I would appreciate any details of the length and MAXIMUM grade(not just the average) of the two significant climbs.Most of the triathlon elevation profiles are not too precise and somethings misleading e.g. Mont tremblant states "max grade 8%) but there are a number of spots over 15% and at Muskoka there is a short piece where there is a lot of walking of over 20%.It would really help me with my cassette and bike choice if I had better info about the climbs.
Here’s a link to a recent ride of the course. You can download the data to look at things in greater detail.
Once you do report back here;)
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1721653526
Hugh
Looks like the steepest climb is 1.4 km at 7% grade.thanks so much
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Looks like the steepest climb is 1.4 km at 7% grade.thanks so much
Piece of cake 
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Looks like the steepest climb is 1.4 km at 7% grade.thanks so much
Thanks for checking. That was about what I’d recalled but hadn’t gone back to see yet.
Looks like the steepest climb is 1.4 km at 7% grade.thanks so much
There’s actually a 13.5% climb right here:
Here’s where most of the harder climbing will take place and you do this twice. This is the 2nd bump on the elevation map. The first one that starts around mile 25 is not as bad, maxes out at 8% for about .11mi.
If anyone familiar with the asphalt condition there? Any sections with rough stuff, pot holes etc…?
I did challenge penticton a few weeks ago. The road surface on the first climb on Mclean creek rd is really bad. One of the worst surfaces I’ve ridden on in a race. It felt like I was on gravel in parts. That adds to the challenge of the climb and makes it feel tougher than it is
this is extremely helpful-I am so appreciative not so much for me but my wife (who is the greatest who got me into triathlons 15 years ago).This will change the bike she brings.Thanks so much.
Strava details of the challenge penticton bike here - first 26km of ITU course is essentially flat.
Echo comments above - first climb maclean road feels like the road surface was dropped onto the ground from a great height. In the years I have been riding in penticton it hasn’t been resurfaced so I am sure it will claim its fair share of bottles on race day.
The climb up the 97 to Kaleden is a consistent climb with a couple parts where hard to keep momentum. In terms of gearing a bit of extra gearing if you aren’t a power rider wouldn’t be the worst idea. For reference I rode a 52/36 with a 11/25 for the attached ride.
Strava details of the challenge penticton bike here - first 26km of ITU course is essentially flat.
Echo comments above - first climb maclean road feels like the road surface was dropped onto the ground from a great height. In the years I have been riding in penticton it hasn’t been resurfaced so I am sure it will claim its fair share of bottles on race day.
The climb up the 97 to Kaleden is a consistent climb with a couple parts where hard to keep momentum. In terms of gearing a bit of extra gearing if you aren’t a power rider wouldn’t be the worst idea. For reference I rode a 52/36 with a 11/25 for the attached ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1098256226/overview
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton. i’m planning on taking both cassettes and giving the climbs a shot a few days before the race. i definitely don’t plan on putting out 268w for the climbs during the race like you did on your ride.
Strava details of the challenge penticton bike here - first 26km of ITU course is essentially flat.
Echo comments above - first climb maclean road feels like the road surface was dropped onto the ground from a great height. In the years I have been riding in penticton it hasn’t been resurfaced so I am sure it will claim its fair share of bottles on race day.
The climb up the 97 to Kaleden is a consistent climb with a couple parts where hard to keep momentum. In terms of gearing a bit of extra gearing if you aren’t a power rider wouldn’t be the worst idea. For reference I rode a 52/36 with a 11/25 for the attached ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1098256226/overview
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton.
Being correctly geared for 4 fairly significant long climbs beats the minor inconvenience of slightly larger skips by a mile. These are nothing like your Florida overpass climbs;)
YMMV,
Hugh
Strava details of the challenge penticton bike here - first 26km of ITU course is essentially flat.
Echo comments above - first climb maclean road feels like the road surface was dropped onto the ground from a great height. In the years I have been riding in penticton it hasn’t been resurfaced so I am sure it will claim its fair share of bottles on race day.
The climb up the 97 to Kaleden is a consistent climb with a couple parts where hard to keep momentum. In terms of gearing a bit of extra gearing if you aren’t a power rider wouldn’t be the worst idea. For reference I rode a 52/36 with a 11/25 for the attached ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1098256226/overview
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton.
Being correctly geared for 4 fairly significant long climbs beats the minor inconvenience of slightly larger skips by a mile. These are nothing like your Florida overpass climbs;)
YMMV,
Hugh
and definitely why i plan on taking both of them and trying them out a few days before. it always works out that i end up riding between the two skips on the 11/28 which means i get stuck with 10rpm changes in both directions which kicks my ass in the rhythm and comfort department. and you nailed it on the head on the overpass climbs 
I’m from South FL too and doing this race. I’m using 52/36 q rings with a SRAM 11/28. The SRAM 11/28 11sp cassette has no jumps until you get to 17 (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,22,25,28) You should look into it.
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton. i’m planning on taking both cassettes and giving the climbs a shot a few days before the race. i definitely don’t plan on putting out 268w for the climbs during the race like you did on your ride.
I’m from South FL too and doing this race. I’m using 52/36 q rings with a SRAM 11/28. The SRAM 11/28 11sp cassette has no jumps until you get to 17 (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,22,25,28) You should look into it.
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton. i’m planning on taking both cassettes and giving the climbs a shot a few days before the race. i definitely don’t plan on putting out 268w for the climbs during the race like you did on your ride.
very interesting … i didn’t know the SRAM cassettes had different gearing. i’ll have to look into it. thanks!
Strava details of the challenge penticton bike here - first 26km of ITU course is essentially flat.
Echo comments above - first climb maclean road feels like the road surface was dropped onto the ground from a great height. In the years I have been riding in penticton it hasn’t been resurfaced so I am sure it will claim its fair share of bottles on race day.
The climb up the 97 to Kaleden is a consistent climb with a couple parts where hard to keep momentum. In terms of gearing a bit of extra gearing if you aren’t a power rider wouldn’t be the worst idea. For reference I rode a 52/36 with a 11/25 for the attached ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1098256226/overview
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton.
Being correctly geared for 4 fairly significant long climbs beats the minor inconvenience of slightly larger skips by a mile. These are nothing like your Florida overpass climbs;)
YMMV,
Hugh
Ridden 50/34 11/32 for years. Hills or flat, works fine. This skip stuff is just junk compared to blowing ones legs out on the hills.
I would recommend the 28. I was close to swapping out to that myself but for a couple factors going to stay with the 25 as can hold the cadence I need up MacLean but only just.
Especially if you aren’t used to extra hills the extra gearing will come in handy.
Ridden 50/34 11/32 for years. Hills or flat, works fine. This skip stuff is just junk compared to blowing ones legs out on the hills.
you’re giving out cycling advice now too?
Ridden 50/34 11/32 for years. Hills or flat, works fine. This skip stuff is just junk compared to blowing ones legs out on the hills.
you’re giving out cycling advice now too?
Gearing, yep
I’m from South FL too and doing this race. I’m using 52/36 q rings with a SRAM 11/28. The SRAM 11/28 11sp cassette has no jumps until you get to 17 (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,22,25,28) You should look into it.
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton. i’m planning on taking both cassettes and giving the climbs a shot a few days before the race. i definitely don’t plan on putting out 268w for the climbs during the race like you did on your ride.
I’m pretty sure it’s the same with Shimano - they are the same until 19 when the 11-25 goes 21-23-25 and the 11-28 goes 21-24-28. I’ve never had any issues with the bigger gears, and use 11-28 all the time. If I did Florida I don’t think I’d change - just don’t see a reason to.
Brent
Shimano doesn’t have a 16 cog in the 11sp 11-28. Some ppl really like the 16.
I’m from South FL too and doing this race. I’m using 52/36 q rings with a SRAM 11/28. The SRAM 11/28 11sp cassette has no jumps until you get to 17 (11,12,13,14,15,16,17,19,22,25,28) You should look into it.
i’m torn as hell. i come from south florida where everything is flat so i really don’t have experience with this. i also have 52/36 chainrings and usually ride an 11/25. i truly truly hate the skips in the 11/28 but i’m wondering if i’d be better off for Penticton. i’m planning on taking both cassettes and giving the climbs a shot a few days before the race. i definitely don’t plan on putting out 268w for the climbs during the race like you did on your ride.
I’m pretty sure it’s the same with Shimano - they are the same until 19 when the 11-25 goes 21-23-25 and the 11-28 goes 21-24-28. I’ve never had any issues with the bigger gears, and use 11-28 all the time. If I did Florida I don’t think I’d change - just don’t see a reason to.
Brent