Ironman Texas (Page 23)

This can't be a REAL bike..... it has a kickstand.

Pizza on the back might encourage drafting, but I'd sure be motivated to keep pace with him!!

Yesterday I rode a very large portion of the "course" (or at least the one that is claiming to soon be official). I've ridden most of the roads either regularly or from time to time over the years, but there were a few off shoots and the out and back the I was unfamiliar with. That particular section (Bethel/1791, Tailaferro, and Bays Chapel) was a lot nicer than I expected. Asphalt and smooth. Tailaferro has a few areas that have been patched, so there is the occasional bump, but they are minor and easy to avoid. Tailaferro is also about a lane and a half wide so it's pretty darn narrow. Doubt it will be a problem though as this area is VERY rural. We didn't do the out and back on Bays Chapel, rather turned left on Bays and headed back to 149. That section was nice and smooth as well.

The other info I thought I would share was that I got a little clarification about the "course" The return trip is on Dog Loop Long, which for the non locals was a section missed on that map. I will re map it today and post it up. I bet it's a lot closer to 112.

When it's official I'll post some pictures. ChrisM did this for us going to Cozumel and it was a huge visual help for me.

Hmmmmmm... I mapped it out and I'm still 4.5 miles short. I guess they could take the out and back piece 2.25 miles further. I think I'm gonna need to get nosey.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/163418

TJ,

I was out there today and you can only go 2 miles beyond Bays Chapel.  The 2nd mile is pretty rough chip seal then it forks into two dirt roads.  Question-where does County Road 209 intersect Bays Chapel?  I looked for it but didn't see it unless it's named differently.

dewey 

2 miles beyond Bays on what rd?

Sorry, on Bays Chapel Road, I presume.  We turned off 149 and rode all the way to the end.  I clocked 4 miles to the church then 2 miles beyond that, ran out of road.

Thanks for posting this! Being from California, I have no idea to expect so pictures would be great if you can do that. Based on what I saw on google "street view", it looks pretty darn flat the whole way.

Oh, it is not flat.  According to TJ's map here is the elevation:  

+ 2563 / - 2565 ft

 
AND if the course has you staying on 149 after you pass Richards all the way to Anderson there are some very challenging climbs.  Here is that map: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/tx//919128000076861461

 Fixed it {wink,wink}

 

Okay so maybe it's not pancake flat, but it's pretty mild compared to some of the courses I've been on.

I can keep a secret though! =)

What are ya'lls thought on running a rear disc for IMTX.?

YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other than Kona, there's not an IM course out there that I wouldn't run a disc on.

St. George??  I didn't run a disc at IMSG b/c I didn't feel like hauling it up all of those switchbacks, etc...  Apparently not too many other did either...I think I counted 3 discs all day, pros included.

That said...I'm definately bringing the disc IMTX!

Not even there. How many 808 and 1080 rears did you see? I've got a homemade carbon fiber disc cover that weighs about 300g. With that on my 404, the total weight is only about 160g more than an 808 and about 40g less than a 1080 while giving me the aerodynamic performance of the Sub-9. I'll take it.

I'm doing disc as well.

Well, out by Big Bend & ft Davis we have some serious mtn climbs but, your absolutely right we have nothing like IMSG in areas where people actually live. IMTX looks to be closer to wisconsin or CDA (Louisville? never seen that elevation map). Even those hills will be in the far reaches. Nice and flat for the first and last 20 or so miles. disc all the way.

Awesome!  112 miles of flatness is boring. 

Compared to some of the East Texas hills back home CDA really wasn't that bad, so having a place to prepare for them wasn't an issue.  If you're worried about hills, go ride some hills, get stronger, get more confident, and quit worrying about the d**n bike course!  For you North Texas folks, if there aren't any hills where you live go to Muenster and ride the Germanfest route a couple times.  Yeah, it's challenging.  You'll sweat.  You'll hurt.  You might want to quit.  Just consider it practice for an Ironman, HTFU, and get on with it!

Texas is a big 'ole state.  I forgot about Big Bend and Ft Davis.  I hope the course like Louisville.  I love that bike course.  I'll be riding a disk at IMTX.  My disk weighs the same as my HED Stinger 90, so unless the course is windy with long steep descents I'm on the disk.