Tawas Bay HIM Course Preview
ByIn preparation for the September event hosted by 3 Disciplines, we decided to drive up on Saturday morning and do a bike course preview. In a nutshell, this course is one of the best I’ve ridden. 3D has done a great job in laying out this course, even though it is relatively simple. The scenary is awesome, and depending on the weather, it should make for some relatively fast times. Here’s my breakdown of the course, from a non biased point of view.
After crossing over the main road out of transition, the ride starts on some pretty new pavement, so I’m sure alot of people will be scorching through the neighborhoods out towards Monument road. There are a couple of quick turns getting out of town, but it’s all flat. If you are riding before the race, the pavement isn’t marked, so you need to watch for the turn onto Monument. (We missed it and had to back track to find it.) There is a corner bar on your left at this turn.
Make a right at this intersection. (This is the opposite view)
Heading out on Monument, it is nice and smooth pavement. The roads are in awesome shape along the route and you can count the number of cracks or potholes on one hand. The road traffic was busy on this Saturday morning, but we had lots of stretches with no traffic. Keep an eye on your back if you are riding 2 abreast. The road out on Monument is a bit deceaving. We had a bit of a tailwind, which changed throughout the day and we were clipping along at 25+mph at 150 watts. (Not much effort). Plus, heading out on Monument is a bit of a decline, which you don’t notice, until the return. This goes for about 15 miles, until the turn onto River Road.
Looking back onto Monument
River Road is a very scenic route. We again continued with a tailwind. It also is heading downhill with a nice descent about 5 miles into it. You will top out over 30+ mph in your aerobars. Near the end of it, you pass the Dam Pond and the campgrounds. There also multiple National Park latrines along the route, so if you have an emergency, there are places along the way. The Dam Store was pretty busy this morning with all the campers loading up their coolers. (Not sure how busy it will be on race day.) Ride with your head up!
No...that's not Kenny
So, we started working our way back after the turnaround. Note to other riders, you better have something left in the tank, or this is where you will blow your day. Hopefully, you’ve ridden conservatively throughout the first half, because, depending on the wind, it will be a tough ride home. River Road heads up, just past the campground, and you will be climbing for a couple of minutes trying to reach the crest. Your speed will drop and power will increase. But, wait. You will need more later.
Heading back River Road
The good thing is once you crest over the top, there is some downhill sailing. At this point, you are about 30+ miles into your ride. You continue on for a bit onto the right hand turn onto Cooke Dam Road. RELIEF! This is fast sailing along here with the nice, fast multi turn bends. (Note to 3D: There is a lot of gravel on the downhill turns on this section that would be nice if it was cleared, otherwise, you will have some wrecks.) After the downhills, with a tailwind, we were moving along at 25+mph to the turnaround point.
Beautiful Scenary at this pointTurn around
The Lumberman Monument
Surfing Anyone?
