there are quite a few organized group rides that ride the course. The one you are referring to no longer exists. check out http://www.southcoastendurance.com and we will be holding weekly (self supported) group rides that will be doing the course at different paces. You don't have to be a member of our club to ride with us.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Thanks for offering that up to non members Kirk. I signed up for your newsletter updates, are the rides happening now or will they be announced at a later date?

No problem! Our club isn't about who is coached by who or whatever. you can race our kit and be coached by somebody else or hell just come train with us and race someone else's kit. we kind of liken ourselves to the movie "Old School". hahah. We have weekly rides that leave from Swim Shops of the Southwest in the back of The Woodlands just in front of the Wal-Mart. Our group rides are always open to anyone. we roll at 7:30am every Saturday. Tomorrow is the exception as it will be 28-30 deg around then and still wet.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Cool we're on the south side of Houston but are doing IMTX this year so we'd like to get a few rides in of some of the course beforehand.

Yeah this weather sucks! Luckily this is a rest week so being on the trainer tomorrow will be a little more bearable!

Old School is cool....I'm more of an Animal House type guy though....;-)

Thanks again.

So are you considered the god father?

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I taught Chuck Norris everything he knows

feel free to come join us anytime on our rides. We are on Facebook as well...and don't worry we can get a little Animal House up here. haha

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

HA!! that is TJ Fry that is referred to as the Godfather. I'm more of the Consigliere

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

What about Frank the Tank?

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I taught Chuck Norris everything he knows

Ha!!!! I don't drink enough to be him!! but I am known to go streaking. hahah

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Hey thanks for the info. Do you usually do the full course (112 m)?
How many people usually there?

Godfather here(ha!)...We ride key parts of the course most every weekend and progressive add to it until we ride the whole thing. Last year we skipped out during the last week before MS150 b/c the roads were too clogged. So we rode elsewhere.

Also, you want to see Frank the Tank? Join us for our post Ironman party. You'll see a few of em. Bring your green hat...

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Badig| Strava

are you riding the course this saturday?
Want to show up of so

I am not riding saturday but I think TJ is and I can have him post what route they will be going

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Thanks. TJ please let me know if is there a group riding this saturday

Check here: http://www.outrivalracing.com/ironman-texas/

I know coach michelle posts on here from time to time so she might be able to chime in with more information. If you search, I think there was a similar thread a few months back.

Happy training-

Not quite sure at the moment. Forecast for spring, tx shows 34 and magnolia, tx is showing 27 degrees (out where we ride). I'm sure there are plenty of people who can ride in that temp no problem, but I'm not one of em. I'll be keeping any eye on the weather today. We post on fb whether the ride is on or not, so go to south coast endurance on fb and you'll get more updates.

TJ

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Badig| Strava

There is a really cool indoor cycling facility, VR Cycling Studio, located just outside of The Woodlands on the IMTX bike course that offers real course videos, Sufferfest videos, and other cool throwback videos from triathlon and cycling. Steve and Barbara who run it are wonderful people -- and Steve, in addition to his being a former pro cyclist is an excellent resource for anyone beginners to pros who are looking for a killer workout.

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Lars Finanger
Odyssey SwimRun

Hey! We are from Waco and I have a few athletes doing Texas this year. They would be pretty interested in making a trip down to ride the course and do some socializing with another club. Anyway we can "pencil in a date" to make it a big group ride? all the slowtwitchers could be invited!

We could say April 26th (weather permitting)...and if it doesnt happen, then shoot again for next year

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Rattlesnake Blake
With the "Venom Enom"

Once we thaw out you'll find that the group rides will consistently grow with locals and out of towners alike, so any of the weekends should work given good weather. The date you mention though conflicts with other local events so you'll probably not find too many riding that morning.

TJ

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Badig| Strava

cool. ill keep track through here and facebook and we can try and make it down a weekend.

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Rattlesnake Blake
With the "Venom Enom"

Another great option...I think VR Cycling Studio is on mile 98 of the bike course.

There is an open ride this weekend (Feb. 22). Details here:

http://www.outrivalracing.com/...nman-texas-open-ride

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I miss you "Sports Night"

Great!!!!
Thanks for the info

Is there going to be one the following w/e and / or any on the Galveston route?

Not that I know of. However, if you see the above post by tjfry and kman74 they have weekly rides on Saturday morning along a large portion of the course. Great group to ride with and they know everything about the area and the course. Not sure about Galveston.

As a heads up, the following weekend, Saturday March 1, is The Woodlands Marathon. If you don't live here in town, my recommendation is to stay away and definitely avoid Research, Woodlands Pkwy, Lake Woodlands, etc. There is a half marathon and marathon that are on two different courses.

If you really want to ride the IMTX course start at the back of The Woodlands, e.g. the corner of Woodlands Parkway and 2978 and get there via 1488 or 2978. As a matter of fact, anyone who follows the IMTX from the start and rides Woodlands Parkway through the bridge construction any time other than race day is asking for a bad day. Best to start at the back of town and add some distance, if you need it, by adding some extra distance on the quieter roads. Most if not all of the club rides, including South Coast, OutRival, Finish Strong, etc. start at or near the back.

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I miss you "Sports Night"

The marathon should not impact anyone's ability to ride the course. No one should start their pre-rides in the front. Always start in the back. Also, I don't think the marathon impacts Research this year so that should be fine to drive back to the back to get to the start area.

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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

Doesnt impact Research or Woodlands Parkway. Goes Flintridge to the back and Lake Woodlands to the front. Didnt realize the 1/2 and the full had two different courses I need to check that one out.

But as everyone mentions regardless of the Marathon, just start in the back the walmart near 2978 or the Target on the corner of 2978 & 1488 good places to park.

There is no need to pre-ride the Galveston bike course. It's the flattest ride you'll ever ride. Seriously.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Actually I ride in the Crosby area and the San Louis Pass bridge is triple anything I face. :-) Just wanted to get a feel for the cross winds but guessing not the safest roads to ride on especially on the w/e's.

That too. The Seawall is generally very busy with vehicles. Maybe not in February but it will start to get very busy. That won't stop a slew of dumbasses from riding the course that has about 200' of elevation gain over 56 miles.

Race day is fine as either we have a dedicated lane or the road is closed so you don't have to worry as much about cars pulling off the Seawall.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

Just an FYI, We are going to be moving our start time to 7am starting this weekend (at Swim Shops). Sun is in the sky by then and it gives us an earlier start to help avoid all the MS150 riders, etc.

TJ

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Badig| Strava

I asked them on FB and they said they plan to have more group rides on the course in March and April and will be posting them later. So follow them on FB to stay up to date. They said all rides are open to non members, the more the merrier.

Weather looks great for this saturday to ride the bike course!!!!

Hey guys quick update. We are riding the Largest portion of the IMTX course now. basically going to Richards and back. this Saturday March 21st we will leave at 7:30 since the time change messed up sun rise. we will go back to the earlier start time the following weekend. ALL are welcome. NO need to let us know if you are coming or not. just show up. It's self supported. moderate pace as everyone is in their build right now and so there won't be any hammer sessions. I promise you won't be disappointed. We start at Swim Shops of the Southwest on Woodlands Parkway next to the Walmart. Wheels roll 7:30am

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Kirk you may already be aware, but heads up.. rumor has it there is a fun run for a good cause up in Montgomery tomorrow morning.. Run course will have the lonestar parkway section of imtx bike course closed.. I believe orr will be altering route to accommodate.. don't have any details yet though.

corey

Do you have a ride map either one I can download to my Garmin or que map you can email me? I PM'd you my email address just in case.

thanks Corey, I did not know that...I guess we can go west on 105 to 149 then hopefully head north.

Also we do not have a ride map. If you go to the Ironman Tx website and look at the bike course we take the course north but right now do not include the Osbourne or Bays Chapel portion... we stay on 149. when we get to Richards we stop and then we head south on 1486 and follow the TX course home.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Looks like the event is next weekend.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

angel run half marathon is tomorrow the 22nd on lonestar pkwy.. but they don't have any course maps posted.. may be others next weekend too.

that's the same detour we're proposing with the caveat of just play it by ear and cheer the runners on :)

I'll be out sagging in my sexy white mani-van if anyone needs any help.

thanks... found the course map and it goes down 105 as well. I would be shocked if they close down Lonestar parkway but you never know. Looks to be an "interesting" morning up there. Awesome

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Are you guys riding the course Saturday 4/19??

We sure are. Rolling from Swim shops at 7am sharp! should be great weather!! tell your friends.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Excellent!! Thanks. I will spread the word.

sure thing. we will be doing the entire course this weekend minus May Valley. We start in the back of The Woodlands so we will be cutting off the out of the woodlands section as well. What we normally do is when we get back to the shops we continue past it and go down the flintridge section and then the people who parked at the shops turn around at the front and come back. Makes for about 107miles of the course.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

I could be up for this! Where and what time are you all going to meet this Sat (apr 12)? Pace?

You're riding this weekend or next weekend? I have a 5:30 ride scheduled for this weekend and would love to be able to do the course with some company. I'm not that familiar with the Woodlands area as I'm a fairly recent addition to the Houston area.

We roll at 7am from Swimshops of the Southwest on Woodlands Parkway in the Back of the woodlands. Pace varies as to ability but I would say 20mph over the course of the ride. We will have people break into groups though as we spread out based on ability.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

We ride it every Saturday from swimshops at 7am the address is

9955 Woodlands Pkwy, Spring, TX 77382

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Awesome...we'll probably be up there! Thanks for organizing!

sure thing!!! tell your friends!!! all are welcome to join in

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

I just moved to the area last year. Mind if I tag along. Thanks.

come on!! absolutely you are welcome. TJ will be leading the ride this weekend.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Is anybody planning on going approximately the whole course distance this weekend? I'm an out-of-towner and thinking about getting a full course ride in.

Here is a link to OutRival's open community ride of the course on Friday the 18th.

If this upcoming weekend is anything like the one last weekend there will be hundreds of cyclists out along the course route.

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Lars Finanger
Odyssey SwimRun

Is there any group rides for this Sat, the 19th? Thanks.

Yes. We are riding Saturday at 7am from Swimshops of the Southwest in the Back of The Woodlands. all are welcome.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Great. Thanks.

we will have a group going the full course but we start "7 miles deep" into the course then we ride to the front and back to the shop at the end.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

So many great options to take advantage of to recon the course. TJ and Kirk know the area better than most so you'll be in great hands.

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Lars Finanger
Odyssey SwimRun

Thanks Lars. Appreciate that.

all we need is some tasty roads, a cool buzz and we're fine...

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

If you have an option, Next Sat., 4/26 I believe they are opening the lake up for open swim ($25) and guessing many will ride the course after. I have a coworker doing the race so I'm thinking of tagging along next w/e for a long workout.

Do we stop at some point on the course to reload on hydration?? Or do we need to have full supply of hydration/nutrition ready to go for the full 100+ miles for the ride this weekend??

First stop is usually in Richards which is abut 40 miles from the start. Sometimes but not usually we stop around mile 18-20 but that's not very often and is a few blocks off course. You likely wouldn't see it if not familiar with the area. With the mild temps were having this weekend you can get to Richards on 2 bottles, 3 if you want to be safe.

Hello:

Are you guys riding tomorrow? Thanks.

Most locals won't be out tomorrow as the big local sprint race here in The Woodlands is tomorrow morning. Haven't heard if Kirk and TJ's group have a ride tomorrow but I doubt it. Usually I've heard something by now or seen it on Facebook.

I was thinking of starting on woodlands pkwy away from the cb&i tri. That shouldn't be that bad no? And a little later.

ORR is riding Sunday

Start at the end of woodlands parkway by the walmart.

Thanks all

we have a group going tomorrow at 7am from swimshops. come on out. we won't be going the full distance and some are doing recovery rides but you are more than welcome to come out and ride with us. smooth pace tomorrow.

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Kirk Noyes

Downtubes are for Dinosaurs

Thanks for the info. We rode today. Have a good ride.