I found out that I am in the absolute last wave start (38-39) for this year’s Vineman 70.3. I’ve never started a race from anywhere even close to the last wave before, so I suspect that it’s going to be a very different biking experience with such a large number of people out on the bike course in front of me (I rarely pass anyone from the waves ahead of me during the swim, so I don’t expect the swim to be too different, and I can deal with passing folks on the run too).
Any tips or suggestions for dealing with a lot of bike traffic on the course (other than to avoid running into them)?
Due to my age and gender I often get the dubious pleasure of starting in the last wave.Swim can be a bit of a bummer - there are some VERY slow swimmers - so you will have to keep swimming through groups every now and then unless you are VERY slow. I have never had too much problem passing on the bike (and I do pass a lot of people) - you can actually make something good out of this by (a) counting how many people you pass on the bike (b) targeting people ahead of you on the bike (makes you bike faster if you do those things - just remember - don’t relax just because you are passing people - they may not be very fast!)
I actually planned far enough ahead this time to get a hotel room, although looking back it was actually kind of fun sleeping in the van. I keep telling my wife that I’d like to sleep in the van again, but she’s not going for it! I figure I’ll get ready as though my wave starts at 6:40 again, so I should make my start time (famous last words)!
most of the backroads are pretty wide and easy to pass on but often the road surfaces are pretty cracked and potholed especially near the center so you really need to watch where you pass. Also, lots of shade in areas so it’s a bit hard to see. I’m a 2:20ish rider and started in the second to last wave (I think) last year and the whole ride was tactical passing with a few sections in traffic where i just had to sit there behind cars stuck behind other athletes for a mile or so. You get a bit of a draft off the car but it sucks as you’re not going all that fast. Just be aware before hand that it’s not going to be a course where you jsut get into a rhythm and go. Very scenic bike course though, just a bit crowded and trafficky.
Thanks Martin. Pray especially that my sunscreen holds up because Accuweather says that it’ll be 101 degrees that day; if it doesn’t, then I’ll be fried to a crisp. Here’s one time when I really hope that the long term weather forecast is very, very wrong.
I will be starting a couple of waves in front of you (M36). Last year I was the 2nd or 3rd wave to go off and the course was wide open. Should be a little different this year. Looks like we will be out there for the hottest part of the day!
Did you get stuck behind traffic because the traffic was heavy or because there were lots of bikes on the road? I did it last year too, but I went out in one of the first waves (actually I went out in between two waves, but that’s a story that I’ve oft recounted on ST, so I won’t recount it again! ;-)) and the traffic seemed pretty light. In fact, I don’t recall ever having to deal with much traffic at all.
My children did get me a very loud bell for Christmas a couple of years ago. I never put it on my bike, but maybe this is time to unleash it on the world.
Serious question here: What would you think if you heard a ringing bell coming up on you during a race? Would your reaction be to pull to the right?
lots of bikes for the most part and i was passing lots of people. there were one or two open road sections where i had lines of cars trying to get around us and they’d pass fine at first but quickly run into those brilliant 3 abreast riders and get jammed up there. Almost got into an accident when the car in front of me swerved to get around a rider and they nearly went down in front of me. Not a major problem as long as athletes have a bit of patience but for certain people with short tempers it would be a bad situation.
Think of the positive side…you get to pass some the hottie females ahead of you. That may require more focus than the weaving in and out to pass the dudes.
I’m a couple waves ahead of you (M36) and worried about the same thing, especially hearing Tai’s experience with the cars. Hopefully most people keep to the right and the cars are not in the way
So when exactly was the last time you did VM and started in the last wave? Just curious.
Never. When was the last time you passed 1000 people at VM?
.
I’ve not passed 1000, but I’ve certainly passed 100 or more. Of course they all nearly passed me back on the run, the that’s another story. I’ve actually had more passing issues at Barb’s Race than Half VM.
I started in the second-to-last wave last year (M27&under). I passed a good amount of people on the bike but it was never unsafe. As for the run, it got decently hot out there, but then again I think the temp only reached the mid 80s which I believe is unusually cool for that area.
“Seriously. If an athlete in the last wave is a very strong cyclist, well, that would really, really suck.”
-Tell me about it. I usually go next to last wave (m 55+) and my bike split is usually top 20%. I’ve thought about getting a PA system for my bike that will just keep repeating “On you’re f-ing left, MORON!!!”
