Calling out to anyone who has done St Croix. The race is next sunday and I was looking for any tips or advise about the course, pacing, weather, aid stations and other fun things to do while there. Thanks in advance.
Drive the course, know the approach to the Beast, so you can spin before you get there- DON’T HAMMER THE BIKE EARLY… your race begins after the Beast! Keep a keen eye on the road as it is quite poor at times, and about 5k after the Beast is a road where you need to go over about 9 or 10 speed bumps, take it easy so you don’t lose anything- and drink and eat there, you’re going slow anyway!
Great crowds, and support. Swim is awesome and the run is good too with a few tough hills. Carry your own gels if you use them the aid stations lacked chioce and quantity a few years ago. Just one more thing- clearly mark you bike box, and if you are flying down from SanJuan on Eagle- be ready to wait for the bike- American Eagle can only carry so many boxes per flight- so they get backlogged a bit. AA will sort it out though so don’t worry.
Good luck, and hope everything goes well. If you have any Qs, E-mail me touheys@candw.ky
Weeman
I would contend that your race starts AFTER the Beast. Once you have ridden up and over the damn thing you still have quite a bit of hilly, hot terrain ahead of you. The second half of the bike is substantially differrent from the first, at least that is the way it was two years ago. BTW I used a 12x25 on the back (700cm wheels) and was happy for it.
best of luck,
eric