Hey all,
Anybody done or know about this race? Course in general - temperatures/wind?
Thanks,
Dave
I’m trying to remember what exactly I read about this race last year. The start was delayed for a couple of hours due to fog, and by the time it started the current had shifted in the Choptank so that the point-to-point swim was very long for many (check out the swim times!). I also think it was a very windy day, although that can be expected there in the Blackwater. I’ve done Eagleman the past two years, and fortunately neither year was very windy, especially last year – but this is the exception. The area is beautiful, but might feel kind of desolate with only a couple hundred competitors spread out over the bike course. And I also remember reading a race report in which the writer talked about how eerie it was running in the dark along the long stretch down from the high school.
Having said all that, I’m anxiously awaiting the info for this year to be posted on the website. Maybe Vigo is waiting until after Columbia and Eagleman, and I suspect he’s having to juggle more things than usual with the new date for Blackwater Traverse. I am personally hoping that he will give the point-to-point swim another try, although two loops of the Eagleman course would be fine as well. Speaking of that, swimming the Choptank can be a challenge, as both years I did Eagleman I drifted a bit off course after the turnaround due to the current in the river which I guess is actually an estuary. (May water temps are low-70s; might be mid- to high-60s in October?) It’s a unique, fun swim, though, and the whole course - the whole area - is breathtaking. I’ll try to track down the race reports I read about Chesapeakeman, but in the meantime try to do a Google search; I think that’s where I found them.
Hey. Last year was the first year - great race. Features a point to point swim which was really cool - the bike is totally flat and through the Blackwater wildlife refuge. Two 56 mile loops. The run is the only part that I think could be improved - a 19 mile out and back followed by a 6 mile out and back. I hate out and backs. Finish in a staduim under the lights.
http://www.tricolumbia.org/chesapeakeman.html
Vig (Robert Vigorito) runs a GREAT race and I highly recommend the venue. I am also biased because I live here in Cambridge and want to see this race grow.
Vig also puts on an HIM qualifier in June (Eagleman) that is similar course and a great race.
The weather in october is usually pleasant - meaning humidity is below 100%, there are few mosquitoes, and temperatures range from lows of 45 to highs in the 70’s. Besides a 2 hour fog delay on the swim, the weather last year was great.
Wind? Yes. Often lots of it. The trade off for no hills. Although you never know til race day.
If you are in the area, come on down and ride the course with us. There is a small group of triathletes here that train together. Give us advanced notice and we can plan a ride.
You can contact one of us directly through our website.
Jude
Yeah - the swim last year was “long” - the Choptank is tidal so by the time we headed out (after the fog delay) the current had changed and was in our face. I think I was 6th out of the water with a 1:05 if that gives you any perspective. I don’t think anyone broke the hour mark.
As far as I know the point to point is definitely on for this year - Vig called a few months ago to check on tide and current predictions and we picked a date that will have the current in our favor. The problem with swimming in the Chesapeake in the fall is there is a narrow window when the sea nettles are gone yet it is warm enough to swim…
Jude
Dave
Are you actually in Mammoth? Guess dropping by to ride the course little out of your way…
JudeInCambridge
Japple,
Yeah I’m in Mammoth (Eastern Sierra of California) and more well-known for snow than triathlon training conditions - esp. this year as we’ve had close to 50 feet of snow!
Dropping by would be tough…
When you say wind - what kind of wind? I’ll take hills over wind anyday. It gets windy here and I hate getting blown all over the place.
Dave
One of the race reports can be found at www.xtri.com/article.asp?id=1320. It was written by John Hirsh and is titled “Welcome to the Chesapeakeman”.
When you say wind - what kind of wind?
10-15 mph is typical, although last saturday’s ride had gusts of 35. Cambridge is definitely a sailing community.
On the flip side, some days are calm and beautiful. It’s really a crap shoot. I will say that you should NEVER count on the wind being consistent. We rode about 25 miles into a headwind last week thinking “sweet, we’ll have a tail wind all the way home”. Not a chance.
I’ll take hills over wind anyday
Me too, although there is GREAT psychological training with wind. Last weekend I while fighting a burly headwind I was amazed at the psychological restraint required to resist throwing my bike in the ditch and calling my wife to come pick me up… I’m sure that sort of condtioning will come in handy with races and parenting and stuff
Thanks for all the good info on the race. I’m doing Eagle Man in June (my first) and if I don’t drown in the Choptank, crash on my bike bad, or get hit by a car when running I’m thinking of doing the Chesapeakeman in 06.
Rob
*I’m doing Eagle Man in June (my first) and if I don’t drown in the Choptank, crash on my bike bad, or get hit by a car when running I’m thinking of doing the Chesapeakeman in 06. *
Wow. Is that a typical race day for you?
Well, whatever happens, make sure you join us Sunday for the afterparty we (www.cambridgemultisport.com) throw every year. It’s on the bike/run course about half a mile from great marsh park. I’ll post details closer to the race date. If you make it through the race you can still get smashed at the party.
Jude
Wow. Is that a typical race day for you?
No not typical, just worries down in side comming out as race day gets closer :). I should be fine, the training is there.
Thanks for the invite to the party! I’ll keep an eye out for the details. Your tri-group looks cool. Wish I was closer to Cambridge. I live in Bowie (between Annapolis and D.C.) we need something like your group. I’ll had it to my to-do list.
Rob
Jude,
Are you planning on doing ChesMan again this year?
Are there just not enough resources or too much trouble (police, volunteers, road closings) to make part of the run go through the waterfront in Cambridge similar to Eagleman instead of only the countryside?
~Jason
Jason
Great idea. We have discussed this with vig. The out and back is key for the limited number of volunteers for aid stations - meeans he only need about 7. AS the numbers of participants and volunteers increases so too will the options for the race course.
Unfortunately the community here is not Lake PLacid - although I am hoping that one day Cambridge will embrace with more than “those f$#%@& triathletes are here again”. It would be AWESOME to showcase the run through town and finish at the high school.
As for doing ChesMan - we’ll wait and see how I feel after LP… what about you? And don’t give me that St Croix story…
Jude
I live in Bowie (between Annapolis and D.C.) we need something like your group.
You actually do - and much bigger. Check out Mid Maryland Triathlon Assoc. at www.midmdtriclub.org
They also have a yahoo group where rides and workouts are posted http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/mmtri/
Good luck with this and Eagleman. It is a great race and you will enjoy it and do great I’m sure.
No, St. Croix is not in the cards, I dont have the fundage for that 
I want to do the relay this year, I’d like to do the bike. Unless my legs feel really good later in the summer, I’m not trying to do a marathon. I’m waiting to hear back from Michael Phelps and Alan Culpepper to see if they’ll handle the other relay legs.
I think with the emergence of the Cambridge Cycling Club, support from places like the Hyatt Resort and hopefully the locals realizing HIM and IM events bring in lot’s of cash to the economy, the community will come to embrace these events more. Certainly activities like the main street festivities and positive press regarding Eagleman will help too.
~Jason