My wife I got into the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, the lottery drawing was yesterday. Now so many questions…
What temperature is the swim?
What is the bike course like?
Is there anything else we should know??
Wow, Goodtime, awesome. I’lll chime in on this since I did the race two years ago.
I was initially more than intimidated by the swim. During the days before the race the water was choppy, it was cold and windy, and there were big black things swimming around out there (sea lions). All the rhetoric about sharks, suicides off the bridge, no prisoners ever surviving the swim had me slightly freaked out. I don’t really like swimming much anyway, especially in nasty, rough, cold water.
As it turned out, race day was dead calm: No chop, no wind. Conditions were very good. The current swept me away from the start boat and to the swim finish. I had a very good swim and actually really enjoyed it. There is something very cool about looking at the Golden Gate bridge from the water like that. It really was quite easy and a lot of fun.
One tip: Do leave shoes or slippers or sandles at the swim exit. I didn;t and that was mistake. You have to run a good distance from the swim exit to the transition area and your feet will feel a little numb from the cold water so when you start running, they’ll hurt. Most people leave some type of footwear at the swim finish. That is a good idea.
The bike course is technical. I used a road bike with a straight seatpost and shorty aerobars and it worked perfectly. Practice your descending and cornering techniques before the race. Remember it is a crowded course also. Most climbs are very short and steep.
The run is killer but is narrow in places and can be crowded. The Sand ladder is hard but not too hard. Everyone walks up it. I think you get up it faster with a good, controlled determined walk than trying to run. The key might be hitting the top and then really taking off at a good clip. You can make up a lot of time on the last part of the run.
The finish is pretty unsensational, you just run across the grass and you’re done. No biggie. The course is the big attraction. Very cool.
Use a full wetsuit such as a DeSoto T1, Quintana Roo Superfull or a top of the line Orca. The water is chilly but survivable.
Congratulations and good luck. You’ll love it. It is a triathlon classic.
Happy Holidays!
Oh yeah, gearing. Duh. Sorry.
You fly through the first couple minutes of the bike on the flats. If the course has stayed the same (this is a course you NEED to recon before the race)you hit a left hand 150 degree turn at the bottom of a short, steep climb. This is the real beginning of the bike course. There were people strewn about the road with dropped chains, busted chains, the wrong gearing, generally their shit was blowing up. In a way, it was funny.
I used a 39/23 on 700cs and should have had a 25. A 25 will be adequate for most MOP’ers.
Be SURE your front derailleur is precisely adjusted and you can’t drop your chain when you do a slam shift to the small ring. Your drivetrain will go through hell. Make sure it works perfectly. If it can break, it will. New tires and brake pads too.
The Lottery was when?!?! The website says: “Results of the drawings will be posted on December 15th at 5:00pm PST” I hope I’m right, as I haven’t heard anything from TriCalifornia yet. There is a list of people posted on the Alcatraz site that says participants, but that’s not race participants, it’s lottery participants.
Hey Cathy Morgan what gives?
Well regardless, I’ll tell Ya’ this. This is my absolute favorite race. I’ve done it three times, and plan on doing it a bunch more if possible. Tom pretty much hit the nail on the head, so I’ll just add the following.
The water: Not that bad! Temp ranges from 55 to 60 degrees. It’s a little bit of a shock at first, a full suit will warm-up in a minute or two. I don’t wear anything more than the swim cap on my head. I actually love this swim, and it’s why I flew from NC out to the Left Coast, the last three years. If this is your first one, and you’re not trying to make the podium, stop 1/2 way across. Just tread water for 10 or 15 seconds, and get a good look at Alcatraz, SF, and the Golden Gate Bridge, from a vantage point that few will ever get. It’s worth it I promise.
The run from the water to the bike: This is a tough one. 1st two I took time to put shoes on. Last year I was barefoot. For me barefoot is faster, and more painful. You’ll feel it the next day, but again, for me I got my best friend behind me and he’s a better runner (like who isn’t) so I gotta’ make time in the water, transitions, and on the bike. I guess it all depends on who’s chasing you.
The ride: Technical and very hilly. Drive it the day before. It will definitely help. I’ve done this race on both a road bike and a Tri bike, and recommend the road bike with short bars (ie… Jammer GTs) as well. Leave the disk at home. This year (if I get in) I’ll have a 303 front vs. the 404. The decent by the Cliff House is twisty, and I always seem to catch wicked a cross wind.
The run: Flat 2 miles out, and 2 miles back to the finish. The 4 miles in between are very challenging, as they contain hills, a beach run, the sand ladder, and like Tom said it get kinda’ narrow in places. Don’t forget to take a look around. The scenery is to die for.
Oh yea, and go look up Cathy Morgan. She’s a trip! (If you haven’t already figured that one out.)
Did you get an email from them saying you’d gotten a spot? Or just saw your name on the “you are in the lottery” list?
I’d have to disagree with Tom and Joel about the water. (HI JOEL!!) I think it’s FREEZING, but then, I hate cold water. Last year was pretty cold and they pulled a couple of folks out and treated for hypothermia.
Bike: Flat with probable head wind; hilly, rolling with definite head wind.
Run: Flat, hill, sand, repeat.
And yeah, I’ll be there, working, not racing.
Hi Cathy,
You’re a class act as usual. Thanks for responding. Just a little tense here on this end. Then I got my email…
I’ll see Ya’ in June! Actually all three of us got in!!! The Mad Dogs will be well represented.
Until then,
Joel
Actually all three of us got in!!! The Mad Dogs will be well represented.
I didn’t. 
I got in which I am very happy about.
I’m not quite sure who I represent at the moment - maybe I need to form my own club like TripleThreat!
So Royal Windsor drops out of my race schedule to be replaced by Escape.
dt.
Man, sorry Dude… perhaps race in. There’s a qualifier in Feb. I was as tight as as a tick last night waiting for that email.
Joel
Is anyone familiar with the Chelsea Motor Inn. Its suppose to be a few blocks from the tri. Is it any good?
Also can anyone recommend a full service bike company that will recieve assemble and ship back bike?
“Chelsea Motor Inn”… Motor Inn, sounds pretty scary. I’ve seen a Flea-Bag or two in this town.
There is a Holiday Inn Express down by Pier 39. I’ve stayed at several places down there, this one seems to be the best value to me. It’s clean, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg… just an arm! LOL!!!
1-800-HOLIDAY.
Joel
Any of the motels with a Lombard Street address or that are in the Marina or Cow Hollow districts should be fine, and most within walking/biking distance to the TA. If anyone has specific hotels questions, give me a shout.
Bike shops: City Cycle and Big Swingin’ Cycles (Lombard Street location) are your two closest. My bikes go to CC and they do a great job, but are busy, so an advance appointment is necessary.
Yea to Joel–It will be great to see you again!! And yea to everyone else who got in. Bummer to Jayblack–I was looking forward to meeting you.
I got in too. This will be my first alcatraz. I have two questions:
- The swim: All I have is a sleveless Ironman Wetsuit. Do I need the full? If so is there someone who just makes arm warmers for wetsuits?
- I have two bikes. Softride Rocket TT set up for triathlons. and my Lemond road bike. I am planning now on the Lemond but don’t have aerobars on it (Set up totally for road bike). Is it worth the investment in jammer aerobars?
Thanks in advance. I am excited to race this. I have a cousin who lives 3 blocks from transition so it will nice to also see him for the weekend.
- The swim: All I have is a sleveless Ironman Wetsuit. Do I need the full? If so is there someone who just makes arm warmers for wetsuits?
Depends on your cold water experience and where you are coming from. The water will probably be in the high 50s, but could be in the very low 60s. People swim in the bay every day year round without wetsuits, but that takes acclimation.
- I have two bikes. Softride Rocket TT set up for triathlons. and my Lemond road bike. I am planning now on the Lemond but don’t have aerobars on it (Set up totally for road bike). Is it worth the investment in jammer aerobars?
IMO, yes on the jammers. There are some good stretches of flat to rolling (start/finish of bike, through the park) where they will be really useful since you will probably also have wind.
clm
“The swim: All I have is a sleveless Ironman Wetsuit. Do I need the full? If so is there someone who just makes arm warmers for wetsuits?”
I just wanted to add here that ProMotion makes “sleeves” meant to be worn under a farmer john.
http://www.wetsuit.com/store/detail.cfm?product_id=221
And a question for ironclm: I am interested in volunteering for '04 Escape. I noticed that GGTC makes up the majority of the volunteers. Would it be easier to go through Tri-Cal or GGTC to sign up for volunteering? Thanks in advance.
COOOL!!! Yes, volunteers are always needed!! Thanks!
There will be a link both on TriCal’s website and GGTC’s website later in the year to sign up to volunteer, so either place. Thanks again!
clm
I’ll keep an eye out on both sites.
I was reading on your blog about your ride on Sunday which sounded suspiciously like the ride I was on. Was this the hypercat ride? If so, did we ride together for the first part of the climb? And run the light inadvertently at that intersection? Me - red jersey & celeste Bianchi, short… If so, small world, huh?
NO…that light was GREEN when I started out!!! How funny. See you at the meeting Thursday night?
Yeah. It was green. Green ARROW! Ooopsies! I plan on being there Thursday. The walk from Montgomery BART to the meeting place should be okay at night, yeah?
G-time:
Get a fullsuit, the water is really cold. The one good thing is that you will be on a very crowded boat and with a full suit on, you will be very hot by the time you get out to Alcatraz. When you jump from the boat you will be a bit shocked, esp. on face, hands and feet which take a few minutes to numb up. Try this little trick. Take a small tube of vasaline with you and get a thin coat on your hands and face. It will take a little edge of the cold. Also hope for a sunny day with smooth water. I have been lucky and did 4 years worth of great conditions, then missed out last year in the registration frenzy and they had crap weather. Also, do not be alarmed at the gusting winds the afternoon before when you go get your packet. This is standard and are usually not an indication of how it will be in the AM.
Bike course is how others have described, technical. I have always used a tri bike but a road bike with jammers would probably be a better call.
The run course highlight is running on Baker beach. There is an out and back section that requires you to do some soft sand running and then is capped with the 200 step sand ladder. I was relieved to see the TV broadcast showing the pros walk, so I guess most do…it is very tough but mainly downhill and flat once you have done that much. Overall it is a pretty tough 8 mile run but the scenery running under the Golden Gate bridge is so cool.