Worse.
Worse than 2019?
2019 was worse, my bad.
This is 15? Mins quicker by most people’s estimations.
Depends on descending skills mostly, unfortunately, it’s a more flowing course.
Third loop will be wacky races when the pros and Poet come through a lot of very tired underprepared idiots like me!
A not very scientific analysis, my Wales time in 2018 was 6.50 whereas my Bolton 2019 time was 7.20 similar medeocre fitness both good weather. Doing a few practice loops including the full distance is invaluable as you remember the potholes, scree on bends and all the climbs. Sheephouse decent is great but there are riders in front who haven’t done it so can be all over the place. I saw one nasty off there (Marshall was with him). TC in those denim shorts passed me on the second lap, I was starting to feel it by then whereas he judged it well and was riding past everyone, as you would expect. Although I was passing people who had blown up on the first lap. My club mate who only just made the overall cut off was the only rider in his age group to finish so all he had to do was finish the run which he did and a few months later he was racing at kona. I think it’s a great ride even the cobbled section in Bolton, but I haven’t done it in crap weather. Pray for good weather.
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They changed it for 2020 and have kept that 
Remember the
“ bringing it to new communities “
“ embrace a fresh challenge”
Utter crap.
Locals, who know more than I do say they were forced to change it, for several reasons
Strong objections from one particularly affluent area of Chorley? ( were all the councillors live)
Manchester police commented on the amount of crashes, in perfect conditions, if it’s wet it will be carnage on a biblical scale… end of days … ish.
No one entered straight away, like you always get … or very few, this is probably the real reason ££££ the route of all evil and impossible bike courses.
Even the Ironman brand can’t lure the one & done into Bolton? I’m just glad I did a classic as my first. Roth.
So similar elevation to Lanzarote now, I think it was nearer 6-7000ft in 2016
Lanza has to be windier hotter with better roads …?!
But that is a guess.
It drains you…! The 3 rd lap will be horrid.
Cheers folks, just trying not to under estimate the course / over estimate my ability 
Going to get up and do some loops possibly mid-May one evening after work - bit less traffic 
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Completely sensible. I try for the “no expectations” philosophy. I aim for x Watts, or x RPE, and the time is what it is. I try to pay myself on the back if what I put in was good, not the outcome.
…But then, I need a lot of excuses 
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I did a loop after work but parked up so I rode through Bolton early. Big mistake it’s like the wild west, completely lawless when it comes to motorists. I would park after Bolton and then it will be quiet when your finishing. 3 of us who’d signed up did our first loop by parking at the swim but you don’t gain much info as straightforward to get to the loop. After we did that ride we were down to two as one deferred, so presumably he’s doing it this year, I’ll have to check.
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Yeah, that’s bit is horrific!
I park at Lostock Rail Station, as it’s free and has CCTV, for if I wanna do a run off up to Chorley New Road.
With his normal swim are you not sure @Toyota_Crown was on his first lap?
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I understand little about Russia other than the old A level stuff but I imagine Putin to be untouchable - watching affairs from afar in his palatial surroundings with a big grin on his face
Some 80kg chap has just rode two loops at 230W NP 181W AP for 25.2kmh.
Totally over the heads of all on IMJ 
#attrition
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every nation gets the government it deserves. I don’t think that was one of Mark Twain’s.
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And it took 4hrs. #longdayout
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I never recce’d the bit from swim to loop for 2019 even though I rode the loop close to 10 times. Have seen @poets screenshots don’t make it look appealing with traffic lights and cars but on the day that was probably best bit as smoother roads.
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So much more accurate and informative, but perhaps less inspiring than, #anythingispossible
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