Tour of Columbus

[FitAlex]

I just got back from scouting in Columbus. Here's the cheat sheet:


Beason's Road Race (1 loop is 17.1 miles):

-Race leaves park and heads down Old TX 90 (cracked concrete surface).
-After <1 mile, Old TX 90 will end at the I-10 feeder, where you will make a left, followed by another left onto Resse Ln.
-The surface of Reese Ln is coarse concrete. The terrain is rolling, but the hills are very, very small. It should be easy.
-WATCH OUT for a large pot hole on the right side of the road on a descent ~3.4 miles into the course!
-4.9 miles into the course, Reese Ln makes a sharp left on a descent. Use the inside corner to avoid gravel on the road.
-6.9 miles into the course, you will make another left and the road becomes Kansteiner.
-WATCH OUT! At 7.1 miles,  just after the turn, there is a cattle guard made of four metal pipes going across the road. Riding over them will be bumpy.
-At 8 miles, you will hit a T-intersection. Take a right.
-WATCH OUT! There is another cattle guard after this turn.
-At 8.4 miles, there is a 0.7 mile climb (low/middle grade).
-At 9.4 miles, the road will end at FM 109. Make a left.
-There will be some short climbs and descents on 109 before it ends at Hwy 71, 14.3 miles into the course.
-Make a left on 71.
-At 15.4 miles you will go under a railroad bridge and immediately through a stop light entering downtown Columbus.
-Make a left on Spring St (the first street after the stop light where you cross Walnut St).
-Make a right on Austin (the first street you hit on Spring St).
-BE CAREFUL! The roads in downtown are narrow and the turns are 90º.
-Make a left on Washington St (first street you hit on Austin St).
-WATCH OUT! on Washington there will be a bump as you cross Milam St (Milam St is almost like a speed bump where it crosses Washington).
-Make a left on Travis St, the fith street you hit on Washington.
-Make a right on Walnut St, the second street you hit on Travis.
-Stay on Walnut and you will cross the Colorado River via a metal bridge.
-The park is up ahead and that finishes one 17.1 mile loap. 2 more to go!




Piney Wood's Time Trial (10.2 miles): I looked for markers while driving the course which divide it into fiths, so you guys can have check points.

-NOTE, the course is point to point. It ends 10 miles out in the country where there are only famrs. Unless they have shuttles, you will have to bike back 10 miles to the high school on the same road you went out on. Watch out the riders who haven't finished on the way back.

-Course is rolling with small hills.
-CHECKPOINT 1: 2.2 miles (4k)- Look for large metal powerlines you will ride under.
-At 3.6 miles the road surface will change (you go over a bump and it changes color).
-CHECKPOINT 2: 4.1 miles - Look for a white, wodden gate on your right. The address is 1104.
-WARNING! At 4.8 miles there is a bridge with rough road on the right side.
-CHECKPOINT 3: 5.9 miles - Course crosses CR 153.
-CHECKPOINT 4: 8.0 miles - There is a decaying Barn on the left side on the road.
-At 8.9 miles, the road takes a hard right and climbs briefly.
-At 9.2 miles, the road takes a hard left.
-At 9.7 miles, there is a climb which will take you to the finish, so enjoy the uphill sprint!




Columbus Downtown Crit: Goes counter clockwise (all left turns)

-WARNING! There is a ditch with gravel on the inside of the first turn.
-WARNING! The third turn slopes downward. Control your speed if you take the outside turn, so you don't miss the turn and go down the grass hill into the Colorado River.
-WARNING! There is a very steep and very short hill on the course after crossing Jackson St. You should have enough speed to get up it without having to expend much energy, but watch for other riders who might slow down.
-WARNING! On the final turn there is a drain and gravel on the inside.

[cyclingmo]

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like a bunch of fun courses, just hate biking back after the TT.

[Crash]

Good post Alex, thanks for the heads up.

[The Islander]

Alex,

Nice post. 

Question:  On my long Saturday rides to Fulshear(52 miles), I consume 2 large water bottles and 2 small water bottles of Extran for the round trip.  What is your consumption estimate for the road race?

I will probably leave 2 large water bottles at the feedzone and bring a small water bottle and a large water bottle with me for the first lap and pick up a full wb and drop off an empty while passing through the zone.

Joel
 

[cyclingmo]

There's a feed zone? I had no idea, how does it work. I mean how do they know to give you your own bottles?

[FitAlex]

Alex,

Nice post.  

Question:  On my long Saturday rides to Fulshear(52 miles), I consume 2 large water bottles and 2 small water bottles of Extran for the round trip.  What is your consumption estimate for the road race?

I will probably leave 2 large water bottles at the feedzone and bring a small water bottle and a large water bottle with me for the first lap and pick up a full wb and drop off an empty while passing through the zone.

Joel
 

Sounds good. I would also stick two energy bars in your jersey and eat them during the first and second laps (near the feed zone or on Hwy 109 where the road is straight), so you don't bonk.

I don't know if we'll need to make use of the feed zone to be honest. I think it's there mainly for the P/1/2 riders who will be riding 85 miles.

[ThePrez]

The feedzone is necessary, trust me.  Use them to your advantage.  It will be hot tomorrow, especially since we will not be starting until after 11.  I will br trying to drink at least 4 bottles, maybe even 6.  My problems in the past have been not starting hydration soon enough, dont make the same mistake in the heat.  Alex, I am going to ride with Jason in the morning.  He is going to take some boxes for me, so I need to ride with him.  We are going to leave around 7:30ish.  Leo, give me a call tonight or tomorrow, (512)913-8593

[cyclingmo]

Well, the race is over, and we all learned something. I learned to:
1- Carry a shit load of water at all times, or else you'll cramp so bad and you'll have to get off your bike and walk.
2- Dont get dropped off in the Crit.
3- Dont get lost in the race.
.
.
.
You get the picture. Had an awesome time though.

PS: Blake, if you get a chance could you load a few of the pics you got. Thanks buddy.

[FitAlex]

Always wear gloves while riding because road rash on you hands is annoying. The bandaids keep falling off.

[cyclingmo]

Yup, another excellent point. You kinda need the skin in your palms.