Internal Mono(b)log

Went to Welland today and pre-rode the bike course for the sprint tri next week.  Went down with @marciomrqz and we did the Forks Rd, Feeder Rd parts of the course twice.  The Canal Rd and in town portion once.  Here’s a quick review of the course for those of you who are doing the race, but haven’t the time or ability to get down to pre-ride it.

General Course Notes

The course is very flat – perhaps 2-3 meters of vertical play throughout the entire course.  The multi-sport site says to expect some wind and today we definitely experienced that.  In Welland, there was no breeze, but out on the course it seemed to come from every direction: one minute a head-wind, the next from the side, then it’d swing around to be a tail-wind.  Odd, but fun.  I was riding my disc rear, but think that I may race with my 808 due to the variable nature of the winds.

Start & Canal Rd Section

I’d rate this section of road 6/10.  It’s pretty rough and chewed up for city streets.  There are many potholes, lateral and longitudinal cracks and just before the turn to Feeder Rd there are a set of tracks that are worth special note.  I anticipate that these tracks are going to be the site of at least 1 accident and at least 1 flat/broken wheel.  The break in the pavement around this 1st set of tracks is huge and largely unavoidable.  Expect there to be a lot of emergency braking, jockeying for position and general “mess” around this 1st track crossing.  I.e. BE CAREFUL approaching these tracks, it’s going to be “exciting“. [Edit: Having exchanged email with John Salt, I understand that mats are to be placed over these tracks removing the hazard from the course.  This is so awesome!  I’m so happy to hear that Multisport Canada is so on the ball and miles out ahead of me on this.  Way to go folks!!!]

Forks Rd. Section

Forks road is a pretty nice stretch of road.  Soon after the corner you cross a somewhat narrow bridge that may be a bit of a squeeze if too many racers hit it at the same time.  Shortly after the bridge, you cross the 2nd set of tracks.  This 2nd set is MUCH better than the 1st, but will still probably present a bit of a hazard as people try not to shred their carbon wheels on the bumps.  Be defensive and you should be ok here.

Feeder Rd Section

Feeder Rd is an interesting stretch of the race course.  The 1st 1/2 of the road is typical country road “tar and chip paving”.  There are no lines, and no defined “shoulder”. Off the sides of the road, rather than a paved shoulder, there’s mushy loose gravel, then a little green space and then either ditch, canal or trees.  Don’t get too close to the sides here or you may find yourself being pulled off the road by the “mush”.  The 2nd 1/2 of Feeder Rd is a 10/10: freshly paved, lines, well defined shoulder, smooth.  In short, a joy to ride upon.