Had the pleasure of riding the course this Sat. and Sun., doing out and back with 1 loop on Sat. and with 2 loops on Sunday. Below are a few miscellaneous observations that may be helpful for those who haven’t ridden the course. The hills aren’t quite as intimidating as I remember from doing the race in '04, but this is a very difficult course to ride fast for a variety of reasons.
The road surfaces are varied, most being relatively slow. Lots of creases in the road on the bike path along John Nolen, on the 2nd half of the loop as well as some very impressive creases and holes on the initial outbound segment (McCoy Rd); watch for ejected bottles here. One segment of new black top with tacky/tarry consistenty on the outbound (Irish Ln). Freshly laid gravel on N Birch Rd, Old Sauk Pass, and Timber Ln; this will hopefully be more firmly ingrained by the race, looser towards the edge of the road. Could be a hazard on the right turn onto N Birch.
I found new respect for the portion between Verona and Mt Horeb. Part of this may have been due to the north wind which was a factor on Rt 92 into Mt Horeb. The difficulty of the first half of the loop is underrated.
There are some short steep sections where it was impossible for me to keep the watts below 300 and cadence above 65 or so. I have 39/27.
There are some really strong odors on the course. Manure not so bad, but decaying hay/whatever was really rank.
The scenery was quite nice (see below).
This is on County Rd S just outside of Mt. Horeb. While the graveyard scenery might be appropriate, we were just looking for somewhere to set the camera for a self-timed group shot.
This is at the top of the steep climb that immediately follows the Old Sauk Pass climb. Someone was nice to make a hose available supplying some very cold water. Thus the wethead look.
A close up not just of my white bird legs, but to show the gravel and how it spills over the edge of the road.
Looking forward to returning in 1 month. Fingers crossed for good weather.
Thanks for the update, and great pix! You didn’t mention the road construction on the part of the loop that passes through downtown Verona (after you come into town on Main St. and turn left to head out to old PB). I was up there a couple weeks ago and it was pretty tore up - have they patched it all up? I’ve got Friday off and I’m heading up to get in one last ride/run - just wanted to know if I should bother trying to ride that part or just avoid it and go through town like the old loop. Thanks, and enjoy your taper!
Didn’t notice too much construction though I’m not sure we followed the exact course thru Verona; we took Paoli off of Main straight out to second loop.
Thanks for the update! I hope to ride it for the last time before the big day next week. The odors are usually bad when the humidity is high and it has been wicked lately. It is nice to have that water stop on the top of Timber, I am always in too big of a hurry to stop but what a great gesture by the homeowner. Good luck!
“The difficulty of the first part of the loop is underrated.”
YES!!! Very good call. Everyone always talks about the three climbs between Cross Plains and Verona late in the loop, and they are tough. But as you come around Verona for the start of the second loop, now some 50 plus miles into the ride, repeating that first section is rough, both mentally and physically. There are some “hidden” climbs/uphills on that section, parts where you feel you should be going faster, but it has the feel of quicksand to it. That section ends with the substantial climb into Mount Horeb, under the overpass, with some false flat at the top. ALOT of folks get off their bikes at the rest stop by the high school on the second loop. That is where the task of this IM ride really hits home.
Gotcha - that’s the old loop. The course was changed for the '05 race. Now, you turn left off of Main St. at the light and take Verona Rd. to Old PB and turn right. The 2nd loop starts with the right turn at Whalen, then Bruce St. past Fireman’s Park to Paoli. Heading home, you turn left onto Whalen and back to Madison.
IIRC, there was a very substantial bump soon after T-1 on the road along the lake shore…tons of ejected bottles last year, and I had to take serious evasive action to avoid running over one rolling right in front of me. Don’t forget to recon the road that takes you from transition to the loop.
As of now, most of the turns are marked with green spray paint 50 yds or so before the turn. No marking at Stagecoach turn and incorrect mark on way out thru Verona, directing you right on Paoli rather than left. Take a map however.
FYI, the green arrows appear to be “chalk paint” rather than spraypaint because after getting caught in the Saturday morning rainstorm (between Mt Horeb and Cross Plains), many of the arrows were beginning to faid as they got wet.
I think that some of the green arrows look mismarked in Verona because they for placed there by a coaching group for their athletes to know where to finish the training ride last Saturday. For the most part, the green arrows are accurate.
