Carls Tri (Kensington) New Road Coarse...

I did the race for the first time last year. LOVED the bike. It was a b*tch to say the least, but one of the best ones I did last season. The saving grace during the race was the run was pretty flat, which was nice because my legs were toast.

I actually went back a few times and rode the course again towards the end of last season just because I liked it so much. I did hear that they were changing it this year to make it a little easier. I haven't seen the new course, but after reading your post, I may pass on that tri this year. It was a toss up between a Century ride at Torch Lake or the Karl's tri that weekend, I think I'll go with the Century now.

GOOD NEWS...

The course will not change this year. There is going to be construction on Grand River this summer so the original course will be used for one last year.

Apparently "The decision for a course change was voted by their board with the decision that the course was deterring athletes from returning. "

So if you like that bike route we need to let the Y folks know and hopefully they wont change it for 2009.

But if you want a Sprint with one of if not the hardest bike for a sprint in Michigan, this maybe the last year to do it.

I am Happy again and looking forward to the race now.

Here is a link. I haven't had the pleasure of training with any of you yet, but my wife trained a little bit with Trixie earlier this year before an injury sidelined her. Hopefully I'll have a chance to meet the Michigan folks this year.

http://www.cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&clu...

Yea, the Ride Around Torch (the RAT) is a sweet ride. I did the 62 mile ride for the first time last year. Tons of good hills so you get a good workout. Great SAG support too. Plus it's just freakin' gorgeous up there. I planned on doing the full Century this year which will be my first. But now that the bike course at the Kensington Tri isn't changing, I may have to reconsider AGAIN because I really liked that tri last year. Choices man, choices...