I am interested in information too!!
The logistics work well. I think you can be driven to the lake, not a problem. Great race, great course. It can be snowing on the bike and 95 on the run, be prepared.
Great race but it is a point to point 1/2 Ironman so you get to take a shuttle bus 56 miles. The best thing you can do with this race is get a group of people together to go in on a condo or house at Sunrvier (near the finish) and have fun. I would really recommend taking a vacation in this area and doing some training, it is really nice for triathlon training. Have a good time and try not to get uptight about taking a bus.
The shuttle bus is more like 20 miles. The course map on the website is pretty good.
Oooh I’m busted. I got a ride the year I did it and I think it was at a different lake then. I don’t think the race organizers like people getting rides (but I would if I could)
you drop your bike off with your car on friday afternoon. you take a tourbus down to the lake race morning. you can sign up for a tour bus time when you check in but it doesn’t matter too much. race morning set up your T2 run stuff near the bus departure point. you can bring a swim stuff on race morning with you on the bus. at T1 you stuff all your swim gear into a big garbage bag which you get after the race. at t2 you rack your bike like normal. It was all pretty straight forward. some tips:
bring an extra pair of running shoes to the swim start if you want a warmup run since your race shoes are 25miles away. and wear something warm as it can be chilly
all your stuff has to fit in the T1 garbage bag so it can be brought back. It’s a big bag.
drive the bike course after dropping your bike off friday afternoon. When you find yourself shifting your car into 3rd gear to get up the last climb, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
It’s a great course. Yes you do have the logistics of getting your bike up to T1 the day before, and then yourself up there the next day as well as setting up T2. Parking is limited at the swim site, but you can park on a nearby dirt road.
Three options to get yourself up there in the morning. The bus. Someone gives you a ride. Drive and then get a ride back up there after the race.
In T1 you stuff all your crap in a bag with your number on it, and it will be waiting for you in T2 after the race.
The swim is clean with a great view of Mt. Bachelor. The bike is very scenic with a lot of flat area over the first 1/3-1/2 of the course, then a couple of climbs with one relatively hard climb to the summit of Bachelor, then a screaming 10 mile descent to T2. There’s a small hill to run up out of T2, then it’s flat for 12.x miles.
You’ll be above 4,000 ft. for the entire race, and it can get quite hot on the run. Especially the back half of the run along the Deschutes River. No shade.
The bike course is a couple miles long (58 miles), but the views of the cascade lakes and the mountains are worth it.
It’s a great place to bring the family, spouse, SO, etc. Lots to do in the area.
scott
Agreed. Getting a ride is ideal, I plan to this year. Let’s face it, people want to spectate the swim and there isn’t enough room on the busses for spectators so…why shouldn’t I get there in the comfort of my car??? It allows me to be less organized early in the am.
Are you doing it this year? We’re thinking about heading up there for it…but not yet decided. If we’re both in, I got dibbs on Jeff’s master bedroom! HA!
the best part is you get to pay $150 for a third class race in a first class location.
$150 is pretty going rate for a 1/2 these days. There are olympic distance races that cost more. What makes it third class? What would you consider a first class race and why?
They are offering prize money this year as well. Its a fun race, but the logistics are kind of a pain in the butt. The weather can be very un-predictable. The bike course is very fun with good climbs, fast descents, etc. Steve Larsen will probably show up and kill all amateurs hopes of winning the race since he lives in Bend.
Definitely get a condo at Sunriver, it will make the whole trip. Driving in Sunriver is a maze, so always have a map of the complex or you WILL get lost. Great post race area to hang out. Rent a canoe at the boat launch the day after, pack a few drinks and get happy while casually drifitng the beautiful Deschuttes river (they pick you up and shuttle you back). You run right along the river for a bit in the race.
Do not stay in Bend as it is too far away to feel any connection with the event. You can park at the race site, you just have to be sneaky and willing to walk a bit. Best bet, drop off the bike the day before, take shuttle. It’s not that bad.
The altitude hurts. It has been very hot and very cool, so be prepared for anything, this is High Desert country.