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Ironman Texas bike course 2012
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mdiane630
Apr 30, 12 5:46
Post #1 of 30
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Ironman Texas bike course 2012
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I'm not doing IMTX this year but thought those of you who are might like this article - the bike course has some changes from last year, and there are some suggestions about how to approach the course. Good luck to everyone who is racing - I'll be volunteering in T2 for a while and then at the finish line from 5:30-9:30 pm.
http://www.endurancenation.us/...-bike-course-review/
jrd5497
Apr 30, 12 5:54
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [mdiane630]
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Thanks for the post.
Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 7:18
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [mdiane630]
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Great write up. Couple of questions if you or anyone could answer.. some may sound dumb but maybe im just not understanding:
What exactly is a "chip sealed road" that makes it sound like the cracks have been taken care of?
When you say "Hills" and "Small Chain Ring" is this for Texas riders? I look at the elevation profile and don't see any climbs that are steadily over 100ft. (Im used to 1,600ft in my 30-40mi loops.)
Had more but forgot. Thanks for your help, and thanks for being there on raceday as well!
Stins
Apr 30, 12 7:28
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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Chip Seal is where they put down gravel and go over it with tar. New chip seal is a cage rattler, but it does get rid of cracks. Some of the course got brand new pavement this past year so it is really nice, smooth and fast!
Im a local and ride this course alot and I rarely get out of my big chain ring. No need to, very few big hills, mostly rolling and you get enough momentum from the previous down hill you shouldnt need to shift down much.
The only concerns I would have is the heat, humidity and the wind from the southeast has been picking up lately. Hope for a calm over cast day.
wink
Apr 30, 12 7:36
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [jrd5497]
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Texas weather hit this weekend. Times for the bike and run were way slower and more miserable. Be ready to sweat, humidy it up and even though its 70 degrees out, you'll feel like its 90.
wink
Apr 30, 12 7:39
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [wink]
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Chip'n'seal is rough road, energy draining and evil down to its core. There are some cracks on the roads, mostly the cut off roads to be careful of. The climbs stated in the artical aren't near as bad as they sound, you can ride big ring the whole time no problem.
FYI, the further you get from the Woodlands, the more rural roads, the rougher they are, chip'n'seal and crack wise. One headed back, you'll see the smooth gray asphalt and be happy to be near the Woodlands again.
Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 7:53
Post #7 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [wink]
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Thanks for the help! I will most likely head out for a ride/drive when i get in on wednesday to check it out.
tri-hog
Apr 30, 12 7:57
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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I am 6'2 210 and I only ride the big ring on the course, so someone coming in with real elevation should not have a problem. Just be prepared for FM2562 if the wind is real strong. It is not a fun streatch of road
KING_COOPA
Apr 30, 12 8:17
Post #9 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [tri-hog]
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you got that right.
rode the entire 112 two weekends ago and 90 miles this weekend. both with winds at 25+ mph.
terrible. just terrible.
________________________________________________
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” - Plato
Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 9:15
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [jkcoop3]
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Is it just me or do only the people going for Kona slots get nervous about all the tough conditions? Everyone bikes in wind. Everyone in the Southwest bikes in heat. Everyone in the south bikes in humidity. I knew that when i signed the paper saying "You are registering for Ironman Texas, in The Woodlands, in May." Read: "It will be hot, humid, windy, and its an ironman so it will probably suck a little."
jrielley
Apr 30, 12 9:31
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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This will be my first IM and I will be trying for a Kona slot, go big or go home right?! I'm from the Chicago area so I knew what I was getting myself into. Been layering up during workouts to attempt to acclimate. I am not nervous about the conditions but it's nice to know what the course and weather will be like so I can mentally break down the race which allows me to know where to push and hold back and where I know my watts will seem harder. I am already going to start to take those notes and look at the course map and come up with my gameplan. But all of that could go out the window in the next week. So I guess it's just nice to have an idea what the course is looking like. But that's just me.
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logella
Apr 30, 12 10:16
Post #12 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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For the most part the bad chip seal is only in the Grimes County section of the course - roughly miles 50-70 and they suck.
Btw, listen to whatever Wink has to say. I spent all morning Saturday hanging on for dear life on his wheel. Fastest I've ever ridden the course and I can't tell you how many times I've ridden it.
Mike
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"Unless you have a ... GF who might put out that night and that night only ... skip it and race." - AndyPants 3-15-2007
Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 10:20
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [logella]
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I wasn't trying to discredit what he was saying, I was simply wondering why everyone places so much emphasis on the heat/humidity/wind... These are things beyond our control, and yes they will be there, and yes they will suck.. but those are known things. The road surface, hills, tree cover..those are the important things that will change your gameplan and are not something you can find on weather.com. Im very appreciative for the help, just quit scaring yourselves with the weather cause it will probably change 19x in the next 19 days :)
KpC
Apr 30, 12 10:52
Post #14 of 30
(2562 views)
Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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What kind of wheel set up would you guys recommend? Do a lot of people run rear discs with a 404 or 808 type wheel up front?
logella
Apr 30, 12 11:04
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [KpC]
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Hed Jet6 upfront and a disc cover in back for me last year. Doing the same thing this year.
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"Unless you have a ... GF who might put out that night and that night only ... skip it and race." - AndyPants 3-15-2007
KING_COOPA
Apr 30, 12 11:10
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [KpC]
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i'm running 808 CC.
front and rear.
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logella
Apr 30, 12 11:13
Post #17 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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Speaking of the weather the Accuweather extended forecast looks to be toasty:
High temp of 92 with heat index of 98. Little to no cloud cover. Light winds though.
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"Unless you have a ... GF who might put out that night and that night only ... skip it and race." - AndyPants 3-15-2007
Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 11:45
Post #18 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [logella]
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http://www.accuweather.com/...recast/341057?day=20
YES! Hope this holds true! I'm more worried about my family surviving out there all day than me. I signed up for it, they didn't.. Mom's Birthday too..shitty son I know.
Quo Vadimus
Apr 30, 12 12:05
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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Ironman0614 wrote:
http://www.accuweather.com/...recast/341057?day=20
YES! Hope this holds true! I'm more worried about my family surviving out there all day than me. I signed up for it, they didn't.. Mom's Birthday too..shitty son I know.
Pretty sure Mom seeing you finish pretty good gift. Are they going to go out on bike course and try to see you there? If not, lots of local stores and shopping around transition/finish - including nail, spa, type places that might help mom pass the time and be ready to watch you on the multi-loop run. Could set up with gift card. Just an idea.
I miss you "Sports Night"
Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 12:12
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Quo Vadimus]
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Yea I'm setting them up with some gift cards. They live in the Woodlands so its nothing too special for them... I figure they will watch the start/swim/t1, head home for the bike, come back to watch t2/first run loop...Also buying the family movie tickets so they can do that while I run... The Woodlands is such a great area for family with so much to do right there and so many great restaurants close by. They were out for IMAZ '08 when it was 98 degrees and really had a hard time recovering for the next 4-5 days..
wink
Apr 30, 12 12:46
Post #21 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Ironman0614]
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Oh, I don't think it will suck, but hate to have people come all the way to Texas and get slapped in the face because they are trying to hold a pace they try in training. I'm just trying to be informative for those that care on the forum.
I'm using 808 and disc, there is only a few sections(right after Richards) where the cross winds blow you around.
dstrkt
Apr 30, 12 13:09
Post #22 of 30
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [Stins]
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Chip seal is not terrible, but also not so fun.
jrielley
Apr 30, 12 13:21
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [KpC]
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I'm going to be running my S80 front and rear disc with aero helmet. Gotta hide from that wind!
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texafornia
Apr 30, 12 13:31
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [wink]
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The heat and humidity here is quite impressive and a very rude hit to those coming from other places. IMTX was rated the 5th hardest Ironman in the world last year by finishing times, and that's with a really mild course profile. We could get really lucky and have mild weather, but it's not likely. I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually move the race date closer to winter. Yeah, the weather could change 19x between now and race day, but it'll be 19x back and forth between "partly sh*tty" and "mostly sh*tty with a greater chance of sh*tty later in the day."
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Ironman0614
Apr 30, 12 14:37
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Re: Ironman Texas bike course 2012 [dstrkt]
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That is not what I was thinking when I thought of chip seal... Thank you for sharing. Definitely makes more sense now.
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