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| A shout out to my sponsor, Skratch Labs. Their hydration mix is crucial to my success. Also, their kit is very comfortable. Two thumbs up. |
Last week I downloaded the olympic distance bike course posted in the CGI Racing page for NJ State tri. It was a two loop 25 mile course that I rode in high heat and it was a bit of a sufferfest, but I got through it. I had planned to do a brick, adding a run in Mercer County Park after riding, but the heat made me think better of it. I needed to get home and hydrate to avoid exhaustion.
Then I heard from several swim and multisport teammates that the olympic bike course is actually going to be one loop this year. So I emailed CGI to ask for the updated route, and they sent it promptly, indicating they'd have it posted on their website sometime this week, which they now have.
The single loop course is 23 as opposed to 25 miles, and having done both of them, I can say I like the single loop better. Although it has several portions that are on high traffic roads (not easy to practice solo, but doable during off hours) those will definitely be secured and made safe on race day.
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| Looking for a cheap trip sheet for the course? Feel free to pull this image and print. I can also share you on my Google Doc of it if this one looks blurry. |
Probably the least pleasant part of this course is a series of tight turns through the Mercer County College campus at about mile 20. The college's perimeter road isn't in great shape and if there is going to be a pile up or wipe out, it's likely to come here, when people are starting to feel some fatigue and the space is tight. The course doubles back on itself on the campus, and having bikes going both directions may cause trouble. I remember this section from when I did the sprint version in 2013, and I saw some near misses for accidents.
Overall, I give the course two thumbs up, though I think there could be a better way to shoehorn in an extra mile or two for the course other than trying to navigate the community college campus. My suggestion for a simple fix: extend the route back into transition so it goes all the way to the Old Trenton Rd. side of the park, makes a broad turn and then heads back to the Marina transition area. That would be safer, but also more exposed if the race fell on a very sunny day as it did in 2013 (I didn't get to do it in 2014).
Doing the single loop course in cool weather yesterday, it seemed fairly flat and fast, as the race organizers claim, but in high heat those hills presented a lot more challenge for a mid-packer like myself. I followed my ride up with most of the NJ State olympic 10k run course in Mercer County Park. Again, there are some exposed spots where bright sun may present a challenge, and there are places where the path is tight and having two way foot traffic may cause frustration, especially for the front runners trying to jockey for position. Also, the final couple of miles do have some short steep hills that put tired legs to the test if you are really going at race pace.
I am remembering the cold shower tent that greeted us at the end of the race in 2013 and how welcome that was. I wish I could have a similar treat on my practice days.
Looking forward to the race.
PS - They seem do be resurfacing the parking lot where the transition and finish areas are set up. This will be great.
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