Hoping to get a feel for the new 5430 Bike course. Not sure I will be up there prior to the race. Any advice, thoughts, comments, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Here is the website verbal description…
Bike - 56 Miles
The bike course will be 2- 28 mile loops providing great exposure for spectators. There will be a total of 6 aid stations on the 56 mile course.
The course starts at the Boulder Reservoir parking lot, heads south on 51st to Jay road and west to Highway 36. Rolling along 36 north towards Lyons, the first aid station is at mile 6. Continue along 36 and turn east on St. Vrain Road. Enjoy the smooth pavement downhill of St. Vrain Road to 65th street and the 2nd aid station at mile 16. Turn south on 65th through farmland to Nelson Road. Turn right, or west, on Nelson road, cross 63rd street and continue a 1/2 mile further on Nelson where you turn around (the only left turn – necessary for exact mileage), and return back to 63rd. Head south on the rollers of 63rd, cross Niwot road and reach the 3rd aid station on 63rd, just before the Diagonal at mile 25. Head south west on the Diagonal toward Boulder, Right on Jay road and return north on 51st street back to the Reservoir. Go around the security entrance gate, and do it again, returning to TA2.
Have you been to Boulder before? I am not directly familar with or have a mental picture of all those roads but that area is all open and all though some rolling hills nothing very long or hard. Where are you coming from?
Interesting- I didn’t realize they were making changes to the bike course this year. I can give you some basic info on the course, as this is where I do about 90% of my riding. The first 15 miles or so until you hit St. Vrain are basically flat or small incline. There are a few decent rollers but nothing spectacular to speak of. Once you get to St. Vrain you will have a long downhill to 65th where you can reach some decent speeds. Not overly steep, but a good sustained downhill. 65th and 63rd are just basic rolling hills but again, nothing severe- about as close to flat as we get out here in Boulder. The last stretch on the diagonal highway back to the reservoir is a false flat and typically a challenging stretch. You feel like you are going on a flat but you oftentimes have a headwind there and I am pretty sure it has a slight uphill grade to it. Incidentally this course is very similar to the Boulder Peak course (now owned by the same company as the 5430). if you have any specific questions feel free to drop a note. Also, on the run course be prepared for little to no shade. Okay, forget the “little” part- there is no shade at all.
I have been there about 5 times. Coming from Tucson and do know the roads that well. Do you know how it compares the course in previous years? Last year, we were given a bad description of the course pre-race and did not have time to pre-drive or ride it. Just don’t want to get in that situation again. Thanks for the help.
Yes, did the race last year and are aware of the shade issue on the run. Thanks for info - very helpful. We should have plenty of time to pre-ride the course this year, but would like to be prepared.