First time poster here.
Signed up for the Whistler 70.3 and it will be my first half.
Wondering if someone here has experience wit the cassette or gear I should put on?
Sorry, don’t know what the exact terminology of the 10 or 11 gear cassette on the back and the one on the front is. (originally from Germany, we call it Ritzel)
What gears have you been using in the front and back of your bike for this course?
Anybody willing to share some of their experiences?
Very much looking forward to my first half and any other tips are always appreciated.
Bike course is mostly up and down hills. Not too steep. There are only three real climbs. One climb early on the bike on Callaghan road, then two close together late on the bike returning from Pemberton back toward Whistler. They are steep but not very long. The rest of the course is not flat! There are really no flat sections. Just a lot of small hills. Up and down the whole way. It is quite a challenging course.
Stroll through the village. Bike around some of the trails, before or after the race.
Speaking of trails… this is a split transition race. There’s a paved trail from the village (where T2 and finish are) to T1 by the lake. Bring an extra pair of running shoes to cover the 3-4 Km back to the village after bike and gear check-in. Race shuttles were a shitshow on Saturday for bike check-in. That may improve but I won’t count on it.
^^ True. Especially useful advice for those coming from afar, or those coming in a few days before the race.
We are driving in Saturday morning and will know what Sunday weather will be like. Don’t trust weather forecasts in PNW more than a day in advance, two days tops.
Would you mind expanding on this a little bit? I’m going up, too, and it’s about time I start going thru the logistics so I don’t get any surprises. Are you talking about the day before bike checkin? Any logistical tips you could provide could go a long way towards easing pre race jitters and headaches.
Yeah day before is bike check-in and gear check-in. You need to check-in the bike bag with your bike shoes helmet glasses etc, at T1 in Rainbow park by Alta lake, and need to check in your run bag at T2 in the village.
You can ride your bike down a paved 4 Km trail to T1 to check in, but how are you going to come back? The line for shuttles was easily 200 long and no shuttles came for 30 minutes we waited before giving up and walking 4 Km back to the village in flip-flops. Extra pair of shoes would have been a smart idea.
Look at the athlete guide and compare with google maps. Things will make more sense. Google has the trails including run course trails on their maps. Edit: “parking lot 4” on google maps is the T2 and finish; also where race morning shuttles depart for the lake. Olympic plaza is where the expo is.
Yeah day before is bike check-in and gear check-in. You need to check-in the bike bag with your bike shoes helmet glasses etc, at T1 in Rainbow park by Alta lake, and need to check in your run bag at T2 in the village.
You can ride your bike down a paved 4 Km trail to T1 to check in, but how are you going to come back? The line for shuttles was easily 200 long and no shuttles came for 30 minutes we waited before giving up and walking 4 Km back to the village in flip-flops. Extra pair of shoes would have been a smart idea.
Look at the athlete guide and compare with google maps. Things will make more sense. Google has the trails including run course trails on their maps. Edit: “parking lot 4” on google maps is the T2 and finish; also where race morning shuttles depart for the lake. Olympic plaza is where the expo is.
I was planning on just driving to the lake for bike drop. Is there an issue with that?
No parking! There’s a little parking lot at the end of the driveway off Alta Lk Rd enough for maybe 20-30 cars. Last year that lot was closed except for official race cars. If someone could drop you off and pick you up again that’d work. Or ride in, and call for a pick up. Or wait for the shuttles but it’s going to be quite a wait. It was sunny and hot last year and I had exactly 1 patience left.
If you’re staying in the Village, driving to the bike drop is not worth the frustration (nor is the shuttle).
Ride your bike out, and jog or walk back. It’s 3.25 km each way (mostly on paved MUP) from the “Ironman Village” in Olympic plaza to bike drop (or T2 to T1 if you prefer).
Actually, you shouldn’t really need your car much at all unless you’re leaving the village. Everything is in walking distance.
What are the ‘can’t miss’ attractions around Whistler? (besides everything)
My daughter (8yo) loved the playground in the Olympic Plaza (by the expo) and Cows Ice Cream in the village. That is what she talks about most from the trips besides how long she had to wait for dad to run by each time.
The trail system is great to ride around and explore. Ziplining this last time was great. If you are more adventurous, there is world class white water rafting that is easy to arrange through shops in the village.
What are the ‘can’t miss’ attractions around Whistler? (besides everything)
My daughter (8yo) loved the playground in the Olympic Plaza (by the expo) and Cows Ice Cream in the village. That is what she talks about most from the trips besides how long she had to wait for dad to run by each time.
The trail system is great to ride around and explore. Ziplining this last time was great. If you are more adventurous, there is world class white water rafting that is easy to arrange through shops in the village.
There’s also great mountain biking. Not that I’d recommend it right before a triathlon, but if you have family or friends who are into that, there are rentals and lessons and everything you could need.
Christine, if you don’t mind a question on logistics… I’ve booked a hotel called Nita Lake Lodge south of Whistler on Sea to Sky Highway. I am doing the 70.3. Will that highway going north be closed on race morning morning due to the full? Wondering if I were to leave for the later shuttle (6:30am) if I will be able to get to the shuttle? Thanks in advance!
