Has anyone raced CDA on both bike courses? I’d like to get read a comparison to see if it is a flatter course for those of us that are “gavitationally challenged.” Maybe I can return to CDA to race and be more competative (or competative at all!)
Everyone I talked to said it’s way harder now. I would DEFINITELY not suggest the race if you don’t like to climb. The Hayden loop is brutal.
Jodi
I had a very poor day on the bike this year, well over an hour slower then my last IMCdA bike split (which was a bad day itself). I am not sure if it was the course was tougher or it was the wind or how out of shape I am… but it sure seemed tougher.
I’ve raced the old course twice and rode the new one Saturday.
I would have guessed that they were similar in difficulty but the times appear to show otherwise 
Very few guys under 5 hours and top AG girl times in the 5:45-5:50 range. Seems like a pretty slow course.
Definitely more and steeper hills on the new course. Several that I think were > 10%. I found it a lot easier to get into a groove than the old route, though. Overall, I hope that I get a chance to do the new race someday!
I’ve done IMCdA 4 times. Here are my thoughts:
- First 13 miles of each loop–exactly the same
- Mile 13-20 of new loop–slight climb out of town (all aerobar) followed by a fairly flat/non-exposed section–Faster than equivalent section of previous course
- Mile 20-40 of new loop–quite a few hills with some challenging sections–Definitely slower than the older course
- Mile 40-56 of new loop–predominantly decreasing elevation, but with a handful of turns…This section SHOULD be similar to the old Pole Line Road section/Dog Park, etc., BUT we had a notable headwind on both laps which significantly slowed the return trip resulting in slower overall times.
I’d argue that the new course is MUCH harder to find a rhythm and will run 10 minutes slower on comparable days, but it isn’t overwhelming. It will reward a well-balanced rider who can pace themselves well. It’s also quite a bit more beautiful. In short, while I really liked the old course because it suited my style of riding; the new course is an improvement overall.
Now, if you had the heat from 2003 or 2006 on course last Sunday…Well, it would have been a REALLY tough day.
Cheers,
Puskas
Good insight, thanks. Are most of the climbs aerobar-climbs, or is it a lot of short steep stuff (similar to IM-Wisconsin)?
Thanks,
-Colin
From my viewpoint- Medium length steep low-gear hills. I didn’t see a lot of people doing them aero. I’ve heard 17 per loop. Not a lot of rollers (meaning you can’t really use your momentum to get up the next one).
Interested to see what people say that are much better cyclists than me, but I was out of the saddle in my small gear quite a few times.
jodi
Thanks. Great race by the way. I enjoyed reading your report and seeing how much fun you seemed to have. That’s the way to do it.
-C
I think Puska’s comments are dead-on comparing the two courses.
The new course has more hills: It is much more fun than I think the old one would have been (I have ridden the old course, but have not raced it). I love the new course. I was never bored. I would say its almost 10 min. slower for the pros and elite AGers and more like 20 min. slower for 6-7 hour riders.
It was absolutetly a more interesting and fun course… even if it hurt like hell 
2008 IMCDA will be my first IM. This thread is scaring me.
No worries man, while it may be tougher it was mentally easier to ride then the old course (if that makes any sense). I won’t be back for a few years but I hope to someday (with more the 2.5 months of training).
never rode the old course. the new course was tough, but…the out and back early on broke up the course into more managable sections. after doing the out and back after the first loop you are on mile 70 as you head out of town. Hit the hills at mile 80 or so and by 100 your coming back down…so mentally it is an easier course than say placid or wisco
same for me 06 and 07…19.3mph/…used q rings this year
.
I agree that is is slightly more difficult, however the wind conditions I feel are much more a factor. Forgetting the first 13ish miles that are the same:
The old course had one long climb and one short and very steep one, followed by a pretty long/flat return into CDA. The wind was not bad at all in 05, but was a bit worse in 06.
The new course is generally a false flat from CDA into Hayden, then several good climbs/decents, but nothing I would really call a killer climb, just some pretty steep rollers. The return route has a few turns in it, yes, however it is (generally) downhill back into CDA. Although I heard a lot of athletes complain about the return headwind (it died down a bit more as the day went on), the wind was pretty benefical, tailwind out to Hayden (uphill), and headwind on the return (downhill).
I would agree with what the others have said though, it is a tougher course in terms of technical difficulty, I think it is WAY more scenic. My times have been quite similar for the two courses, all depending on the wind conditions for the given day.
Sign up, it is a great race with an awesome community and even better volunteers!