login
Question about Chicago ITU
-
No new posts
 2014-05-07 8:37 PM |
 4 |  Subject: Question about Chicago ITUSo I'm pretty new to the sport, but the Chicago ITU Sprint triathlon seems like a pretty awesome experience that I'd love to do. So my question is, would it be a bad idea to sign up for this? Is this just for the pros and super serious triathletes who train specifically for this race, or can amateurs sign up too in the Age Group Registration? I just want to know what I'd be getting myself into; I don't want to come in like an hour behind everyone -Stephen |
| 2014-05-08 8:52 AM in reply to: Jansport93 |
Champion 6993      Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU you might come in an hour behind me but I will probably start 4 hours ahead of you.  Morning is for amateurs and afternoon is for the pros. The bike course looks kinda scary but it is once in a lifetime chance to experience an ITU race most likely. |
| 2014-05-08 10:20 AM in reply to: Jansport93 |
Veteran 706 Illinois | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU I'm on the fence about what to say here, so I'll split the difference and give both positions. If you see "age group" registration, feel free to throw your hat in. If they had a qualifier restriction, they would say so. So, on that aspect, go for it. As others have said, it's probably not going to come around here often, so if you like, use it as an opportunity to scratch it off your bucket list. On the other hand, about ITU specifically, looking at the course, I personally am glad I didn't sign up because I think it's going to be a debacle. A ride on Lower Wacker with multiple U-turns is not my idea of fun and likely a precursor to carbon repair and medical attention. My bike skills are decent, but I have a fear that lots of others aren't. Fairly or unfairly, it also reminds me of the Chicago triathlon - large number of participants, lots going on, and lots of "hurry up and wait." Especially for a first or second triathlon, you'll probably have a lot more fun at a local or smaller race (Pleasant Prairie, Big Foot, Twin Lakes, Crystal Lake, or any of the dozens of other events in the area), instead of the massive show at ITU or Chicago Triathlon. |
| 2014-05-08 11:16 AM in reply to: 0 |
Champion 15211 Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU Originally posted by mirthfuldragon I'm on the fence about what to say here, so I'll split the difference and give both positions. If you see "age group" registration, feel free to throw your hat in. If they had a qualifier restriction, they would say so. So, on that aspect, go for it. As others have said, it's probably not going to come around here often, so if you like, use it as an opportunity to scratch it off your bucket list. On the other hand, about ITU specifically, looking at the course, I personally am glad I didn't sign up because I think it's going to be a debacle. A ride on Lower Wacker with multiple U-turns is not my idea of fun and likely a precursor to carbon repair and medical attention. My bike skills are decent, but I have a fear that lots of others aren't. Fairly or unfairly, it also reminds me of the Chicago triathlon - large number of participants, lots going on, and lots of "hurry up and wait." Especially for a first or second triathlon, you'll probably have a lot more fun at a local or smaller race (Pleasant Prairie, Big Foot, Twin Lakes, Crystal Lake, or any of the dozens of other events in the area), instead of the massive show at ITU or Chicago Triathlon. Few more things to add in and make it an interesting conversation. 1. The multiple U-turns is nothing new in ITU. I looked at London's race last year and it was 5 laps with 2 u-turns per lap, so only 2 less than here in Chicago. And Auckland was the same way. It isn't meant to be like a normal race. It is meant to be different. That being said, I do NOT like going underground, but it is what it is and I'm going to make the best of it. 2. I'm pretty confident that this will not be nearly as large as the debacle that is the Chicago Triathlon. That thing has something like 8000 participants. I thought I read somewhere that this is limited to ~3500-4000 max and possible less than that. So I don't think there will be quite as much congestion nor waiting. Then again, I could be wrong. I'm doing it, only because it is hometown and will wrap up 3 weekends of back to back racing. That and my dad is coming to town to watch. ETA: if this will be your first race, I would strongly recommend NOT doing it. Not because of the competition, but because of the course. If you do not have good bike handling skills it can be a recipe for disaster.
Edited by crowny2 2014-05-08 11:17 AM |
| 2014-05-08 7:49 PM in reply to: crowny2 |
| New user 55 Peoria | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU I say just do it as it is likely to be a unique experience that you will never get a chance to do again. |
| 2014-05-14 12:57 PM in reply to: dspursusa |
Champion 34263 Chicago | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU I did the ITU in London and it was CROWDED. London streets are narrower so Chicago shouldn't be as bad, but you still better have your head on a swivel, and don't take your bike with you when you look or you're liable to take out some peoples. Specifically, there was a person in front of me going about 18, I was doing about 20 and the guy approaching was doing about 25. He kept screaming for me to move but there was nowhere for me to go -- the person in front of me and several people next to me had me boxed in, and he's screaming his head off at me. Finally I told him to eff off and go eff himself and eff you buddy and such -- finally the person in front of me cleared, I got around them and cleared and he came up next to me, still screaming. I almost punched him! Anyway, that's how it is -- wheel to wheel racing. Fun and exciting yet scary as heckfire all at the same time. |
| 2014-05-15 10:14 AM in reply to: #4993237 |
Champion 15211 Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU Tony Did you do the Oly or the Sprint? From what I can see, this course is slightly longer than London so hopefully it won't be as cramped. |
| 2014-05-15 10:33 AM in reply to: crowny2 |
Champion 6993 Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU Originally posted by crowny2 Tony Did you do the Oly or the Sprint? From what I can see, this course is slightly longer than London so hopefully it won't be as cramped. each lap having 3 turn around over 6 miles might make it cramped. If they use all 4 lanes it might not be too bad though. Chicago tri is tight but not too bad either. I am guessing they will have have the people there. |
| 2014-05-15 1:04 PM in reply to: crowny2 |
Champion 34263 Chicago | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU Originally posted by crowny2 Tony Did you do the Oly or the Sprint? From what I can see, this course is slightly longer than London so hopefully it won't be as cramped. Oly ... the run was pretty empty. And nobody inthe finisher's chute. I can't help but wonder if I was DFL that day. |
| 2014-05-16 12:12 PM in reply to: mr2tony |
Champion 15211 Southern Chicago Suburbs, IL | Subject: RE: Question about Chicago ITU Originally posted by mr2tony Originally posted by crowny2 Tony Did you do the Oly or the Sprint? From what I can see, this course is slightly longer than London so hopefully it won't be as cramped. Oly ... the run was pretty empty. And nobody inthe finisher's chute. I can't help but wonder if I was DFL that day. LOL! I doubt that. |
|
|
|
| Chicago ITU Pages: 1 2 3 | ||
| |||
| |||
| |||
|
| ||||
|
| |||
|
| |||
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK