Friend and I driving up to Madison this weekend to ride the bike course a few times - very excited - first time for either of us to see course - course map looks likes lots and lots of turns, intersections, etc - are there any markings on the road that show the route that we can follow - if not, anyone have any helpful hints about how to stick to the Verona loop without having to get the map out every 5 miles?
As always, many thanks.
It’s not quite as bad as it seems, but for my first loop, I took a typed up cheat sheet with me folded up. It was fairly easy to refer to that way. After the first loop, you pretty much know the course. I didn’t need the cheat sheet the second loop (but I still brought it with me).
I don’t recall many road markings last August, just a few left over IM signs.
a couple of us did the same thing last year. i did what the previous post says and printed off a small page with the directions and rode the first loop with it cupped in my hand against the aerobars. was no big deal. and like they said, after the first loop you’ll pretty much know where to go.
If only riding the “loops” - I would park along the residental streets near Walen at the beginning on the “loops” - just down from the really nice new gas station. I found the gas station a great place to refuel between loops. You won’t need the map after the first loop…and no need to drive the course IMO…it’s much better to see it at a snails pace!
Here is a great map…take note of the aid stations…they were pretty much spot on last year. http://www.wsdcresults.com/pdfs/ironman2005_coursemaps.pdf
Good luck.
Just returned a short while ago from a 101 mile ride on the course. I like the idea of driving it with a car and also typing the directions on a sheet of paper. Carry a map folded up in case you need it. Towns are very infrequent. Watch out for the blackbirds. They are starting up again and may be in full swing by the weekend. There’s also a big, dead snapping turtle on the shoulder on Whalen Rd. He should be good and stinky by the weekend 
We parked in Verona and used the truck as a aid station. That way you are really never more than 20 miles from your vehicle in case something were to happen.
chris
I recommend parking at Fireman’s Park in Verona and using that as your refuel stop (just keep stuff in your vehicle), that’s what I’ve always done. You can also use the showers after you’re done.
As far as driving the course, it’s a good idea, but Simply Stu is a stud and has it in video form right here: http://www.simplystu.com/index.php?post_category=Video
(yes, that’s right, the video is 176,517 KB!)
As everyone else said, just have a small cheat sheet with the road names and the turns and that should get you through the first loop just fine.
Look at the course here:
http://www.simplystu.com/index.php?post_id=116673
Print out a map for back-up, I find some of the turns kinda tricky. My 1st time riding it was “you gotta be kidding…they are taking us down THIS road in an Ironman. WTF?”.
By all means, BE NICE. Wave to locals, offer to help the farmer’s with chores, CLEAN UP your trash and ride EXTREMELY well behaved.
Have fun.
One other important thing, watch out for the red-winged blackbirds, especially on County Route G , they’re vicious.
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=852894;search_string=redwing;#852894
you won’t be the only one there, i just talked to another local triathlete whohas his mach training camp there this weekend as well. Not sure how many people he’ll have with him. I’ve only rode the course during the race but I’ve heard there is a pretty large amount of people out there riding it.
Neil, what days(s) and times are you riding?
I think we’ll be getting into town around 11.00 am Saturday - going to ride loop twice Saturday and twice Sunday, before drive home. lIkely going to start at 6.00 am ish on Sunday.