do.
Mike we will see you and Martie for Buffman and Squeeky this year.
Kurt