Looking at a late season HIM. Considering Longhorn in Austin, TX or SOMA in Tempe, AZ. What are the positives and negatives of each race?
I recommend the Big Kahuna HIM in Santa Cruz, CA. Same weekend as SOMA.
Last year SOMA was ~7 weeks after Kahuna.
SOMA is well organized, but with the ‘quarter iron’ people it gets kinda crowded on the bike, which is a 3 lapper, in the city of Tempe. PM Dr Dre’. He’s done Longhorn, I believe.
The bike at Kahuna scared me. The bike is lane is often narrow and Pacific Coast Hwy is very active there. I kept having to get out of aero. the swim was beautiful, but many complained about the cold. I was very comfortable in my old T1, double caps and ear plugs.
Longhorn’s actually a 1st year race, but it’s being put on by the guys that do Timberman, so it should be awesome.
Longhorn is a first time event this year. So if Dr Dre’ has done it before he’d have been the only one. Of course he’d also would have had an excellent chance of winning it too.
My bad.
Thanks. I picked these races because they are with a days drive of where I live in Colorado. CA races are too far.
The 3 loop bike course at SOMA doesn’t sound very appealing. On the map it looks like lots of sharp turns as well. Plus having all those people crammed into a loop just seems like a recipe for lots of drafting cheaters. How is the weather and the lake temp? What about lodging expenses in that area?
The Longhorn bike is one loop and it appears there will be at least 3, maybe 4 aid stations. The run is two loops and they plan to have bands playing along the course. The bands really do nothing for me, but they will also have aid stations every mile. They also have some shorter races, but those take place the day before.
…and don’t forget, at the Longhorn HIM you can get your photo taken with a real live longhorn after finishing.
I’m registered for the Longhorn Half. I rode the course a couple of weeks ago. There is not much opportunity for large packs of drafters on this one. You’re right it’s one loop and pretty hilly, by my flatlander standards. It’s a pretty cool venue. Not nearly as fancy as Moody Gardens (Lone Star Half) but nice in a, public park, sort of way. The course will not be as fast as Galveston either but I’m looking forward to racing and taking in the whole Austin experience. This year’s Galveston was a first class operation (same RD, Keith Jordan) and I’m looking forward to the same at Austin.
SOMA bike course does get pretty crowded and there are some sharp turns. Water is a little smelly/murky but temp is nice. Two years ago was pretty hot, almost 90 at the finish, but last year was nice. Quite a few lodging options, just depends on what you want to spend. Last two years i stayed at Springhill Suites and I will again this year. Its about 1 mile from start/finish, free breakfast, fridge/microwave in room, and was about $119/night…you can find a few places that are less and a lot of places that are more $.
If you are looking for a race just a little later in the season (Nov 11th)…Silverman is doing a half in Vegas this year. I’m doing that also. Course is really nice, more difficult than SOMA. Hotels need no explanation needed here. Weather can be a little cool and windy.
I’ve heard great things about Soma. But, being biased, I think the Longhorn Tri is going to be a fantastic event…We’re pulling out all the stops, and I think the bike course is fantastic. It’s rare to have a 1 LOOP (not even out and back) bike course. Most of the course is incredibly quiet, through farmland east of Austin…Really nice, IMO.
We’re going to have a bunch going on in addition to the races, and Austin ROCKS! Of course, you get your pic taken with a live longhorn at the finish too…
We’re pulling out all the stops:)
a few 180s and a number of sharp 90’s-at SOMA.
The day before and the day after in 2007 were hot, but miraculously, race day was cloudy in the morning, so the weather was perfect.