I know I’m going to moan and probably regret it but feel fairly committed to do a fast IM at the end of next year. I don’t really like draft-fests but given my current swimming I think the majority of cyclists at my level will be long gone anyway.
Currently between Italy (Emilia Romagna) or Barca. Got good memories of Barca, know the place, loads of accommodation and easy to get to. Less sure about Italy? Both have saltwater swims.
Anyone done Italy?
Club mate did it the other week and enjoyed it but that was his first iM experience so probably take that with a pinch of salt.
It does look a fast course though
Didn’t @Matthew_Spooner do it one year?
Or you’ve got Copenhagen?
I remember that video, Doon. For some reason I thought they might have the 70.3 the same day though? It’s clearly well into the race given the clock says 4:44.
Copenhagen is a bit too early, GB, as per the other thread, if I can drop my hours from July it gives me at least another day to get some training in. I should point out that is not the main reason for dropping my hours 
Also considered Maryland which has a small field but don’t really want another long haul flight if I do get to Tokyo, otherwise Greta will deffo be after me.
Hilly courses don’t suit me, not great going up and terrible at descending.
Yikes, 2700 finishers at Barca yesterday! Although I think it was helped by outstanding vouchers, I know Keith said he’d got a cheaper entry after the 70.3 was binned.
FFS @jeffb you’ve got me looking now as well 
(I’m hoping it’s just my morning coffee kicking in.)
For what it’s worth @jeffb they were pretty shit hot on the drafting yesterday. Still an issue but nothing like as bad as when I was here in 2019.
Drop your hours at the nuclear bunker and enjoy some training and a race in autumn sunshine on the med or Adriatic 
TBF we’ve had this debate umpteen times but when so many people leave the water in a short period it’s almost impossible not to get some benefit in the first 40k. Even if it’s just the slingshot effect.
Rolling starts have definitely helped reduce it in races I’ve done but still frustrating when a huge pack swallows you up.
I did Italy the first on it’s first year. The sea swim was nice, open but not choppy, not much to say about it really. I didn’t enjoy the bike, it’s a straight out and back on a main road thats a raised embankment so really open to the wind. A welcome climb at the turn point but mostly its flat & straight holding the same position for a looong time, not very comfortable.
The run was nice, weaving around the town, probably one of my favorite run courses.
The place had a strange vibe as itsan out of season holiday venue & most places were closed. Maybe they’ve embraced IM now but someone with a more recent visit would need to tell you that. Oh and a massively long T1. Anything else I can tell you?
I’ve heard about the huge transition, all the bikes I guess, Barca was a football pitch I think.
Although I’m guessing something similar to Hamburg which was nearly 1k from swim exit to bike mount.
It’s a decent run from the beach exit to T1 then its yhe line of bikes with the exit to T1 right at the other end.
Same for everyone, just a feature I remember.
I wouldn’t do it again just because of the bike course, always going to be on the back of your mind that folk are drafting.
I generally prefer a TT position and can train for it, hills aren’t my friend 
The drafting is annoying but I’m there for my own challenge rather than a finish position or WC qualification.
Then it’s a race for you 
. I went back to the finish line for hero’s hour & really enjoyed the party there, the finsh chute was cool.
Anyone done IM Hamburg? It ticks a few boxes for me… easy to fly to from Aberdeen, no car hire needed (don’t think?), sub-10 course potential, and before skool holidays. Is it well regarded? I’d prefer Klagenfurt but it’s a 3+ hr drive from nearby airports so car hire faff and accommodation is €€€ unless you camp.
@jeffb @Jorgan and maybe @Matthew_Spooner i think
That part of my memory has been permanently erased with no backup!
Nice straightforward swim, long transition.
Run was nice
Bike was utterly tedious, horrible, traumatic, shit, shite, 5k long, and that’s being positive
Hamburg is a nice place though.
** I think they have changed the bike course and hopefully less dangerous as well after the horrific incident in 2023?
Sub-10 though 
I’m not sure they’ve had the same bike course 2 years in a row yet? Concur with Jeff on the 2019 bike course; I had it at 186. Thnink the transition was about 400m? Run was great though; swim is/was subject to algae, which is why it’s earlier in the year now iirc.
Transition looks more like 600m looking at this:
I did Hamburg in 2018. I actually liked it. The bike course then was just under 180k, just checked. The thing is it is very flat, so if you like that, which I do, then its very fast, even accounting for some cobbled road sections. There is not much scenery as you follow the canals; again though I’m not really interested in that. I would agree through on the transitions which are very long. Again just checked and the bike to run was 7 mins! The run is the usual 4 laps around the town. If you want something fast in June that’s easy to get to then it pretty much ticks those boxes.
