Who’s racing? Any tips for first timers at this race?
Any idea what pros will show up this year?
Who’s racing? Any tips for first timers at this race?
Any idea what pros will show up this year?
Not racing this year but I’ve raced it 2x. Its a pretty good race. Prepare for a super fast swim and a long run to T1. Make sure your bottles are secure on the bike course. It can be bumpy and very crowded depending on when you start. The spectator support through Central Park is amazing.
Not sure what Pro’s will show up but if you look at past results I think some of the same ones race it almost every year.
I’m in!
There is a long run from swim out to T1, about 400-700 yards (per the guide) depending on if you are in yellow or red transition. This is barefoot on concrete so just be aware.
It’s going to be a hot one out there. High of 94 on Sunday with a previous high of 96 on Saturday. Depending on your wave make sure you stay hydrated and cool.
Good luck!
This will be my 8th time doing it…
Your experience will greatly depend on where you start.
If you are a bloke younger than 40 racing AG then it can be a harsh race if you’re fast. Transition will close 1.5+ hours before you go off so you have a lot of time waiting around at the start. Since you start at the back, you will have a shit load of cyclists to pass on the road in a single lane for the most part. This is a race where there are a large % that are useless at controlling a bike, so if you are blowing past people it can get sketchy when you have people seemingly learning to ride on the ‘job’ and they are overtaking others at the same time. However, you definitely get a draft help from this. The run in the park will be brutal this year with the temps expected (95 high, overnight Saturday low at 79). The heat sits in CP and it is very oppressive. However, the crowds will be fantastic, especially when you run across 72nd because you are later in the day.
If you go off early then there is not too much to worry about. I switched to Elite cos I got too fed up with the above. Now I start 3rd wave and as far as racing goes it is good. The bike is far less nervous (you can reach speeds of 45+ mph on some of the downhill bits - you can imagine how sketchy it can get overtaking wobbly riders a few wide going 20 or so if starting late) and I seem to remember the road was in better shape last year with most of the pot holes from previous years gone, but who knows what ones have appeared since. The run is pretty quiet from a spectator point going this early but at least the air temp should be far better.
The swim is fast and usually warm. Maybe it will be close to 78 (25.5 C) this year but I will be amazed if they actually stated it was over since they don’t want so many people not wearing wetsuits. Water temp is currently 76 at Battery Park (a few miles south of the exit) and will get warmer as you move up river (e.g. Poughkeepsie is 80). I am seriously thinking of not wearing one this year (not a great swimmer) since you sweat so much beforehand waiting to start standing around in the wetsuit (even if it is only 5-10 mins).
http://www.rung.us/chas/rivtemp.pl
http://www.riverprojectnyc.org/riverdive_today.php
http://www.riverprojectnyc.org/livestats_temp.php - hard to be accurate with this heat map but it is clear that the temp is close to 25C/78F all up the Hudson.
The swim is fine. I have never become ill after swimming in the Hudson, and all the brown stuff on your face when you exit is just silt - this it to preempt all the replies stating how you will grow a third leg after touching the Hudson.
Who’s racing? Any tips for first timers at this race?
Any idea what pros will show up this year?
I did the race many years ago. Unless you are racing “elite” which is a very low bar at this race, its an event and not a race. So use that as your expectation and you will have fun.
The swim is a float and DON’T drink the water
For the later waves, the west side highway is a lot like a Friday afternoon. Bumper to bumper…
The run is fun.
So in summary - Its a fun event to do once, but don’t expect it to be a race
I was in for this year, but have been disabled by a blood thinner.
So, here’s what I can tell you. I’m in NYC right now. It’s supposed to be blasting hot this weekend. Like 95 + on Sunday.
For Transition, they give you clear bags to bring your stuff in. (Thanks Boston bombers)
You must check your bike the day before.
The time trial swim is ok. If you are in an earlier wave - it’s crazy fast. If you are in a letter wave, it’s just fast. If you are in the last wave, you may not get the tide benefit.
There is a crazy long run back to your T.
There is a mad hill out of T to get to the west side hwy. the WSH is in ok shape. 1 or 2 bottles should do it. The ride is hilly. Very hilly is some sections.
The run is awesome. Along W 72 into the park. Around the north loop and finish in the heart of Central Park. It’s awesome !
Now the trick is getting back to your bike, then getting back to your vehicle or hotel. Hence why I stopped doing this race in 2010 and wanted just 1 more kick at the can.
Raced it last year in the 50-54AG and got in the water at 7:45. Doing it again this year in the 55-59AG and will be in the water at 6:09. Last year I must have passed a 1000 people on the bike and it was very dangerous and slowed me down. This year I’m in the first wave after the Pros and Elite and so should have a mostly empty highway in front of me expect for the other 55-59AGs and a few fast ladies in the waves right behind us.
I have relatively the same fitness as last year, so with the lower temperatures on the run because of the earlier start, and the lack of obstructions on the bike from the other AGs, I expect to be faster this year. At least that’s my plan and hope. I was 8th last year. I am hoping to move up and maybe even podium this year in my new AG. But as always it depends on who shows up.
To the experienced NYC Tri athletes:
Can I cut the wait and go straight to (my late) swim start?
So I am in the red transition which closes at 5:45.
My swim start will however not be before 7:15 or so.
So could I just drop everything off that I need for the race and set up on Saturday (pump up the tires, etc) and skip entering transition on Sunday morning and go straight to swim-start on Sunday morning?
Who’s racing? Any tips for first timers at this race?
Any idea what pros will show up this year?
Yes, you can do that. My wife told me that she was on the shuttle to the swim start with a guy who was racing that went right to the swim start. All he had with him was his wet suit and goggles. Although I told her that for all she knew he was doing the swim portion of a relay. Its risky. Are you going to leave your water bottle on the bike all day on Saturday to heat up in the sun? What if someone messes with your helmet and bike shoes? Or likes the look of your bike computer and walks off with it? Everything will probably be fine but you risk getting into T1 to find your setup in shambles. If you do it, I’d advise checking your bike in late. I understand that the bike check in is open until 9:00 PM on Saturday.
Bold move. I couldn’t imagine coming out of the water not knowing what kind of shape my transition is in. I’ve been in transitions where the rack has collapsed and everyone has had to reset there setup. Imagine if that were to happen and you get to your rack hoping someone at least go all of your stuff close to where it was. I’m sure you’d be fine, just not something i’d personally do.
its an early morning regardless, so i would just go to the transition area.
Doing it here as well - not looking forward to my start with other 30-34Ms in the almost-last waves, why on earth they set it up this way makes zero sense to me.
Regardless, should be an interesting and hot race , my goal is 2:15, but I doubt I’ll be able to do it with a lot of traffic!
Can definitely do it, but you need to be confident on the bike. Your bike could be faster than if you started at the front. My fastest bike times (~64’) were done as an AGer going off in your AG at the back. Since I race Elite now I haven’t got within 1 min of my best bike time and I am a far better cyclist now (although I hold back a bit more now). Do not underestimate the draft effect you get from literally overtaking a 1000+ cyclists over the hour. Basically, shoot the gaps if needs be (yes, you shouldn’t if everyone follows the rules but people don’t with some oblivious to where they are on the road, quietly pottering along on the left), shout a lot, and always be vigilant and ready for evasive action.
Now what matters for you is the current…sometimes it is fastest early on, sometimes it picks up then slows, it is likely that by your wave it will not be at the fastest that morning. You only lose a couple mins though as sub-20 is guaranteed no matter what, and the pros will go ~12’.
Finally, depending on what you like, the temp for your run could affect your time. If you like the heat you will be golden otherwise…
Like others have said, that’s a brave move. If you are comfortable leaving all your stuff out (running shoes, bike shoes, number bib, etc) and are willing to risk stuff getting moved then go for it. I’d look at the weather as well. It is pretty normal for there to be thunderstorms the night before with accompanying high winds, if this happens, then you may want to check transition to make sure your stuff is still there and hasn’t been blown away. If you aren’t ‘racing’ then I guess you can have everything in a bag.
Can definitely do it, but you need to be confident on the bike. Your bike could be faster than if you started at the front. My fastest bike times (~64’) were done as an AGer going off in your AG at the back. Since I race Elite now I haven’t got within 1 min of my best bike time and I am a far better cyclist now (although I hold back a bit more now). Do not underestimate the draft effect you get from literally overtaking a 1000+ cyclists over the hour. Basically, shoot the gaps if needs be (yes, you shouldn’t if everyone follows the rules but people don’t with some oblivious to where they are on the road, quietly pottering along on the left), shout a lot, and always be vigilant and ready for evasive action.
Now what matters for you is the current…sometimes it is fastest early on, sometimes it picks up then slows, it is likely that by your wave it will not be at the fastest that morning. You only lose a couple mins though as sub-20 is guaranteed no matter what, and the pros will go ~12’.
Finally, depending on what you like, the temp for your run could affect your time. If you like the heat you will be golden otherwise…
thanks for that post - helpful. I’m a strong swimmer and an improving cyclist - good to know that it is possible, as I’m right on the 2:13-2:18 mark depending on conditions, etc. Should be a fun race.
They’ll tell you about a million times to leave your bike in an easy gear. They mean it, do it. Watch out for the cowboys who think they’re going to win the race on the climb out of T1. Wife say half a dozen crashes there, including people who had their days ended. It’s a fun event.
They’ll tell you about a million times to leave your bike in an easy gear. They mean it, do it. Watch out for the cowboys who think they’re going to win the race on the climb out of T1. Wife say half a dozen crashes there, including people who had their days ended. It’s a fun event.
Thanks - i generally put my shoes on during the first bit of the race…stomp on them, get some momentum, and then slip them in- will i have room to do so or am I hitting a hill immediately? Any tips there?
Thanks.
Depends which transition you’re in. If you’re in Red, the hill is right out of the gate, wouldn’t recommend a flying mount unless you’re awesome at them. Yellow has a nice long straightaway with plenty of time before you climb out.
Depends which transition you’re in. If you’re in Red, the hill is right out of the gate, wouldn’t recommend a flying mount unless you’re awesome at them. Yellow has a nice long straightaway with plenty of time before you climb out.
thats really good to know - i am part of the red transition area - thank you
UPDATE! Looks like it will now be an 8K run for everyone except the pros. Will 2K really make that much of a difference with the heat??
UPDATE! Looks like it will now be an 8K run for everyone except the pros. Will 2K really make that much of a difference with the heat??
If I recall, that 2KM section they cut out was the hilliest part of the run. Could make a decent difference.