IMTX Bike Course Ride 3/17 (Page 2)

The ride from the address given will be a little under 100-miles, probably closer to 95. There are a number of sections that can be skipped or added to increase or decrease that number, and still leave you with the "essence" of the course. I live about 2-miles from TJ's shop, and if I ride the course out to Richards and back, without taking any of the "box" sections on the northern part of the course, I end up at around 77-miles. I think of three box sections out near Richards. The Osborn box adds about 3-miles. The FM1791 / Bays Chapel box adds about 2 miles, and the FM 2819 box adds around 12 miles. Towards the end of the ride, there are a few different ways you can come back which deviate from the course and either add or subtract a few miles.

The gas station in Richards will hit at around 40-45 miles into the ride, depending on how you deviate. It's only a couple years old and is a small convenience store / cafe with the usual stuff and pretty clean bathrooms.

I would suggest doing what I think of as the Osborn and Bays Chapel boxes for sure....they're (IMO) the best parts of the course. The 2819 box right after Richards is chip seal, but it's light an in good shape. This section is mostly pasture. It's exposed and can be windy. Later in the day on Saturday, I don't really like riding on Dobbin Hufsmith, which is about 8 or 9-miles of the course before you get back to The Woodlands. This road has no shoulder and gets quite a bit of traffic. Personally, I think it can be ridden, but it's not near as safe as the rest of the course and there are better routes to finish off the ride. You won't miss anything by skipping this section.

I'm having a bike issue which I'm hoping I can get resolved in time to join you guys on Saturday. I'm up for whatever people feel like doing. If I were riding by myself this weekend, I'd probably do about 100.

I know the course and will be there. I'm going to do the 2819 box near richards twice, this will end up making the route about 108 miles. I haven't seen the section of the course south of 105 since last may, but I should recall all of the turns.

Regarding what to carry during a century, do you mean for nutrition or gear?

While I won't be riding this weekend, I will be at my house all day (honey do's)  I live off of 2854, and fish creek.  If any of you have an issue that cannot be resovled on the road, you can call me.  I know some of you are from out of town and might not have somone available that could sag you in. 

Cell

936-520-6520

Kevin

I carry 2 CO2 cartridges, patch kit, spare tube, and two tire levers.

That is a really nice offer! Thank you.

This is why I want someone who knows the route to be in the group 

All venting is welcome.

PSA: Wear sunscreen on long bike rides.

I went out Sunday for a 90 mile ride. I started in the rain, didn't put on sun screen, finished in bright blue sunny skies.

Here is the results.

I agree with your coach, you should be just fine. just bring some food. There are really 2 main roads to think about for the north part of the course. 149 and 1486. Just bring a map if you want to do the other parts of the course just in case.Most turns have/had painted arrows on them though.

In the first 'box', all you have to know is osborn road, the other 2 turns are dead ends/t's in the road.

The second box is a little more tricky as there's the right off of 149 (which ususally has spray painted arrows on the road) and that left turn onto Taliaferro (sp). The other turns are deadend/t's.

The last 'box' is pretty easy as well. Go straight through Richards (don't turn left onto 1486), and take the first left which is a few miles down. That road dead ends/t's and you take another left back to 1486 (which is dead ends into). Really hard to get lost on this section.

Should be lots of riders out on the course as well.

I wouldn't worry about the first part of the course too much (at least until Fishcreek). From what I've heard it's changing.

Have fun out there!

I'll post this on the IMTX thread as well, but for those interested in doing the full route, here is a great opportunity from my training group and it is open to everyone!

Just FB friend "Outrival Racing" and RSVP so there will be enough support for everyone who shows up.

Want to ride the Full 112 miles of the Ironman Texas Bike Course?

OutRival Racing is facilitating the second Annual "got 112?" event: an "open community cycling event" for anyone to ride on the Ironman Texas bike course. The IMTX course will be fully marked with turn signs plus mile markers every 10 miles. This is a big "social ride," so there are no road closures. RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK AND BE PREPARED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT.

Date: April 14th, wheels roll at 7am (will not be a mass start)
Where: Town Green Park (IMTX Transition location). Parking venue announced asap.
Who: Anyone capable of riding all (or portions) of the 112 mile IMTX bike course. All athletes are invited to join us, including those from other clubs, teams, shops, or even out-of-towners!

Two Water Aid Stations will be provided where you can fill up your own bottles (so no bottle handups). Bikelane in the Woodlands is providing nutritional products at these two stops. (Please bring your own products just in case!) One station will be at approximately mile 45 and another at mile 90. You can also stop in Richards for fueling.

Special Needs Practice: You can drop off a "Special Needs" bag in a large bin at the start of the ride. Those bags will be transported out to where Special Needs is located in IMTX. The bags will be laid out for you to access. All bags will then be transported back to the start by 1pm. Please do not put valuables in your bag!

Brick Run: There will be a 2 mile out-and-back marked run course for those of you wishing to do a "brick" run after your ride. Look for the cones after your ride.

Bikelane is providing nutritional support!!

Bicycle World is providing sag and support vehicles for the ride. Should you need assistance, look for one of the three Bicycle World vans that are out on the route. They are there to help you!

PLEASE RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Please be prepared to be self-sufficient. Bring a course map, tire-changing equipment, nutritional and hydration products, cell phone, etc. Please obey ALL traffic laws and ride safely.

Email [email protected] if you have any questions. If you would like to VOLUNTEER (and we would love individuals or even groups to help out!), please let us know. Thanks!!

******Please "confirm" if you are attending so that we have an estimate on water and nutritional supplies.

There's a really easy way to make 70-miles work with about no risk of getting lost. You can ride with the group to Richards, but skip the last box section, and return via the "Oil Man" shortcut off of FM 1486. This shortcut only takes two turns (the roads you'd be turning off of end where you have to turn, so you don't have to worry about missing any turns) and puts you back on the outbound section of the course on FM 149 just north of Montgomery.  The turn off of FM 1486 is onto Johnson Rd at Dacus. Once you get back to 149, you'd just follow the course backwards.

Depending on whose forecast you want to belive, it looks like temps for Saturday will be great.....but it might be a little on the windy/gusty side. Could turn out to be a good day to be part of a group if we really have to battle the wind!

I made a couple signs up to serve as a morning "muster" point with the BT and IMTX logo on them. I'll probably ride over early to Starbucks, hang out my sign on one of the outside tables, sip a little espresso, and see who comes over. I'm assuming we'll have a little pre-ride discussion to go over ground rules for the ride and make sure we're all thinking the same thing.

I'll be the short paunchy bald guy with black shorts and a blue & white Savageman jersey.

Right on!

Looking forward to the ride.

Wheels down at 9 right?

See you Saturday.

It was great to meet and ride with y'all.  I hope those of us familiar with the course were able to give you some local "nuggets".

-Rob (Red/Silver P2)

Great ride yesterday! Thanks to Rob and Greg who showed us the course. Couldn't have done it without you. I personally had a good day in the saddle. On our way out of town Red and saw the second half of our group coming in. Glad to see they made it.

Look forward to seeing you'al again.

Brad