The 70.3 Ohio Bike Leg: 90 Flat Kilometers Where the Race Is Won (or Lost)

The Course in Two Lines

A single loop of roughly 90 km on rural roads through the farm fields of Erie and Sandusky counties. Minimal elevation gain: official sources list between 681 and about 820 ft (roughly 210-250 m), so an essentially flat course with just one short climb worth mentioning. Mostly smooth pavement, light traffic. One warning though: not all roads are closed. Some stay open to vehicles between 6:30 AM and 1:00 PM, with traffic slowdowns. Reports from 2024 mention only a few vehicles encountered, but the rule stands: head up and clean lines.

The Real Challenge: Holding Your Watts for 90 km

On a course like this there are no climbs to break the rhythm and no descents to recover on. You need one thing: steady power in the aero position for over two and a half hours, with no mental lapses. It's harder than it sounds. On flat terrain the brain switches off, your watts drop by 10-15 without you noticing, and you only find them again looking at your head unit at the finish.

What to do in training:

• Long race-pace blocks: 2-3 rides of 60-75 km with 30-40 minute segments at your power target, in full aero position.
• Train your neck and back to hold the position: on this course you never sit up.
• The official course is available on Rouvy: use it to memorize the route and dial in your watts before you get to Sandusky.

Wind: Usually Not Decisive, But It's There

The area is open, surrounded by farmland. Wind usually isn't the deciding factor, but headwind sections are possible. The strategy is simple: in headwind sections stay low and aero, accept a lower speed at the same watts, don't chase your computer. In tailwind sections don't give watts away: hold your target, don't ease up just because you're going fast.

Pacing: Flat Courses Invite You to Overcook It

70.3 Ohio is a PR course, and that's its danger. The fast bike leg tempts you to push above your level, but a half marathon under the mid-July sun awaits you afterward, with past editions recording very high heat indexes. Burn 10-15 extra watts on the bike and you'll pay them back with interest from mile 6 of the run onward.

Practical rule: pick your power target as if the run will be raced in temperatures 3-4 degrees higher than forecast. On a flat course there's no recovery margin: either the pace is sustainable from the first kilometer, or it isn't.

Equipment and Mechanics

The problems reported in race reports are almost exclusively mechanical, not course-related. So: full brake and drivetrain check before check-in, not the night before at the hotel. Gearing: with 250 m of total elevation you don't need compact chainrings or wide-range cassettes; what matters is having the right combination to spin smoothly at cruising speed, even into a headwind.

One logistical detail that becomes technical: the racks in transition are tight, handlebar against handlebar. Organize your space methodically, test your bike placement at check-in, and memorize exactly where you are. In T1, with the adrenaline of the ferry jump still pumping, you don't want to be hunting for your bike.

The Decision to Make

Before the race, set a number: your power target for 90 flat kilometers, validated in at least two long rides with a run off the bike. On race day, that number doesn't move. On this course, discipline beats legs.