Any locals have any beneficial info. on this course as it’s the inaugural race? What’s the lake like? Find it hard to believe water temp is sub 65 degrees…
What about bike route? Anyone driven it? Run route?
I did the Pigman near Cedar Rapids last weekend. The water was COLD - they said it was upper 60’s before the race, but it felt colder than that on first immersion.
The lake is deep. I heard it used to be an old quarry but not 100% sure. Anyway its all but guaranteed to be wetsuit legal; just last week it was at 63.
The bike course is an out and back and has one or two decent hills, but then again I guess that’s all up to you and your individual abilities. The road itself isn’t in the greatest of shape, lots of potholes and 3 sets of railroad tracks to cross.
The run starts around by hooking around the lake to the east of transition then up on to the main road. The road runs through a neighborhood which is on a golf course. The first 1/2 mile or so will be a steady incline but not sure on the %. It will make for a speedy return though. Come back down to the path, then follow the lake path around to the west and finish.
This will be my first real tri, outside of an indoor swim/spin bike/treadmill thing I did a few months ago.
(this is wrong see bellow post for my apology… Boy I hate it when I make an ass of myself in public)
I grew up around there and used to fish it. Copper Creek Lake is really shallow, so while it may be a little colder than what they have posted it shouldn’t be too bad. As for the pigman sprint. The water tempature there is always seasonally warm because of the power plant but we got a lot of rain just before the race so that may have cooled things down some.
The water tempature there is always seasonally warm because of the power plant but we got a lot of rain just before the race so that may have cooled things down some.
Are you sure of that? I don’t believe the power plant cooling water makes it’s way to the lake.
Copper Creek Lake is really shallow…
Really? Even people associated with the race (and hence my assumption of them knowing) were saying that it is a deep lake in trying to explain the temps. Oh well. In any case its cold water right now.
Hmm, well either way long story short, I’m not wearing a wetsuit for Copper Creek. That’s why I was a bit interested on temps.
Real men swim with just goggles and shorts. 
From the RD, water temp today is 68.
I’ll shed some light on it, I grew up in Pleasant Hill, my first job out of high school was working @ copper creek golf course when it first opened so I’ve been around the area.
The lake is an old deep quarry. I remember when it was just farm field no lake. It was on my school bus route in elementary school. It’s clean.
I swam it while doing some FD training it was cold and clean. I could see my feet while treading water. That was july 2002 we’ve been getting ridiculous amounts of rain so it will most likely not be that clean. The bike goes down Pleasant Hill BLVD and turns East On Vandalia to approx 74th street.
I am replying to myself… I really sorry to everyone. For some reason last night when i posted I was mistaking copper creek for grays lake and vice versa… thus I screwed up this thread and a couple of PM’s. (I grew up in clive) Copper creek is an old pit as engine4 said. Its well over 100ft deep at its deepest. I live in the Cedar Valley now. I as for the power plant… that is a running joke between the people that I train with. In 1996 (or there abouts) they accidentally reversed the flow so that untreated water from the reactor went right into the lake… Originally as I understand it the lake was dug so that if the river was low they pull water into the plant. I’m an idiot. One for my mistake and the other for flipping my thoughts on a running gag into a post and expecting people to laugh… I have once again learned that tone can’t be put into a post. All I can say was that I was really tired and that I am sorry.
Mitch
ha, no big deal man. i was suprised about how totally different the view/opinions of the lake were. anyway, are some of you guys/gals doing the race this sunday?
yea, 68 degrees is much better than 62 or whatever it was a few weeks back. hopefully we can hit 69-70 on sunday. i love blue hands and feet after a good swim
I’m doing it, feel like I sort of have to as it is my home turf. Still haven’t picked up my packet yet.
Funny, I had been thinking to myself, “I wonder if he meant Gray’s Lake”.
The run course has changed, you’ll see the new map when you pick up your packet. No more finish around the lake as the west end of the path is under water.
I got my packet on the early side, around 12:15. I’ve been excited for this, but seeing all the bike racks set up started making me nervous! First time jitters I guess. Can’t wait till morning…
Leaving now to get my packet. I live about an hour away and am a little chapped that there’s no race-day pick-up. Oh well…
Good luck tomorrow.
I also wanted to do this race but being over 2 hours away I didn’t want to pay for a hotel for a sprint race.
I live about 45 minutes away in winterset. Yeah, I was a little chapped as well. It breaks down to 3 hrs of driving for me 4+ for you. Plus I would really rather be doing something else than devoting that much time to picking up my packet. I’ll be sure and let craig know my thoughts.
I had sent Craig an email, but it wasn’t until yesterday. I didn’t hear back from him. Certainly much better things to do…like batton down the hatches and get ready for another freaking storm!!
sucks, it got called off but I couldn’t see any options. Looked like it was going to be awesome.
Thats too bad, sounded like a nice race but it’s better than have four foot of water in your living room.
the race was totally cancelled???