Ironman Wisconsin : Official Thread (Page 24)

Doing the loop backwards is a GREAT workout. Recon is better to go the race route, but if you really want to inflict some punishment on your legs do the loop backwards, Garfoot and Timber lane will make you hurt in a good way!

Good point.  I'm sometimes an idiot. 

I've done my share of hills (HHH) and have several more sessions to go (anybody want to do the 200k Dairyland Dare).  I'll stick with riding it the normal route for race recon. 

You guys are insane (in a good way, I guess!).  Doing the loop forward it tough enough.

No judements on you, but I have started at Firemans and gone around once the normal way, got back to Firemans and then flipped it by riding through Verona first--it'll tax you in a different way.....how much race recon do you really need on the same day?  variety is the spice of life...

For those of us who are going to be there on 8/21 and do the OWS, then ride, I have a couple questions:

1. My plan calls for a 6 hour ride.  Not knowing what the hills are like, but training on very few hills on my own, I don't see making the full course in 6.  More like 7:30 probably.  If I can average 15mph, I could do about 90 miles in 6.  I am looking for someone in similar situation, or some of you to convince me I can ride the 112 in 6 or so.

2.  If I ride portions, can someone help me with the logistics?  Where to start so I end up back there at the appointed time. (i.e. ride the loop twice and add some if time allows, ride from start and both loops and get picked up, etc)

3. I am bringing my wife to do some her own recon.  Is there anyone who is NOT swimming/riding that would "host" my wife for the day?  See really is nice and friendly!  Much more than me! She could even take some pictures since she is my official photographer for my IM quest!

Thanks.

Edited by Gregkl 2010-07-28 3:20 PM

Greg I averaged 15.3 or something when I rode the 2-loops a few weeks ago. I will be in a similar boat as you on August 21, but I'd really like to get in the whole 112 no matter how long it takes.

What you might do is cut off the "stick" portion of the course and just start at the "loop" - it is 85 miles if you do just the 2 loops and no stick. You could have your wife drive you out to either Fireman's Park or we started at the BP gas station on Whalen Rd. Plus there is a pub of some sort right there for post-ride beverages

Something we saw a few weeks back - there were a lot of cyclists on the course which was very cool - was that some of them had their own SAG Waggons so to speak. Maybe your wife would be interested in driving up and down the course? That way she could keep track of where you are and how you're doing, plus help any cyclists along the way who might need it. Just an idea, if nothing else comes up!
 

I'm in a similar situation as you - my first 100 miler was on Sunday and I averaged 15.5 so maybe we'll end up riding near each other that day.  When we went up for a practice weekend in early June, my husband's bike was screwed up so he ended up following me around in the car (what a guy huh!?).  This worked out really well because I didn't have to worry about knowing where to go and I'd just pull over when I needed a new bottle.  He also took video and pictures throughout the day.

I'll have to see what his plans are for that day but if he's going to do the same thing again I'll let you know and maybe your wife can join him if she wants (he's also really nice and friendly and probably wouldn't mind company for 7 hours!).

As far as how long to go, my plan says 6 hours but I'm probably going to do the full 112 so you should too!

Yea! I'm glad someone mentioned this because my 1st impression of the course was that it was mostly DOWNHILL and this seems to support that impression and I will not be swayed (until Sept 12th at least).

I'll be there on the 21st as well.  I have no idea what my plan will be.  Need to talk to my coach about it.  I have a feeling it will be a big last day for me.  Assuming my calf is good, I think it will be the full 2.4 swim, a 5 hour ride and then a 90 - 120 minute run.  With about an hour rest between each.  He has done these with several of his athletes in the past. 

1) I rode 2 loops back in early May.  To be honest with you it was so cold out I was concentrating on not freezing to death and avoiding ice patches, then paying attention to the road names or my other surroundings.  Looking  back I held around 18mph on it.  I've ridden the course several time on the CT and am up around 18.5 now.  My goal come race day is to finish in 6:00 - 6:10. 

2) I'm riding next week, I'll pay more attention this time to where gas stations are for refilling bottles, etc...  Fireman's is a good starting point and I think they have a beach for your family if they want to play in the lake while you ride or is a good meeting point before and after the ride. 

3) I'm going solo on the 21st.  I have a support crew coming up for the actual race.  The more the merrier that wants to hangout then.  My wife is really friendly and is a big runner (she re-qualified for next years Boston Marathon at this years Boston Marathon), so she knows what both athletes and spectators go through on big races.  

x2

I am so jealous of all you living either in Madison or close by and having access to ride the course time and time again. I was hoping to sneak up there (5.5hr drive) for a day and ride the course but we seem to have crap every weekend preventing it.

I do have the Real course video and have ridden portions many of times. I may just have to gouge my eyeballs out and ride the whole thing at once this week in place of my 100+ miler. Nothing like sitting in the basement for 6.5 hrs watching tv staring at the same da@n walls. Mental toughness I guess.

Starting in Fireman's park is nice as it dumps you right out on the loop. There are gas stations in Verona right at the start and the end of the loop, in Mt. Horeb (about an hour for me into the loop), and in Cross Plains there is a gas station on your way as well as a bike shop that will refill your waterbottle (also has some powder nutrition) and is also good to know about if you have a minor technical issue. Finally, there is also always a sign at the top of the [second to] last hill about 7-10 miles before the end of the loop that says there is water for cyclists on someone's personal property - never stopped there though so can't say for sure.

There is also a running trail that goes through Verona. I have only gotten there from Veteran's park and don't know how to get there from Fireman's park, but its really nice - shaded, and some areas have water. if you run on the sidewalks through Verona it is pretty much blazing sun. Finding that trail was the best thing that ever happened to me!

Okay,  I have a 5 hour and a 5.5 hour ride coming up, so I will see how close I get to 112.  Maybe you guys are right, I should just suck it up and ride the whole course even if it takes a little longer.  That will be my last long ride.  I begin my taper the following Monday. After that my longest ride will be 3 hours.

Thanks guys, having IMWI so soon helps beat the post-IM depression that seems to be inevitable! I'm wondering how destroyed I'm going to be during my build phase. Fingers are crossed I won't be suffering too much!

Rode the loop tonight as part of my brick. The first 1/4 mile on Witte Road is full of loose gravel. I coasted through this which was most likely stupid but it's manageble. Also KP is FRESHLY PAVED!!!...thats about it for current course conditions hope everyone is hitting their stride!

My wife and I are also planning on a trip to Madison the weekend of 8/21.  Our plan is to start at either fireman's park or veterans park and then ride 2+ loops - whatevever gets us to either 6 hours or 112 miles and then we need to do an hour run after.  I don't plan on doing the stick. 

So maybe some of us could meet up before or maybe even after the ride?? 

Ok Ben, I had no idea that loose gravel on Witte meant the entire road was gravelled!!!  You're certifiably a stud for riding it.  I diverted and stayed on S to Mineral Point to Garfoot which added mileage and a crapload of extra climbing, but worked well.  I would recommend it for those not interested in testing their riding skills.    I too, loved KP paved...gives a lot of the rednecks more room.  My training partner and I did have two close calls on 92 again.  Could have reached out and touched two dump trucks as they honked and slid by....PO'ed, but safe!  All in all a good day for me.

I"m glad that I am recognized as a certified stud! When I was on Witte the gravel started at theT intersection and went until the big metal silos on the right, right by the small right turn on Witte....is the entire Witte road covered now? I was gonna do my long ride this week tomorrow in MKE, but now I am changing that til Monday and doing the 112 miles of Ironman instead...let me know so I can prepare with extra tubes

Brendon and I braved Witte Road too...eesh.  Hoping some of that will be washed out by 9/12.  And KP is awesome :-).  Glad you signed up for the OWS on the 21st!

Can someone post the link for the swim on 8-21 again please? That weekend recently opened up for me so if it is not too late I may join in on the fun.
Thanks