I’m signing up for Embrunman. Flying into Lyon three days before and flying out of Lyon. I’m figuring I won’t be racing it more being happy completing the bike and doing the run will be a bonus.
Swim is kinda weird given they start in the dark wonder how they handle keeping people safe I think I will be hanging back or to the side until it gets light.
About the bike what should I wear? I presume I could get pretty hot going up but the descent could be pretty cold? Do they have a special needs bag where I can stash a windjacket for the way down? I don’t mind ascending but will be scrubbing a fair amount of speed on the way down as I live in the flatlands. I’m thinking of upgrading the shimano 105 brakes on my tribike to something more substantial.
bump
I’m signing up for Embrunman. Flying into Lyon three days before and flying out of Lyon. I’m figuring I won’t be racing it more being happy completing the bike and doing the run will be a bonus.
Swim is kinda weird given they start in the dark wonder how they handle keeping people safe I think I will be hanging back or to the side until it gets light.
About the bike what should I wear? I presume I could get pretty hot going up but the descent could be pretty cold? Do they have a special needs bag where I can stash a windjacket for the way down? I don’t mind ascending but will be scrubbing a fair amount of speed on the way down as I live in the flatlands. I’m thinking of upgrading the shimano 105 brakes on my tribike to something more substantial.
since no-one with real experience at Embrunman has answered, here is mine. I have not done the race, but did ride the bike course once, in 2003. Also did one loop of the run the next day, but did not swim any of course.
what to wear is entirely weather dependant. If it is raining, then the top and the descent off Col d’Izoard could be very cold. And with the early start, the smaller descents on the southern loop could be cool. The day i was there, started out cool enough for arm-warmers and leg-warmers, but then got pretty hot for the rest of the day.
I strongly recommend using the best brakes and the best tires that you can.
I don’t know if the race has a special needs on the bike. if they don’t, then i would carry extra gear in case the weather changes. Its mountains - the weather can change anytime.
the run is civilised. one longish climb on each loop (as far as i remember) and the bit through town is very neat. Be careful going through town on the first loop - it would be easy to get carried away by the spectators and run too fast.
i believe they have a boat with lights for the swimmers to follow. if you are back of the pack, then just follow other swimmers 
good luck and good speed to you. have a fun race.
I haven’t done Embrunman (yet) but did Alpe d’Huez long course last week and cycled up de Col d’Izoard on Friday. The climb can get pretty hot indeed, obviously depending on the weather. However, unless the forecast is really bad and/or rain is expected I’d simply go with a trisuit. Both during the descend of the Izoard and the descends during the Alpe d’Huez bike course I didn’t need anything to keep me warm. Just pack a rainjacket if necessary.
I do second the advice to go for the best brakes available, going down a mountain will be both safer and more fun.
And please post a race report once you’ve done the Embrunman, this race moved up a lot on my wish list since my experience last week.
I’ve unfortunately only DNSed the race as I got hit by a car 2 weeks prior a few years ago. So instead went and drove the bike course. It’s a beast, but of course you know that!
+1000 to what others have said about the weather. Late summer in the Alps can feature pretty exciting weather, so be smart about that. If the sun’s out, the descent won’t be cold, but if it’s rainy or thunderstormy, all bets are off. And yes, best brakes and tires you can get your hands on.