Ironman Texas (Page 46)

I believe they're shooting for a 9:00 AM ride and the goal is to ride as much of the IMTX course as possible.

While I was driving over the lake I thought about how glad I was I was not out on the course.  I am sure the tailwind was nice though. 

I will be heading out in the morning.  I will "brave" the cold so I can run saome errands with my wife. 

Nicer weather in the afternoon, but the wind was worse than last weekend.

I changed my schedule this weekend and did my long run on Saturday and long ride on Sunday. Yesterday was an AWESOME day to be on the bike. Cool temps and low winds (which we havent had around here on a weekend in quite a while)! Ended up doing 95 miles on the bike yesterday (longest ride ever for me) in a little over 5 hours and felt pretty good afterwards. My long run route on Saturday was mainly East-West, so only had short stints running into the wind but I can imagine what it was like trying to ride into that headwind!

Ok, got back from this weekend - three things about this route - one narrow streets, also there are about 3 spots with heavy traffic - the rolling hills start north of 105, also watch out for false flats heading south.  

Cheap seal on some county roads in the north side of the route, beware of tractors and trucks on some of the county roads north, some rough spots but anyone who rides in Texas should know that now.

Please, Please ride in a big group for safety, also watch the route not well labeled, we missed some turns.

Question for those who have ridden the course/familiar with The Woodlands...

Plan on riding the course on Sunday 3/13. Is the library by Town Green Park the best place to park to ride or are there other places/suggestions on where to leave?

Anyone out there is welcome to join my sister-in-law and me. We don't plan on going that fast (15-16mph). This will be her only chance to ride the course before race day so we want to take it easy and get the "feel" for the course.

Thanks for the help and/or suggestions!

You will probably be fine doing that.  Personally, I would just leave from the YMCA on Ashlane.  It's at the back of The Woodlands, and all you are really missing is riding up and down Woodlands Parkway.  That's no big deal and can be a hassle anyway with later traffic.  The important parts are going to be the roads outside of town and getting familiar with the rollers.

I am heading down to ride the top half of the bike course next weekend and I have a few questions for those of you who are in the area and know the roads. I was looking to do the ride from 105 and 2854 to 105 and 1486. I mapped it out and it looks to be almost 50 miles. We are planning to run a loop of the run course afterwards, so I dont know that I want to end up doing 90-100 miles that day and it seemed like 105 was a good place to start and end.

1. Are there any good jumping off points at the corner of 2854 and 105?

2. Is Dobbins the small town at the corner of 1486 and 105? If so, are there any good jumping off points from there?

3. How is the traffic on 105 if I had to make my way from Dobbins back to 105 and 2854?

4. Are the roads on the northern section well marked, and if not what turns should I be looking out for to ensure I dont miss them?

5. Anyone else planning on riding Saturday morning the 19th?

This will be my only chance to ride the course prior to race day.

I believe there is a gas station at the corner of 105 & FM 2854 - North side

2) Yes Dobbins I believe is a small town there, really from what I saw any place would be good

3) Traffic, again on 105 BUSY - that is what I saw last week, it is a main road

4) The sections north are OK, not the best marked - bring your map for sure and you should be OK

You might see other riders out there and some corners are marked already with some signs

1.  If you're just doing the top half of the course, I've been parking at the Walmart at 105 and Walden.  Take Lone Star Parkway to 149 and you can miss the traffic in Montgomery.

2.  Dobins is really just a gas station.  Good for refueling, but not sure I'd leave from there.

3.  Traffic on 105 is pretty heavy, but it has a large shoulder.  I accidentally ended up all the way out to 1477 and rode back to the walmart on Walden with no problem.

4.  Oborn is not well marked, Bethel is ok, Talefairro is almost completely hidden.  Watch your miles and be ready for those.  The rest are fine.

5.  Right now I'm scheduled to ride Sunday, but another riding partner of mine wants to do Saturday so I may be out there.

I guess we are not having a race, we'll all be facing trial, hahahaha!:

There is nothing at 2854 & 105 (that I can recall).  You may want to just park down the road in Montgomery & ride back to that point.  It's only about a mile.

There is nothing at Dobbin

Probably will be a good bit of traffic on 105 especially later in the day.  However, there is a good sized should to ride on most of the way.

Not sure on the road markings

there is a house on the corner of osborn and 149.  It has a big carport on the right of it and a black wooden fence around it.

Old Montgomery road runs from Dobbins to almost montgomery and it is pretty good. 

I plan on riding the 19th and I would love to chase you through the course.  If we get together we can meet at my house.  I live off fm1097 and about 7 miles from 149 (maybe 2 miles from where you want to start).