As many of you know, the old IMC course is now the Penticton Challenge Course. In order to add more variety, they have announced a half Iron Distance race this summer, at the same time as the full Iron Distance race.
The bike course starts out the same but turns right at Oliver and heads back to Penticton via some hilly roads. This past weekend I had a chance to check those roads out. Overall summary is “it will not be easy”. I’d describe it as punchy. Lots of up and downs, no sustained steady climbs, grades up to 9% to 10%, not lots of those but some. Some great downhills with a couple of spots that they hopefully mark with slow signs as you have to break to make the corner. Overall, a challenge. I’m REALLY looking forward to it. I suggest folks take it easy to Oliver. After doing the new backside, it comes out at the same corner that the full comes back to and from there you get a chance to spin downhill to Penticton along the main highway.
Are they going past the observatory? (IIRC that would be Willowbrook Road and past White Lake).
If so, that is a nice selective little ride. Can be scenic too…
I drove down the cat 4 climb out of Oliver on Saturday morning. There was a huge group of cyclists coming up at that time. Some pretty serious suffer faces from the weaker ones. The second cat 4 climb up Willowbrook will crush dreams. At least the scenery is nice.
That route is far better than the full course. I predict the half will sell out in the coming years.
Yes, it goes past the Observatory. The course is absolutely gorgeous. Assuming it is a sunny day. But, as I stated, not easy. You get the start, heading downhill (except for McLean Creek), by the lake, perhaps with a slight tailwind, the turn at Oliver and immediately start up. Up and rolling all the way back to the main highway past the Observatory and the the long downhill, into the headwind, back to Penticton. Spin those legs up to get ready for the run.
It will be hot all the way through there as well. Hopefully aid stations will be close.
And one more aspect is the rough condition of the road… it s bumpy and I call it the New zealand loop as the road after oliver is about the same shape as ironman NZ… they did repave some of it but still a rough loop!
I love riding those backroad! that said, it dosnt mesure to the full course with the epic view you get from Richter/yellow lake, and the other valley.
