Here are a few web sites that have some photos and detailed descriptions of the race course. Thought it might help those IM WI virgins out there…
http://216.17.32.141/art.asp?3=568
http://jetall3.com/Events/Photos.aspx?Year=2004&Event=IMWisc
http://www.co.dane.wi.us/lio/Gis/public_bike_map_2001.pdf (zoom in on this map to get a great bike course overview)
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b310b2cca443&sid=8AZN2jZk4as3LQ
Thanks.
Can’t seem to get the second link to work.
I’m not a 1st timer…but I am curious to the current water temp. It’s been hot…and my new full wetsuit is darn warm for an hour above 74ish.
Heck, it wouldn’t surprise me if its above 78.
Anybody swam in the lake recently?
I was just thinking about wetsuits. Although I wear the long sleeve 90% of the time, I should probably dig out the short sleeve. Starting overheated would sure suck.
Latest lake report (http://www.cityofmadison.com/beaches/) lists the following for BB Clarke (closest to IM swim start):
Water is clear . Bacterial water quality is acceptable. Water temperature was 71º F on Tuesday.
I have a sleeveless and it has worked fine in the past.
Thanks, I was just googling for that.
Do many people wear fullsuits?
I would say it’s half-and-half on the wet suit issue. I would wear a long-sleeved but I always feel like my shoulders get tired quicker. You are more buoyant with a long but ultimately it’s about comfort. Best of luck!!!
Am I on the wrong one?
I clicked on BB clark and it said this…
“The City Parks Department is operating on the beach and lifeguards are on the beach daily. The City Health Department performed beach testing on 8/01/05. The bacterial water quality was acceptable during this week’s testing. The water temperature was 82º F. The algal levels are variable depending on the waves and wind. Beachgoers should use common sense and avoid contact with algal blooms that they may observe.”
82 degrees is considerably above wet suit legal is it not? 78 I though was top.
~Matt
EEEEK!!!
The site said the water temp on 8-1 was 82…
http://www.cityofmadison.com/wsc/beach.wsc/detail?beach=bbc&language=English
Looks like I’m buying a Speedo Fastsuit pretty quick!!!
Is stuffing floaties in your tri suit legal?
~Matt
Wow, could be interesting. That’s going to be really warm water.
I’ll prepare for no wetsuit, but bring the sleeveless just incase.
Seeing as IM is no longer USAT sanctioned, does the 78* rule still apply?
WOW i guess it is 82F. Sorry for the miss info I think i clicked on one of the other beaches. I’d check back with the web site every now and then to get updates.
It’s my understanding that 78 is the limit for acceptable wetsuit conditions.
Thanks dude!!
You beat me by seconds!!! Did you take my Kona spot? Are you a retired pro?
;o)
No wetsuit for me about 74 regardless of the ruling.
On a funny note, in 2003 while climbing in to the water at Moo, I saw a guy with a camelback in the front of his wetsuit. Amazing the things you see at IM.
I still haven’t booked my hotel…as I’m waiting for spots to open. Last resort is staying with goofy relatives 10 miles away…
aaaaahhhhh! don’t be talking aboot water temps! i’d sent this link to rockfish…he doesn’t need to know that there may be no wetsuits allowed! 
k
After this last hot spell, and with the shorter nights getting into the low 60’s, that lake will only begin to cool. Cold and cool spells at the end of August should sooth your worries. End of week high temps are forecasted in the upper 70’s and nights in upper 50’s.
You honestly think a lake is going to drop a minimum of 4* during the hottest part of the summer?
I’m playing it safe. I just went and sprayed a bunch of whipped cream in my coffee. I’m going to keep that last pound or two that I planned to loose.
I agree. We’re losing daylight fairly quickly now and I believe the lake temp. will drop at least 4 degrees in the next 5 weeks.
What’s the run course like? Is it fairly flat? Is it fairly shady? Good places to lie down in the grass and take a nap? 
Spot