Current Course Record : 4h41' by Van McCarty, San Luis Obispo.
Three flat bike loops make it easy possible, at an average speed of 18 mph, for serious participants to be expected to finish the course under 6 hours, as stated in the registration waiver. Compared to Big Kahuna's 5.5 hours cut-off coastal bike ride. Offcourse, you can finish on your own beyond 6 hours and earn your T-shirt and finisher award.
Expected performance times : swim free style in < 55 min, bike in < 3.1 h and run 13.1 miles of 2 loops in < 2 h; see former participants results and performance-rates. Further, you are expected to have finished at least 2 Olympic distance Triathlons in the past 2 years. We strongly recommend that you rehearse the course at least once before the RACE. Thank you for your performance, see previous results.
We Claim that this is "the easiest "Half-" courses in Northern-California" compared to : Wildflower, Vineman, Calfornia man, Big Kahuna and others. Is it the big valley ? Your advantage is in the loops. After the first loop you'll remember, adjust and budget your energy to perform better as you repeat the loop biking or running. The National championship course is also a loop course.
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1) SWIM ( 1.2 miles)..... One loop triangle course in the fresh, clean and warm water of the Los Banos reservoir recreation area. Course will be marked with big Orange buoys. Expected Water temperature around 65 F, or warmer. Wetsuits are recommended at your own risk.
Lifeguards on boat and boards as mandated by USAT sancioning.
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2) BIKE ( 56 miles)......in 3 loops on well paved agricultural area FLAT-roads, almost no traffic . Leaving the transition area, your first mile starts with a STEEP 800 yards down-, glide safely through a 6 inch deep "water pit" ( dry in 2008) followed by an 800 yards uphill climb that ends with a left turn to Canyon Road for another mile of down-hill long grade viewing the big valley. After crossing I-5 overpass and the irrigation canal it is all FLAT LOOPS (clock-wise) around the green fields of the countryside. All loops start at Canyon-X-Sunset crossing at AID STATION : Water/Gateorade. Sheriff assistance at 2 left turns.
LOOP# 1 "MERVEL": Continue to end of Canyon Road to turn right on Pioneer, cows will be watching you !. Stop sign at Ortigalita Road (STOP and watch for cross traffic) , turn right on Center Ave to the end, turn right on MERVEL Ave.(Fluid+Banana), after one mile turn right on Ortigalita, turn left on Sunset Ave (CHP) to the end and turn right on Canyon Road to start loop2.
LOOP # 2 "ALMOND": same as loop1 but 5 miles shorter : right on Canyon Rd, right on Pioneer, right on Center Ave, TURN right on ALMOND, right on Ortigalita, left on Sunset Ave. Note: MAP CORRECTION: West Almond on the map is in fact Almond Rd. and the road named Almond Rd. on the map does not exist.
LOOP # 3 "MERVEL": same as loop 1 but to finish TURN left at end of Sunset Ave to Canyon Road back to the transition area crossing I-5 overpass. At the top of the uphill-mile-grade turn right down hill, as you came into the park, glide safe through the 6" water pit (2008 dry) then climb back up to transition area.
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3) NEW COURSE: RUN (13.1 miles) 2 loops .....run from transition area up to the road and turn left on pavement to enter the dry running trails on plateau overlooking reservoir. Run straight and follow the blue arrows indicating turns. 2 Fluid stations will be posted along the running course 1 mile apart : only Gatorade and Water . After finishing the big loop run the inner loop one more time counter clockwise then head back over pavement towards transition area. At the Stop sign make a U-turn to start the second loop. You must run the inner loop again before heading to finish to Transition area. After running the inner loop twice turn right and head down to transition area to finish and earn your T-shirt. See and print running course map at http://www.ebiz.netopia.com/tri/scrapbook/
