Who’s in?
I am doing the Half, and I am volunteering at the finish line for the Oly and for packet pickup on Saturday.
Any advice from previous participants? Any recommendations for restaurants?
John
It is really a great race, but super tough course. I think i had about 4500 feet of climbing on the bike and about 1900 feet of climbing on the run. The first significant climb on the run is on a dirt/gravel road and it is a tough climb. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere so not much around there regarding restaurants. We stayed about 30 minutes away and I only saw all of the basic chain restaurants. Good luck and have fun.
I’m racing the oly, first time at Quassy
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Same here…first time Oly at Quassy.
Racing the half on Sunday. Definitely going to hit the pond for the practice swim on Saturday.
Advice: Ride some hills, run some hills, repeat.
I was…but I’m pulling out. Posted earlier. Good luck to everyone!
I’m in for the Half Rev on Sunday. I raced the Olympic back in 2012 and found that bike course to be nothing but up or down. I’ve studied the elevation profile and ridden plenty of hills to prep for this weekend, but I’ve been told that the half bike course is like an MC Escher drawing, it only goes up and up and up yet somehow you end up back at the start.
I’m also looking forward to picking up my very own “I survived the Connecticut Alps” t-shirt.
Save some for the run. Sounds like it may be a cooler weekend this year than in the past, but you still don’t want to be walking the hills.
I ate at a brick oven pizza joint called “8 Fifty Wood Fired Pizza”. Thought it was pretty tasty, and had a nice beer selection if you like a cold one before the race (which I do).
I’m racing Sunday. Drove/rode the course yesterday and yeah, it’s not big steep hills just constantly changing grades and rougher pavement types that seem to force a lot of watt spending out there. Even the downhills feel slow 
. Reminds me of ironman Wisconsin course in that way…not a lot of great spots to just motor, always forcing you to transition from descending, cornering and climbing.
I am mostly seeing 39xx feet elevation for the course from stalking others stravas of the ride.
I"m in for the half. First time doing this event.
I’m in.
My first Oly after fracturing 7 vertebrae last year. It won’t be my fastest, but I’m excited for this weekend.
I’ve done both distances. Hilly but manageable. Love the downhills. Leave some gas in the tank for the run - you’ll need it. Profiles below. Also, I suggest you get there early so you snatch a spot in the parking lot. Good luck to everyone racing.
Hello Frosty and All:
(a nod to Nealhe, i think i got the font color wrong but whatever, lol )
There’s really just limited terrain around here for that sustained aerobar flat sections that i’m sure you’d all love, just ain’t built that way 'round here. The terrain forces mental engagement too, which generates a fatigue all its own. But still, it’s some very nice riding and about as New England’y as you’re going to get. Embrace the hills!
Restaraunts, here’s an idea for a quickie off the beaten path choice:
New Morning Market - http://www.newmorn.com/general/home.php Decent sized organic market with an eat in section, check for hours… take out certainly an option vs sit down dinner out, open until 8pm. They do have in store dining too, about 20 tables or so.
Or, dine while watching airplanes land at Oxford Airport, a rural airstrip 3miles from race site – 121 Restaurant: - http://121group.com/restaurants/oxford-airport/about
Decent brick oven choices last i checked, it’s a legit wood fired oven and food is decent. Atmosphere is great too.
Mexican - Senor Panchos in Southbury: http://www.senorpanchos.com/ -They make their salsa fresh each day, it is fkng amazing! Andy the owner genuinely cares about quality, cares about people in general. They’re quick and efficient, food is always well prepared.
And, believe it or not: Crowne Plaza Southbury! If you’re staying there, they actually have decent food!! I have no idea how they staff for a pair of busy pre race eves loaded with ravenous diners, but they normally do a solid job of food choices and prep. They are the host hotel for the Pat Griskus Triathlons too, but I’m not just blowing smoke here, I live on their food for a few days surrounding my 2 events at Quassy, and they never disappoint, seriously!
So there’s a few, hopefully you’ll find the info helpful, good luck this weekend all!
Any idea what the water temp is? I imagine a lot cooler than expected given the lack of warm weather this month.
I don’t know the exact temp but it felt like upper 60’s F to me. Picked up a fair amount of warmth from last weekend, nice stretch of sun and warm air, i’m always surprised at how quickly those temps come up.
Not sure about the Olympic, but save something for the last 2 -3k of the run in the half . . it’s all uphill!
Also, cold water, low sun, cool air temps, and lots of shaded, down-hill riding in the first 20 - 30 minutes on the bike in the half = chance for big chills. Dress accordingly.
Rev 3 said the water temp was 65 degrees. It is not the water temp I am concerned about. Air temp looks to be below 50 at start time. That be some cold swimming weather.
today at about 5pm, 2 ft down and about 50 ft out, water temp was 64.
The water temp today was absolutely perfect. The weather was stunning with dry conditions, no humidity and a high temp of about 75, unlike last year when it was muggy and 85.
You weren’t kidding about there being a shortage of long flat sections in that area for aerobar riding. My Forerunner 910 measured 4,200 feet of climbing. For comparison I looked at about two dozen race logs on 910’s from IMLP and the average climbing for the FULL 112 miles was a touch under 6000 feet. I live 40 minutes away in CT and have no rides like that give that much climbing in 56 miles!
I was surprised how much the race’s number of participants has dropped from last year, when they had about 1,000 finishers. It was just under 750 for the Half Rev today. Can all that be attributed to the lack of a pro prize purse?
Also, I want to complain about being in the M40-44 age group. I was 6th with a time of 4:41. The winning time in the next younger AG, M35-39, was 4:53. WTF? That time would have gotten 12th in M40-44!