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2010-08-19 11:51 AM

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Subject: Nautica malibu olympic tri
The race is on Sept 11.  Just curious if anything has done it or is going to do it this year?  If you have done it in the previous years, how is the course?  


2010-08-19 12:30 PM
in reply to: #3052810

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Master
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
I'll be doing it for the first time this year and only the swim portion. Obviously I'm doing the relay.

But I know the course like the back of my hand as it is right in my back yard.

The swim is at Zuma Beach in Malibu. It heads North and is usually with the current. Sometimes the waves can be pretty big at Zuma and fairly treacherous as it is a closeout beach break with some pretty hollow waves because of the abrupt sand bar. Good news is that the break is usually fairly close to shore so after you duck a few waves you should be beyond the surf line. Water right now is low 60's

Bike course goes South for just a second and then turns North on PCH. It's an out and back course that has rolling hills. Usually in the morning, it is tail wind out and head wind back. It's also slightly more up hill on the way back. This course can be tough because the hills are gradual enough to hammer if you so choose, but just steep enough to do some damage. Obviously PCH is always open to ride and it is really a great ride on the weekends if you get a chance to go pre run the course.

Run course is through the parking lot at Zuma heading South. Once you exit the parking lot you continue South to Free Zuma and it's basically an out and back. All flat but sometimes, if the wind is up, heading South can be a little tougher than North.

I'm excited to do this race this year as there is always a lot of hoopla surrounding it. Next year I'll be sure to sign up early and do the individual race.

BTW, there are two races, the Olympic on Sat and the Classic on Sunday. Classic is a little shorter.

Edited by Fastyellow 2010-08-19 12:32 PM
2010-08-19 1:48 PM
in reply to: #3052810

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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
I'm doing the Oly for the first time this year, but have done the sprint (now the "Classic") three times.  What Fastyellow said is all essentially true.  Some things to be aware of:

--Unless the weather really turns around in the next couple weeks, expect unusually cold water.  Did a group swim there last weekend and it was the coldest (about 56F) we've seen in four Augusts of swimming there.  Race weekend the water has typically been 60-63, but might not make it there this time.

--The first (and last) 1.5 miles of the bike course is through the Zuma Beach parking lot.  There are numerous large speed bumps.  Don't go over them.  I did two years ago and ended up with a broken spoke.  Don't know for sure that it was from the speed bump I went over (vs. the really terrible pavement exiting Zuma), but pretty good chance.  Be careful through there.

--Did I mention the terrible pavement in the cloverleaf that takes you under PCH exiting Zuma?  And before that, the undercrossing is flooded...the last two years, they built a plywood bridge over the water...it is a no-passing zone (albeit a short one) and a bit of a hazard.

--Only one serious hill on PCH:  About a half mile climb after you pass the Leo Carrillo State Beach entrance on the return leg.  Lots of rollers throughout, but nothing that requires getting out of the saddle for most folks.

--There's a deceptive bit of grade on the run about 5K in...from the guard gate on Westward Beach Rd until the parking lot at Point Dume (the run turnaround).  Not much, but definitely will stand out from the rest of the run, which is pancake flat.  The last 2.5 miles will be either dead flat or somewhat downhill.

2010-08-19 5:16 PM
in reply to: #3053125

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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
tcovert - 2010-08-19 11:48 AM
--The first (and last) 1.5 miles of the bike course is through the Zuma Beach parking lot.  There are numerous large speed bumps.  Don't go over them.  I did two years ago and ended up with a broken spoke.  Don't know for sure that it was from the speed bump I went over (vs. the really terrible pavement exiting Zuma), but pretty good chance.  Be careful through there.




I forgot about this...Todd is right....a buddy of mine did the race last year and someone passed him right before a speed bump. The guy hit the speed bump and ATE CHIT! My buddy almost ran him over. I guess the race director tells everyone to watch out for the speed bumps and that someone is going to crash there no matter how many times they tell people...so be aware!
2010-08-19 6:16 PM
in reply to: #3053640

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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
thanks for the info...any clue on the grades of these hills?...looking at the results from last year..seems like it's a fast course...
2010-08-19 6:23 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri

I only have a guesstimate from riding them a bunch, I'd be interested in seeing what they ^^ say.  I'd say nothing more than 5-6%?  they are not long, but they will bite.  It always felt like it was more downhill coming back (leo carillo climb notwithstanding), but only cuz it's about to end. 

And the parking lot out and back section always seems longer than I think it should.



2010-08-19 7:12 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
ChrisM - 2010-08-19 4:23 PM

I only have a guesstimate from riding them a bunch, I'd be interested in seeing what they ^^ say.  I'd say nothing more than 5-6%?  they are not long, but they will bite.  It always felt like it was more downhill coming back (leo carillo climb notwithstanding), but only cuz it's about to end. 

And the parking lot out and back section always seems longer than I think it should.



I think that's probably about right (5-6% or so for the steepest grade).

As far as it being a fast course:  I'm a pretty mediocre cyclist and I still averaged over 20 mph for the 18 miles of the sprint course last year, rollers and all.  The big downhills outbound approaching Leo Carrillo and inbound approaching Trancas help a lot...you can possibly get up around 40 mph on those (depending on headwind)...as do the 1.5 miles each direction in the flats on PCH between the Zuma gate and Trancas.  The section of the Oly course north of Leo Carrillo that isn't on the sprint course is comparatively flat.
2010-08-19 7:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
nice..looking forward to meeting you guys...
2010-08-22 1:25 AM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Rode the course twice today...first time at 20mph avg, then took it easier on the second go 'round.  Remembered to switch my Garmin to the screen with grade displayed the second time I went up the hill after Leo Carrillo--the grade there is, indeed, 5%.  Winds picked up steadily all morning (as they often do out that way)...second time heading north (after 10:30) I got pretty strong headwinds.
2010-08-22 10:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Did this race last year and had a blast, will be doing it again this year.  Question for you california peeps - any tips for ocean swimming??? :P I am normally a pretty fast swimmer but didn't quite master the getting beyond the breaks part heading out and got pushed back by the waves...I'd like to not make repeat of last year!

As far as the course goes, I really liked it.  The bike does have a couple of decent hills, the run is pretty much flat and fast...
2010-08-22 10:53 PM
in reply to: #3057968

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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Other than practice a lot, best way through waves is under them.  If you through or over the whitewater it will just push you back as you found out.  Best is to dive under a few feet before the whitewater, dive to thhe bottom, grab sand, let the energy pass over, and then rise up, hoping there isn't another immediately in your face.  Keep repeating until through the surf.  If it's just starting to break, you can drive your arms forward and just punch through the face. 


2010-08-23 11:54 AM
in reply to: #3056995

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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
tcovert - 2010-08-21 11:25 PM Rode the course twice today...first time at 20mph avg, then took it easier on the second go 'round.  Remembered to switch my Garmin to the screen with grade displayed the second time I went up the hill after Leo Carrillo--the grade there is, indeed, 5%.  Winds picked up steadily all morning (as they often do out that way)...second time heading north (after 10:30) I got pretty strong headwinds.


I was out there too on Saturday Todd...we must have passed each other at some point.

I rode from Kanan North to the Camarillo Airport and back. I like that loop as it is 54 miles and simulates a nice Half IM route. The winds heading North were pretty bad and a little worse up in Camarillo. Coming back though was fun.

Man, there were a ton of people riding out there on Saturday.
2010-08-23 12:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Fastyellow - 2010-08-23 9:54 AM
tcovert - 2010-08-21 11:25 PM Rode the course twice today...first time at 20mph avg, then took it easier on the second go 'round.  Remembered to switch my Garmin to the screen with grade displayed the second time I went up the hill after Leo Carrillo--the grade there is, indeed, 5%.  Winds picked up steadily all morning (as they often do out that way)...second time heading north (after 10:30) I got pretty strong headwinds.


I was out there too on Saturday Todd...we must have passed each other at some point.

I rode from Kanan North to the Camarillo Airport and back. I like that loop as it is 54 miles and simulates a nice Half IM route. The winds heading North were pretty bad and a little worse up in Camarillo. Coming back though was fun.

Man, there were a ton of people riding out there on Saturday.


Most of the corporate teams for Malibu plus LA Tri and Team in Training were out there in force Saturday.  I counted 80+ people just with Disney on the beach at the start of the practice swim.  Saw more CHLA team members on the bike than I had in previous weeks...they must have had a big turnout this weekend.

Got pretty sparse once you passed Leo Carrillo and got beyond the Malibu sprint distance course, though.
2010-08-23 2:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
any time goals for you guys?
2010-08-23 2:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Triheado - 2010-08-23 12:00 PM any time goals for you guys?


Anything under 2:30 (even 2:29:59.9) would be cool for this (PR is 2:25, but on a flatter course with a very favorable swim).

So much will depend on swim conditions...swam the sprint course at Zuma the last two weekends and my splits out of the water were 12:53 and 15:18, respectively...a lot more surf this weekend and heavy chop out beyond the surf zone...made for a much slower swim.
2010-08-23 2:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
There was a good crowd out on sunday too . The surf zone was pretty wide with a good side current and it took a while to get out past the breakers. The bike course was busy and fun as there was always someone out there to chase or faster riders to try and hang with. I saw many WB and Sony jerseys out there.
Zuma Water is cold for this time of the year , posted as 60F , and it felt cold . I am just back from sydney australia where it is winter and their ocean water is warmer !!!


2010-09-08 1:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
where do you guys park?  and where you do tell your friends and family to park when/if they come?
2010-09-08 1:48 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
There is a lot of parking at Zuma,...just getting in and out can be a hassle because there is only a one lane road in.
2010-09-08 3:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Fastyellow - 2010-09-08 11:48 AM There is a lot of parking at Zuma,...just getting in and out can be a hassle because there is only a one lane road in.


Well, there's definitely a lot of parking if you arrive early enough.  Not sure how many are registered for the Oly this year, but the parking at Zuma does fill up on Sunday and goes to overflow, which is a major hassle.  We have always arrived just after 4:30 for the Sunday race, which is about when the gates open.  Planning to do the same on Saturday at this point...with the sprint filling up within a few hours this year, I'm betting that there were more people who got shut out of it who did what I did and signed up for the Oly rather than stay home entirely.
2010-09-08 5:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
tcovert - 2010-09-08 1:11 PM
Fastyellow - 2010-09-08 11:48 AM There is a lot of parking at Zuma,...just getting in and out can be a hassle because there is only a one lane road in.


Well, there's definitely a lot of parking if you arrive early enough.  Not sure how many are registered for the Oly this year, but the parking at Zuma does fill up on Sunday and goes to overflow, which is a major hassle.  We have always arrived just after 4:30 for the Sunday race, which is about when the gates open.  Planning to do the same on Saturday at this point...with the sprint filling up within a few hours this year, I'm betting that there were more people who got shut out of it who did what I did and signed up for the Oly rather than stay home entirely.


That's exactly what I did so I must say your theory is sound. I plan on getting there around 5am.
2010-09-09 12:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Has the water warmed up yet ?


2010-09-09 12:30 AM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
van_paulus - 2010-09-08 10:04 PM Has the water warmed up yet ?


Apparently not...most current report I could find online has the water at Zuma at "58-60"
2010-09-09 1:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
^^^
I would agree with that... 58-60.
I was in the area on Monday and it did seem a tad warmer, but still cold for this time of year. The thing that really stirs up the colder water is wind and swell. Despite the colder air temps lately, the surf and wind has been mellow. I would guess that water temps will continue to rise a little this week. 
Surf forecast is pretty mellow over the weekend. There is only some pretty minor SW swell on tap, nothing to worry about.

Edited by TaylorB 2010-09-09 1:29 PM
2010-09-10 6:54 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Bib # 912.  Starting with the rest of the old guys at 7:25.
2010-09-10 10:49 PM
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Subject: RE: Nautica malibu olympic tri
Bib 1005...relay....completely in back of a huge transition area...lol...

See you there Todd.
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