Course recon
Hubby raced in Madison this weekend and it was only five or six miles from Verona loop so I went for a loop. Not sure if it was because it was April, but hardly any car traffic. (I went at about 1.) The construction on Verona Ave is complete and the road great. Big bike lane, beautiful street lights etc. Very cute.
The two main roads from between Verona and Mt. Horeb (92 and the other one) are a bit chopped up in the shoulder so look out for that. Otherwise no surprises.
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Did they flatten out any of them thar hills in that construction?
Yes! And the payment for such services? We've got pink speedos...
I think it goes without saying the Cowgirls will provide a pink speedo for every man willing to wear one. Right, ladies?
Hey now, I just stumbled across this. I need to get some kind of google alerts set up.
No go on Moo Camp, but I'll be more than happy share the pain with Nemo, Kitima, and Leigh in just a few short weeks in CA!
Dave
Bless you Dave!!!
Hills are the same...but the actually looked different since leaves not quite out and I think on much of the wooded area of course there were less trees. But it's hard to tell since it's early Spring.
I would just note, as did earlier, that HWYs G and 92, especially G, are very torn up in the shoulder forcing you to move into the traffic lane so be alert in this area if doing any course riding. Hopefully by Sept there will be some repair.
The two roads coming out of Cross Plains (after second RR crossing and then the left turn road...sorry I already closed my Google maps) remain rough. This is definitely not a course with a lot of smooth like butter roads.
(These are the two roads that feel like that keep curving around to the right forever and are one big false flat that makes you wonder if you got a flat or your break is rubbing...no you are just slightly going up for about 13 miles. I actually find this one of the most difficult areas of the course since it really plays with your head mentally. I divide course as false flat section between Verona and Mt Horeb, rollers between Mt. Horeb and Cross Plains, and the killer climbs between Cross Plains and Verona. These climbs include Degree of Difficulty, Tour de France and one last ugly, steep one. These three sections do not include the what I call out and backs, which are also quite rolly.)
Okay. Got to get back to work.
Your recon report is dead on, Pam.
I ride the Verona loop all the time and it can be killer depending on many factors (like the 20 mph winds yesterday!). I remember reading somewhere that you should make sure you have enough gears for a course like this, and I can't think of better advice!
Watch your power meter and be diligent about conserving energy or the course will eat you up!
@Pam sounds like Stagecoach....where I mortha %^&^%% flatted during the race of course it was the rear.....
You get about another three weeks of riding before the Red Wing Blackbirds start their dive bombs at cyclists.