Lake Stevens 70.3

Yasko Howell

Is anyone racing or raced Lake Stevens 70.3?  I might drive up there this weekend to do at least part of the bike course.  I won't have anyone going with me, so am trying to figure out the general safety of the course, and which section I definitely need to ride.  Appreciate any insight.

david ware

Hi Yasko: I did it a couple of years ago. The bike course is very curvey, hilly, etc. There were acouple places that you came down a hill into a 90 degree turn. It was damp that day and many crashes. A ot of the road was 2 lane without much shoulder. Probably not the best to ride but I would certainly recommend driving to get familiar.

My number one tip for the race is on the swim. There is a cable that goes straight out from the start. You can foow it until you turn and head back in. I literaly got on the line and it was ike a pool swim, never needed to sight...

Good luck!

Phil Mills

I did Lake Stevens last year. As David described the course is quite curvey and hilly. The majority of the elevation gain/loss comes in the back 1/3 of the course, say mile 38 or so. Driving this part of the course would be beneficial. When I drove the course, I started from the finish to mile 36 and then back again. There is a wonderful hill that is a 13% grade that goes on for over a mile, along with a couple of 9% hills as well. Here is my Garmin file:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/568498074

I'll second the sighting off of the underwater cable. It's sits at about 3' and runs the entire swim course. I believe the line is there year round, as it is used by the crew team.

Paul Hough

Did it last year. Yep, the last 20 miles of the bike course is the worst. Remember that when you are halfway through the bike thinking this isn't so bad. Do not bring anything less than an 11-28 cassette on the rear. Even better if you have a compact crank. Pay the extra money (at packet pick-up) for a good parking spot near transition. Good luck!

Jane Hargraft

I am glad I popped in here - i've been largely training alone and not on the site for MONTHS - good to know about the last 20 miles of the bike. to be honest I've been so busy at work I've been training but not really thinking about the race. So YASko are you going to do the race? I registered today! 2 hour drive from Seattle to Lake St3evens bc of the rain!!

Yasko Howell

Thank you guys for the tips. Apologize for not responding earlier. Busy with work and the move to seattle. Jane, I will drove tomorrow morning and get there by 10. Planning to drive part of the bike course. Let me know if you want to come along. 3607890145

Jane Hargraft

well that was a doozy! great swim, moderate bike, and then a hamstring problem on the run - I am really undertrained so I pulled out. Glad I did it - unlike a marathon I cannot muscle through a HIM! Great to meet Yasko and her hubby!