what is the bike course like in terms of terrain, likely wind, etc? Also, what type of wheel set up is recommended?
I have been riding the course on Computrainer and each loop is roughly 37 miles long. Uphill ( nothing more than 2 percent) on the way out and downhill on the way back. From what I hear, roads not too terrible but it can be windy. I am planning HED 3 both front and rear, or possibly disk in rear. Will bring a Alps front just in case.
I’ll be back in Tempe for my third IMAZ. If the course remains unchanged from last year, then it’s pretty straightforward. It’s a flat roll out to Beeline. Once you are on Beeline, it’s a straight shot out to the turnaround. Like the other poster says, there is nothing too steep, rather a more gradual incline or false flat. There are some small pitches but if you are used to riding on hills or rolling terrain, then you won’t even notice them. On the outbound, there are two spots that stick out in my mind - one is going over the bridge as you leave Tempe, and the other is right near the turnaround. But again, these are really nothing to worry about. So, if an overpass sticks out in my mind as a being a noteworthy hill - well, that should tell you about the rest of the course.
Wind? Possibly. In '05, the winds were really tough. There were big gusts, and a pretty steady breeze for the whole ride. But, from what I’ve heard, that was out of the oridinary for AZ. It was also cool that year. Last year, there was a lot less wind, but a little warmer.
The roads are in pretty good shape, save for a couple of rough patches/stretches. The worst being the last section right before you connect to Beeline. Overall, the roads are good.
NOTE ON COMPUTRAINER COURSE: for what it’s worth, the older version of the course on the computrainer will give you a better simulation than the more recent version they put up on the CT site. The version I like is the ‘original’ course that would have gone out to fountain hills. It’s a 58 mile loop. I rode that a number of times before the real thing and my time in the race was spot on to my average time on the CT. The new course available on the CT site, is a 112 mile course that simulates the three loops - basically as three long gradual inclines (1st at 1%, 2nd at 1.5…and not sure of the third…yet 
). These are followed by gradual declines of the same gradient and length. This is no way simulates the real ride. But, for training purposes will do the trick.
I rode a 404 set-up in '05, and was getting blown around the winds were so strong over the canal…er, lake. Last year, I rode a 606 (404 front/808 rear) and had no complaints. This year, I’m going to try a zipp disc…if it’s not windy. The biggest consideration is that the course is pretty exposed, especially out on Beeline, so if you get blown around and it’s a windy day - that might play into your wheel choice.
I’ve only ridden the course on the computrainer but good news is there was no wind! 
I rode a Hed Cx and Hed Deep (650) both years with out much trouble. Plan on winds of 5-50 mph and you’ll be set.
“NOTE ON COMPUTRAINER COURSE: for what it’s worth, the older version of the course on the computrainer will give you a better simulation than the more recent version they put up on the CT site”
JAR, is the old CT course that you prefer the old course or the more recent (and current course) 3 loop one? From reading your post, it sounds like it’s the old course. Why doesn’t the 3 loop CT course simulate the current course? Are the elevations off, distances off, etc? What advantages do you see in riding the old course on the CT versus the actual one?
Thanks,
JT
well…I’ll be damned…I just looked at my list of CT courses and there is another IMAZ course I’ve never ridden (I must have downloaded it and forgotten about). This is the 3 loop version that (I’m assuming) you are referring to.
Seeing this, I can’t really comment until I ride it. I’ll do a loop tomorrow and let you know…
In my OP I was referring to the newest course which has the consistent, 13 mile long climbs - that is what I was referring to when it said it didn’t match the real thing. The ‘older’ CT course, that I prefer, while more hilly than the real thing, more closely simulates the Beeline stretch.
I don’t know if this has been metioned or not but there were a lot of flats last year due to goatheads(stickers) being blown over the bike course. I was advised to run tuffy liners from a friend who did it last year.
I asked Michael Lovato(name drop) about it at IMFL this weekend and he said the same thing. He said to use spin skins though if you run clinchers. I plan on using them with michelin pro race 2 tires for IMAZ 07.
JT,
I rode one loop of the 3x37.08m loop course this morning. It’s a pretty good simulation of the real course, because it at least has variations in the gradient. The newest version of the CT course is just a straight 1%/-1% gradient. This one is much better. So, you won’t be doing yourself a disservice by riding it.
That being said, I still like what I’ll call the “Fountain Hills” course because it’s got steeper gradients and more hills in total - making it just a touch harder than the real thing.