I realize the location is slightly different in 2006, but has anyone done this half? What are your opinions? I usually do the Pine Barrens tri the week later - and the water temps are often below 60 then. Thanks in advance.
I was going to post the same thing. Thinking about doing this race next year and would be curious to know people’s thoughts.
I did the race and really enjoyed it a lot. I am doing this race again next year instead of Eagleman. The water temperature was about 60 or so. It was chilly in the beginning, but then the swim felt fine. The bike was very flat. I felt like superman for the first half of the ride. Then I turned into the wind and had a reality check. 3/4 of the ride was on very good road surface. The other 1/4 was a tiny bit bumpy. My bike split was exactly the same as it was at Eagleman the year before. The run was on a dirt path last year, but my understanding is they changed it for next year and it will be on roads. My wife and a friend also did the race last year and really enjoyed it. They are also both going to sign up again. So that’s three recommendations for the race in one post.
I did the sprint distance last year, but I would recommend the half. I remember that last year it was very hot and humid that day. But, that is a hit or miss thing. Any event that Piranha-sports puts on is fantastic. The race director, Neil Semmel, does a fantastic job.
I did the race in 2005. Water temp was fine and it was CRYSTAL CLEAR!! Really fantastic. Only negative I would point out is the 200 yard path from T1 to the bike mount was over a sandy, muddy path. Lots of sand in your shoes when you mount the bike.
Any word on whether they have fixed up the bad sections of road at the beginning of the bike course?
This was a great race last year, Piranha did a fine job as ever to get a first-time race in the middle of nowhere to go off like it did. Jon said above that last year’s water was about 60, I’d say it felt at least 70, though this year the race is a week or so earlier. Like Pine Barrens, you’ll be more than fine in your wetsuit anyway. The slightly bumpy road surface was only a 3 or 4 mile section on each lap and didn’t present any problem, it was just a contrast to the very smooth surface on most of the course. I was amused to see that they upped the Clydesdale limit from 190 to 200 which foils we 193 lb fellas. I’m currently 203 but hope to be back at Devilman in May at 193 again. A recommended race.
Doug
I did it last year and am doing it again this year.
The course has changed, and so has the swim location.
The course change addressed the following:
Long/bad surface transition
A few bumpy sections on the bike
Running on gravel
Hopefully they can change the wind on the second loop of the bike this year. It was a challenge last year, but still FAST!
i’m doing it this year. haven’t done it before but buddies of mine did it last year and gave it passing marks.
not sure about that water temp assessment though. i do that pine barrens sprint (almost) every spring and i can’t recall it ever being below 60. thats freakin cold! i swim in a sleeveless, and i’m a temperature wuss, so i’d definitely remember if it was ever that cold.
devilman is two weeks before pinebarrens though, so it might make a difference…
(btw, did ya notice pinebarrens is hosting a 1/2 in september. wonder how they’ll handle the run portion)
The Pine Barrens sprint in 2004 (I think) was frigid!!! They estimated 55°F. One guy collapsed as soon as he got out of the water. My wife told me the swimmers with sleeveless wetsuits came out of the water with bluish arms. 2 guys tried the swim sans-wetsuit; they made it about 50 yards and turned around.
Personally, I didn’t think it was ‘that’ bad. Sure, the first minute sucked ass, but you got used to it pretty quickly.
I did Devilman last year and thought the water temp was perfect (cool and comfy).
Pine Barrens 1/2 - they better come up with a better run course. 13.1 miles on that sandy course would be hell.
It was 2003, and the water temp was around 59 degrees. The RD shortened the swim by a couple of hundred yards. I think there were about 3 or 4 wetsuitless swimmers. Most of them finished, some of the wetsuit people didn’t. I can back that up, as I was one of the sans wetsuit people. After three years in a row, though, I have had enough of that sandy run.
Count me in for the Devilman as well. It is part of the East coast Tour de Half 2006!
brrrr no wetsuit in chilly water like that, why why why…
a) mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.
b) I have swum in a lot of high mountain lakes in the Sierras and Sequoia National forest. 59 degree there is a *good *day.
c) there is actually a method to the madness. Most people do a lot of cold water races wrong by waiting until the last minute to get into the water and not getting immersed until the gun goes off. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation as it has helped me to perform far above my abilities otherwise. 
Pine Barrens 1/2 - they better come up with a better run course. 13.1 miles on that sandy course would be hell.