Just thought I’d share a little of a fun and interesting week…with only a brief Lance reference!
The first Door County (WI) triathlon was held last Sunday and after an hour delay after a huge storm that came through three hours before the race was to start, I felt things went very well. It was very hot, as the folks throughout the area (including the Racine half IMer’s!) can attest, but the race organization and volunteers did a great job. Inspired by a certain Texan’s TT, I had a good bike leg and got lucky and won the AG in the short course race. Great setting for a tri.
Eri and I then drove through the UP and down Michigan’s west coast…Mack Bridge, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, took the ferry across the lake from Ludington to Manitowoc…interesting experience!
Anyway…I’m going to be riding the IM WI course this Saturday, checking out the Memorial Union terrace Saturday night, and then run the Lake Monona 20 K course Sunday AM. Look for the black Klein (I am not doing the race this year, but I am riding a road bike on this course!) and the Livestrong jersey and say hi if you’re out there!
I’ll be leaving from the Sheraton/coliseum area between 7-7:30. I’m going to ride out, do at least one loop depending on how I’m feeling etc. and then return.
Where exactly was the Door County race, and what was the course like? I’m from DC but have vacationed with family there a bunch. Glad to hear that they have a race up there now.
Swim was out of Murphy County Park on Cty G just a few miles out of Egg Harbor. The Horsehoe Bay development had a big sponsorship part in the race. Extremely well run. Long course went out Cty B and then climbed through the center of the peninsula, run on G, up the bluff road (very tough elevation gain) and then back behind Horseshoe Bay. Short course went out B and back and then a straight 5k on G toward Egg Harbor and return. 600 entries for a first year race…quite a good turnout considering Racine, AND Castle Rock AND the Waukegan Harbor Lights race were all being held on the same weekend!
Just rode the full (2 loops) course yesterday. Absolutley beautiful weather and me partner and I completed the ride in about 6 hours. They are significant portions of the course covered in what they term loose gravel. This loose gravel is about 2 inches deep in spots. Unfortunately, the sweeping downhill s curve has been recently covered. Watch out. I think this may prove to be a problem during the race.
I’ve also vacationed up there ever since I was a kid so it was great to have a race there. I’ll admit, I was a little biased being a regular and a Wisconsin Native. However, I went up with a small group from Chicago of experienced triathletes who had never been to DC before and they all thought it was a great race and well organized. The course kept you honest with a few hills here and there and if it was a hot day it had the potential to tear you up on the last couple of miles in open field like of a road. Luckily for me it wasn’t a hot day.
I liked the finishing touch at the finish line where they had 3 tubs of ice water where you could take a mini ice bath. The thought of sharing an ice batch with other people would normally turn me off, but at the end of 76.3 miles I didn’t really care and it was good for the body.
I hope other racers got to experience other things DC had to offer like the outdoor theatre at Pennisula State Park and of course the cherry pies.
Overall, a solid race with a great WI northwoods feel.