Great Ride SlowRoll! I've ridden the course 5 times. When I did the complete 112 miles, winds were hitting 34-36 MPH out at the turn around. But when yyou come back and make that right turn towards hwy 84, Doug Simms and I hit the gas. I was hitting 28-30 most of the way to the left turn onto 84. Dougs Simms hit 33. I did the complete course in 5:44:56. Unfortunately I broke my shoulder last week in Santa Cruz swim training with my wife. A hudge wave took me up to its crest and slmmed me onto the ocean floor right onto my shoulder dislocating and braking it. So painful. We are both doing CA Ironman. Well, it doesn't look like I'm going to get to participate due to the injury. I'm very bummed about it. Still you guys are going to have a blast on the entire CA Ironman. All courses of the CA Ironman aver very fast!
Doug, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. I know how powerful those waves can be as I've done Superfrog in the past and have experienced being in the washing machine. Hope you have a solid recovery and the course will still be here next year for you to slay it! I did the recon ride on my road bike after doing the Alcatraz race and this is indeed a fast course! The headwinds after the turnaround are no joke though and if they're as strong on race day it will surprise a lot of people. I was cursing a bit until I remembered I was recording the ride. =)
Yikes, I didn't even think of that as a possibility. How do you know if you are ready to swim the Santa Cruz course? I have yet to do that one but its on my list.
You welcome, I'm glad you're able to find it useful! It should be a fast course but just be prepared for some headwinds and crosswinds at the turnaround. Hopefully it won't be as bad on race day.
Thanks for sharing. This is awesome! Agree on the firefighters, hope they are safe and that they get the fires under control. Our race doesn't compare to whats going on, but still hope the air is good, and that we get to race!
I'll second that token of appreciation - thanks for doing it. Man, so sorry to hear about the should - that's a rough one! For a quick recovery-a nod to you!
Thanks so much for posting this - great effort. I'm based in Hong Kong so a recon ride is impossible, but this is the next best thing. Will watch keenly.
So the turn around on 84 is basically after the curves at the top of the little levy hill by Holland Road? Is that where the aid/water station will be too? I guess it makes sense to turn around at a slow point where you can reaccelerate downhill rather than at the end of that windy straightaway... I also notice you bore straight from Netherlands onto Park Ave for 1 block before turning left onto School St in Clarksburg. Everyone else that I've seen pre-riding the course does too, but the course directions do say to take Netherlands to School (resulting in a sharper left turn after Netherlands' slight right curve).
Thanks for looking into the route, great questions! The turnaround - probably the only speedbump climb on the course. =) I'm not sure how they'll handle the turnaround but my guess is that we'll veer right as if we're going onto Holland Rd. My bet is that the aid station will be there and it should provide more room for the U-Turn which will allow us to slow down less. Clarksburg - I think we all made the mistake of going straight onto Park Ave and the turn is indeed sharp. You're probably correct where we should continue right onto Netherlands Ave then the gradual left onto School. This is probably where the aid station will be as well. I appreciate the feedback and have a great taper!
You welcome. The scenery is subjective, you get a few miles with the Sacramento River on the side but the rest of the route either has some nice cover from the trees or lots of farms and vineyards to look at. As some have reported, beware of bees though. You can wear arm sleeves to reduce your chances of getting stung - not likely to happen but they're there. If you've done Santa Rosa, I'd compare it to that but with flatter and better maintained roads. In my opinion, it's a better course than IM Arizona, but I'll miss our fast descent at the top of the beeline. =)
Thanks for this. Very helpful. Are there are any public water fountains or shops on the course to get water ? Was looking to ride the route and planning to get water at around 15 mile intervals if possible
Hi Deepak! The route is pretty rural once you head out and there are no gas stations along the way. There is a Mexican restaurant at the corner of Jefferson Blvd & Clarksburg Rd that you’ll pass by around miles 14 & 42 where you could possibly fill up - just make sure they’re open during your ride. also, I believe there are parks and schools at Clarksburg where there “could be” water fountains if needed but you’ll only pass Clarksburg around mile 40 or so. If you’re doing 2 loops, there is a gas station near the start where you can also refill. Hope this helps and be safe out there!
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to post. It looked like there was only one spot (around mile 8? 48 coming back in on 1st loop?) where the road looks a little rough. Any overall thoughts on road condition or things to keep your head up for while riding?
Thanks Brian. The roughest parts are indeed on South River Rd. It's chip seal there but honestly it's not bad at all, especially compared to the rural roads in Europe. =) I can see folks with high pressure tires feeling uncomfortable there but if you have your tires with the correct pressure it's not going to be a problem - just keep a heads up for stray bottles as in any other race. I did notice that there were a few potholes that had chalking around them so I'm sure those will be patched up for us by race day. Overall, I think this is a very fast and easy course under normal conditions. There could be a headwind and some crosswinds on the way back but it shouldn't be an issue if you manage your pacing well and if you stay in aero. It will be interesting to see how the race marshals handle the drafting since I expect it to be easier to do on this course - but if you got the legs and understand the rules, you'll have a great bike split!
Good news: South River Rd has been repaved in the last few weeks. Babel Slough is still a bit rough - it is not as bad with cracked/broken asphalt as South River Road was, but there are still some ruts and dips that can be hard to see in the spotty lighting. Netherlands also has some rough patches, but the rest of the course is remarkably smooth.
As somebody living in central Wisconsin, I can’t come and ride the course. This is pure gold!
I’m not even competing in Ironman Cali….I just wanted to see the bike course and the countryside. Thanks for the vid!
Great Ride SlowRoll! I've ridden the course 5 times. When I did the complete 112 miles, winds were hitting 34-36 MPH out at the turn around. But when yyou come back and make that right turn towards hwy 84, Doug Simms and I hit the gas. I was hitting 28-30 most of the way to the left turn onto 84. Dougs Simms hit 33. I did the complete course in 5:44:56. Unfortunately I broke my shoulder last week in Santa Cruz swim training with my wife. A hudge wave took me up to its crest and slmmed me onto the ocean floor right onto my shoulder dislocating and braking it. So painful. We are both doing CA Ironman. Well, it doesn't look like I'm going to get to participate due to the injury. I'm very bummed about it. Still you guys are going to have a blast on the entire CA Ironman. All courses of the CA Ironman aver very fast!
Doug, I'm so sorry to hear about your injury. I know how powerful those waves can be as I've done Superfrog in the past and have experienced being in the washing machine. Hope you have a solid recovery and the course will still be here next year for you to slay it!
I did the recon ride on my road bike after doing the Alcatraz race and this is indeed a fast course! The headwinds after the turnaround are no joke though and if they're as strong on race day it will surprise a lot of people. I was cursing a bit until I remembered I was recording the ride. =)
Yikes, I didn't even think of that as a possibility. How do you know if you are ready to swim the Santa Cruz course? I have yet to do that one but its on my list.
THIS! Is amazing! Saved me a recon ride from SoCal. Will be riding this on my Wahoo. THANK YOU!!
You welcome, I'm glad you're able to find it useful! It should be a fast course but just be prepared for some headwinds and crosswinds at the turnaround. Hopefully it won't be as bad on race day.
Thank you so much for posting!!!! I play the video during my Zwift rides. Can't wait until 10/24!!
You welcome, about 4 more weeks and I can't wait either!
Thank for your time and the video
Thanks for sharing. This is awesome! Agree on the firefighters, hope they are safe and that they get the fires under control. Our race doesn't compare to whats going on, but still hope the air is good, and that we get to race!
Totally agree! If we do get to race it'll be amazing and my mantra for the day will be nothing but gratitude!
I'll second that token of appreciation - thanks for doing it. Man, so sorry to hear about the should - that's a rough one! For a quick recovery-a nod to you!
Appreciate you doing this for us!
Thanks so much for posting this - great effort. I'm based in Hong Kong so a recon ride is impossible, but this is the next best thing. Will watch keenly.
You welcome Mark, hope your training is going well and safe travels to Cali!
Awesome! Thanks for posting.
You welcome!
You're an absolute saint.
Glad you found it useful! The air quality was not good during this ride and my prayers are with the firefighters battling the surrounding wildfires.
So the turn around on 84 is basically after the curves at the top of the little levy hill by Holland Road? Is that where the aid/water station will be too? I guess it makes sense to turn around at a slow point where you can reaccelerate downhill rather than at the end of that windy straightaway...
I also notice you bore straight from Netherlands onto Park Ave for 1 block before turning left onto School St in Clarksburg. Everyone else that I've seen pre-riding the course does too, but the course directions do say to take Netherlands to School (resulting in a sharper left turn after Netherlands' slight right curve).
Thanks for looking into the route, great questions!
The turnaround - probably the only speedbump climb on the course. =) I'm not sure how they'll handle the turnaround but my guess is that we'll veer right as if we're going onto Holland Rd. My bet is that the aid station will be there and it should provide more room for the U-Turn which will allow us to slow down less.
Clarksburg - I think we all made the mistake of going straight onto Park Ave and the turn is indeed sharp. You're probably correct where we should continue right onto Netherlands Ave then the gradual left onto School. This is probably where the aid station will be as well.
I appreciate the feedback and have a great taper!
Thanks a lot for this. Beyond what we see on camera, is the landscape beautiful of boring?
You welcome. The scenery is subjective, you get a few miles with the Sacramento River on the side but the rest of the route either has some nice cover from the trees or lots of farms and vineyards to look at. As some have reported, beware of bees though. You can wear arm sleeves to reduce your chances of getting stung - not likely to happen but they're there.
If you've done Santa Rosa, I'd compare it to that but with flatter and better maintained roads. In my opinion, it's a better course than IM Arizona, but I'll miss our fast descent at the top of the beeline. =)
Thanks for this. Very helpful. Are there are any public water fountains or shops on the course to get water ? Was looking to ride the route and planning to get water at around 15 mile intervals if possible
Hi Deepak! The route is pretty rural once you head out and there are no gas stations along the way. There is a Mexican restaurant at the corner of Jefferson Blvd & Clarksburg Rd that you’ll pass by around miles 14 & 42 where you could possibly fill up - just make sure they’re open during your ride. also, I believe there are parks and schools at Clarksburg where there “could be” water fountains if needed but you’ll only pass Clarksburg around mile 40 or so. If you’re doing 2 loops, there is a gas station near the start where you can also refill. Hope this helps and be safe out there!
Thanks much. This is very helpful.
There is also Dave's Fruit Stand around mile 6.5. You can see the "free water for cyclists" road sign at 20:13
Amazing. Curious to know what’s your camera setup and the how did you add metrics in the video?
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to post. It looked like there was only one spot (around mile 8? 48 coming back in on 1st loop?) where the road looks a little rough. Any overall thoughts on road condition or things to keep your head up for while riding?
Thanks Brian. The roughest parts are indeed on South River Rd. It's chip seal there but honestly it's not bad at all, especially compared to the rural roads in Europe. =) I can see folks with high pressure tires feeling uncomfortable there but if you have your tires with the correct pressure it's not going to be a problem - just keep a heads up for stray bottles as in any other race. I did notice that there were a few potholes that had chalking around them so I'm sure those will be patched up for us by race day.
Overall, I think this is a very fast and easy course under normal conditions. There could be a headwind and some crosswinds on the way back but it shouldn't be an issue if you manage your pacing well and if you stay in aero. It will be interesting to see how the race marshals handle the drafting since I expect it to be easier to do on this course - but if you got the legs and understand the rules, you'll have a great bike split!
Good news: South River Rd has been repaved in the last few weeks. Babel Slough is still a bit rough - it is not as bad with cracked/broken asphalt as South River Road was, but there are still some ruts and dips that can be hard to see in the spotty lighting. Netherlands also has some rough patches, but the rest of the course is remarkably smooth.
Great job! What elevation did you end up with?
Thanks. For this one loop, 200 feet - so flat as a pancake! :)