For those doing or who have done the World’s Toughest Half with all it’s climbing, which is set up do you think is optimal?
Survey says?..
Tri bike. It’s light, and it’s wicked fast on those 10 and 20 mile downhills. This course is roughly 2:30 of moderate-grade climbing and 0:45 of coasting (give or take 10 minutes of each).
I asked Slowman about the course last week and he said something like, “It’s slow, but it’s not hard.”
The roads are smooth, with long, sweeping curves. Very little shifting involved since the climbs are so steady and long. No need for STI.
If I had a disc, I’d ride it, too.
I rode the course a couple of times the other weekend- I would ride whatever bike you’re more comfortable descending on. With the exception of the first couple of miles, most of the climbing is fairly smooth- sudden shifts won’t be needed. It’s more rythem climbing then explosive climbing. But the descents are wicked fast in places. Not 50 mph+ steep stuff, but 30-35 mph, smooth roads and lots of banking corners. If you’re a confident descender you can get through most of it without braking. But if you’re nervous on your tri bike with a forward position and bullhorns you’re going to be hitting the brakes every corner, with resulting loss of speed.
A lot of the uphill sections are 10-15 mph tops, and the downhills are fast enough that confidence at speed will be more important than aerodynamics in a TT position. There is very little area on the course where you can roll along on the flats or a slight downhill at 20-25 mph laid out on the aerobars. It’s mostly either uphill at 10-15 (not too steep, but you notice it) or downhill at 30+.
If you’re one of the types that enjoys descending at 30-40mph in the aerobars around corners, then ride your tri bike. Me, I like my drops for descending. I’m going to be on my road bike with a pair of shorty clipons and a pair of wheels with a decent braking surface. Safety first.
That being said, I expect the people posting the fastest bike splits will be riding full TT rigs. I’ll give up a minute or two on the bike for a bit more confidence on the descents.
I took a bunch of photos and some Mpeg video while on the course. I’ll post here once I get around to posting them on our club web page. It’s a nice course- the descent down Mosquito ridge to the turn-around is one of the nicest I’ve even ridden.
Good Luck,
J
I’m on my road bike for this one. Three reasons:
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I have ridden the course twice on a road bike, and it works very well for the descent on Mosquito Ridge Road as well as the climb back up from the the Circle Bridge and the climb out of the transition area.
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I am not going to be in the aero bars on the way back in to Auburn - too far from the brakes on some of the hills and I will be faster in the hooks.
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My road bike is equipped with the compact crankset and perfect gearing for this course.
I may even lose the ITU style clip-ons to save weight. I barely touched them in training.
Ok, there’s a fourth reason.
- I have yet to go more than a few miles on the tri bike - just built it last weekend…
If you’re one of the types that enjoys descending at 30-40mph in the aerobars around corners, then ride your tri bike.
That’s also one of my considerations. I just love putting my nose to the stem and lettin’ it roll. I touched 52 mph down the hill to Keene at LP – in the rain. What a thrill ride that was!
Stupid, maybe. But a thrill nonetheless.
Thanks fo rall the feedback and insight. I think I’m going ot go with the road set up. I have yet to put any time on my tri config rig and don’t really see any serious time in the near future except on CT. I have been experimenting with the compact cranks as well. I just went througha long Big Gear period using the 50 exclusively for 8 weeks. Major increase in bike specific strength. Hoping that the 10+ weeks of high rpm work i did prior will come back in the next 2+ weeks as I prepare for WTH.
i thought about this myself. last year i did it on a tri bike. this year it’s going to be my road bike.
it’s not because of the climbing, but the descending. the course either doesn’t allow you to be in aero bars, or else you’re climbing, which is accomplished as easily on a road bike. but it’s a close call. monty’s going to ride it on his tri bike.