I’m looking at buying a new trainer. I’d like to be able to ride the Texas course with video and simulated topography. Does anyone know if any of the various trainer platforms have access to a video of the IM Texas course? Bkool? Tacx? Wahoo? Trainerroad? CycleOps? Other?
From my memory, there isn’t much to the course. It’s flat, non technical and generally very simple. I don’t see much value in trying to find anything that maps or displays it, but that is just my single opinion, for what its worth.
Jack
With a Cycleops Powerbeam Pro and their Virtual training software you can ride the course. If someone hasn’t taken a go pro and created a video synced to a gps, you can create the course on google maps. Basically you trace the route on google maps and download it to virtual training and it creates a training profile of the course in ERG mode. While riding the course, you can have google maps up to see where on the course you are. If you get the Virtual training, they have videos on how to do it. I plan on doing this next year when training for IM France.
I agree with CPT Chaos. I did the race sight unseen in 2012 and the next time I saw it was when I did the race again in 2013. Several friends made the four hour (one way) drive twice to recon it and I was worried that I was missing somethign by not doing so, but absolutley not. All that time spent driving there and back would be put to better use resting, training or whatever. There’s just not that much to the course. And the road surfaces, in my opionion, are mostly very good.
Ben
I love on the course and can tell you it’s not that special.
Computrainer did shoot video for it in order to do a RCV but they never released it. If you just want to see the course to get an idea of what it’s like, look up Outrival Racing. They posted some high speed Youtube video of the swim, bike and run courses.
I love on the course and can tell you it’s not that special.
Computrainer did shoot video for it in order to do a RCV but they never released it. If you just want to see the course to get an idea of what it’s like, look up Outrival Racing. They posted some high speed Youtube video of the swim, bike and run courses.
To add to what Logella said, basically any CT course where you do the entire ride bolted to the aerobars will suffice. I think there is literally 2 places on the course where you need to stand up or sit up. Other than that, get used to staying in the aerobars all day. The course has a lot of us and down, but nothing steep enough to get out of the aero and for me, the small chain ring was redundant excess baggage!
I know you asked for video of the course but TrainerRoad does have the course mapped out topographically, you can ride the whole course and they have a shortened version as well.
How do you find that workout? Is it just called IM TX?
Just search Texas and it will pop up for you, it’s called IM Texas 75% FTP
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I have a PowerBeam Pro and have done the IMTX course on their Virtual Trainer app. Unfortunately there is no video for the course on VT at this time. However, it’s pretty flat and uneventful. Video would be nice to get a feel for the course, but I agree with the statements above - if you just want video to help you train for 100+ miles while glued to a trainer in the aero position, I think any 100+ miler program with video that doesn’t have any serious climbing will do the trick.
Also, if you’re considering a trainer, I’ve been really happy with the PowerBeam. I used CTs at a group class for years, and liked those as well. I personally didn’t think the CT was worth the extra cost for a home trainer, plus the system is not easy to set up and take down. The PowerBeam is very simple; plug and play. I believe you have multiple software options, including TrainerRoad, but I’ve only used VT so far and have been happy with their selection of available courses for ERG mode. I haven’t used any of the other systems, so can’t help you there. I do think that most of the trainers these days can use multiple software, so the actual trainer you buy is becoming somewhat less important - just make sure that the unit you are buying is compatible with the software you think you’ll be most likely to use.
Awesome. Thanks.