IMTX Bike Course Ride 3/17

I should be able to join you.

When I ride the course, I start from the Wal-Mart on Woodlands Parkway and FM 2978. To make up the distance from cutting off Woodlands Parkway, I turn left from 2819 onto 1486 to head north back to Richards and left onto 149 to rejoin the course. Doing the small rectange west of richards twice gives a total distance of 108 miles.

I just looked at the Map and 2978 and Wal-Mart looks like a good place for me to meet. 108 miles sounds good to me. 

Is this a totally self supported ride? Or can you stop at a store and get a refill on water, a candy bar etc?

I stop at a gas station in Richards and a gas station at 1486 and 105 to refill. There are two other gas stations that I can think of. One near 2854 and 105, and another I think on Dobbin Huffsmith.

Both are up in the air at the moment. I'm driving over from Austin and one is driving down from Dallas so hopefully no one wants to go off at 6AM. Let's figure out a good time and place

IDEAS?

Brad-I'm coming from Austin, too, if you want to conserve gas.  I'd be happy to drive.

That sounds like a good plan. I'd be happy to ride with a local celebrity. I also see you are doing Galveston. So am I.

So you have two bike carriers?

I have 2 coming with me from Dallas and we have decided to just do the North 70mile portion of the course and run afterwards. One of the guys with me is a first IM'er so I am going to drive into the woodlands and show them the course up to 105 then take off from Walmart. Dont know what our wheels down time will be, but we are leaving at 5am so probably wont be riding until around 10am.. Maybe we will see some of you at the stops along the way.

On the way back we were going to cross over 105 in Dobbin then take Jackson Rd, but we were going to turn back towards 105 to Montgomery on FM149 ... can anyone tell me what FM149 is like between Jakson and 105? any issues I need to be aware of? That is how I planned to get back to our starting point.

I would not ride all the way back to Montgomery on 149 from Jackson.  It is busy and no sholder past a certain spot.  With the water level back up a little and warmer weather there has been an increased amount of boats going to the lake.  Boat trailers are wider than the SUVs and trucks pulling them so it could be dangerous. 

I would ride up 149 towards Montgomery, but cut over on Keenen cutoff rd where the shoulder ends.  It will come out on FM2854, which is part of the course, and that comes out on 105.  This route is much safer.  When you get to 105 you are about 3 miles from Montgomery or turn right to go to walmart. 

Just an FYI, there are a number of riders/groups that leave from my store that is located right next to that Walmart. There's a strip center just east of the Walmart that has a Starbuck's in it. We are about 3 doors down. Might be a spot to meet up with others if you are solo. 9955 Woodlands Parkway.

Another option that deviates from the course a little more but is a "better" ride is to take the "Tri Lakes" cutt-off to get from Dobbin to Montgomery.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/73409246/?new_route=1

It can be a little confusing the first time you do it, but it avoids the traffic of Jackson Rd and the no-shoulder areas of FM149 (except for about a mile). Traffic on these roads is very light, but the road does have a few cracks in places and you have to cross an old timber bridge that you need to take slow. It's a much more scenic ride than Jackson / 149, IMO.

I usually ride from the back of The Woodlands, and use this as my return. I don't mind Jackson Rd or 149 too much, but I think Dobbin Huffsmith can be a little dangerous with lots of traffic and no shoulders, especially later in the day as traffic builds.

9955 Woodlands Parkway

The Woodlands, TX 77382

Okay- 9 am wheels down at the above address.

Good for everyone?

And we may get some others riding with us that are doing IMTX that aren't on BT...  Maybe we can convert 'em...

For those leaving from TJ's shop, how far are you planning on riding? Avg speed? Thanks!