Hi,
I hope a wise west coaster can help me. I just did WF oly and plan to do Alcatraz. I live in Illinois so previewing the course isn’t very realistic and I didn’t get a chance to check it out this past weekend. Can anyone tell me how they compare? How would you change gearing for Alcatraz. My largest gear was a 25 and for WF oly that was fine. I’m planning on getting a 27 but could also steal my husband’s compact cranks if people think that would really help. I just can never get a good feel from a course from the profile.
I live just a few blocks off the Alcatraz bike course and compared to Wildflower Oly the hills are much steeper (Lynch excepted) but not as long. You have three hills to deal with on the out and the same three on the back.
from the Marina to the top of Lincoln in the Presidio
From Robin William’s house up to the Legion of Honor
Clement Street up to 39th Avenue
On the way back you’ll climb from the beach up past the Cliff House to Clement, then up to the Legion of Honor and the last climb will be back up Lincoln which is the biggest climb of the day…but the views are nice
You won’t be in your aerobars too much on this course…apart from the costal sections its all either hard up or hard down.
Though I’d say there is more flat in the Alcatraz course. You have the stretch along Chrissy Field and then through the park.
I have a 27 on my tri bike (650 wheels) and it’s fine for the Alcatraz course. And I am NOT good on uphills. That said, for the hills, I prefer my road bike with the compact cranks and 700 wheels, but if I were racing Alcatraz, I’d probably go with the tri bike (since I’m pretty comfortable on it and handling it downhill).
If you were fine at Wildflower with the 25 you will be fine a Alacatraz with the 27. There are a couple of steep climbs but I don’t think it is worth putting on the compacts.
It’s gonna hurt if you crash whether you’re going 20 mph or 40. Might as well go 40 I say. Oh wait, you might be my competition. Just go slow, better safe than sorry I say.
