To Preview or not to Preview?

If I can I will. I find it helps to know what to expect.

Knowledge is a good thing.

If you have the opportunity to preview any course, take it. You can look at elevation maps all day, but it's my experience that they rarely give a good representation of how hilly or flat a course really is. Addiitonally, you can get a feel for what the road surfaces are like, how shady the run course is or isn't, and any potential hazards (like potholes or railroad tracks) that may be lurking.

While I do not often have the chance to preview a course, I know that I perform better after experiencing the course.  I will not remember everything, but I will remember some of the climbs and descents and turns.  Information like this can definitely help with pacing.

So, if you have the chance, take it.  Great if you can at least drive it, but better still if a few weeks before-hand you can run the runs and bike the bikes.

Yes, if you can.  Even if it's only driving it

At the very least I would drive the course before hand. Never be a leming and rely on other athletes to show you the way during a race. If you have questions about the course ask a race official prior to the race.

I have had two experiences that I have learned from. Many years ago I was leading a sprint with no one in sight halfway through the run. I could taste my first victory. Course was poorly marked and I took a wrong turn in a residential area. Spent 15 minutes running around trying to find my way back to the course. Regret it to this day.

Was in a race after that. Saw a group ahead of me miss a turn on the bike and was heading off in the wrong direction. I warned a rider near me they missed the turn or he would have just followed them off course.

My order.

1) Bike/run it
2) Drive it
3) Google Earth it (satellite view)
4) Just read the course map
5) Go in blind on race day

This being my first tri season and also choosing races that are somewhat close my plan is to try and preview the race by running/biking the course.  Like others have said, at a bare minimum I'm going to drive it and maybe pull over, park and walk some parts. 

At one race I plan on swimming in the race quarry/beach the day before just so that I can anticipate water temps and assess transition areas.

I agree that if you can actually ride or run the course that is best, and at the very least drive the course if you can get there before the race (if it is somewhat local to your area the weekend before is great because there are typically others doing the same thing).

Always drive/walk/bike the course if you can.

This last sunday was the first time in many many years I didn't do that, and I ended up turning instead of going straight, cost me at least 1:00 in a sprint tri and I had to eventually repass 3 people I had just finished passing.

John

I've only done local races so far so it's been easy to bike the courses and swim the reservoirs a couple times beforehand.  The run I don't worry about, but I like to get comfortable with the roads (hills and turns specifically) and the water. 

Awesome everyone thanks so much for the input.  My mind is made up then - this Friday I shall ride the course!!  (I'm excited!)

I am doing the Boise HIM and just happen to live in Boise so I have easy access to the race course. I have ridden the course three times now and will ride it twice more before the race. I have already learned a lot about the course that is going to help me immensely in the race. This particular course is relatively downhill except for two hill climbs for the first 30 miles, then the last 20 or so is a constant gradual uphill. This last time I hammered the first 30 miles as I was feeling good and the gradual downhill was helping me out, but I was wasted when it came to the last 20 uphill miles. I definitely won't make the same mistake on race day.

So if you can I would definitely ride the course...you will have a big advantage over those who haven't had the chance to ride the course and will be able to pace better to improve your overall time.

Just to echo everyone else... YES!

I'm riding the Ironman 70.3 Kansas bike course this weekend for the second time this year (rode it 2x last year before the race as well) - the course was changed since last year so I really need to re-familiarize myself. Especially on a hilly course it's to your advantage to be able to pace yourself for the upcoming hills or know when the last big one is.

I've also done a race where it crossed a rickety wooden bridge and had hairpin turns on the bike... those things are just good to know!

I can't think of a single good reason not to pre-ride/run a course. Unless it's on an expressway where bikes are not allowed. Then drive it.
I've even been known to go out and swim a course the day before if the bouys are out.

I like to ride the course even will travel to ride a HIM or IM course before the race.

Driving I find doesn't always give the right perspective as hills that look hard sometimes aren't and others that appear not challenging can be.

Thursday I have a 14 mile run to do and am considering driving to my HIM location, driving the run course to know it then do my long run on the course. My A HIM course I live about 30' away and have done about 8-10 loops of it already.

Glad you are going to ride your race course Friday.

I just read race reports and look at the route map if they have them.  At least then I have some idea of what to expect.  The course is whatever it is, and if i signed up for it I'm going to race it regardless.

But it is usually a good idea to recon. in person if you can.  Then you won't be caught by any surprises (hopefully).

I have an Aqua Velo (1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike) coming up in Sept.  I basically know the roads and know of a very steep 200ft climb in the middle of it.  Knowing this is what I am facing, I am going to run the whole route on my motorcycle this weekend and then work my way up to completing the course on pedal bike.  I'm all for the knowledge of the course.

Of course, I would not discourage anyone from riding a course, but it is not essential. Race reports and profiles should give you a good idea of the climbing involved. This can help in your training. But, it is your fitness level that will dictate your success on the course. Sometimes pre-rides are just not practical, so don't worry if you can't get one in. I have pre-ridden courses, driven courses, and raced them "blind" and I don't feel that any of the 3 had a significant impact on my race day performance.