● GUIDE

How to Recon Your Race Course

8 min read 7 sections Course Planning

An athlete who has ridden the bike course or walked the run route performs better on race day. You remove unknowns, you identify technical sections, and you arrive at the start mentally prepared. But full reconnaissance is not always possible. This guide shows you how to recon effectively whether you visit in person or study the course from home.

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Why course reconnaissance matters

Mental reconnaissance is nearly as valuable as physical reconnaissance. When you have visualised a climb before you get to it, the shock of seeing it on race day is smaller. When you know transition has a 50-metre run from the bike exit, you are not surprised in the moment. This reduces cognitive load, preserves mental energy, and keeps you executing rather than reacting.

In-person recon is ideal but not always possible. If you are racing locally, drive the bike course and walk transition. If you are flying to the race, study the GPX and elevation profile obsessively — the knowledge you gain is real and valuable.

Bike course reconnaissance in person

If you can visit the race venue in the week before the event, spend 2–3 hours on the bike course at a steady pace — not a workout, just a recon. Ride the actual course if it is open. If it is not, drive it and note every section.

Focus on: technical sections (tight corners, narrow descents), the steepest climbs, and the approach to transition (how wide is the road, where do you dismount). Write notes or take photos.

Ride the bike course at steady pace, not race pace.

Note the location and difficulty of climbs (use which gearing).

Identify technical descents — know where to brake.

Mark tight corners or narrow sections where you might lose time.

Check road surface: is it smooth tarmac or rough gravel?

Note where the bike exit is and how to approach transition.

Take a photo of road signs so you recognise turnarounds on race day.

Run course reconnaissance in person

Walking or jogging the run course at steady pace (not hard) gives you two specific benefits: you feel the hills in your legs (different from the bike), and you identify any surface changes or technical sections.

Focus on: where the big climbs are, the footing (road, trail, grass, gravel), sun exposure (which sections are shaded), and the final 1 km (every runner wants to know what the finish feels like).

Walk or easy-jog the run course.

Note the steepest sections — know where you will walk.

Identify shaded areas (important in hot climates).

Check footing: asphalt, trail, or gravel (affects pace and injury risk).

Locate aid stations on the actual course.

Run the final 1 km so you know the finish approach.

Transition walk: the most important recon

More mistakes happen in transition than anywhere else. You put your helmet down and cannot find it. You run the wrong way out of T1. You miss the dismount line.

Walk transition multiple times. Walk your exact path: bike exit, to your T1 spot, helmet off, shoes on, run exit. Then walk T2: run exit, find your spot, shoes off, bike shoes on, helmet on, bike exit. Do this until you can do it with your eyes closed.

Walk from bike exit to your T1 spot — note landmarks (tree, tent, colour of fence).

Walk your exact changing sequence — helmet off, shoes on, go.

Walk from run exit to T2 spot — same landmark system.

Walk the run exit path — make sure you are running the right direction.

If transition is not open before race day, arrive 90 minutes early and walk it then.

● Race Preprr

Map your transition entry/exit points in Race Preprr so you have a visual reference on race day. Take a photo of your T1 and T2 spots with landmarks and bring it on your phone for race morning.

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If you cannot visit in person: GPX study and visualization

If you are flying to the race, download the GPX files and study them obsessively. Visualisation is not as good as physical recon, but it is far better than arriving at the start with no mental picture of the route.

Identify: the elevation profile (where are the climbs), the total distance breakdown (is the bike 56 or 90 km?), aid station locations, and any notable landmarks you can see from maps.

Download GPX files from the race website.

Study the elevation profile: where are the climbs, and how steep are they?

Identify the longest flat section and the hardest climb.

Mark aid station locations on the route.

Use Google Maps to street-view key sections (if available).

Visualise the route: close your eyes and mentally ride it.

Create a short summary: 'Flat first 20 km, then a long climb at 30–35 km, followed by rolling sections.'

What to do with your recon notes

Reconnaissance is only valuable if you use the information. Write down your findings and keep them with your race brief. On race day, reference your notes before you start the bike and before you start the run.

Example: 'Climb at 35 km is steep — easier in small ring. Downhill into km 40 is tight — brake hard before the turn. Watch footing from km 42–45, road is rough.'

Write a 2–3 sentence summary of key sections: climbs, descents, technical areas.

For the bike: note which gears you will need for each climb.

For the run: note where you will walk (and give yourself permission to do so).

For transitions: write down your path (bike exit → T1 spot → run exit).

Put these notes in your race brief and reference them before each leg.

● Race Preprr

In Race Preprr, drop a point-of-interest (POI) at every climb, technical section, aid station, and transition point. Label each one with your note: 'Steep climb — small ring' or 'Technical descent — brake early.' Your crew can see them too.

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The mental recon: closing the loop

After you have ridden or studied the course, spend 5 minutes the night before the race visualising the entire route from start to finish. Picture yourself climbing the big hill, running the rocky section, and approaching transition. This final mental rehearsal removes the sense that you are doing this for the first time.

Close your eyes. Visualise the swim exit.

Picture the bike start, the climb at 35 km, the rough road section.

Visualise T2, the run start, and the final km to the finish.

Tell yourself: 'I have ridden/studied this course. I know what is coming. I will execute.'

● Try it free

Plan your course reconnaissance in Race Preprr
→

Import your GPX, drop POIs at climbs, aid stations, and transitions, and build a visual map of the entire course so nothing surprises you on race day.

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