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Bike Course Help

Coach RichCoach Rich
in Ironman Chattanooga

Team,

I'm working on my training camp presentation materials and I've noticed a disconnect between the turn by turn instructions and the course map.

TbT sez this:

But on the map it looks like the bike exits the park and goes west along the river (sorta) vs downtown. 

Intuitively, gotta think the map is correct, in light of road closures, etc. Anyway, which one is it? Thanks!

Comments

  • steven cummingssteven cummings
    If the start is similar to the Olympic race which it looks that way then it would be like the map and not the turn by turn. Also, as you head back into chattanooga after the two loops I would suggest not taking a right on hwy 193 and instead go straight across and hang a right on Chattanooga Valley road. There is a lot of highway traffic on the stretch of 193 that you will cut out and it will be much safer for riders.
  • Mark RobertsMark Roberts
    I found this link on ride with GPS -- might be useful.

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4306072
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Thanks all, maps made and materials for my camp are in production.

    Next question: where are gas stations / stores on the course? Specifically, stuff that's conveniently ~25-40 miles apart. Cross streets / where they are on the map would be great. Thanks!

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Rich Strauss on 13 Aug 2014 03:49 PM

    Thanks all, maps made and materials for my camp are in production.

    Next question: where are gas stations / stores on the course? Specifically, stuff that's conveniently ~25-40 miles apart. Cross streets / where they are on the map would be great. Thanks!

    Bump. Any help here??

  • jfields74jfields74

    Coach R- I'm trying to gather this info from a FB page for the race and hopefully will have a few locations shortly.

  • jfields74jfields74

    Here is what I found.  Hope this helps.  If I get in early on Thurs, I may try to drive the loop and confirm the locations.

     At the corner of 193&136 there are two gas stations and a Dollar General (miles 19.5 & 65.2)



    - If you go past the turn at Hog Jowl and travel 1 mile, there is the Mountain Cove Farms General Store on your right (miles 33 and 78.6). They have restrooms, a picnic area, and are very friendly. Someone posted that they have bike racks, but we actually went there by car, so I didn't notice.



    - At the corner of Hog Jowl and 193, there is the Pigeon Mountain Country Store (miles 42.3 & 88). They have restrooms in the store, and someone posted that the owner, a former bike mechanic, is going to get the restrooms in the building near the street working. He's also stocking bike supplies for us, I've heard. They also have a restaurant there, and someone posted that they have the best grass fed burgers. I'm definitely going to stop sometime soon!



    - I can't find it on the map, but when you get into the busier part of Chickamauga, there is a convenience store on your left, somewhere around mile 50. They have the best Dr. Pepper ever...well, before I found the other places, I had biked almost 25 miles in the heat with no fluid, so anything would have been awesome.

    The place close to Chickamauga (on the left) is called "Ed's"

  • jodigregjodigreg
    @Rich, Just wanted to let you know my awesome Sherpa husband, Greg, is coming up to camp and can help out anytime except Saturday. He is willing to drive our car as a sag wagon on Friday if needed.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    @Jamie -- thanks for the deets, very helpful. And, gotta love a road called Hog Jowl on an IM bike course cue sheet.

    @Jodi -- great, thanks! I think Friday would be best, as that allows me to ride it also and take notes for the Friday evening presentation. Let's connect on Thursday at the camp. Can he bring a bike pump to put in the car? I've got a stack of tubes I've been traveling with from camp to camp, fixing the odd flat with a camper-supplied floor pump.
  • jodigregjodigreg
    @Rich, we will bring a pump, no problem. He's pretty mechanical, too, if needed.
  • jfields74jfields74

    @All - We need to pay particular attention on Hog Jowl as there is a large pothole on a downhill section that has claimed several riders thus far.  I'll try to find out a better location of the said hole as I want all of us to avoid crashing.  

    @Rich/Jodi  - I'll have a basic bike tool kit that we can toss in your vehicle just in case.

    @Rich - I'll bring my bolt cutters just in case  

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Jamie Fields on 18 Aug 2014 06:08 PM

     

    @Rich - I'll bring my bolt cutters just in case  

    Smartass...

    I went with a $70 pair of cable cutters, as all of the bolt cutters were not recommended for hardened locks. Better get it out of my truck, so I don't get popped for having burglary tools in my possession

  • Mark RobertsMark Roberts
    @ All -- according to the Facebook chattanooga page, one of the bad potholes is on Chickamauga road just before you get to W. Schmitt rd. Its at a bad spot during one of the fast descents. Gina Hamel (former EN) sister hit it in aerobars at 35+ and ended up with broken collar bone and separated shoulder. Some talked as if it might have been marked with orange paint already but I'm not sure. Hope fully someone will patch that hole before race day.
  • jfields74jfields74
    @Mark- That's the one I was talking about. I was thinking it was on Hog Jowl.
  • Amy FergusonAmy Ferguson
    @All, I rode the course this weekend with the masses. There are numerous road hazards all over the course. Most notably are several crater-like dips on Hog Jowl, some even covered in sand. Best place to be is out on the left but not an option if you have someone behind you. The hole that took out two riders Saturday on the descent out of Chicamagua is said to be in the middle of the road. This is a fast decent. I hit 36 mph not completely aero and I'm a small person. Hopefully they will take care of it but be aware this weekend. Pigeon MtN Store is a must stop. It is just south of the intersection of Hog Jowl and 136. Additionally, there wasn't a street sign for Hog Jowl Rd on West Cove. It is the first left (greater than 90 degree turn) after you complete the climb. You'll know what the climb is. Finally, there is a State Farm with a parking lot at the top of the loop on 196. This is a good place to park cars with special needs items.

    @Rich, are you coming into the ATL at all? Let me know if you need transportation or anything.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Amy Ferguson on 19 Aug 2014 07:02 PM


    @All, I rode the course this weekend with the masses. There are numerous road hazards all over the course. Most notably are several crater-like dips on Hog Jowl, some even covered in sand. Best place to be is out on the left but not an option if you have someone behind you. The hole that took out two riders Saturday on the descent out of Chicamagua is said to be in the middle of the road. This is a fast decent. I hit 36 mph not completely aero and I'm a small person. Hopefully they will take care of it but be aware this weekend. Pigeon MtN Store is a must stop. It is just south of the intersection of Hog Jowl and 136. Additionally, there wasn't a street sign for Hog Jowl Rd on West Cove. It is the first left (greater than 90 degree turn) after you complete the climb. You'll know what the climb is. Finally, there is a State Farm with a parking lot at the top of the loop on 196. This is a good place to park cars with special needs items.



    @Rich, are you coming into the ATL at all? Let me know if you need transportation or anything.

    Thanks! I'm flying into ATL tomorrow, doing a drive by at my sisters place to get my Cool Uncle on, then driving up to Chat early Thurs to pre-run the course, take notes, etc. 

  • Mark RobertsMark Roberts
    Team,

    The course link I posted on Ride with GPS the other day had some errors in it. Sorry about that. Turns out there are 14 something versions of IM Chattanooga course on Ride with GPS. This one I have edited and double checked with the published route. It is accurate as best as I can determine. And yes, the bike course is 114 miles.


    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5716412

  • jfields74jfields74
    @Mark- Thanks for the updated file. I figured out to load the file to my 910xt for the turns. I hope it works. Anyone ever used a course like this on the 910xt?
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Posted By Mark Roberts on 20 Aug 2014 02:43 PM


    Team,



    The course link I posted on Ride with GPS the other day had some errors in it. Sorry about that. Turns out there are 14 something versions of IM Chattanooga course on Ride with GPS. This one I have edited and double checked with the published route. It is accurate as best as I can determine. And yes, the bike course is 114 miles.





    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5716412



    Here's the course I made and sent out to everyone via my admin doc: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5630135

    My plan now is to just draft Mark and Jamie on Friday, but take all the town line sprints. Green jersey!

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