Just wondering if any veterans can give a description of typical wind and wind direction and any other need to know tips for Kona on race day.
Also wondering about tire pressure. Does one go easy on the pressure based on the heat of the day?
Cheers
There is nothing “typical” about the wind on the course – not the direction, not the speed, not the time of day. The most memorable winds I’ve experienced there ('95 being the worst) have included:
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heavy southeasterly crosswinds returning from Hawi (over the hills to your left, blowing out toward the ocean on your right) – tipping bikes to the right, unexpectedly, sometimes causing crashes like Sister Madonna’s a couple years ago.
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strong northerly headwinds in the last 5-10 miles heading out on the Queen K (really demoralizing, since we weren’t even at mile 40) – although, to be fair, the winds were amazingly still there for the return (I went something like 18 miles in 40 minutes)
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steadily increasing southerly headwinds as you curve back toward town on the Queen K, say after mile marker 80 or so
So, since where they hit, when they hit, and how hard they hit are going to be totally unknown, the best approach is to relax, ride through it, and remind yourself that “you are doing better than you think you are.” Always.
-Mike
mpl201 nailed it.
To his excellent report I will add that everyone is subjected to the same winds, so remeber that when you are struggling against an invisible wall of resistance that others are too. A calm, patient demeanor will serve you well.
Kona is a trying course. It tries your patient and is tedious and monotonous. It tries to wear you down. It is a war of attrition. Serenty and a gentle approach will deliver you to the run as fresh as possible, where you can pick your way through a crowd of shuffling cadavers.
Good luck!
“shuffling cadavers” I love that.
The other guys are right. I live on Oahu and go down to Kona about once a month to ride the course. Out here, on the Big Island, the winds that they describe are called “mu’umuku”. I think that’s Hawaiian for “the wind is going to kick your ass” 
Seriously, if you don’t get out of the water, on the bike and rolling quick enough to avoid the early morning mu’umuku that comes in from the northwest, you’re going to have to fight 30, 40, 50 and sometimes 60mph gusts that hit you from your left side.
At about Kawaihae, the wind comes at you frontally, but not nearly as strong. Still, it’s a headwind, and it hurts. Once you make the right and start up to Hawi (which is a stairstep-type of climb for about 13 miles), the wind slackens off. But, you’ve got to get up there quick enough, because if you don’t, and when you get back onto the Queen Ka’ahumanu highway, the winds will shift, and you’ll have a strong headwind near Waikoloa and all the way past the airport at Ke’ahole. Still, you can haul ass down from Hawi and onto the Queen K. 50 or 60 mph, if you’re strong enough and crazy enough :-))
Tom gave the best description of what all this stuff does to you mentally, too. Really strong IM-distance bikers (4:30 to 5:15 riders) sometimes are surprised at how many minutes that loony course adds to their split. Every year, the weather is slightly different, and the mu’umuku never comes at you from the same direction.
Tony
Also wondering about tire pressure. Does one go easy on the pressure based on the heat of the day?
Yes, do not fully inflate your tires in the morning. Back off 10-20 psi depending on your tires. They will expand as the sun hits them and the air warms. You would not believe how many tires blow while you’re all out in the water. The Panic Mechanic Crew gets to most of them.
ALSO - if possible bring your own pump in the morning with your race number clearly marked on it. You can leave it with family/friends, or with your pre-swim bag, but not in the bike compound. There are only a few pumps available and sometimes locating one is a pain. I would save myself the additional anxiety and just bring my own that I’m comfortable with.