Street Closed - Only Savages May Pass
Welcome to Westernport! Check your pride at the door. The Westernport Wall
is the steepest climb in all of road triathlon.
At just four street blocks the Westernport Wall is not particularly long, but it starts steep and gets steeper,
culminating in a final block on a stretch of road so steep that it has long been closed to traffic.
With its poor pavement, an average grade of 25% and a max pitch of 31%, successfully getting up the final block of the
Westernport Wall takes a bit of skill, a bit of luck, and a lot of True Savage determination! All savages who conquer
the Wall without putting a foot down receive a special "Brick In The Wall" prize. Those savages who choose not
to tackle the closed block have the option to take a slightly longer, more humane route around the block.
The Westernport Wall takes no prisoners and respects no pedigree. In the inaugural year of the SavageMan Triathlon
the Westernport Wall laid claim to many victims, and not just your everyday triathletes. A multiple Ironman pro podium finisher
attempted the Wall and had to unclip and walk, as did other pro triathletes. The 12th overall pro at the 2007 Ironman Hawaii World Championships took one look at the Wall, said "No Way",
and elected to take the slightly longer, more sane route around.
Just Another Brick In The Wall
While the Westernport Wall may have claimed many victims in the SavageMan Half Triathlon's first year, many
Savages attempted and conquered the Wall as well. And those who did are to be rewarded with triathlon immortality:
personally engraved bricks laid in the Wall for future Savage triathletes to ride over and perhaps fall onto. 48 individuals who
conquered the Wall without putting a foot down and went on to individually complete the SavageMan Half Triathlon are to have their personal "Bricks In The Wall" laid
this spring. Be a True Savage and earn your brick in the Westernport Wall!
The Westernport Wall Block Party
The town of Westernport will again play host to the Westernport Wall Block Party on Sunday, September 21 during the SavageMan Triathlon.
Rowdy spectators line the street yelling, cheering, blowing horns, ringing cowbells, and encouraging Savages through town and
over the Wall. Shuttle Buses will transport spectators to and from Westernport from Deep Creek Lake State Park. The Westernport Wall Block Party is a memorable event not to be missed, whether you are a participant or a spectator. As one 2007 participant said, "Westernport looked like so much fun, I wanted to get off my bike and watch other riders go up The Wall!"
Are You Savage Enough?
The Westernport Wall will challenge any cyclist, no matter how accomplished, and the final, optional pitch up the closed block of road
requires skill, luck, and small gears. However, with the exception of this optional stretch, any cyclist with adequate gearing
and adequate perseverance can get up the Westernport Wall. And, the option is available to go around the final, steepest pitch, an
option prudently taken by many triathletes in the inaugural SavageMan. You don't have to be a star triathlete or a professional cyclist to conquer
the Westernport Wall, just have a savage mentality.
There's a reason the SavageMan is considered the Most Savage Triathlon in the World, and the Westernport Wall is one of them.
So, Are You Savage Enough?
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