Solstice Tri - Information
When & Where
19th June 2012 @7:00pm
Threipmuir Reservoir, Balerno
Getting There
Threipmuir reservoir is located in the Pentland Hills on the south of Balerno, which itself is located to the West of Edinburgh. Follow the signs in Balerno to either Harlaw or Threipmuir car parks- these are a similar distance from the Registration:
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Race Information
Registration is located at the transition area and commences at 5:30 pm on the evening of the event. A race briefing will be given at 7:20 pm - 10 minutes prior to the start. Bikes must be racked on your numbered slot before the Race Briefing. You will be provided with a race number and swim cap.
This race is held under the rules of TriathlonScotland and the British Triathlon Federation.
Swim
The start is a mass shallow-water start. While the number of competitors is restricted to 64, you should hang back if you like your own space to swim in. The swim involves a 750 metre open-water swim in Threipmuir reservoir. Whilst the event is being held at the height of the Scottish summer the water is still pretty cold, so wetsuits must be worn. Our sponsor, The Tri Centre, is offering half price wetsuit hire for this event.
The course follows an anti-clockwise triangular course: We enter the water at the North West corner of the reservoir, swim towards the South-West, parallel to the shore road, turn left around the first buoy, swim a short distance in a South East direction away from the shore to the second buoy, turn left again to swim parallel to the shore road to return to the start and wade out at the sandy area to enter the first transition.
All swimmers will be issued with swim caps and there will be kayakers in the water to assist if anyone gets into trouble, as well as spotters on the shore.
Being a reservoir the water should be calm, and as we keep close to the shore, does not get very deep.
Bike
The bike ride is a 15km off road anticlockwise cycle that is best done on a mountain or cyclo-cross bike; however you could get away with a hybrid, as the route is not particularly technical.
On leaving transition you head out on a graded forest track past the Red Moss car park and up the deceptively steep tarmac hill to Bavelaw Castle. You are now onto a nice Pentland Hills single-track path, with styles to negotiate, that takes you down through Green Cleugh to Loganlea reservoir - another opportunity to get wet if you decide to cycle through the stream!
You are now back onto a single track tarmac road all the way down to Glencorse reservoir. Look out for fisherman casting from the shore on your right, farm vehicles, walkers, horse riders and grit on the road. Remember you are responsible for the safety of yourself and others who are in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. Often other park users only respond or react to a bicylce bell. This would be advisable for your swift progress. There will be race marshals stationed at gates and other areas of potential hazards; and the fishermen have been made aware of the event.
You leave the road at Glencorse reservoir and climb up the Maiden's Cleugh single track path, down the gravel track on the other side to Harlaw reservoir and return to the transition area at Threipmuir via the forest track.
Run
That's the hard work over with. All that is left is a nice flat off-road 5 km run along the north shore of Threipmuir reservoir followed by an anti-clockwise loop around the picturesque Harlaw reservoir, returning to the finish line at Threipmuir reservoir.
Facilities (or lack of)
Parking
There are two parking areas, both about a 15 minute walk from the start:
The one at Red Moss close to Threipmuir reservoir is best approached from Balerno.
The one near the Rangers centre at Harlaw reservoir is best approached from Currie.
Car parking is free but limited, so please car share where possible. If it is a nice evening there will plenty other people out benefiting from all the area has to offer.
Toilets, Showers and Changing
For the sake of public decency (and at great expense) we have hired two portaloos for this event.
There are no showers available, but feel free to throw yourself in the reservoir when you have finished.
There are no changing facilities so bring a large towel or equivalent to protect your modesty and avoid frightening unsuspecting members of the public.
Finally
There will be medical facilities available at transition. If you are unfortunate enough to have an accident out on the course it may take a bit more time getting to you, but you won't be anywhere too remote!
The Pentland Hills are an area of scenic beauty. Please help look after them by not leaving any rubbish (wrappers etc.) out on the course, or in the transition area.
Event Sponsors
