I’ve been trying to find some more info on the new bike course and unfortunately the website is not the most helpful. I know they eliminated a significant amount of climbing however the course is described as mostly rolling (which makes me think of IM Louisville). Does anyone have info on total ascent or anything that would be more helpful than a squiggly line?
There is a facebook group with folks that have likely ridden the new course without the trip out to the airport.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/227514194018269/?fref=ts
You can probably get an answer there.
If the new course is the same without the trip out to the airport, then yes, you can expect rolling. Relatively no flat sections from what I remember last year. It will be a fast course.
jake
Here’s a long but helpful video I found from someone who rode the corridor. Hopefully this helps somewhat!
I thought I would bump this since we are getting close to the race. Anyone else racing Cabo? This will be my first IM distance, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been looking at the current water temperatures in Cabo, and Surfline is showing it to be about 74F (getting near non-wetsuit levels). Anyone have any thoughts on if the temps will increase beyond 76 by March 30? I’m counting on no…
I’m racing and I know about a dozen others from the So Cal area who are also entered. I thought I remember reading that the water temps were expected to be in the high 60’s so I’m surprised it’s so warm. I’m one of the few that would prefer a non-wetsuit swim but I doubt that will happen. I seem to recall that there was a race (maybe Louisville or Woodlands) where the water was 76 but they allowed participants to use wetsuits under the condition that they would not be eligible for Kona slots or awards.
It was wetsuit legal last year and I’d bet it will
be this year too. Just watch out for the incoming swell when starting from the beach. It’s a mass start and the second line of people last year got hammered by a giant wave. There’s a video of it somewhere on that Facebook page.
I’m in for Cabo as well…23 days away!
We have 4 members of our team headed down…and we are all PRAYING it stays cold enough to be wetsuit legal!
Should be an awesome venue and race…looking forward to it!
Good luck to all.
I saw that video. Not exactly a giant wave…couldn’t have been more than 3’ or so. Then again, I grew up at the beach so it’s all relative. We had 10’+ at a sprint in Oxnard one year. Those were tough.
I race it last year, and I am going back in 19 days. Yes, the airport road has been removed from the course, which is a huge improvement. There are some “rollers” on the highway, but nothing terrible. Yes, kinda similar to Kentucky I’d say. Swim is wetsuit. Last year at practice swim, I tried without wetsuit but then found I needed it when fingers went numb. Coming out of T1 is a nasty but short uphill climb, but then the course gets fast. I ran a disc with no significant issues, and will run it again this year.
Thanks. Again does anyone have an idea on total ascent?
According to the website, it’s 1,963m…6,440 ft
.
Does anyone know what the on course fuel is going to be it is hard to find good information on this and coming in from the states just not sure how much to pack Are they going to have Perform on the course I know they show a lot of aid stations they just don’t talk about what will be available?
gatorade and water
.
I’m in. First IM distance and looking forward to the post race tacos, beer, tequilla. Maybe more than the actual race?! NAAAH 
Will be a good time. Thinking wetsuit yes, and will run a disc.
I also ran it last year, and will be down there to do it again. I love the race. (I have done AZ, Texas, and Louisville and this is the nicest venue). Here’s why and what I think are important considerations:
The swim is really nice. Smaller field, clear visibility, and salt water. Less bumping and nicer water, not to mention the bouyancy of ocean water. I expect it will be wetsuit legal, based on average temps in past years at the end of March. I also expect they may “fudge” the data to allow for it, even if the temp drifts above 76, since jellyfish are a reasonable concern. I recall getting off of the beach was not as difficult as I thought, and after the first buoy, we had a current going with us. After the 3rd turn, the current was against us, and the last bit of the “rectangle” swim course seemed to take forever. It was reportedly a little long, but I swam 2 minutes faster there than I did in AZ.
Long run to transition (maybe 1/4 mile??) The climb out of the Palmilla at the start of the bike is the steepest hill, but mercifully short. The Spur out to the airport was HOT and the long climb was an energy drain, but that’s gone now. The surprisingly high vertical climb even without the airport Spur (still >6000ft) is deceptive, you are just always going up or down at most points on the ride, very little flat, but no hill is too long or taxing. The course is significantly more hilly than Louisville (TX and AZ are essentailly flat by comparison).
What I found challenging last year was the headwind going west into San Lucas. It was relentless and blew at 15-20 mph, as I recall. The tailwind going toward San Jose helped, but I always feel like tailwinds never help as much as headwinds hurt. Last year I rolled a 404 in front and an 808 in the rear. This year I am rolling H3/Disk.
The other challenge is the heat so early in the year, especially if you are from a cooler, northern hemisphere home-base (I live near Sacramento, CA). The heat creeps in on the bike, but really hits you on the run. Hydration and electrolyte balance will be important, especially if you sweat like I do! The course is 100% exposed, no shade, and the temps will be in the mid-80s to low 90s until sunset. In March (unless you are coming from a tropical place) most of us are not heat acclimated. Texas and Louisville were hotter, but later in the season, allowing for better acclimatization.
The final word of caution, is to be careful with what you eat and drink in the days before the race. There were a lot of casualties last year with GI distress before, and even manifesting during the race.
Good Luck to all, and see you soon!
Michael Myette
I was pleased at how well the race was organized. Well staffed with volunteers, and with just 1500 participants, less crowded, especially on the swim.
Thanks for the Post great information see you in a couple of weeks.
Does anyone have any helpful info about the potential for flats? I had planed on running tubular tires on my wheel set-up and have since been scared off due to a lot of horror stories I have heard about 1) the road condition or 2) things like cactus needles and other road casualties causing an unusual amount of flats. I am now considering gatorskins or something like them and having to run 404 clinchers, not my favorite choice.
thanks!
I didn’t have any flats. I ran clinchers last year, (404 front, 808 back) and it was fine. The pavement was actually surprisingly clean, I thought. As a matter of fact, I am planning to roll tubulars this year with some sealant in them, Disk in back and H3 in front. I just hope I don’t have any major blowout. I’ll ride them pumped up to 110-120 PSI. I’ll bring some extra sealant. We’ll see what happens, but last year was fine for me, I don’t even remember seeing many people fixing flats, but maybe I was just dazed from the heat and wind……
I rode 23mm 4000s clinchers last year @ 110psi and had no issues. I thought the pavement was clean and didn’t see any noticeable road debris. My only complaint: the speed bumps, but those were apparently removed for this year. You train too hard to run Gatorskins, come on! 
I think the high DNF rate and horror stories were more due to the high temps for such an early season race and the unexpected difficulty of the bike course.
See you down there! Good luck if you need it!
Thanks! I was hoping to hear this news. I know there are 2 sides to every story but was really disappointed by hearing the news of the flats in other forums(ie. Facebook) as I had planned on running tubulars - 808/disc(with sealant) and bringing 2 spares in case. Maybe it just boils down to a matter of perspective. And, yes, the speed bumps are being removed. Have a good race!