Wildflower has been an iconic event for decades. While the long course might be out of some people’s reach, the Olympic distance is one of the toughest and most challenging Olympic distance events out there. You definitely want to be prepared before you race on Sunday of Wildflower Weekend.
For those of you who have never done Wildflower, this is some good information to have before you head down to Lake San Antonio. Veterans, I welcome your thoughts on additional tips!
Distance: Olympic, 1.5K Swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run
Location: Lake San Antonio / Bradley, CA
Time of Year: Early May
Race Day: SUNDAY
Website: www.wildflowertriathlon.com
Swim Course Notes:
- Start: Wave Start, 9:00 am. Age groups generally go in 5-min increments.
- Distance: 1.5 kilometers
- Loops: One Clockwise Loop
- Venue: Lake San Antonio generally clean, but has some algae.
- Water Temperature: upper 60s – expect to use a wetsuit.
- Swim Cut-off Times: The website does not mention cut-off times but they have had cut-offs in the past.
Unique Aspects:
- There is always open swimming on the days before the race. You should definitely get in a swim or two to get a feel for the temperatures.
- Near the final turn and in the last 400 meters, you swim close to a fueling station for boats. Usually you will smell gas while you are swimming in this area.
- You also swim close to a pier in the final 400 meters – make sure you are sighting well so you avoid this!
- On race morning, transportation (busses) is provided to get from the top of Lynch Hill to the transition area and swim start. It’s a bit safer than traveling down the steep hill while carrying all of your gear in a large backpack. Inevitably someone will crash on race morning as they try to bike down Lynch with a heavy backpack on.
- Because of the large number of participants and waves, there is a lot of waiting around prior to the race – try to stay off your feet as much as possible and bring extra calories to keep your fuel tank full
Transition 1
- There is an uphill run from the swim exit into transition.
- IMPORTANT! Due to the size of the race field, transition area is quite large. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the logistics and directions of the ins and outs of T1 and T2. Determine exactly where you will be going as you enter transition and look for your transition spot and as you leave transition. The directions you run through transition can also be a little confusing. Check this out on Friday and watch how the long course racers do it on Saturday to be ready on race day.
- You go up the STEEP Lynch Hill as soon as you exit transition so starting with your shoes on your feet is recommended. Make sure you’re in the right gear-small chain ring and easy gear for climbing.
Bike Course Notes:
- Distance: 40 kilometers with approximately 1900 ft. of climbing.
- Campground roads, county-maintained roads, generally narrow shoulders, some rough areas. Be aware of potential hazards.
- This course is an out and back course with hills along the entire course, including climbing the very steep Lynch Hill immediately out of transition.
- Once on the bike course athletes head out of the park on the only road into the park (Lake San Antonio Drive). At the end of Lake San Antonio Drive, athletes turn right and do an out and back on the main road.
- Use extreme caution since roads are open to vehicle traffic. Ride single-file, to the right at all times, except when passing (pass on the left only).
- You’ll descend the very steep Lynch Hill into T2 so be prepared to come to a quick stop at the bottom of the hill.
- Aid Stations: Around mile 7.5, at the turn-around (mile 12.5), and near mile 16.5.
- No cut-off time is posted on the website, but they may have cut-offs for the bike finish.
Unique Aspects:
- There is a significant ¾ mile climb at the start – Lynch Hill. This will definitely get you warmed up and sweating. Be sure to be in a climbing gear.
- Throughout the course, there are a number of descents, some of which are steep and fast and have some technical turns on them. Stay alert and safely.
- For the entire ride, you are climbing or descending. Very little “flat” terrain exists on this course. The road outside of the park is open to traffic so stay alert.
- In the mile or two before the turnaround, you get to enjoy a long and fast descent. Then, after the turnaround, you get to enjoy the long climb back. Pacing and strong legs for climbing are recommended.
- You have a steep descent in the final mile on Lynch before T2. If you plan on dismounting with your shoes on your bike, you might want to take your feet out of your shoes before you descend Lynch.
- Be careful at the dismount line – it comes up fast and can be dangerous with a lot of riders coming in together.
- Pacing and fueling are critical. The bike and run courses are both very challenging.
- Be careful training on the course. Sometimes the locals get frustrated with the large number of cyclists in the area. Always ride courteously.
Transition 2:
- Same as T1 – very large. It will be more of a challenge to find your transition spot with no bike to look for. Landmarks you identified pre-race will be important to look for.
Run Course Notes:
- Distance: 10 kilometers with ~550 ft of climbing.
- Terrain: Rolling hills. Park roads and trails.
- One large loop with hills and a steep descent toward the finish line.
- Aid Stations: Roughly every mile.
Unique Aspects:
- The first couple miles include a lot of short up-and-down hills, before get on some trails where is flattens out.
- Just before mile 3, you encounter a tough pitch which lasts about 100 yards. It levels out again before you hit the long steady climb out of “The Pit”. This might just be the toughest part of the entire course because you’re really fatigued from the bike and run to this point. There is no shade and if it is hot, it feels like an oven.
- Once you get out of “The Pit”, the course flattens out a bit for miles 4-5 as you run along the park road on a typically very dusty trail. There is one last little pitch, just when you don’t want to climb anymore, as you approach the top of Lynch.
- In the final mile, you descend Lynch Hill which is about ¾ mile long. This will really tax your quads and can be hard to control your speed. Make sure you have taken in plenty of fluids and electrolytes, so you don’t cramp up on this final stretch.
- There is NOT a lot of shade on this course and with the later start time, it can get pretty hot.
Unique Race Aspects:
Check out the Wildflower Long Course Preview Part One for unique aspects of the race.
Pre-Race Check-In
TriCalifornia does allow day before check-in for Wildflower but with the Long Course and sprint races happening on Saturday, it is better to do it on Friday. There is a lot to do pre-race so it is better to check-in as early as possible. At check-in, you’ll get a wristband that you must wear all weekend. This gets you in and out of transition area, post-race food, and into everything race-related (except the VIP tent). You’ll get your race bag here with your swim cap, bib number, and some goodies. You’ll also get your chip just before you exit the check-in tent.
Schedule of Events
Always use the official Schedule of Events (put online 4-6 weeks before the event) for specifics.
Pre-Race Check-in Procedure
1-2 days before race day
Important: Athlete Check-In will NOT be open on race day.
Race Day Parking
Parking is only in the campgrounds at the top of Lynch Hill. Busses transport athletes and the general public to the swim start.
Wildflower Weather
Unpredictable.
May is typically a month of shifting weather in southern California. For the most part, rain has ended and the temperatures are warming up a bit. Because it is in between Spring/Summer, it’s not as predictable as mid-summer conditions. There could be some colder temperatures (50s) and rain. There could be really warm (90s) temperatures and sun. While these “extremes” are possible, it is a little more likely there will be no rain, high temperatures in the upper 70s or low 80s. Winds are not usually a major factor, but they could be out on the main roads of the bike.
