Augusta wet/windy weather, how to prepare?!?
First Half IM, first full Tri season.
How to prepare for a forecasted wet (60% Fri-Sun) and windy race (NE 10-20 mph Sun). I start at 8:50 am, figuring to be on the bike by 9:30 am.
From what I understand the Augusta bike course has washout concerns from gravel side roads and/or driveways. Have 808s front and back, may switch front to 404.
Any strategy tips would be most welcome.
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I've been watching the forecast but honestly, you have to take it with a grain of salt. Right now, that 60-70% of rain on race day is forecast to occur between 12:00am - 4:00 sunday morning and then just overcast for the rest of the race day. My RR on the course was in a light drizzle but I never felt concerned. The only place I really took caution was on the decent for Gray Mare Hollow Rd because you have to make a hard right at the bottom of this decent. Use extreme caution if it is wet. Based off the wind direction forecast, out of the NE, which will be a head wind on SRS 1. The rest would likely be cross winds BUT, for the most part the cross winds are not a factor due to the surrounding trees. The only exception would be if you hit an open area and on the bridge back into T2. I rode a FLO 90 and FLO disc on my RR in moderate winds but I did not think it was necessary to change what I was riding. However, if you don't feel comfortable on with the cross winds, you might consider the 404's.
See you on Friday!
Wet roads and hard turns?....take it easy thru the corners and don't lean as much to the inside. I don't remember lots of tech turns at Augusta but Jamie may.
If there's a ton of crap that gets washed onto the roads, they'll put cones or volunteers on it.
Just pay attention. Ride fast. Race it. But, pay attention and act accordingly. Remember that everyone is playing from the same deck of cards.
If it's wet n windy, it'll be chilly in the morning but nothing to overdress for. This time of year is common for chilly mornings and quickly climbing temps once the sun gets up by 9-10. Don't be surprised by the potential humidity.
Too far away and things can change anyhow.
Thanks! Should have mentioned borrowing 808s from a friend (front) and local Tri shop (demo rear - 11 speed); but, the Tri shop offered me their demo 404. While I've got stronger, endurance and leg-wise this Summer, bike skills are novice at best, in particular the downhill have my concern. Anyway, excellent insight and I do appreciate it. Plan to learn a lot this weekend. In case of humidity, from Mississippi Gulf Coast, anything below 90% is dry to me.
Well that didn't take long - http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/l/30907:4:US
Even the forecasted winds have settled down. May still take shop 404s, just in case.