IMFL Bike

No easy way to correlate 80 miles hills equal to 112 on flats.

I read a great commentary/analysis on IMFL wondering why since it is flat it doesn't have world record type times.

Part of issues was the run you and no variation on terrain that uses different muscles.

On the bike you will benefit from being able to stay in aero for the whole ride.

There is one bridge you climb both on the way out and back.

Hwy 20 between mile 60 and 70 has some rolling hills but not many.

Wind is a factor and it can be in your face for hours straight.

Read some race reports that explain the experience folks have on the bike.

I've never done the race, but I have ridden the course a lot while on vacation.  The bike course is flat.  Sure, there are some slight ups and downs, but you are going to think it is pancake flat.  You will struggle with holding your aero position for the whole race since you are used to getting out of aero on hills.  Also, the wind will give you fits.  You can be flying down wind feeling like Macca, and then turn into the wind and struggle to hold 12 mph.  

If you can swing it you should think about taking a trip down there this summer for some time at the beach and some recon rides.  You can stay anywhere from PCB to Destin and ride parts of the course.

Here's the profile from 2010 when I did it...

I would also recommend practicing staying in the aero position.  if you are riding hills a lot you get relief from aero, but you can ride 99% of Florida in the aero bars.  during the last 20-30 miles, there were a lot of people riding up right because they couldn't stay in aero.

Like others have said, it isn't pancake flat, but it isn't hilly.  the hardest hill is the bridge, but there are some gentle rolling hills for a about 20 miles of the course.  they are more fun hills that hard hils (coming from someone who hates hills).

The run is almost completely flat.

Agree, not too hilly but you have the wind.  Two years ago the wind in the face for the first half but at your back most of the 2nd half.  Last year the wind was in your face the whole way back.  I remember riding past mile 70 and cursing because I knew I had 40 more miles straight into the wind.  Ugh! 

enjoy,

Duane

Is the wind usually pretty predictable on the ride? Example: I live on the Atlantic coast and 90% of the time the wind will be coming out of the N/NE. Basically my question is should I expect headwinds the second half?

I own a condo down the beach from transition, which is at Boardwalk Beach and ride the course alot.  A couple years ago the chop was so bad the day before, many were scurrying for dramamine chewables.  Then race morning came and it was beautiful out there.  The bike course is flat as others have said.  I would practice staying in aero for all your rides leading up to November, even your trainer intervals.  This is a course you can manage in aero.  The overpass and a couple other inclines are short where you can get out of the saddle if needed for a stretch.  The roads are pretty smooth but I've flatted a number of times out there.  Just a couple months ago I finished my ride and later that night both tires were flat with staples in them.  Thats a new one.  So take your tubes.  I've ridden with many different wheel combos and feel you can get away with almost any of them.  Lots of people run disks but my best time was with a 90/90 combo.  If you're a light rider, maybe a 50 front is better.  You'll enjoy the whole event.  Have a great race!

November is typically one the windiest months in PCB...over 15 mph on average.  It mostly blows from the NE (but still get SE).  Summer is more like SW.  The last 30 miles of the course is South and then SE.  So I don't think you can count on headwinds.  Plus the last 8 or so miles down to T2 is kind of protected between the buildings and small shops.  If the wind is coming off the gulf though, you will feel it.  If thats the case, it may be a warm one.

I did 85% of my bike training for IMFL 2011 on the trainer in the garage due to work limitations on daylight.  Netflix was my friend at that time, but the movie selection was much better then than it is now.  I would say that I was well prepared for being aero for long periods, but not prepared for the bike handling aspect in the wind.  But for this course the trainer was fine for duration work. 

The wind shifted around the day I rode it.  Had several sections that were fast and several sections where I felt like I was crawling.  The fun part was coming in on front beach rd the wind hits you between the high rises and feels like your riding at an angle leaning into the wind.