Assuming the course profile information is correct once again USA Cycling has ignored their guideline that flat time trial courses be used in National Championship events. The courses are supposed to be non technical as well but hard to tell from the map ?? Has anyone ridden the road to be used which originates in Taylorsville KY ?? If so is the profile “accurate” ?? The course is also very short at ~ 26 km.
http://www.usacycling.org/events/2009/mastersroad/09MastersTTMap.pdf
Check it out on Google Earth. It looks like you start out on a country highway that then joins up to a larger divided highway. The only part that looks very technical is where you approach the entrance to the divided highway and negotiate the ramps. I need to check out how that opening/finishing hill compares to last year’s course. That didn’t turn out to be bad. It looks like you go up about 250 feet in the first mile or so. Interesting.
I’m surprised they changed the course from last year. I’m guessing maybe the casino is no more? It didn’t look like it was doing well when the economy was good. Can’t imagine what it’s like there now.
The turnaround is at the bottom of a hill? There’s a really fine idea.
The turnaround is at the bottom of a hill? There’s a really fine idea.
It worked out okay when master nationals were in Ft. Smith, AR.
I didn’t care for that one too much. Scream downhill, hit brakes, turn around, ahhh too big a gear for the hill…
I didn’t care for that one too much. Scream downhill, hit brakes, turn around, ahhh too big a gear for the hill…
Try it with aero-or-die handlebars. 
I’ll pass on that, I recall the turn around being 40+ mph.
That was the worst TT I had done in a number of years. I don’t even think I broke the hour.
Apparently the TT course is now only 14 miles:
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ky/taylorsville/315124110549985985
(this is the link pointed to by USA Cycling)
.
Aww the shame, someone’s stuck a diddly little rise in your TT course. 
I didn’t see anyone complaining about a small hill in the Olympics
I’m going to assume that the course is 26km one way, and there’s a return leg. However the course profile in the document does look kind of symmetrical.
Apparently the TT course is now only 14 miles:
http://www.mapmyride.com/...e/315124110549985985
(this is the link pointed to by USA Cycling)
Personally I don’t think the results will be any different than if the course was 25 miles long, just smaller time gaps.
Also, the masters world’s TT is only 20km.
And finally, I kind of like that distance.
I didn’t see anyone complaining about a small hill in the Olympics
I’m going to assume that the course is 26km one way, and there’s a return leg. However the course profile in the document does look kind of symmetrical.
USA Cycling has a rule book defining what a national championship TT course should look like. The Olympics does not. I noted that USA Cycling is not following their own rule book guidelines which BTW they haven’t complied with in 4 out of the last 5 years. They should either rewrite the rules or comply with them. The course doesn’t play into my strengths (limited though they may be ) but I’m planning on being there in July. (
The course is ~ 23 km. Shorter time duration but the shorter races tend to hurt more.
Personally I don’t think the results will be any different than if the course was 25 miles long, just smaller time gaps.
Also, the masters world’s TT is only 20km.
And finally, I kind of like that distance.
well I think you’re probably right there, going by results from 7 Springs v. Louisville. And at least it can’t get any worse than 7 Springs, right? I assume they’re not planning on rumble strips.
I personally don’t mind hills but would like it to be a bit longer (a little more margin for pacing error). And would rather it not be the morning after the late-day RR. I expect there will be some who focus on the TT and will skip the RR and have nice fresh legs.
Brian
Yes the course is up hill from Tayorsville, nothing steep. Then the road is rolling to a false flat once on top. The course is part of a 1/2 IM held at Taylorsville lake. The half course circles the lake and comes from the south and makes a right in Taylorsville, on to the TT course. The average I had at that point was what it was, after making the turn it was work maintaining what I had.
The Casino course was a long standing TT course, even before the Casino was built. The road was also part of many club ride routes, that lead to good hills above the river. Once the Casino was built they put pressure on the local police, to shut down the TT’s. I believe there was one bad head on wreck between two cars, during a bike event. Plus riding on a road full of folks who have been gambling and drinking all day probably is not wise. Other than that was a perfect TT route.
Scott
what really sucks about this deal is they put it the day after the road race for many ags; a 23k tt takes a lot less out of you than a punchy 2+ hour road race. nice gift for the tt specialists.