Ironman Texas (Page 52)

That was a quote from someone that had already ridden the course; but I do believe it was in reference to the majority of the rollers being in that section. I'll know more Saturday

The course map specifically calls out Conroe-Huffsmith and then a right on Honea Egypt. What I wrote above is the only way that can really make sense. The way you are describing is more straightforward, I agree. A local rider (on ST board) is the one that pointed out that the more complex route I describe is one that is often used to avoid traffic.

Maybe we'll get some corrections/clarification on the official map soon, then we won't have to guess! I'm sure Keith and company are working overtime to make this a great race, so I'm confident it will all get worked out.

ballerandrew - 2011-03-17 7:11 PM Anyone riding the course on Saturday? I'm thinking about driving down to ride the course but don't want to drive down if I'm going to ride the course solo..... if I wanted to ride solo I'd just ride around my house I'm hoping to get a good 5-6 hour bike ride in followed by a 30-45 min run. My long rides typically hover around 18-18.5 mph solo, so I think with a group ride I can go faster if I need to. I know some people are riding the Lonestar course, but is anyone or group riding IMTX this Saturday? If you are and wouldn't mind me joining please let me know. You can reply to this thread or PM

I will be down there on Saturday with 2 others around 8:30am or so and will be doing 80+ miles and then heading over to the lake to do 1 loop of the run course if you want to join in ... PM me for details if you are interested

se7930 - 2011-03-17 7:28 PM

ballerandrew - 2011-03-17 7:11 PM Anyone riding the course on Saturday? I'm thinking about driving down to ride the course but don't want to drive down if I'm going to ride the course solo..... if I wanted to ride solo I'd just ride around my house I'm hoping to get a good 5-6 hour bike ride in followed by a 30-45 min run. My long rides typically hover around 18-18.5 mph solo, so I think with a group ride I can go faster if I need to. I know some people are riding the Lonestar course, but is anyone or group riding IMTX this Saturday? If you are and wouldn't mind me joining please let me know. You can reply to this thread or PM

I will be down there on Saturday with 2 others around 8:30am or so and will be doing 80+ miles and then heading over to the lake to do 1 loop of the run course if you want to join in ... PM me for details if you are interested

 

I would like to join in on the action if you guys don't mind the extra rider.  I need to check with "congress" since it will pretty much nail my entire day.   Drive time from Cypress, actual ride and run, then drive time back.  There will be some negotiating going on tonight to swing this.

bridgeland - 2011-03-17 8:24 PM

se7930 - 2011-03-17 7:28 PM

ballerandrew - 2011-03-17 7:11 PM Anyone riding the course on Saturday? I'm thinking about driving down to ride the course but don't want to drive down if I'm going to ride the course solo..... if I wanted to ride solo I'd just ride around my house I'm hoping to get a good 5-6 hour bike ride in followed by a 30-45 min run. My long rides typically hover around 18-18.5 mph solo, so I think with a group ride I can go faster if I need to. I know some people are riding the Lonestar course, but is anyone or group riding IMTX this Saturday? If you are and wouldn't mind me joining please let me know. You can reply to this thread or PM

I will be down there on Saturday with 2 others around 8:30am or so and will be doing 80+ miles and then heading over to the lake to do 1 loop of the run course if you want to join in ... PM me for details if you are interested

 

I would like to join in on the action if you guys don't mind the extra rider.  I need to check with "congress" since it will pretty much nail my entire day.   Drive time from Cypress, actual ride and run, then drive time back.  There will be some negotiating going on tonight to swing this.

Sure, we are driving down from Dallas and plan on being in the area around 8:30am .. our starting point is going to be the Walmart at the corner of Woodlands parkway and 2978. PM me if you decide to join us and we can trade contct information for that morning.

hmph.. you're correct.. i actually just assumed that the text was incorrect on the website since the map doesn't show it.. i live off of mahogany way and rarely see anyone taking that route to avoid traffic.. see hundreds of 'us' taking the straighter route.. i guess it could make sense to stop traffic on race day at the smaller intersection..

Yeah, I'm not sure how it will actually end up, just trying to relate the directions to the map. Nice that you live right on (or near) the bike course, though! If you see a smallish guy on a blue cervelo tomorrow morning, wave hello...

The tough part of that section is as you head south toward 105.  There are a few parts that are kind of climb then level off, climb then level off.  A little tougher than rollers IMO.  I think the tougher part is after you cross back over 105.  Slight ascending for a good portion & you have to really work to keep your pace.  Plus you will be much farther into the route at that point and wearing down.  JMO.

Not sure if I should classify this as pathetic or not, but after not being able to sleep from 1 to almost 4, I realized I was hungry. A bowl of cereal later and I slept like I was in a coma. IM training is really messing with me.

Thanks TJ, I'm sure you'll keep us up to date...

In the meantime, I am back from my trip to Woodlands where we both drove (car) and rode (bike) the course. I posted an elevation profile and my full set of directions/tips in my blog HERE.

If anyone has any corrections and/or helpful information, PM me and I can add it to the blog posting.

Overall, I thought the bike course was fairly quick; with gentle rollers but nothing that will really make you mash your way up a big, long hill. This is based on a comparison to riding a road here near Austin called Ronald Reagan Blvd/Parmer, and also a couple of rides down to Bastrop. There are some sections that are a little dicey in terms of narrow roads with no shoulders and a fair amount of traffic, so be careful!

Come race day, I think the biggest factor is going be the wind. North winds are probably too much to hope for, but maybe we'll at least have some fairly light winds

Have fun training!

JD

spuphal - 2011-03-19 11:51 PM A big congrats to Evillarroel who rocked Ironman 70.3 San Juan in 5:23:05 today! Great job!

Thanks a lot Shannon! I loved the race, the run course was tougher than nails but I made it. Race report is up if anybody cares. I highly recommend the race, especially for those in the thread that are doing IM TEXAS 2012, because it will be 9 or 10 weeks prior and the weather conditions are very similar.

Rode most of the top part of the bike course on Saturday. Lots of traffic until you get north of 105 then it thins out a Little but you still need to be cautious. Very small shoulders or none at all on some of those roads. Seemed like we had a headwind going out and coming back but definitely worse coming back. However, it was nothing like the winds we have been seeing the last few weeks. Just pay attention to your HR and you should be fine.

We also went and checked out the lake and ran from the swim start around to the swim exit and then back to the swim start again (probably around 5-6 miles total). Its going to be a great event! If the run follows the path around the lake and stays off the streets then we are looking at 40% shade, maybe more which will definitely help.

A couple of those hills on Parmer between 1431 and Williams Drive have 250-300+ ft of elevation over a little less than a mile, which can work your legs pretty hard (not killer if you're used to it, but significant nonetheless). The IM TX course had mostly elevations of no more than 100 feet, and they seem to be more gradual. So, if you are used to riding the Parmer hills, I don't think you're going to have any problems with the IM TX course.

I'll try to attach my Ronald Reagan/Parmer elevation profile for comparison and see if that works...

(Pace-Tempo Ronald Reagan Blvd 3-2-2011, Elevation - Distance.png)

I use a 53/39 and 11-23 cassette for training and haven't had any problems of to little/big gear.  For the race I plan on swapping to a 12-23 since I'll never be in the 11 for the IM. The hills aren't big enough to need it on downhill unless you have a compact crank perhaps...