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2018 IMLP Bike Course - preview

Edwin CroucherEdwin Croucher
in General Training Discussions
I am in Lake Placid getting some training in this week. I rode to course the last two days and wanted to give everyone a little review. So, Lake Placid is in the Adirondack Mountains and with that you get to enjoy mountain weather. The temperature here has not gotten much above 50 degrees. This year will be my 4th time racing IMLP. The previous 3 had the Au Sable Forks out and back. This was always my least favorite part. The return to the original course is a nice change. I rode the course two time., once yesterday and once today. The rode surface from Lisa "G" out of the village has not improved. There are lots of pot holes. Route 73 passed the airport is in good shape. The new bridge over the river is fantastic. You can carry your speed without fear of a bump or hole tossing you off the bike. The climb from the river to the Cascade Lakes is in great shape. I enjoyed the out and back to the Bobsled course. The road surface is new and smooth. Once at the Cascade trail be ready for the road surface to get rough. All the way through the Lakes it was tough to find a good line to ride. However, that is the worse section of road on the entire course. When you crest the hill passed the last lake, the road surface has all been re-surfaced.  The ride down to Keene was smooth and fast.  Route 9N is in good shape. The road seams are a little more noticeable, but during the race I will likely ride a little out in the road instead of the shoulder. Yesterday, I rode the old out and back to Au Sable Forks. I would like to say I did it to add more miles but really it was because I am old and forgot it had been eliminated from the course. I am glad we are not riding it during the race as it is in tough shape. The climb from Jay is in good shape and is still tough. You arrive at Bilhuber road and start the original course out and back. This road gets very little traffic. The old road surface is in great shape. Once you make the left onto Hazelton toad you are greated with a new road surface. That surface is the majority of Hazelton road. Ride 5 miles out with no poor road conditions. The ride back to Wilmington is generally fast. There are a couple of climbs and one is legitimate. My Garmin said it was 8%. As always, be careful as you turn off Hazelton back onto Route 86. There was nothing to report about the remainder of the ride. The road was in very good shape. I got to ride in the rain yesterday and to make it even nicer the temperature dropped through out the ride. I couldn't feel my fingers when I got off the bike,
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Comments

  • Derrek SanksDerrek Sanks
    Ed, great information! Thanks for taking the time to capture this for us. I hope you have better weather the next two days.
  • Shaughn SimmonsShaughn Simmons
    Difficult to express the value and ROI of riding the actual course and applying race specificity a few weeks out from race date.

    I am watching @Edwin Croucher as the rest of the IMLP team as you guys get closer to competitor elimination day!

    Carry on..........

  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak
    This stuff is gold.  Having done the race several times racing and training if you are not able to get on the course prior to race week this is great.  I've been on the IMLP course noting washboards due to the winter weather in several locations in previous year, not something you want to experience first hand on race day.  I agree with @Shaughn Simmons riding the course is invaluable. I'm always watching this race as it's my first and has a special place in my heart.




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