The Westernport Wall at SavageMan Triathlon

Triathlon Forum
1

There’s been lots of talk and lots of questions about the Westernport Wall at SavageMan. This is the start of a 7 mile climb over the Eastern Continental Divide over Big Savage Mountain. The one block on a closed stretch of road maxes at 31%, although racers have the option to go around the block. The grass and weeds on the closed block of road will be cleared for raceday.

I mounted a video camera to my bike to get a few shots. Fun stuff. Remember, this is just the start of a 7 mile climb, with the first mile (of which this is part) averaging 14%. Lots of fast athletes are going to have a rude awakening on the hardest course in triathlon.

  1. The view of a successful attempt from my handlebars. Haig and Mike up ahead clear it cleanly. Laura goes around the block. Ashley “just call me Tom Boonen” is right ahead of me and bites it right near the top.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqPJ7WmPfi4

  2. An unsuccessful attempt by Jocelyn. She dusts herself off to clear it on subsequent attempts.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JnXNKKgdJ0

  3. A successful 2nd attempt by Ashley and Mike.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cct8-Ce2eRk

2

What gearing did you all have?

3

Ashley had a 39-25 and you can see she about loses all forward momentum but manages to just turn the pedal over and push through and stay upright on her successful attempt. Most of us had compacts - 34-25 for most I think. The Wall is all power and less about gearing, but the rest of the course with long hills and steep hills, it is important to have adequate gearing. Compacts advised, although the strong can get by without.

4

I should have come out there, then I could have been on video too. Hope you guys had a great weekend!

I hear people should ride a disc to give them extra speed leading up into the base of the wall…

Is Ashley OK? Looked like she took quite a tumble…

5

As you know, Ashley is one tough cookie. She got up from her tumble, went around the block to get back down, and made it clear the 2nd time. Then went on to crush Big Savage and the whole course in roughly 3:30, which as you know is no slacker of a time for that course.

6

Great videos, thanks! I am cracking up, showing these to my wife, who thinks I’m nuts. I’m looking forward to the race.

7

There will be a lot of spinouts that result in falls on the wall. I’ve had multiple failures and multiple successes over the wall in training, depending on the condition of the road at the time. I’m really glad it will be weeded/swept once more before race day. Hopefully and fortunately, most will result in no damage to bike or rider… as they will be falls from a dead stop. Still, I really hope someone is spectating with a camcorder, as it will be quite amusing to watch!