I did CdA in 2005 and am wondering about the changes in the bike course since I will be back in 2008. It looks like it is way more of rolling hills now. How does the new course compare to 2005 and how does it compare to Wisconsin? Also, for any Colorado folks out there, what sort of rides near Denver/Littleton would you most compare it to?
I like the new CDA bike course much better. Roughly the first and last thirds essentially flat. The middle has rolling hills. None of the hills are too bad - the worst are probably 2-3 minutes to climb. But the big thing is the support. The old course sucked as it went thru the industrial section of Washington, then thru Post Falls and the dog track. The new course goes thru Hayden, which is much prettier, and the locals were out everywhere cheering. Hayden even set up bleachers alongside the course, and held their town festival to coinicde so more people would be there. You’ll like the new course.
Sorry, never ridden IM MOO (yet), or anywhere in Colorado.
I’d love to hear what a 5:20-5:30 rider on the old course pulled on the new one. Anyone?
I did the race in 05 and this year.
As far as scenery and enjoyment goes - this course is MUCH nicer. Its absolutly beautiful and all that. Beats the hell out of that crappy dog track and bike path course from before.
As for the difficulty - I’d say its just a different type of course. The first 14mi is the exact same course as 05 then it goes out of town on a false flat / gradual uphill. After you get out of town it gets into a section that i’d describe as really choppy. It is a lot of up and down. Nothing too steep or long (maybe 3 min long tops) but there is lots of them and it can zap your legs if youre not careful. The old course was just those 2 long climbs per lap which were tougher than any 1 climb on the new course. Its merely the frequency of the hills that make it a challenge in the new course.
As for times - I was 5:15 in '05 in my first year tris (and went very hard) and this year i was 5:12 and took it much easier and was in better shape. So, my unscientific observation is that the times would be close between the 2 courses. Within 5 min either way. I didnt have a power meter in 05 so i couldn’t say for certain.
I am assuming you meant 2009 as the 2008 race was a week ago.
I live in Post Fall and ride both courses during the year. The new course is significantly better than the old course. The section where you went up upriver drive to Post Falls and then out to Liberty lake had some nice climbs/descents and was pretty. But once you got out to the dog track, looping around the industrial area, and then having to cross the train bridge covered with plywood was/is horrible. Good riddence! and I live here!
The new course clearly is broken into three portions and is much more enertaining and many more spectators. The lake section is the same as the old course where you run out to Higgins Point and back. The Hayden section is rolling with a couple nice little climbs and then Goverment Way section is flat and rolling down hill back to town. The Gov’mt way section the last two years has been dead into the wind which has caught some people off guard.
Welcome back - haven’t done moo so no input from me there.
Mike
thanks…that was exactly what I was looking for.
swimikerun, orginal was post was from two years ago!
I raced at CDA this year. The ‘rolling hill’ sections reminded me of the last 30 miles of the Elephant Rock Century ride - I will ride this again as part of preparation for next year.
For Colorado training I’ll be doing plenty of 5 hour rides incorporating Deer Creek Canyon, High Grade, City Loop - occasionally as a time trial - but usually just easy.
Once a fortnight, closer to the race I’ll ride this time trial loop out behind Meridian / Centennial airport on the TT bike mid week in the big chain ring as a one or two hour time trial, and some weekends as 4 - 5 hours long ride.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/co/littleton/472514837135
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