Is Muskoka full double the course of the 70.3? I was curious how the course would compare to Lake Placid. Someone said there were steeper hills in Muskoka compared to long climbs in Placid. Any thoughts?
I thought i heard that in terms of total elevation change it matches or exceeds IMWI and might be one of the hardest bike courses on the NA circuit next to Whistler and CDA. But I could be wrong. I’ts definitely 2 loops. A stick & loop, but the stick is only 8-9k it looks like.
Here’s the full route: http://www.strava.com/routes/746319
Here’s the 70.3: http://www.strava.com/segments/625963?filter=overall
The bike route isn’t quite an exact double since you don’t have to repeat the “out and back” from the Lake of Bays loop. You do 2x loops of lake of bays with a jaunt onto Fox point road on the first loop and then back into Deerhurst. The 70.3 is one loop around lake of bays.
The climbs on the 70.3 are punchy, though the toughest ones are back on your way into Deerhurst, so you only have to do them once - but at the end. For the rest of it, there’s a fair bit of climbing. Mostly in and out of the saddle (I found anyway) on your route back from Baysville. There was really only one real “TT” section, which was along route 35, where you weren’t constantly either up or down. In my opinion, it isn’t the hills that get you, its how the hills are configured. I’ve done the Mont Tremblant route and it has the same amount of climbing (longer but less steep, except for one). The difference is with Muskoka, you can’t really take advantage of the downhills since there are more turns and the road conditions aren’t as optimal. That said, its never boring since you always have to pay attention and the area is quite beautiful.
As far as I’m aware, the run route is 2x the 70.3 route.
Hey there everyone.
The bike course is as described and noted on the Strava. However, the one section that currently is in the first loop is more than likely going to be removed or minimized at best. This is the out and back on Fox Point Road. Again, this out and back would only be on the first loop.
I think that the way that you put it Tim is true, that the hills are configured in a way that you can’t get going on the downhill and then get going on a nice stretch. The corners aren’t as tight as you would think, and you can certainly take as much aero as it possible before you tackle the next hill.
It is really hard to describe the bike course other than “hilly” or “punchy”, and if you have the means, come and experience it for yourself before race day. It will be definitely in your favor if you do make a pre-race visit.
There is a good reason why we call the course “The Beauty and The Beast”. It is beautiful and visually distracting given the scenery you go through, but the bike course is a challenge. The run course is a double loop through our vibrant downtown and back to Deerhurst. There will be spectator shuttling at the 70.3 and full with lots of stuff for the spectators and families to do. We want this event to be and experience for everyone…
Check out the video to get a visual of what you are going to see and get lots of info on our site:
http://trimuskoka.com/ironman-muskoka/
Rich
Hi Rich,
Do you anticipate both the Full and Half distance swims to be wet suit legal?
Thx
Hey there Phoenix,
Yes, I would anticipate that both are wet suit legal. Traditionally, the lakes don’t get above the cutoff until late in July. Most triathlons around here, of which there are many, stay legal all summer long.
Rich