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IMCoz Crowded Bike

I just saw that IMCoz will have a wave start by age group. As luck would have it, M45-49 (my group) is last. This means that a three-loop bike course (already a lot of passing) will be super crowded from the start. I imagine the drafting (already abundant) will be even worse.

My initia thoughts are that this adds to my mental TSS and the need to focus, stay alert and avoid crashes is more important than ever.

It is what t is, outside my control and - at least I know in advance and can plan for it...

Any thoughts or advice or experience on how to effectively turn this into an opportunity or positive development?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Some thoughts - first, great opportunity for extensive legal drafting. Remember, you are allowed to ride right up to someone's wheel as long as you pass within 20 seconds (or is it 15). Use that to slingshot all the slower folks in earlier waves.

    Second (and this is something I used to do in IMs), if your sunglasses have the right curvature, you can get a little paste-on mirror for the inside, so you can sneak a peak behind you with out turning your head to make sure you don;t run into someone as you ride by: http://www.performancebike.com/bike...33__401033

    Third, being the last wave, you will have FEWER people to worry about passing you than usual - just the small # of those in your AG who are much stronger bikers yet slower swimmers than you.

    It ought to be a blast!

  • Thanks Al!

    Excellent idea on the mirror... too late to have something shipped to me, but maybe I can find something locally or home brew one.

    The passing in the first half of the race should make the time pass faster for sure
  • Having done Coz twice, I think this is a HUGE improvement that should help REDUCE drafting. Spacing the field is a good thing given the notorious level of drafting on the east side in the past. Yes, there will still be drafting but I bet they did this to mitigate the stinging online criticism that Coz is a drafter's race. Do the slingshot method that Al suggested and have a great time.
  • I was worried about this... but you guys are getting me pumped up about it!
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