Talk to me about Michigan Titanium, especially the bike hills

I did it last year and would agree with an earlier poster that the hills are sufficient and steep enough that you want to not overdo it too early...

As for the road quality, a buddy rode the course two weeks ago and he said the really bad sections have been repaired so it should be a much better experience this year.  There definitely was a section of road that was flat out dangerous either with how your bike/rims responded to the potholes OR if you attempted to swerve and cut someone off....

My understanding is all bad sections have been fixed... My buddy rode the course and said it was much better than last year. 

That's a great question.  Last year I wore a sleeveless wetsuit and was fine on temps.  This season I purchased a long sleeve wetsuit and have worn it a number of times however it was much colder water so I can't answer whether I would have overheated in water in the mid to upper 70's...

I would say if they aren't disallowing wetsuits due to temps, go ahead and use an existing LS wetsuit if that's what you have. 

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the reason race directors disallow wetsuits at certain temps is safety so if they'll allow them you theoretically should be fine....

Is the course you rode the "new" course?  Mi/Ti made an announcement that they've got a new course however I didn't look it up to view changes because I'm not doing the event this year.

Loose gravel on a TT bike would be a nightmare...

Good luck to all...

The map I pulled up is the new course.  They have you on Cannonsburg/5-mile for a tiny section on the way out, just to get to Murray Lake but a longer section from Lincoln Lake back to Gavin Lake.

I haven't seen all of Cannonsburg/5-mile but would assume it's chip seal/stones all the way to Lincoln Lake... My only encounter was riding North on Egypt Valley with the intent to head East on Cannonsburg.  Didn't happen...

I'm familiar with most of the new route and can't remember any chip seal/stones other than Cannonsburg (5-mile) but I could be wrong...

It depends on how much of the race you want to spectate.  The swim is pretty straightforward, parking across the street is hit or miss depending on when you arrive and whether the business owners try to restrict parking for their customers.  Seems like there was a warning last year on where to park and where not to..

The bike could literally be anywhere, I'd say out near Murray Lake wouild be a place to consider as you'll see riders on the way out and the way back (for each leg).  I don't believe any roads are closed for the bike so you can get pretty much anywhere.

The run already has the signs posted stating that Grand River and 3-mile are closed due to an event on 8/24 so it's only the odd few cars that go through, traffic is really minimal (in other words do you want to drive down those roads assuming that's not where you live).  3-mile at Hoag is good (assuming the run course is the same as the last two years) as it's the turnaround for each leg so you could see runners for a long time at that lonely long slow uphill that feels like a frickin' mountain...

Miles...  

Nothing to add about the course.  Just wanted to wish you good luck this weekend, hope you have a great race!!