Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...

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2008-10-24 8:25 PM

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Subject: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
Looking at the bike course profile for AZ, it looks like an approx 20 mi climb followed by a 20 mi descent (about 450' gain/loss) for each loop--minus a few miles on the end, of course.

Wondering how "steep" a climb that really is? Didn't seem that bad on the IMAZ CompuTrainer Interactive course but it looks worse on the profile.



Is there a way to map out a 20 mi route with a 450' gain to see what that looks like? Can't figure it out using Google, MapMyRide, ...

2008-10-24 8:34 PM
in reply to: #1765314

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...

I raced IMAZ in 2006 and the bike didn't feel as bad as the profile looks.  You can tell you are going up and down, but it isn't like you are standing on the way up...more like a gradual climb.  IMHO the trick to this race is hydration (at least when it was in the Spring).  It may be cool out, but with every breath you are drying yourself out from the inside.  I experienced severe cramping when dehydration snuck up on me.

Best of luck!

2008-10-24 8:39 PM
in reply to: #1765314

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2008-10-25 10:33 AM
in reply to: #1765314

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Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
It's not a hill, it's a slight incline over the last 8 miles out to the turnaround point. The wind out there, if there is any, will be more 'perceptible' than that slight of an incline.
2008-10-25 7:43 PM
in reply to: #1765314

Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...

It's what, a 2 - 3 % grade?  Wind and boredom (in that order) are higher concerns

On the Beeline, especially near the end, you will notice that it's going more up than down.   Barely



Edited by ChrisM 2008-10-25 7:44 PM
2008-10-25 10:18 PM
in reply to: #1765314

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Keller, Texas
Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
The only spot that you will even notice you are on a hill is the last 1/2 mile before the turn.  Even then, its really not much of an issue

2008-10-26 6:41 AM
in reply to: #1766110

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Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
So, assuming there is lighter winds than the spring.  And just say your wanted to do about 6:15ish bike split, would you go out around 16-17mph, and back aound 19-20mph?  Just purely a hypothetical question...based on the incline...
2008-10-31 1:36 PM
in reply to: #1765314

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Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
It only seems uphill when you have a 20-mph headwind.
2008-10-31 2:38 PM
in reply to: #1778779

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Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...

GulfCoastSwimmer - 2008-10-31 1:36 PM It only seems uphill when you have a 20-mph headwind.

Agreed.  Preride on Friday with normal winds up the beeline made it almost flat, with maybe a little incline.  Sunday was another story, with the wind coming down the beeline.  The trip back was blazing fast though.

2008-10-31 10:53 PM
in reply to: #1765314

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Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...

I just rode it yesterday.  Definitely very gradual...but as the graph depicts it gets "steepest" near the turn around.

We had the wind in our faces on the way out...a LIGHT wind...but a wind.  And I was doing about 13ish on the way out and then 20-25ish on the way back.

I would not aim for specific mph....wait and see what the winds are doing that day.  Maybe aim to keep a constant time per loop...in your case 2:05?

2008-11-01 12:34 AM
in reply to: #1765314

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Flagstaff, AZ
Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
Like everyone else has said, the wind is the far bigger concern than the "hills".  It would appear that the slight course change will push the turn-around a bit further up the last "steep" part adding an extremely small amount of additional "climbing" vs the previous course.

2008-11-01 1:40 PM
in reply to: #1779689

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Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...
Had a kick 109 mile ride today, HR was wicked low for the pace.  However,  I will not even pretend that I can stay aero for 6 hours plus...about 4.5 hours in the ride I was getting some pains in my neck and upper right side of my back, probably road half the ride aero, the rest on my drops.    I am so ready...
2008-11-01 8:00 PM
in reply to: #1779689

Subject: RE: Those that have ridden the IMAZ bike course...

dmillis1 - 2008-10-31 10:34 PM Like everyone else has said, the wind is the far bigger concern than the "hills".  It would appear that the slight course change will push the turn-around a bit further up the last "steep" part adding an extremely small amount of additional "climbing" vs the previous course.

Accdg to bryancd, it's all the way at Shea, meaning there will be a very short downhill to the turn around then a very short uphill to the top of Le Alpe 'Duez the Beeline. 

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