Whistler has approx 6000 ft of climbing. Louisville, according to the website has around 2000, but I’ve heard people on here say it’s around 6000 as well. Who has done both races? And what would I expect my Louisville time to be if I biked 525 at whistler?
I have raced both races… IMLOU multiple times. I biked just a bit faster than you at Whistler last year so maybe this will help. First off, what type of effort did you put out at Whister? i.e. did you leave anything for the run, did the bike eat your legs up? That being asked… the courses / races are much much different than just the elevation profiles. Whistler has 2 major climbs and a couple of moderate elevation gains / sustained efforts past 20 min. IMLOU has a lot of rollers that never quite come when you want them. I think that if you are a decent to moderate climber and have a good bike base, Whistler is a ride that is enjoyable because of the way it is laid out and because the temperature is about as perfect as it gets (at least last year). That same fitness will do you well at Lou but the the rollers will take more out of your legs than the long climbs at Whist because you don’t have the long decants to recover. While Whistler may look more difficult on paper, and is probably a more difficult bike course in and of itself, as part of an IM day, I think that IMLou course takes more out of you. Of course a lot depends on the heat… but even on a mild day, the heat in Lou will zap you on the bike if you are not ready for it. So… to answer your question… If you felt good coming off the bike in Whistler (i.e. had a good run off the bike) AND if you train for LOU, then I think a 5:25 Whist could = a 5:25 in Lou. Could you go faster in Lou? Depends but the course is not a faster course… if anything, all things considered, potentially a longer day. I hope this helps.
2 Likes
I’m a terrible climber. I suck. I can go sub 2:20 on flat 70.3 courses. But anyways I ride too hard up the first climb so I completely bonked by pemberton. Barely made it back to whistler, but still managed to run 3:28. I’m going to be in better shape this year so I’m definately hoping to go faster than 5:25
1 Like
Gotcha… for Lou then… I would work on your climbing, have your nutrition nailed, and have your watts for climbing nailed. If you bust out of your watts on the climbs through the day, then your toast on the run, especial if it heats up. Oh yea… get ready for the heat. A good prep 70.3 for Lou is Buffalo FYI. Good luck.