I’m looking for info/comparisons on I-man Switzerland’s bike course.
I know they are tweaking it this year, but I’m curious how the old course compares to Placid or Canada …
Disc or no disc? Climbing set-up or 404-type front?
Thanks.
Do you want the course profile of the old course? or new course?
New course here: http://www.reygrafik.ch/htm/streckenplaene/ironman_ch_radstrecke_hp.htm
I would run the disk if you have one. Have never done the IM but I live here and ride part of the course quite frequently (the hills around Forch).
I did IMLP 2004 ( 6:35 bike) IM Switzerland 2006 (6:08) IMLP 2007(6:20).
I used H3C rear/Stinger front .I am not the fastest cyclist but IMO Switzerland is faster course than LP.In 2006 there was a climb x2 that is long but that is about it.Much of the course is flat and good road surface.There is a downhill section between 65-70 KM the is flat out FAST!!!.and at the bottom of the down hill there is some turns you really need to get on the brakes.At the top of that section they tell you to put both of your hands on your base bars no aero postion.This is wise advice I had to keep tapping my brakes to keep my speed to 50mph.
The run is FLAT but 4 laps.Of UK, LP and Switz. Switz.is my favorite the Swiss run a top notch event.
Not to hijack this thread, but because it looks like even the european races sell out so early, I’m trying to decide if I will go to europe to do an ironman instead of one in the US. I was looking at Switzerland, Austria and UK. It looks like Clutch Cargo has done UK and Switzerland. How do those bike courses compare? Is UK a faster course than Switzerland? I see that you were faster on the Swiss course than LP. Were you faster in UK too?
I can’t believe that you have to think about next year’s schedule this far out, but I guess that’s the way it is now!
Not to hijack this thread, but because it looks like even the european races sell out so early, I’m trying to decide if I will go to europe to do an ironman instead of one in the US. I was looking at Switzerland, Austria and UK. It looks like Clutch Cargo has done UK and Switzerland. How do those bike courses compare? Is UK a faster course than Switzerland? I see that you were faster on the Swiss course than LP. Were you faster in UK too?
I can’t believe that you have to think about next year’s schedule this far out, but I guess that’s the way it is now!
The UK bikefor me was about (6:25) 2005.The road surface is not as smooth as Switzerland and the run is more of a challenge.It has some rolling stuff a few short quick climbs.The temp will be cooler in the UK.The UK race venue is a small city,very nice but very limited restaurants.It does not close out out as fast as other Euro IM.
Germany,Switzerland,Austria seem to fill up in 24 hrs or so.Back in 2006 when I did Switzerland I think I signed up in Dec 05
Roth is a good choice if you want to race Europe.If for some reason it closes out you can get in thru a travel group.
I would love to do a Euro race again but the airfare is killing me.Example Atlanta non-stop to Zurich or Frankfurt is about 1,100.-1,400. and the exchange rate sucks too.
There is a group of 8 of us doing the race and I was going to ask the same question. It will be disc for me. Callidus thanks for the info.
I have been riding the old IM course on my CT throughout the winter and have ridden LP as well. LP is significantly harder on the CT. That we comparing the old 3 loop course where you get the climbs each loop now they have gotten ride of a set so figured it would even be easier. OK well as easy as 180k ever gets 
Good luck with your training.