I haven’t seen this question answered very clearly, but for those familiar with the area, how unusual (for the time of year) was the cold weather at IMLT last year? I live in the mountains at a similar elevation (Durango, CO), so I get that weather can be pretty volatile and vary a lot that time of year and here we could certainly get cold (even snow) that time of year, but I would consider it unusual. More likely here would be a low in the upper 30’s-low 40’s and a high in the 70’s. I would say it would be more common for it to be warmer than that as opposed to colder, but again, it could go either way.
So for those in the know, what would you say about Tahoe? Was that unusually cold last year or pretty typical? On average would you say its usually colder or warmer than that? Anybody care to even guess at percentages?
I don’t live there, but my wife did the race last year. We stayed for about a week. If the race had been the day before it would have been cancelled, shortened, or cutoff mid race. Race day you heard about. If it was any other day we were there the weather was beautiful, maybe a bit brisk at times but not miserable. Locals told us that they generally get snow and cold temps once a month all year round. You pays your money and you takes your chances.
I did Leadman in Bend last year and it carries the same fate as Tahoe. It is a late year race and it is right on the cusp of the turning of the Season. That means one of two things: The course will be a perfect temperature with absolutely georgeous surroundings and deliver a perfect race day…or it is going to be crap bad. It all depends on when the season decides to change and it can change in 24 hours.
That is just how late-season races are over here.
I have had bad luck with races. I have only had one race that was blue sky. Most races are drizzling or raining, and one race was 38 degrees with sleet. (Leadman). I have learned to always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, which includes one “HTFU” long ride in the pouring rain.
Figure out your layers and extra nutrition and pray that you don’t need them.
This year will likely be warmer. But it might not be. And that’s part of why we race, right? To challenge ourselves against our competitors, the course, nature, and ourselves.
Late September Tahoe typically has mild to warm days and chilly nights.
The swim was beautiful (only challenge was the steam coming off the lake), the bike was chilly, and the run was fine. I do think a lot of people were cold on the run because they expected to be finished before it cooled off, and they didn’t expect it to cool off as much as it did.
Call it a tossup. It’s snowed in every month of the year in the Sierra.
My dad used to fly for Harrah’s (old-school casino). They put on a golf tournament for their high rollers up at Tahoe. First year, they had it in October…obviously it snowed. So they moved it to June the next year. Snowed again. Then August…snowed. They went through pretty much every non-winter month and finally gave up. Moral? Best chance to see shitty weather in Tahoe is to schedule something important for your date of choice.
There used to be an Olympic tri that started in Kings Beach; I did it twice. KB is practically the last corner of the lake to see the sun that time of year so mornings, even in good weather spells, are nearly guaranteed to be cold. So you can probably bank on a cold morning no matter what, and if the weather is bad, hang on to yer panties, cowboy.
It was not unusually cold; it typically gets that cold in the mornings and the evenings at that time of year. The driving rain we had the day before the race was somewhat unusual (not unheard of, obviously, but not something I’d expect to happen every year). But the temps were absolutely typical.
Of note, I would have expected far more wind for the swim. It was glassy last year, something that one should not always count on in that part of the lake.
I lived in North Tahoe for 12 years and while that weather isn’t typical, it’s not entirely unusual. September was always my favorite month with fewer crowds and generally warm days, though it will certainly be cool in the am. The later in the month it gets the better the chances for inclement weather. All depends on if a cold front blows through.
I live down the hill a ways for the last 25 years. We can get crazy weather basically ever month of the year. It was great before the race and after. Just one of those fronts that went through.
Loved the race last year. Looking forward to the IMLT 70.3 this year.
