I heard that next year might be the last event do to there contract ending. I guess the surrounding towns are getting disgusted with the trash thats being left on the roads. I don’t know if this is true but if so this would suck I always wanted to do this race. Im in my third season of triathlon and was working up to do this one and buy the time I get to do it, it won’t be around. Hmm I say they should make a Ironman Chicago.
Their contract runs through 2011.
Cool but then what happens?
This wouldn’t surprise me at all. I live right near the bike course and there are large groups coming up here nearly every weekend in the summer to ride the course. It’s pretty typical to see folks riding two abreast in the middle of the lane paying no notice to cars stuck behind them. Yes, i know it’s legal to ride that way but it’s poor manners in my opinion; you can imagine why the locals would be fed up with this week after week.
On the other hand, these groups bring significant $$ into the local hotels so i’m sure there’s some offsetting pressure there… As much as I love IM, I wouldn’t mind seeing Madison let it go…
In early to mid 2010 there will be announcements about renewal if they continue in Madison.
I live in the area. I hear it every year:
Locals are sick of the trash. Locals are sick of the traffic. Locals are sick of the lycra. Blah, blah, blah …
As worthless, pathetic, and short-sighted as our state government is, the one thing they do know is how to identify a cash cow. The business community in Madison makes out quite nicely from this little race and recognizes how fortunate it is to have. A few (or even a few thousands) bitching cheeseheads will not change that fact. I highly doubt IMWI will be going away any time in the foreseeable future.
In addition, the Milwaukee Mayor’s office has been quite vocal about wanting a “premier” race in Milwaukee. That, in and of itself, is another prime reason for the Madison Mayor’s office to do everything w/in its power to retain this race so it can continue to thumb its nose at its big brother.
These rumors seem to circulate at every IM every time a contract is due to expire. Florida was rumored to be all but dead a few years ago.
The Wisconsin sports management group is firmly behind the race. I would be shocked if the contract isn’t renewed. There is way too much money involved.
Thom
I vote for a day of totally hosing up the traffic situaion in milwaukee beyond what any interchange project could do. Do the swim in Lake Michican, bike down veterans memorial to I-794, and then do the bypass loop.
Actually - that would probably make a bomb ass olympic distance race…
I vote for a day of totally hosing up the traffic situaion in milwaukee beyond what any interchange project could do. Do the swim in Lake Michican, bike down veterans memorial to I-794, and then do the bypass loop.
Actually - that would probably make a bomb ass olympic distance race…
We (TriWis) responded to the Mayor’s office last year and tried to set someone up. Fell through. Mayor’s office says he is still interested. Looking at options for next year.
Yeah, that would be a killing race course for an Oly. Man, can you imagine what the locals would do if we shut down the loop for a day … 
“It’s pretty typical to see folks riding two abreast in the middle of the lane paying no notice to cars stuck behind them. Yes, i know it’s legal to ride that way but it’s poor manners in my opinion”
Actually it is NOT legal. WI law allows riders two abreast ONLY if it does not impede the flow of other traffic. If cars are behind, then the cyclists must ride single file as close to the right as is practical. I wish more cyclists knew and practiced this - then the cars would not be so pissed.
“It’s pretty typical to see folks riding two abreast in the middle of the lane paying no notice to cars stuck behind them. Yes, i know it’s legal to ride that way but it’s poor manners in my opinion”
Actually it is NOT legal. WI law allows riders two abreast ONLY if it does not impede the flow of other traffic. If cars are behind, then the cyclists must ride single file as close to the right as is practical. I wish more cyclists knew and practiced this - then the cars would not be so pissed.
Come on man! You live in Wisconsin! You have seen how Wisconsinites drive. There are two things you should know:
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Most of them drive so damn slow, a tri bike would not impede the flow of traffic and
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The mere fact that cylists/triathletes exist is enough to piss of most WI motorist.
I am pretty sure I have authored entire threads on this …
This wouldn’t surprise me at all. I live right near the bike course and there are large groups coming up here nearly every weekend in the summer to ride the course. It’s pretty typical to see folks riding two abreast in the middle of the lane paying no notice to cars stuck behind them. Yes, i know it’s legal to ride that way but it’s poor manners in my opinion; you can imagine why the locals would be fed up with this week after week.
On the other hand, these groups bring significant $$ into the local hotels so i’m sure there’s some offsetting pressure there… As much as I love IM, I wouldn’t mind seeing Madison let it go…
I discourage people from riding that loop more than once or twice. There are SO MANY people who go up there from Milwaukee and Chicago that they are going to ruin the race for everyone when the city doesn’t renew the contract.
I didn’t realize how bad it was until I started working in Madison.
Perhaps group rides doing the course over the summer should underline the importance of riding safely, respecting automobile traffic, and respecting the rules of the road. People should ride the course beforehand, but they shouldn’t be idiots. Plus, if you ride it once, you really don’t need to ride it again. After just one ride, you’ll know what your weaknesses are.
As a side note: I did a group ride a few weeks ago, and I saw a woman from another group nearly get taken out by a passing pickup’s sideview mirror, not because he was driving too close (he was completely in the oncoming traffic’s lane in order to pass us), but because she swung so wide as to actually go into the oncoming lane while making a right-hand turn. It made me very uncomfortable to ride behind her, but luckily I was a faster than she was so I got ahead! ;-D
The trash left on the side of the road is getting pretty bad. Maybe it always was, but it’s becoming more noticeable to me anyway.