Ironman Texas (Page 20)

ironman2284 - 2010-08-13 12:14 PMI read through the first 8 pages of this thread and then a few random up to 24... is the consensus this bike route will be a bear or a "breeze"? Speaking in relative terms, of course.

Considering a foundation slot. Bummed I didn't decide to do my first IM until 2 weeks ago... after all the general slots were sold out.  $1200 is a hit... 

ironman2284 - 2010-08-13 12:50 PM

Thanks. I googled average woodlands weather for may... said 82. I though - hmm... not so bad.  However the same site had my hometown (philly) at 72. 72! Clearly they understate across the board... i'm thinking 85-90 + humidity. Could be intense... not sure how well I'll be able to acclimate with winter/spring training in the NE...

dgunthert - 2010-08-13 1:18 PM Do your long rides on the trainer in the bathroom with a hot shower running.

dgunthert - 2010-08-13 1:18 PM Do your long rides on the trainer in the bathroom with a hot shower running.

dodgersmom - 2010-08-13 6:40 PM

What have I gotten myself into?

erin116 - 2010-08-18 7:43 AM One of the local coaches here posted this description of the bike course, slightly different then what was mentioned earlier. The bike route will head west out of The Woodlands via Lake Woodlands or Woodlands Parkway (both are 4 to 6 lane roads with shoulders) before heading north on FM2978. FM 2978 is a 4 lanes road with wide shoulders until crossing FM1488 where is becomes a lightly traveled 2 lane road with a smaller (3 feet) shoulder. The road turns into Fish Creek Thoroughfare. Riders will turn left and head west on FM2854, a moderately busy two lane road, before crossing a major 4 lane road (SH105) and continuing around the north side of the town of Montgomery (the loop is called Lone Star Parkway) before turning right right and heading north on FM149. At this point, cyclists will encounter a steady diet of rolling hills until reaching Bethel Rd/FM1791 where they turn right and then left onto Tailaferro. Tailaferro turns into County Road 209. Riders will turn right onto Bays Chapel and head north for a few miles before making a u-turn and coming back down south to FM149 and then continuing the ride to Richards on FM149. All roads up to this point are in excellent condition and local cyclists use them on a regular basis (with the exception of Tailaferro and Bays Chapel). FM149 is also shaded for most of it's length as it goes through the Sam Houston National Forest. Bethel Road, Tailaferro, CO Road 209 and Bays Chapel are also shaded. Upon reaching the small hamlet of Richards, riders will turn south on FM1486, another lightly traveled rolling road with a tar and chip surface. The route will cross SH105 again at Dobbin and then turn south on Jackson Road a few miles south of SH105. After several miles, Jackson Road merges with FM149 which riders stay on until they hit FM1488. From here, the route will most likely turn left onto FM1488 and then make a quick right onto Spur 149 Road. Less than a mile later, a left hand turn will take riders onto Dobbin Hufsmith Road (locally called the "Dog Loop" by cyclists and triathletes for reasons that no longer apply). This is a narrow road with no shoulders but in good condition and is fairly lightly traveled. Dobbin Hufsmith intersects at FM2978 where riders will turn left and head back up to Woodlands Parkway where they will enter The Woodlands and head for T2.

will6899 - 2010-08-18 9:50 AM

here is a map of the said course  http://www.mapmyride.com/route/detail/21619126/

erin116 - 2010-08-18 10:06 AM



Not even 100 miles? hmmm....