Frequently Asked Questions about Bergen Triathlon

This page is updated as we go along with answers to relevant questions asked about Bergen Triathlon.

Should I use a TT bike with a disc rear wheel?

The best bikers would probably clearly prefer a TT bike. The gradients are steep at some points, but short. The steepest hill is covered on a 10km (5km back and forth) Time Trial held yearly and for that the cyclist at top national level (Up to Pro Continental team level) goes with disc wheels despite the gradients. For very windy conditions maybe a 50-80mm profile rear wheel is better, if the disc becomes hard to control. Front wheel, probably 30-50mm profile rim if the wind is hard. Dependant on bike skill and to some extent rider weight.

For some first hand impression, see this "roadmovie" at youtube linked below from turn point at Herdla and back "home". Recorded at 30-40km/h speed, and here shown in tripple speed

Is it windy and if so is it mainly a cross wind?

The wind will most probable be north to northwest if it's good weather. Could then also start fairly still and increase over the afternoon due to sun effects. It can become quite strong and Herdla on the north tip turn point will then be very windy. 

Do you recommend a neoprene hat ans socks?

Neoprene hat and socks are recommendable. Socks will be made legal at sea temperatures below a certain level (probably around 16 deg C but not decided yet) and mandatory at temperatures below 15.5 C. Neoprene swimcaps same.

 

Is private support allowed?

Private support is not needed for the race, and private support is only allowed in designated areas close to T2. Each participant will receive one paper bracelet to give to his/her support person. Only participants and support wearing the bracelet are allowed into T1 and T2 to collect gear. If you have no private support the crew will take care of your gear until you finish the race.

What is served at the service stations?

The following is planned to be served at the service stations. Note that there might be changes to this menu.

Bike leg:

• Squeezy energy drink in bottles and refill of your own bottles
• Water
• Buns with and without raisins
• Bananas
• Salt sausage
• Chocolate bars
• Potato crisps

Run leg:

• Squeezy energy drink in cups
• Water
• Buns with and without raisins
• Bananas
• Salt sausage
• Chocolate bars
• Potato crisp

Where can I stay?

There are several alternatives.

At Herdla, bike turn point approximately 22km from star: Herdlevågen Gjestehus.

Herdla ferie og fritid har også noen ferieleiligheter på Herdla.

Apart from that, more or less all Bergen Hotels are witin comparable distance to the Kollevåg and the race area. We have mananged to get one hotel deal. Read more here.

It will also be possible to tent in the swim start / transition 1 area. Details about this will be given at the pre-race meeting.

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Do I need a triathlon license?

No, participation is on your own risc. We advice you to obtain a triathlon license with insurance coverage, and ensurethat this our other insurances your hold cover you during the event and is of satifying coverage to you.

What is the age limit for the race?

You can enter the race from the year you turn 18. There is no upper age limit. All entrants must confirm that they are fit for the race.

Are there Hawaii slots available at the race?

No. The Ironman events are owned by World Triathlon Corporation, and only Ironman events offer qulification slots to Hawaii Ironman. As an independent race we can not offer Hawaii qualification slots. Qualifiers in Europe are the events in Frankfurth, Nice, Switzerland and Lanzarote.

Which swim temperatures due you expect?

We will expect typically 16 to 18 degrees C in the sea. We have two different small lakes for back up in case of cold sea water. To our experience, the lakes often holds better temperatures, as they don't suffer thetypica coldening effects of the sea: Sea currents, wind and wave causing stirring of cold water from deeper depths, and addition snow melting water. Full model wetsuits are required to participate. Triathlon wetsuit models are strongly recommended for both comfort and swimmng speed.

I fear the swim. Should I enter the race?

If you can swim the distance in a pool, and you  have some time for familiarising to outdoor swimming with wetsuit you should. Don't fear the swim, fear the run as the last excercise... ;-)

Why is there a maximum competitors limit?

We've said that we will guarantee room for 200 participants in 2010. If there are need for more entries, we will look into if we can increase. We've run the 2008 and 2009 events with manual timing and sheets, and as we increase the number of participants, we might need chip timing. Availability and costs for such is one of the challenges we'll look into if need be. This is probably the major challenge we need to face. Space in transitions etc. is not a challenge for us.

How technical is the bike leg?

Hard to describe objectively in words. Definitely triathlon bike course. Unless a very windy day it should be suited for aero wheels. The über-bikers would probably prefer disc rear as well given wind conditions for it.

We've prepared this video for an inside view. It's filmed from a car rooftop driving at typically 35-40km/h, and shown here in approximately tripple speed of that. It's from just after the turing point north at Herdla and back home to approximately the bike lap point. Distance a little over 20km and film length 9min 49 sec. Remember as the video camera is fixed on the car roof, the turns might look sharper than they are as the camera won't follow the road untill the car actually starts turning.

If our GPS knowlegde doesn't do us trix, it's a little less than 300m climb during one lap, hence approximately 1200 total on the bike leg.

Which flights are recommended?

Any decent priced fligth to Bergen will do. The pre race meeting is at 1900hrs Friday downtown. Landing at 1800 hrs will be touch and go to get downtown in time. If you get a god deal to other cities, it might work to. Ryanair flies to Haugesund. There is a 3hrs 15min bus or fast ferry connection to Bergen from Haugeund. Boat is most scenic, bus is more frequent. Bus leaving Haugesund approximately every 2nd hour. A bit more often in morning and a bit less in the evening. Ticket price one way approx NOK 350,- (Bus). Stavanger has same connections but a bit longer, approximately 5hrs. From Oslo there are domestic fligths (1 hour)  and train transfer (8 hours) possible.

The following international airports have connections to Bergen  http://www.avinor.no/en/airport/bergen/timetables

The following airways are connected regularly:

Lufthansa (Frankfurt)

Climber Air (Billund, Denmark)

SAS (London, Copenhagen,

Norwegian (Berlin)

Widerøe (Aberdeen, Copenhagen)

Eastern Air (Aberdeen, Newcastle)

KLM (Amsterdam)

Air Baltic (Riga)