I won’t have time to pre-drive the course the day before. I have read in a few race reports about tight corners after some speedy downhills. Can anyone give any more info and approx. mileage of these corners?
Thanks!
It’s been a year since I was on the course, but this is what I remember.
The two corners I’d watch for are the right hand turn from Wood Creek Road to Ingrahman Road at around 39.5 mile, and the right hand turn from Brown Road to Chain Lake Road around mile 40. Both turns are sharper than 90 degrees coming off a downhill, the Brown to Chain turn is the worst since you go from downhill to steep uphill so get in the small ring before the turn. There are other sharp corners on the course, but you won’t be carrying 30+mph speeds coming into them.
They will have warnings at these corners (with signs or people).
I recall a few long, sweeping downhills and since I didn’t preview the course either, I was leery of what was around the corner. I was easily doing 30+ mph so I backed off a few times. I probably wouldn’t have if I had known. That said, there were a few T intersections at the bottom of fast hills. I didn’t like that.
I’ve biked that course a total of 5 times now, including twice in the race. People, just like this, have told me to watch out for some dangerous corners. Well I didn’t see any. There was no scary descending or cornering whatsoever on that course. Just a lot of relentless hills. Hardly a stretch of flat road over the entire 56 miles.
Good intel here, including course video:
I’ve biked that course a total of 5 times now, including twice in the race. People, just like this, have told me to watch out for some dangerous corners. Well I didn’t see any. There was no scary descending or cornering whatsoever on that course. Just a lot of relentless hills. Hardly a stretch of flat road over the entire 56 miles.
+1 if it is dry…
If for some reason it is wet (and especially if it is a first rain in a while) this course is much more dangerous then it appears. 2 years ago I watched a guy go down at 40 and slide into the woods in full aero on a big downhill. I backed off at that point.
Thanks for all the great information. The ride video was helpful also.
They changed the course a few years ago, so just focus on course descriptions from say the last two years. I think the old course fits the description of what your describing. Reached 54mph on one of the sweeping descents on the old course. Not sure if that portion of the course is still there. Good luck!
They changed the course a few years ago, so just focus on course descriptions from say the last two years. I think the old course fits the description of what your describing. Reached 54mph on one of the sweeping descents on the old course. Not sure if that portion of the course is still there. Good luck!
The new course has plenty of 50mph+ descents if you are willing to get after it.
No corner is dangerous… riding it at the wrong speed and line can certainly make it dangerous… so slow down where appropriate… you’ll get a faster split time when not in a ditch…
The vid is good but if possible try and even get out and drive the sections of the course your concerned about… it all helps…
Have a good race
Agreed, dry no problem. Wet requires a little more caution, had to back off a couple times when I raced in 2012 in a downpour. Just use some common sense and do not blow your race trying to save a couple seconds. I really enjoy Lake Stevens 70.3, have fun.
Live near the course and include it on many of my rides. Not too dangerous if you are aware of the tight turns like the ones mentioned above. Just keep your head up and you’ll be fine.
Now what will really SUCK is the 4+ miles of fresh chip seal they put down this week… round of applause for the roads crew timing…
Really?! Where?
Roughly mile 2-6.
Chips begin once you take a right onto 28th st. and end just after you take a left on OK Mill Rd.
I have seen a lot of this going on around this area lately and it seems they repave the roads pretty quickly so fingers crossed that we have some fresh road before the race. Not sure where to find info on their planned timeline for these operations.
Roughly mile 2-6.
Chips begin once you take a right onto 28th st. and end just after you take a left on OK Mill Rd.
I have seen a lot of this going on around this area lately and it seems they repave the roads pretty quickly so fingers crossed that we have some fresh road before the race. Not sure where to find info on their planned timeline for these operations.
That sucks. At least it is early in the ride. Better then mile 45-50…
Thanks, good to know! Fingers crossed for a new smooth surface by the weekend.
Well, not as we hoped. Looks like it is within decent condition. Good luck to everyone!
Maybe they’ll do it tomorrow? 
Rev 3 Portland (RIP). City crew grooved the Marine Drive just before the race. :facepalm:
I saw and heard of a lot of accidents on the Lake Stevens ride course today. The first had five people off the side in a ditch with one guy in a spinal clamp. A friend of mine watched a guy miss one of the sharp corners at speed, and it sounded ugly. Also, there was another big pile-up after one of the steeper hills.
The ride has some really fast sections- I recorded a speed of 54.5mph on one of the downhills. The course had flaggers and signs to warn people, but I guess that was not enough for some.
I was definitely glad to be in an earlier wave because of the corners. Coming out of the water and having to pass a ton of people would not have gone well. That being said I was 50th or something in the 35-39m out of the water and worked my way up to 9th on the bike. I’m wondering what my day would have looked like had I not raced Whistler (ie fresh/rested legs and better swim) and my feet held up for the run.