Rode the full course Tuesday and another lap around Lake of Bays yesterday. If you’ve raced there before, then it’s likely you’re well aware of the constant problem areas. It starts off at Dwight Beach Road around 12K. Pretty sure this road hasn’t been paved in a decade. Luckily it’s only about 3K, but it’s a twisty fast downhill section with lot’s of bad spots. People need to really pay attention to the road and riders around you going through there. Once back on Hwy 35, it’s good, but there are sections where they have filled cracks with some black tar type stuff and my mid day ride yesterday had my wheels sliding around in there in the summer heat, but most will be going through this section mid morning, so it likely won’t be as hot. Just avoid riding in any of the cracks that travel in the same direction as you are going.
Brunel road north of Baysville has some nice fresh asphalt for several K, but it reverts back to the older road condition. The rest of Brunel can be a bit bumpy at times, and some care needs to be taken when travelling in and out of the shadows there.
South Portage Road continues to be a bit of a bumpy, power sapping section at times with constant short rollers. Again with the sun and shadows, you really need to keep your eyes on the road conditions. There was one bump at some point that literally had me and my bike in the air. Not good when you are in aero. Just be careful.
There is one final tricky section coming back on North Portage road. About 1.5K after making the left hand turn off South Portage Road, you will hit a fast section of road that makes a sharp left turn, but it’s hard to see and comes up on you quickly. I was going quick, and ended up about 25 or 30m down a gravel road, as I wasn’t going to make the turn on the pavement without hitting the ditch.
Early in the morning, seriously, watch for deer. We saw a couple Tuesday morning, right along the road.
Thanks Dr. Luke. I won’t be there this year unfortunately, but last year, started in the last wave with ~1600 people in front (ended up top 50 overall if I remember correctly), so if you are in the later waves, with morning light and shadows, you really need to keep the head up especially if you are passing other riders. If I recall correctly a lot of the pot holes had bright orange spray paint markers, so you could see them from a fair distance. I found that very useful.
I’ve been going to Muskoka (close to Port Carling / Mortimer’s Pt Road) since I was a child.
Finally making the big trek from Philly PA to do this and spend some time getting back to my roots.
Dr. Luke - do you have a race report / review on these conditions that might go into detail what to look out for?
I figured it wouldnt be pristine but I also have seen mile 35 of Musselman. Smooth isn’t the word I would choose.
The bike route is the exact same and about 30% of the run, but now we go into town, whereas back in 2011, we stayed north of town.
I think my summary above spells out the issues on the bike course. Overall, the roads are pretty decent, just some bumpier sections from about 65-85K. Just stay aware and everything should be fine.
The short stretch on Dwight beach road, about 12K into the ride is by far the worst. It’s about a 2K stretch that you really need to pay attention to. Not sure this will help you at all, but here is my Strava file from the ride I did on the course last week. Good luck this weekend!!
I drove the stretch between Dwight to Baysville yesterday on the way home from cottage. As you noted, the section on 35 between Dwight and Dorset seemed to be heavy on the use of that black tar crack filler stuff. It was everywhere! Interestingly, there was a lot more of it on the southbound side of the road, with very little on the northbound side. Made me wonder if it was done specifically to fill cracks for the race this sunday.
I did my best to try and get a visual rep of what the roads look like by lurking on YouTube.
Nothing screamed out at me.
The single lane bridge came off as potential for tragedy - though that was from 2008’s video.
So I’m not sure if that is even part of the course anymore.
Mostly just looks like rolling hills and a good bit of tree coverage. Which really sounds great to a guy that overheats.
Run looks a little more forgiving than the bike.
Am I getting warm here or am I dreaming?
Sidebar -
Since I am driving in from Philly and will need to drop off my bike the day before.
Anyone have any logistics they planned out for the race for this?
Do they allow bikes on the bus shuttle from the air strip?
No bikes on the shuttle. But it is a 5 minute ride from the parking lot to transition, easy just to hop on the bike and ride in. Shuttle back to your car. I was a little worried about the logistics heading in to this race but it all worked very well and was very smooth. Even race morning went like clock work to park and get to transition. Post race, just rode my bike back to the car. Follow the instructions in the athlete guide and all will work out.
You will get varying descriptions from people about the course, none of which fall under the word forgiving Personally, I would describe the bike as relentless, discipline and patience is your friend here. And the opening and closing 2-3 km of the run are just mean, no other word for it. The course can be protected heat wise on the bike and run, more so than others I have done. The highway section of the run is exposed and can get very hot.
Overall, a great race. A very challenging but beautiful course that will keep you honest. Best of luck, and have fun.
The athlete manual is out and it talks in detail about the logistics for parking, etc. Check it out. I’ve never heard of too many complaints about people using the Airstrip for parking and taking the shuttle over. it seems to work pretty smoothly.
The single lane bridge in Dorset is still in the race course, but it’s a non issue on race day. There won’t be any cars using it, just high flying triathletes on tri bikes. I would suggest you come out of your aerobars as you go over it though.
There are lots and lots of hills. Nothing too large, but a few short steep ones. The biggest climb you might find could take around 5-10 minutes to get up, but those aren’t too steep.
Thanks for the heads up on the bike / bus situation.
We usually do this day off the race (bike from car to rack)
It just looks like day before racking is a must.
Forgiving is not the word Got it.
I usually discount the athlete guides - cause most races have been pretty disorganized.
(NOLA last year was brutal trying to get there day of)
Compare this to Raleigh 70.3 - harder course? Easier? Par?
Really trying to get a feel for what my legs are due for.
Bike check in is required the day before, but it is very organized so you shouldn’t have any issues getting around.
Never done Raleigh, so I can’t compare it. Based on others comparing races, Muskoka is more challenging. The big issue for me in Muskoka is that it is not rolling. There was no way to carry speed from one hill to the next. It was up, down, a little bit of flat riding and then do it all over again. Like others have said, no one hill is all that tough, they just never stop. Never. Ever. The opening 5km section is probably the most challenging of the bike course, with the bad news that it is also the closing 5km. The course is about 4km long, an added bonus. But, if you are patient, ride within your limits, you will get through it with legs to spare. Resist the urge to chase all of the guys flying past you on the hills early on, chances are you will see them again when you run past them.
No issues with the bridge, just pop up out of the bars and fly right over it.
This might change my race day strategy.
Instead of climbing out of the saddle I might look at staying seated and showing the smallest rings a little love.
Well I am signed up and booked to drive out Thursday.
Ill try and love the road back as much as it sounds like it will love me
Mostly just looks like rolling hills and a good bit of tree coverage. Which really sounds great to a guy that overheats.
Run looks a little more forgiving than the bike.
Am I getting warm here or am I dreaming?
I did the run with a relay team last year. The course isn’t hard, but if you can’t handle the heat like me make sure to have LOTS of water depending how hot it is this weekend! The run course has next to no shade.
