Hi,
I’m signed up for IM TX but live in the Pacific NW so I’m not familiar with the race course. Considering going down for a training weekend prior to the race, but I’m wondering if any locals or triathletes that have done IMTX could tell me how conducive/safe the roads are for solo riding (are there shoulders & if so, are they in decent condition?).
Thank you so much!
i prefer to race it blind, but then again, i’m just racing to have fun, not win.
I’m local to the area and never pre-rode the course. IMO, some of the roads are a little sketchy with 70 mph vehicle traffic. That stated, people ride the course every weekend.
At a minimum you want to cut out the section in The Woodlands itself. You do not want to be riding your bike on the roads nearest the bike start/finish on a non-race day when the roads aren’t closed or being directed by the police. There’s a Walmart nearby where most people start/end the IMTX practice rides.
Hi,
I’m signed up for IM TX but live in the Pacific NW so I’m not familiar with the race course. Considering going down for a training weekend prior to the race, but I’m wondering if any locals or triathletes that have done IMTX could tell me how conducive/safe the roads are for solo riding (are there shoulders & if so, are they in decent condition?).
Thank you so much!
I trained in the Woodlands area last year and during the week, was always solo. On the W/E’s, there’s plenty of different groups that ride out there. I do highly recommend you ride with one of the groups or another person if all possible. I kept getting lost although wasn’t following the IM route completely. The roads themselves are in great shape, some with wide shoulders. Bring your mace unless you want to work on your sprint skills as I’m not positive what some of the land owners are teaching their dogs.
All but the first 10 miles or so in The Woodlands are perfectly safe to ride at anytime. Is it worth a trip just to pre-ride the course? Only you can answer that question. For me it’s not worth it. I’ve done 8 IM’s wi 5 of them riding blind (other than driving the course). The 3 that weren’t were IMTX each year as I’ve been riding those roads for 10+ years! well before IMTX was around.
Hi,
I’m signed up for IM TX but live in the Pacific NW so I’m not familiar with the race course. Considering going down for a training weekend prior to the race, but I’m wondering if any locals or triathletes that have done IMTX could tell me how conducive/safe the roads are for solo riding (are there shoulders & if so, are they in decent condition?).
Thank you so much!
No place in TX offers a level of safety that would give me confidence to say yes- especially not urban TX.
RealtimeAthlete.com has the course that you play through and study all you want, with elevation. Do that with a hot towel over your head in a wind tunnel and you’ll have the perfect simulation.
I wouldnt exactly say The Woodlands is Urban. Living in the Woodlands I ride solo and groups all over that area and most of the roads are fine 98% of drivers are courteious, lots of cyclists on the roads. I wouldnt ride Woodlands PKWY or Fishcreek (Construction right now). I’m not a big fan of 2854 during the week when Dump trucks are rolling (I think Speed limit is 55) but still ride it but weekends no worries. Everything else would be fine. There are a lot of places to refuel on 105 and 1488.