The new Boulder 70.3 bike course has been announced. It is similar to the Harvest Moon course, but goes a little further north to make it a true 56 miles instead of 54. The big problem I see is that it is two loops with a long section on highway 36 with single lanes in each direction of 60mph traffic and a shoulder that is not wide enough for safe passing in race conditions (the northbound road on the west side of the course):
Ironman and other races have used 36 a lot in the past. In smaller races, it’s not a huge problem because there is not much congestion. But in big, two loop races, like Ironman Boulder in 2016, it can be a giant problem. In 2016 a woman was hit behind by a truck and killed when she moved left to pass. To address this problem, Ironman has designated sections of the course on 36 to be no passing zones, as they did last year for the 70.3. But last year was a 1 loop course, and the long no passing zones were a major problem for racing and many people passed anyway. This year, as a two loop course, you will have people averaging 25mph sharing this section of road with people averaging 13 mph.
Making this 10 mile section of course a no passing zone is not a reasonable solution (I’m not saying that is what they are doing…). The only way I can see making it work is if the northbound lane on 36 is closed to traffic and made available for racing. But this, as far as I know, has never been done for a triathlon. I have not seen anywhere that Ironman addresses this aspect of the course. Anyone have any info regarding this?
I have the same concerns regarding 36. I raced Tri Boulder last year where we turn off on Nelson for the double loop course and the second loop consisted of flying by people at 30+mph who were going 15-20 mph. There were only 71 participants in the long course race that day too. I am really hoping Ironman takes proper steps to making this route safe by restricting north bound traffic.
I have the same concerns regarding 36. I raced Tri Boulder last year where we turn off on Nelson for the double loop course and the second loop consisted of flying by people at 30+mph who were going 15-20 mph. There were only 71 participants in the long course race that day too. I am really hoping Ironman takes proper steps to making this route safe by restricting north bound traffic.
The first part of Hygiene will be like that on the second lap. People on their first lap might be going down at 25 mph, but scared and riding in the middle of the lane while second lappers will be going 50mph in the aero bars. But there’s not a lot of traffic on that road.
Wait, the race is going to have a 10 mile long continuous no passing zone? Is that correct?
If so, might as well make it a fondo
No. I did not mean to convey that. I do not know what they are going to do. Last year, on the 1 loop course they had two sections on 36. They were both no passing zones and each maybe 2 miles.
I was just trying to make the point that making 36 a no passing zone on this course does not look like an option to me.
Back in the day late 70’s we trained on 36 then up Left Hand Canyon or all the way to Lyons up to Estes and back via Peak to Peak.
36 was dangerous then I can only imagine now . Last time in Boulder in 2018 the riders on Saturday morning was ridiculous, I was more scared in the car trying to get past these groups.
I ride 36 regularly and it is reasonably safe for training with pretty wide shoulder.
On other races (with smaller fields) 36 also usually feels reasonably safe. Drivers in Boulder are quite aware of bicyclists generally.
As I heard athlete that was fatally hit during ironman race there did veer outside of the coned zone. It is tragic, but a negligence on the cyclists side.
As I heard athlete that was fatally hit during ironman race there did veer outside of the coned zone. It is tragic, but a negligence on the cyclists side.
That is correct, but as Ed points out, athletes are very likely to do this anyway. I see that happen all the time. Especially in a race, people have this false sense of security and do stuff like overtaking outside the cones.
When passing people on 36 on training rides I often need to ride a little into the lane. Taking time to look behind me for traffic and NOT having cones makes this safe to do. Cones can make it much more difficult to accomplish when the cycling lane is not plenty wide. It is barely big enough to pass safely within the shoulder IF the other rider is riding all the way on the right edge which many people do not do - some because they are not confident bike handlers and are scared of riding close to the edge of the road. That’s the kind of person you will be overtaking on the second lap. They also may be trying to pass eachother at the same time. In a large race, two laps on the shoulder of 36 can be a cluster. Let’s be safe out there! If we have to, let’s just be patient, slow down and wait until it is safe to pass.
so the problem isn’t necessarily with Ironman… it’s with the City and County of Boulder. Boulder dictates and approves permit conditions (Ironman designs them but I also think there’s a heavy influence from the City of Boulder). Shutting down a lane or giving extra room is also something that should be taken up with the City.
It super sucks and I’m not really happy about it. Passing people on that road during local races isn’t fun and it’s going to be even less fun with 2-3x the number of people out there.
so the problem isn’t necessarily with Ironman… it’s with the City and County of Boulder. Boulder dictates and approves permit conditions (Ironman designs them but I also think there’s a heavy influence from the City of Boulder). Shutting down a lane or giving extra room is also something that should be taken up with the City.
It super sucks and I’m not really happy about it. Passing people on that road during local races isn’t fun and it’s going to be even less fun with 2-3x the number of people out there.
To be fair, shutting down a lane of 36 would be hugely disruptive to both residents and everyone trying to get to/from Rocky Mountain National Park.
I think there’s a better solution than doing 2 laps on 36.
Just for fun, a loop from the reservoir to Ward down and through Jamestown and then a little bit of a loop close to hygiene back to the reservoir is awfully close to 56 miles… Maybe the folks over at Without Limits would be wiling to change the harvest moon half-iron course.
Yes, I agree with comments that highway 36 is a dangerous road. I am really surprised by how many recreational cyclists (non-race participants) will be out on 36 and other roads DURING a big event like Boulder 70.3. It’s a free country and people can ride their bikes where ever but I would avoid roads where there’s a race going on…Then, participants are navigating the recreational cyclists, motorists, the cone zone, the other participants, etc. I do believe that races give people a false sense of security especially on the bike and people tend to take unnecessary risks during races. Whenever I have done races that involve highway 36 I am very careful to look back for motorists before passing another cyclist along that road. A cyclist was severely injured during a race along there a few years ago.
I think the Boulder 70.3 course will be flatter and faster this year but the 2 loops will make it congested and increase the LOS (likelihood of stupidity) by participants. I am curious why they went to the 2 loops (like Harvest Moon Course). I suspect it was locals complaining and traffic control issues or both. How will they keep track of people completing the 2 loops?!
Yes, I agree with comments that highway 36 is a dangerous road. I am really surprised by how many recreational cyclists (non-race participants) will be out on 36 and other roads DURING a big event like Boulder 70.3. It’s a free country and people can ride their bikes where ever but I would avoid roads where there’s a race going on…Then, participants are navigating the recreational cyclists, motorists, the cone zone, the other participants, etc. I do believe that races give people a false sense of security especially on the bike and people tend to take unnecessary risks during races. Whenever I have done races that involve highway 36 I am very careful to look back for motorists before passing another cyclist along that road. A cyclist was severely injured during a race along there a few years ago.
I think the Boulder 70.3 course will be flatter and faster this year but the 2 loops will make it congested and increase the LOS (likelihood of stupidity) by participants. I am curious why they went to the 2 loops (like Harvest Moon Course). I suspect it was locals complaining and traffic control issues or both. How will they keep track of people completing the 2 loops?!
Thanks for sharing this.
we’ll ride over a timing mat at least once per loop to keep everyone honest.
Looks like there are a few updates on the course. First, paving on Hygiene means they are using St Vrain instead, not sure if they’ll try to make up the distance. Second, looks like they’ve managed to work out something with the city, and will have northbound 36 closed to traffic.
Looks like there are a few updates on the course. First, paving on Hygiene means they are using St Vrain instead, not sure if they’ll try to make up the distance. Second, looks like they’ve managed to work out something with the city, and will have northbound 36 closed to traffic.
I saw the news about northbound 36 being closed. So good! I did not expect it, but I am very happy.
