IMWI bike course
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watrbg2 posted 1 year ago.
I grew up around Pittsburgh and I did IMWI last year and I would say that the hills are pretty comparable with Pittsburgh's hills being a little steeper and longer. I was amazed how similar Pittsburgh and Wisconsin hills are except Wisconsin has better roads! If you can average 19 mph with 6,800 feet of climbing, you'll be fine at IMWI.
The key is to pace yourself on the bike and spin up the hills so you have something left for the run.
'In a world that tries its hardest to separate us from what matters, the Ironman helps us to reconnect with the pulse of our lives." - Scott Tinley
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1057 days
PJT posted 1 year ago.
I don't have any other IM courses to compare it to, but I'd say it's difficult enough, yet doable for anyone who puts in the hours and races a smart plan. IIRC, the whole course has around 6,000 feet of climbing, so you're doing pretty good if you can hold 19MPH with that much climbing in just 48 miles. One major difference you hear about IMWI compared to other courses is that no single climb is very long, they just keep coming one after another. Some also have sharp turns during the descent or at the bottom, so you have to make sure your cornering and handling skills are solid.
357
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749 days
kkocan posted 1 year ago.
PJT;68134 wrote:
I don't have any other IM courses to compare it to, but I'd say it's difficult enough, yet doable for anyone who puts in the hours and races a smart plan. IIRC, the whole course has around 6,000 feet of climbing, so you're doing pretty good if you can hold 19MPH with that much climbing in just 48 miles. One major difference you hear about IMWI compared to other courses is that no single climb is very long, they just keep coming one after another. Some also have sharp turns during the descent or at the bottom, so you have to make sure your cornering and handling skills are solid.
Yeah, that's kind of what I've heard and what my rides are like. No one single huge hill, lots of climbs (100-400 feet) over and over again.
I just mapped out a 110 mile ride that I will do soon but it has about 14,000 feet of climbing. I figure enough rides like that this summer I should feel right at home in WI come Sept!;)
I've also heard it's a technical course with lots of turns! Good thing I have a roadie background!
FWIW here's the link to the ride I just road. You have to click the bar at the bottom to get the elevation profile. Looks a lot like the IMWI course to me!
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/meadville/395755910
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2008 Main Races:
VA Beach Shamrock Marathon
Desoto TTT
WV Mountaineer HIM
IM Wisconsin
3283
Member
1266 days
RV posted 1 year ago.
IMWI is a fun course. It does not let you get into a steady pace, I think there are something like 40 hills on the loop. Like PJT said none by themselves are difficult. Best thing is to go a little easier on the first loop and then push it on the second. It is a good course to get out on prior to race day. The tri-club here just scheduled the first ride on the course in 2 weeks. So I'll be on course a few times prior to the race again this year. 19 would be a good solid pace for IMWI.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
1405
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1260 days
brittda posted 1 year ago.
Well honestly it does not look bad at all--compared to Canada and USA. I have done Canada and even that was not bad(what goes up , must go down) , just need to add hill work to your training. I mght add that I am not a great cyclest and felt the hills were allright
In response to the flattest IM bike course, I've been looking at the profile for IMWI. Lots of ups and downs.
I know several on this form are going there and or have done it before. How hard/difficult is the course? I've heard it's one of the toughest ones.
On another note, since today seems to be an elevation day I have spent the whole afternoon on Mapmyride.com. Great site! Not much work has been done today in the office as I am mapping out all of my rides!
FWIW, my 2-1/2 hour ride last weekend ended up being 48 miles with 6,800 feet of climbing. I was wondering how that would compare to one loop o the IMWI course. I was happy with 19mph avg given all the hills that day!
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2008 Main Races:
VA Beach Shamrock Marathon
Desoto TTT
WV Mountaineer HIM
IM Wisconsin