The 2007 USAT Nationals are being held at Hagg Lake, west of Portland, next June. Does anyone have any insight/experience/opinion on the bike course around the lake? I understand it is 2 loops with an added out & back to make the 40k and is “somewhat” hilly. My question would be what type of bike and wheel combo would be best suited for this course? I am in the market for a new ride with a focus on this race next year and would be significantly influenced by the course. Any Portland STers have a recommendation?
There’s only one flat section on the entire course, and that’s a pretty short stretch across a dam.
I don’t know which direction they’re going to go. If counter-clockwise on the out and back you’ll have a gradual descent on the out, and then turn back and the gradual ascent will turn into a very steep, and probably the longest hill of the course.
None of the descents are overly technical, and an above average rider should be able to stay in the aero bars for all of them.
I have no problems riding the course with my tri-bike. If I had the choice between a disk and a deep rim lighter wheel, I would probably go with the lighter wheel. That said, I’ve ridden a disk there with no problems.
scott
I did this race a few years ago. It is fairly hilly with a few bumps and one steep climb each loop. It is still a tri-bike, disc, full aero course. There were sub-1hr bike splits the year I raced. Each loop is a just a big circle around the lake, so the only real corners that I remember are the right turn to do the out and back and the 180 at the end of the out and back. The rest is just gradual left turning in a counter-clockwise loop.
Beautiful lake and course. The run at the time was just 3.1 miles out and back on the last 3.1 miles of the bike course. Also, rolling.
Since the road around the lake doesn’t go anywhere else but the lake, traffic is almost non-existent even if the roads aren’t closed. It may be zero for this race since the ramp would likely be closed due to the race/transition area.
We are heading back for 2007 from Oklahoma. Really looking forward to it.
Unfortunately it is has been 4 years so I can’t remember the exact details of the course. I just remember with the exception of climb back up from the out and back it was a fast course.
imo, it levels the playing field for the lighter riders with the hills… the key with the course is carrying speed from hill to hill; there might be one or two where gearing down in a neccessity.
I’m a little ansy about riding it with so many folks out there, but if they sweep the corners of gravel, etc. it shouldn’t be too bad.
Good course, challenging… who knows what they will do with the run, I reckon it will also be hilly no matter what.
A light wheelset is prolly the best way to go…
I did a race there this year and the bike course was a lot harder than I expected. It’s pretty much all rolling with no real flats to speak of and although there are no big climbs, they are enough to put a good hurtin on your legs and you don’t get much break between them. In my small race of 70 or 80 people, I was the only guy in the race with a disk of any kind(I had a CH Aero cover on). Next time I’ll probably just use my Hed Alps.
I definately wouldn’t call it a fast course. The loop is 11 miles and I think I had the 4th OA bike split at 31:42 (including T2) and the guy that won the overall who is a National caliber Oly racer was only 30 seconds or so faster on the bike (however, I heard his shoe fell off the pedal when he was trying to clip in so he lost some time there:-).
Hagg Lake is a nice venue.
the course is a perfect tri course - a little bit of everything. one short, steep hill, one flat, windy section, nice scenery, little to no traffic. A couple sharp corners, some very nice downhill. if you’re use to riding a straight line, this will be a challenge. if you love to ride your bike, and do some road riding, you will love the course.
There are enough hills that you can really burn yourself out unless you regulate your effort going uphill. I think the shortness of most of the hills makes you want to attack them and get over them, so you have to be careful and avoid this. That said, the course provides numerous opportunities for rest/nutrition due to the downhill sections (mostly straight, not too steep).
If there’s any truth to the importance of aero position and wheels, this is the course that will truly show it. While there are a couple noticable climbs, the downhill afterwards where you reach 30+mph will allow you to really benefit from your aero efforts. The beginning of the lap, if they run it counterclockwise (like they always do), is awesome. A very short hill followed by miles and miles of terrain that will have you riding extremely fast if you know how to use your momentum.
Awesome.
aero set up 100%. No question.
Very helpful responses from all of you. Thanks. How about gearing? Would a 12-25 with 53-39 suffice? Is an 11-23 doable? Or am I going to wish for the 27?
I would suggest an 11-23. My wife rides a 48 - 39 and 12-25 on the course, and only drops into the 25 towards the top of that steep climb. You’ll use your mid range gearing a lot (13 - 19)due to the variable terrain so you’ll want as many gears in that range as possible. Us idiot roadies ride an 11-21 on the course (8 lap race).
I would recommend pre-riding the course, focusing on the portion of the course after the turnaround. That’s the steep hill. It’s steep, but short, so you’ll have to determine what your trade-off is going to be. If you have trouble with that hill, you might want to trade a mid-range gear for a low gear.
Your pre-ride will also allow you to get a feel for how to keep your momentum up throughout the course. That’s the real key to a good split - and conserving energy - out there. And don’t underestimate the wind, there can be a lot of it…
12-25
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I’ll be using a 50-36 and 11-23. the 36/23 will probably only get used for the climb up after the turnaround. 36/23 is just slightly easier than 39/25. I’m expecting to bike right close to 1 hour.
"I’m expecting to bike right close to 1 hour. "
Good luck dude: I’ve never seen anyone break an hour there (The winner usually bikes a 1:02). I was just looking at old results. I would say for an elite Hagg Lake is good 5 min. slower than a pancake-flat course.
That said, gearing is not an issue. There are about 5 hills of note, but only one steep one more than a few hundred yards / 60-120 sec. of climbing. That one takes about 2-3 min. as I recall. But oly athletes have to do them twice of course.
Ha, yer right. For some reason I was thinking the winner when I was there biked :58, but he actually 1:04 and FINISHED in 1:58.
So, I revise my comment. I expect to bike right around 1:05 on that course.