OK… who’s gearing up for Savageman this weekend? Had a chance to ride the bike course this summer, and it is tough. But, still looking forward to the inevitable sufferfest!
I’m swimming on a relay for the half. I’ll be heading up to Killer Miller to cheer again this year to cheer… may or may not be dressed up as an angel again like last year, though most likely wont be as drunk 
I was just thinking of starting a similar thread. I am in for the inevitable pain. Strangely looking forward to suffering. I will be camping onsite arriving on Friday afternoon sometime. First and only tri this summer due to a broken collar bone in June, might as well make it count. Good luck to all, I can’t wait.
Mike
awesome… on our training ride, Killer Miller dealt us a severe blow and my training partner and I cried like babies! I’ll look for the angels… trust me!
Hoping to have a stereo blasting as well… It’s desolate up on Miller. Seems last year we got quite a few smiles with the radio going along with cowbells and horns.
Good luck!
I did the half last year - it was hard, but it’s a great race overall. I will be volunteering and cheering riders on Killer Miller, which is one of the hardest climbs of the day. Have a great race!
Yup, I’m camping Friday and Saturday nights, too! I’ve got a Yurt reserved! Bring the hills, one of the few advantages to living in south central PA: It’s not as scary when the road goes up…
I’ll be there, kicking my own ass for signing up in the midst of a heavy travel/work schedule, paired with minimalistic/sporadic training. Swim will be fine, bike I’m keen to get after to compare to 70.3 Monaco, to see which is hardest. The run will suck. I will certainly not be setting any land speed records.
But I am jazzed to see what constitutes the (allegedly) hardest half in the world.
Good luck – I’m sure with the injury and no racing yet this year, this race will have real meaning!
Trust me, Killer Miller won’t be desolate this year. The word is out and Railey Realty is sponsoring the hill and is going to be putting on a party to rival Westernport. Or so I hear…
And, let’s not forget the Didi Senft lookalike competition…
Good to know Kyle - and awesome that there will be more people out there!
Shout out for South Central PA! Linglestown, myself - where are you from? Which hills do you ride? I live just about in the shadow of Blue Mountain Parkway, and I think I’ve hit every hill worthwhile within 30 miles or so, but let me know which ones get your respect. The out-and-back from Ft Indiantown Gap to Lykens via Carsonville Rd is the hardest I’ve been on.
Brian
I’ll be there. Did the international last year 2 weeks after IMOO and loved it. Been waiting for the half all year.
Putting the 27tooth on the rear tonight, been practicing on a 30% hill here in NW Pennsylvania all summer so bring it on.
Look for my bike, black Kuota Kalibur w/Zipp wheels.
Goal is sub 5:20.
Rode the 70.3 course twice in the last month. Ran it once. Now putting it all together… That’s going to be the rub. Props to Kyle or whoever was demented enough to come up with this course. Looking forward to asswhooping my innerdialogue on 9/20. Good luck and safe descending to all.
Here is a link to some videos from the Westernport Wall from last year, including Bjorn Andersson and Susan Williams, who are racing again this year.
Hopefully there will be some videos taken at Killer Miller.
Best. Bike. Course. Ever.
Got my brick last year, unfortunately this year got to get serious in school. Props to anyone starting this race, just that takes some cojones.
Westernport Wall - Stay to the right along the curb, avoid the double fault line that is the leftside. Stay in the saddle. And dont stop pedaling…
good luck
Congrats on getting a brick! For those that don’t know, if you complete the half and climb the Westernport Wall without falling you earn a permanent brick with your name placed on the Wall (you can see them in the videos I posted).
I highly recommend to anyone considering racing Savageman to ride the course and check out the Wall before you race it. I regret that I didn’t do either of these last year and while I finished 3rd in my AG, I tried but didn’t make it up the Wall (but I made it up Killer Miller without walking
I know that many who made it up the Wall fairly easily had a triple.
Ater he won the inaugural Savageman in 2007, Chris McDonald said something like: “Put on all the gears you can get your hands on.”
Good luck to everyone racing this weekend. I’ll see you at packet pick-up, body marking and Killer Miller.
Best. Bike. Course. Ever.
Got my brick last year, unfortunately this year got to get serious in school. Props to anyone starting this race, just that takes some cojones.
Westernport Wall - Stay to the right along the curb, avoid the double fault line that is the leftside. Stay in the saddle. And dont stop pedaling…
good luck
As signs on the course will make sure you’re aware: “Triples are for Wimps”
We should institute a rule that using a triple invalidates your Wall summit. And anyone who does it in big ring should get a cinder block instead of a brick.
ps - there is the option to go the long and less steep way around, but far fewer people took that option last year and it seems almost no one even knows it is an option any more.
I made it up the wall too-and didn’t have to walk any other portion either. I loved the race. Best race bar none. Nothing can beat it or the support on the course. I loved it, and want to do it again soon. Even the area is beautiful and friendly.
I agree with an earlier poster, I wanted to stay to the right, but there was no room-so I went through the pot holes and junk on the left, and made it. The hardest part is actually from the minute after you climb the wall, because you use all you have to get up that wall, but the slope keeps going around the bend! IT is crazy!
Funny but sad story-my wife took our video camera to record my mementous occasion, and forgot to take the lens cap off!!!
so all you hear are cow bells and screams to a black screen! I was so annoyed, but I knew there was nothing to do-she knew what she did was dumb. Gotta love her though!
I used 38x27 on a double last year, so I hope I’m wasn’t skating too close to the line on that one. What would you do for Bjorn in '08 or anyone else who rocks the Wall with a disc? My suggestion would be a cobble–if you’re that bad@ss, you have the right to make it harder for everyone else, especially since the bricks will make the left side easier as time goes on.