IM UK Bike Course...?

Triathlon Forum
1

Now that we’ve beaten the lack-of-timing-mats issue to near death, can someone tell me something about the now-infamous bike course. I’m planning on doing IM UK next year and would like to know what made it so difficult. Also, any general race comments.
Thanks in advance.

Frank

2

not one single flat piece, rough asphalt, and … 186 k long

overall very good course (though, beautiful, etc…)

overall poor organisation, but next year it CAN be perfect if they listen and fix the faults, so fo for it …

3

Thanks, Wim. Please ignore my last post on the other IM UK thread!!!

PS: I took your advise and blew off IM Netherlands this year. You made it seem pretty grim. So thanks for that, too.

4

and the 186 is gonna remain cause they cannot cut the course anywhere. unless they have another one with 2 single loops. chances are very slim though.

my guess it is gonna remain the same course next year WITH mats.

Just to let you know there was NO wind , so it can be worse, I’ve ridden the course in July with alot of wind and that made things even slower.

5

NO WIND??? Where were you at 4 p.m.? Sitting in the hot tub? :),

Trust me, the winds kicked up badly late in the afternoon, which is another reason why it got so tough out there. Early in the day, NO WIND.

The course is very tough. Chipseal (like) roads, many hills, only one short flat stretch. Beautiful scenary, great great great spectators, and wonderful volunteers in the aid stations. (they did run out of bananas, but, not a big deal)

-Robert

6

Here’s a local story on the race. Aside from the non-existent scortching heat, they have it about right.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/08/09/ironman_feature.shtml

-Robert

7

NO WIND??? Where were you at 4 p.m.? Sitting in the hot tub? :),

no you are right , there was a brisk wind on the run :slight_smile:

8

Thanks.

9

My Polar made it 1845m of ascent on the bike and 370m ascent on the run. There was very little flat on the bike course, it was constantly up and down - however there were no really big or steep climbs, just lots and lots of little ones :slight_smile:

Great marshals and support, scenic and challenging - I enjoyed it !