Quick question about Wildflower Olympic Distance. I looked on the website and registration opens up on the 8th. I was wondering what the sell out rate is on this race and how long could i possibly wait before registering? This will be my first year racing the course so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. How “hard” is the first hill out of T1 that I have heard all these stories about?
Quick question about Wildflower Olympic Distance. I looked on the website and registration opens up on the 8th. I was wondering what the sell out rate is on this race and how long could i possibly wait before registering? This will be my first year racing the course so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. How “hard” is the first hill out of T1 that I have heard all these stories about?
Oops! Attempt to post didn’t work! I have registered after the New Year and haven’t had any problems. The Transition area is able to handle 3500 (?) and I’ve seen two or three rows of bike racks unoccuppied. (It is assigned bike racking). Lynch Hill starts right after the leaving the transition area. Have your chainring set for a middle to easy gear. I am power-to-weight challenged with a 12-25 on the back. I just get into a small ring and churn away, enjoy the people on the side cheering everyone on and look for a martini or margarita as I climb up the hill wishing other racers to have a good race as they pass me! It is a 6% to 8% grade. Nothing too serious. This is a rolling course so you never have any real long stretches where you can get down into the areo bars. Hope this helps!
Has not sold out the last 2 years.
dave
I registered in February last year no problem. The hill was not that hard in my opinion, but I like hills. I saw several bare asses on that hill, so I was glad I wasn’t struggling so I could appreciate them. I’d work on your downhill running for that hill too.
edit: female asses
There is definitely a hill there. It will wake you up right out of the water. It’s a small chainring hill, but not impossible. If you’re a flatlander (as I am), you will feel it. Again, it’s there, but don’t fear it… just be prepared to go up and down hills. It’s a great weekend, you won’t regret it at all. So you there.
It’s a good course if you like hills. There is really not much flat at all on the bike, a mile or two on the run but that’s it from what I remember. The first hill is a pain, but not too terrible, then it’s really just rollers the rest of the time. As for advice, get there friday afternoon and camp and then don’t plan on leaving your campsite til sunday afternoon. I remember not leaving until late afternoon on sunday because there was a couple mile backup to get out of the park. Also this lets you go down and watch the half races, and the solid pro field that the race usually attracts.
Thanks for the info everyone. Does anyone remember how much time difference this course added to your “normal” Olympic Distance race? I plan on getting there Friday and enjoying the whole weekend at a great race venue from which I have only read about.
I went 2:16 last year which is about 10 min slower then I could do on a flat course. But for me that was before I was doing a lot of hill training, so on average probably closer to 7-8 min slower.
Lynch hill is definitely a wake up call right out of transition but it’s manageable and nothing to worry about.
The road surface of the short stretch leading up to the hill is pretty rough so make sure all your stuff is strapped in tight. It’s usually littered with all kinds of stuff people have launched.
I’ve never done the OLY but the Long Course is one of my all time favorite races.
Have fun.
I think the OP was asking about the Olympic selling out. Is it different for the Long Course?
Thanks,
Matt
I do not believe either the LC or SC have sold out in the last couple of years. And, it is hard to believe it will be any better for any race this year. I know I am being much more selective. I have a credit for WF, but for the total cost, currently, I am planning to pass again. :o(
Dave
I’ve done both races (LC and the Oly). I think the Oly is about 10-15 min slow compared to a normal Olympic distance race. First hill is tough, but get in your smallest gear and grind away…the worst thing is that it begins within a few yards of leaving transition so your legs are completely cold.
The worst thing about the Olympic distance race in general is that it is on Sunday. While all the Long Coursers are relaxing and drinking beers around campfires on Saturday night, the Olympic distance athletes are going to bed.
I seriously doubt either race will sell out. Neither did last year nor the year before, IIRC. It’s an expensive weekend due to the travel and logistics involved…
But, if you can find the time and $$, its a great experience.
I’m planning on doing the LC again in 2009. Looking forward to it already.