Info on 1/2 IM in Effingham, Illinois?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m doing the Cutting Edge 1/2 IM in Effingham, Illinois on June 27. Does anyone have experience with this race? I’m most concerned with gearing.

I like to spin and am bringing an 11-23 and 12-21.

Weather looks like it could be anywhere from 80* - 90* with humidity all over the board. Is this about right?

2

This is the first year for the 1/2 IM distance, but (I believe) the third year this RD is holding a race at this site. I had a very good experience with the sprint version of this race last August. The course is very flat, and rather borring (it is in the middle of IL after all), and it is a very straightforward ‘out and back’ format. You won’t have to worry about making a wrong turn on the bike! If I remember the grade correctly spinning should be easily accomplished. The lake is in a state park and the roads have very little, if any, traffic. Your weather report sounds about right - expect humidity. There is not much shade at all on the course so also bring sunscreen if you are the burnable type. The RD is extremely nice and is also an IM athlete and I am sure if you had any questions about the race she would be more than happy to answer them for you.

Good luck with your race! I’ll be there too.

3

bump.

4

Tom,

I am doing the race as well. I went to the site to pull up the route. I ploted it with some Topo Software. You can have a look here: http://michiganoutlaws.com/profiles.htm

The RD said there was a couple “Out of the saddle climbs” All the info I have for you. See you there

5

Thanks, I ran it through the topo software as well but coming from the TX coastal plain I had no idea what a 150’ climb was like. It sounds pretty short. My guess is that those two big hills on the profile are going to have a bridge as well, so they won’t even be as bad as they look.

I’m thinking maybe the 12-21 cassette may be the way to go. I wish there was the equivalent cassette starting at 11 though. I may go with my own frankenssette. I recently put on the 23-21 gears and the 11 from the 11-23 with the 12,13,14,15,16,17 from the 12-21. I get the nice tight grouping of the 12-21 with a couple of bailout gears for the steep hills. Shifting seems just fine.

6

I am going as well. From what I heard, the climbs are not bad. I think all I have is 12-23 since my zipps have 12-25 but they are in repair process. I am going by myself, meeting another slowtwitcher if anyone is interested…

7

I will use my 11-21. it will be fine

8

I’ll be there too! With my 23-12. I am NOT looking forward to this run, seeing how I completely shattered this Sunday in a half marathon at 78 degrees and 80 percent humidity. But hey…I guess I paid to do this!