I will be in Madison for the first time on Friday. Just a day. Am doing the race in September. I am considering renting a bike and riding a portion of the bike course. A few questions. How long is the loop portion of the course? If I were only able to do a couple of hours, should I target this loop portion? Any recommendations of where to rent a bike for this ride?
Thanks in advance,
David
Yes I’d ride/preview it if I were you. There are some fairly nasty climbs…it’s better to know what you’re in for. There is also a fairly technical descent as well as some tight turns. Knowing where those are will help you not crash into a tree.
I think the connectors are 13-14 miles each
And I think each loop is roughly 42-44.
It’s right in that range anyway.
Ride the loops if you have a choice. The connectors are pretty straight and don’t have significant climbs.
The loop is about 40 miles and yes, that’s the part that’d be most worth doing if you only have a couple hours there…
I agree with what the others have said…ride the loop if you can. Depending on where you are staying, you could either drive to Verona and leave from there, or ride out Old Sauk and hit the “back” of the loop (this works if you’re staying out towards Middleton).
Machinery Row is a bike shop right by Monona Terrace (race headquarters), or Chronometro (I think that’s right…but do not know where CM is located). Those are the only bike shops I know of (I’m not a Madisonian). Maybe a local STer will chime in and have a bike you could borrow…
Uphill Grind in Cross Plaines might be worth calling these guys. Their shop is right on the course…
The loop is 43 miles if done correctly or 40 if you do the short cut through verona…
Go to Fireman’s Park, park your car there from there follow the green/red arrows for the 40 mile loop.That should take about 2 hours. They have showers and changing rooms at the park.
My advice if your time is limited and you do not have your own bike (chances are slim you’ll find a perfect fit on rental) go drive the whole course and take mental notes instead of riding.
Either way if you end up driving or riding, there is a small section says Road Closed To Traffic, just ignore it and drive or ride around the signs.
Yeah, I always got turned around in Verona when the race-day barricades weren’t up.
To the OP: The way through Verona isn’t important. The important part, as everyone else has stated, is the 40 mile loop that you will run through twice during the race. If you only have a couple of hours, do the loop once and see how it feels. Pay attention to what gears you’re using on the rental and make sure you have enough gears on your race-day bike to match. Get a feel for the trickier descents – a small section past Mt. Horeb, and the 90-degree left at the bottom of Timberline Road, in particular – and you’ll be better off on race day.
Good luck!
mm
For anybody looking to experience the entire IM course, but wanting to avoid downtown Madison, I’d recommend this:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/wi/oregon/314124570484697062
This course starts from Oregon (small town just south of Madison). All but the first and last 6 miles are on the actual course, and its exactly 112 miles.
SF,
That’s great data! Where exactly is Fireman’s Park ?
Thanks,
IT
Thanks for the advice, everyone…
It is in Verona WI
.
It’s at the intersection of Bruce and Paoli. Google it and you’ll find it. You can also swim there.
SF,
That’s great data! Where exactly is Fireman’s Park ?
Thanks,
IT
Have $2 handy. Greedy SOB’s increased the fee for shower! 
Look at point 15 in the zoom mode you can see the map. There are red/green arrows at turning points on the loop.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/wi/madison/413482504
For anybody looking to experience the entire IM course, but wanting to avoid downtown Madison, I’d recommend this:
http://www.mapmyride.com/...n/314124570484697062
This course starts from Oregon (small town just south of Madison). All but the first and last 6 miles are on the actual course, and its exactly 112 miles.
Interesting way out of Oregon. I’ve been taking Hwy C out to Fish Hatchery and then up to Whalen. It’s a little short of the 112, but then again I don’t need to ride a full 112 in training.
You can also park on E. Cheryl Drive in Fitchburg by the Agora Pavilion (assuming no weddings) and ride out to Syene and pick up the course from there.
While I second everyone’s recomendation to focus on the loop given your time constraints, when driving out to Verona, take Whalen there and back, it’s not exactly flat, especially when you got to bike it after doing 1-2 loops. The hill just before Fish Hatchery Dr (Hwy D) heading east on Whalen is the last hill you have to deal with.
For renting a bike go to Trek Bicycles West and you can demo a trek madone 5.2 for 25 bucks. Great deal all you need is your pedals and your seat if you want your seat. All the other places are either to expensive or rent you a piece of shit.