Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas : Official Thread

Matt, when did you move to Austin?

Someone posed a similar question on ST and here was my reply:

I have ridden everything from a 60/disc, 60/90, and H3/disc for this race. I was fine with each. IMO, the issue with deep wheels and wind (and remember it's the front wheel that's the main determinant when it comes to twitchiness) is whether there's more constant winds or gusts. It's not too difficult to get used to and adjust to a constant wind. It's the gusts that cause problems. Galveston, for the most part, is a consistent wind course due to how open it is and how you're pretty much always riding in the same direction. There's really no turns. Just the turnaround at the halfway point. Compare that to something like the IMFL course where the first 10 miles and last 10 miles along the coast can be very gusty due to the wind whipping between all the buildings. 

That's not to say you won't encounter wind gusts on the Galveston course because you will. My experience (5x doing the race) is the most "dangerous" part of the course is the area in and around the San Luis Pass... let's call it miles 20-25 on the way out and 30-35 on the way back. That's where the wind gusts tend to be the worse, especially when going over the Pass. 

Hey!  Meant to send you a note.  We moved end of July last summer.  Absolutely loving it, so far.  Different than Boston, for sure, but we're having a blast in Texas and Austin is a great city.

I'm planning on running a disc, unless it's blowing 30 and gusty (and probably even then - the disc never bothers me).  Was really wondering more about the gusts and whether to run the 808 or 404 in front.  I'll likely go with the 808 given your description of the course.  If it were a gusty one, I'd consider the 404, but if it's only a couple sections, then I'm comfortable with the 808 (and I love me some free speed - as long as it doesn't send me into a seawall!).

Should be a fun one.  Haven't run a HIM since last June, so I'm itching to race!  Hopefully, I should be ready to at least race this one (rather than "completing" it), although I'm not far enough along this year to really target a fast-for-me time.    I suspect it'll be one of those where it feels like a race, but the results will be more like an aggressive training day!  Never know, though...

Matt

Hey Matt, thanks for starting the thread (even if we're only two weeks out from the race now)!  

I'm planning on running a 60mm front and disk (cover) in the rear.  I suspect you'd be just fine on the 808, but assuming you're driving in from Austin, you might as well bring both just in case.  When are you getting into town?  Grab a beer after at the nearby Galveston Island Brewery?  I did some recon a couple weekends ago and it's certainly got post-race worth beers  

Better late than never... 

Yeah, I'll bring both sets, since I can.  Probably will stick with my disc/808, especially as I've "re-dialed" in my fit to closer to where it was last season (more weight forward, so much better stability - I can ride through a gale with the seat/cockpit combination I prefer). 

I get in Friday, probably around 4 or 5 (?).  Leaving a business lunch in Austin around 1, so hopefully can skirt the traffic - but I don't know Houston traffic, so we'll see.  DEFINITELY up for a post-race recovery beverage (IPA works best, from my extensive testing).   

Kim and the kids have to leave early - maybe even before I finish - to get back for a summer swim team social/sign-up, so I'm lone wolf after.  I usually stick around for the awards and roll-down to cheer (no danger of my participating!), as that's a hoot.  Meet up before/during/after that?

Matt

Austin to Galveston is a 3:30 drive in perfect traffic conditions so count on a lot more than that.  Houston has some of the worst traffic in the nation.  I'm assuming you'd take 290 into the Houston area.  That will be contra-flow to the heavy 290 traffic at that time of day so 290 should be smooth sailing for the most part.  The problem you're going to run into is traffic around the city and heading south towards Galveston.  If you take 290 to 610 (or 10) you're going to have some horrible traffic on 610 trying to get to I-45 South.  I-45 South is going to be a nightmare no matter so just bank on that being awful.

Do you have some kind of TX Tag or EZ Tag on your car?  If so, this is the route I would take.

- Hwy 290 from Austin to the Cypress Area.

- Take SH-99 (Grand Parkway) south.  The exit is near the big outlet mall in northwest Cypress.  You can't miss it.  99 is a toll road for TX Tag or EZ Tag users (no cash).

- Take 99 South to I-10.  It's about 15 miles or so.

- Take I-10 East to Houston.  You will see some not so great traffic on I-10 E once you get into Houston but it won't be as bad as I-10 W.

- I-10 to I-45 South.

Even with this route I'd bet on it taking 4:30 at minimum to get to Galveston.