I was there last year.

I seem to remember that the wind was more of a headwind than a cross wind. So if the conditions this year are the same as last year, I'd say you'd be fine with a disk. I would recommend getting up out of the saddle at some interval during the bike though. It is easy to just sit and pedal and pedal on the long flat sections, but your legs and lower back should get a bit of a break from that position every once in a while.

The swim was pretty choppy. What was strange was that each day leading up to the race the water was super calm and a dream to swim. Then the night before the race the waves picked up and stayed active the rest of the time we were there. Made for an interesting swim, but it was tons of fun. The clear water makes it easy to see when you're about to get kicked in the head! Also, one of my fondest memories of that swim was sighting when I happened to be on the top of a wave and seeing the whole spectacle of Ironman ahead of me in the water and on the shore. Unforgettable!

Oh, my biggest shock on race day was that the air temp was 40 degrees that morning! Made for chilly feet on the sand before the start and a brisk first 20 miles on the bike.

Did the race last year. I suggest bringing a bike jacket and longsleeve run shirt just in case. It was freezing in the morning for the swim and unless you plan on finishing before the sun goes down it will get a little chilly on the second loop of the run.

Swim was very rough with six foot swells, not the norm though. I believe it was a yellow flag day which was switched to red a few hours after the swim.

The bike is flat but not pancake, there are some false flats along the way and the wind can make it seem like you are going up hill. I think there was a stretch of about 30 miles last year that you rode into a headwind. Disk wheels will be fine, the only spot to be careful on would be the bridge going over the bay. On the way back in, after the bridge there is about a six mile stretch that is a false flat.

Run course is flat, only uphill is onto the parking deck for the finish line.

I have done the Gulf Coast Half for the past five years and each year the wind is different. Last year no wind at all, three years ago 22mph gusts.

Hope this helps and good luck to all at the race. I might be down there to cheer you guys on and sign up for '08.

DSmith - thanks for the great intel!

I'm headed down there Oct 30. This is my first IM too. Thanks for all the info on the course. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, and tired too. I'm ready for a taper! Good luck everyone....

I'll be there...

F.Y.I. The IMFL07 athlete guide has been posted, here it is the link: http://www.ironmanflorida.com/2007IMFLAI.pdf

I will be there too. Thanks for the info on the race, that is good info to have. Just fyi, I got an email today that numbers will be sent out the 17th.