Friday, February 02, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
IM CDA BIKE COURSE CHANGE for 2007
Ford Ironman set to pedal north
BRIAN WALKERStaff writer
Bike course in Hayden zips past final hurdle
KOOTENAI COUNTY -- Switching the Ford Ironman's bike course from Post Falls to Hayden is all downhill from here.
Hayden Lake was the last city to sign off on the proposal and did so Monday night.
"There's still some details to iron out, but we're moving forward believing this will be the new course," said race director Andy Emberton. "Over the next few days we'll determine the exact streets here and there, but overall we have a pretty good idea."
The course runs up 15th Street to the plateau above Hayden Lake, through the Rimrock area, then comes south on Government Way.
Triathlon athletes believe the course will be a stiffer challenge than Post Falls due to the rolling hills and less recovery period as a result. That's why they're looking forward to the change.
"The new course will be hillier, but then you can let go on the downhill and won't have to slow down any," Coeur d'Alene's Bill Travis said Tuesday. "I think it will be a lot better."
Travis called the Post Falls route "boring." Riders said they won't miss the tight, technical turns of Riverview Drive, where multiple accidents have occurred, the wooden ramp over the railroad tracks and the thin Centennial Trail.
"Change is good," said Post Falls' Chrystie Hjeltness.
Coeur d'Alene's Mike Gaertner said there was a lot of "meandering" in Post Falls, including the Greyhound Park and the railroad bridge, that slowed riders down.
He said even if the Hayden route needs tweaking after the first year, the potential for a better course is greater.
"Even if it isn't smooth the first year, I'm sure they can get dialed into a smoother course," he said. "I love riding in that area."
Emberton called the Hayden course "better and safer."
"We're eliminating some things that caused us concern," he said. "With Post Falls' growth, businesses are moving there like crazy."
Emberton said one of the few remaining unsolved areas of the course is where to connect Government Way to Fourth on the way back to Coeur d'Alene.
Hayden officials would like the course on Government Way to create a vibrant downtown event and have set aside $10,000 to pay for expenses such as traffic control.
Emberton said construction is planned for Government Way, but hopes a lane will remain open during the race.
Having Hayden Days coincide with Ironman in June is being considered.
The mood has been different in Post Falls, where city officials realize the economic benefits Ironman brings but have asked for reimbursement for extra city services used during the event. Their reasoning is that Ironman is an out-of-state, for-profit company.
Post Falls' expenses have been about $11,000 per race and have been split between Ironman and the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce.
The 112-mile bike course will still include Higgens Point along Lake Coeur d'Alene. Coeur d'Alene's downtown and City Park are the hub for the race, which also includes a 2.4-mile swim and a 26.2-mile run.
BRIAN WALKERStaff writer
Bike course in Hayden zips past final hurdle
KOOTENAI COUNTY -- Switching the Ford Ironman's bike course from Post Falls to Hayden is all downhill from here.
Hayden Lake was the last city to sign off on the proposal and did so Monday night.
"There's still some details to iron out, but we're moving forward believing this will be the new course," said race director Andy Emberton. "Over the next few days we'll determine the exact streets here and there, but overall we have a pretty good idea."
The course runs up 15th Street to the plateau above Hayden Lake, through the Rimrock area, then comes south on Government Way.
Triathlon athletes believe the course will be a stiffer challenge than Post Falls due to the rolling hills and less recovery period as a result. That's why they're looking forward to the change.
"The new course will be hillier, but then you can let go on the downhill and won't have to slow down any," Coeur d'Alene's Bill Travis said Tuesday. "I think it will be a lot better."
Travis called the Post Falls route "boring." Riders said they won't miss the tight, technical turns of Riverview Drive, where multiple accidents have occurred, the wooden ramp over the railroad tracks and the thin Centennial Trail.
"Change is good," said Post Falls' Chrystie Hjeltness.
Coeur d'Alene's Mike Gaertner said there was a lot of "meandering" in Post Falls, including the Greyhound Park and the railroad bridge, that slowed riders down.
He said even if the Hayden route needs tweaking after the first year, the potential for a better course is greater.
"Even if it isn't smooth the first year, I'm sure they can get dialed into a smoother course," he said. "I love riding in that area."
Emberton called the Hayden course "better and safer."
"We're eliminating some things that caused us concern," he said. "With Post Falls' growth, businesses are moving there like crazy."
Emberton said one of the few remaining unsolved areas of the course is where to connect Government Way to Fourth on the way back to Coeur d'Alene.
Hayden officials would like the course on Government Way to create a vibrant downtown event and have set aside $10,000 to pay for expenses such as traffic control.
Emberton said construction is planned for Government Way, but hopes a lane will remain open during the race.
Having Hayden Days coincide with Ironman in June is being considered.
The mood has been different in Post Falls, where city officials realize the economic benefits Ironman brings but have asked for reimbursement for extra city services used during the event. Their reasoning is that Ironman is an out-of-state, for-profit company.
Post Falls' expenses have been about $11,000 per race and have been split between Ironman and the Coeur d'Alene Area Chamber of Commerce.
The 112-mile bike course will still include Higgens Point along Lake Coeur d'Alene. Coeur d'Alene's downtown and City Park are the hub for the race, which also includes a 2.4-mile swim and a 26.2-mile run.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Friday, January 05, 2007
Birds and Bikes
Saturday a group of us were riding and I was talking about how this time of year Robins and Cedar Waxwings travel together in flocks. Everyone looked at me like I was nuts. Of course,nobody knew what a cedar waxwing was either. Cedar waxwings are one of the most beautiful birds we have in North America and is a winter visitor here in north Texas. You will see them traveling in flocks and feeding on berry laden trees and shrubs such as hollys. This morning a flock of an estimated 50-100 cedars and 25-50 robins visited my yard and was quite a joy to myself and Laurie. What a great morning, a couple thousand meters in the pool, a weight session, a hearty breakfast, and the joy of what Mother Nature provides us and all before 8:30 AM. It is a sign of a great day to come I think.
The day has come and almost gone. Had to wait for blog to allow pictures. Thanks for changing setting Curt.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Blog for IM CDA 07
You have all been sent an invitation to join our blog for IMCDA.
Jim wants this to be open for anyone to post to.
I think Jim plans to use this as the main source for info about workouts...
This is just a preliminary draft. I plan to make changes soon.
Please let me know (here or via email) if you want anything to be posted here.
Happy New Year
Curt
Jim wants this to be open for anyone to post to.
I think Jim plans to use this as the main source for info about workouts...
This is just a preliminary draft. I plan to make changes soon.
Please let me know (here or via email) if you want anything to be posted here.
Happy New Year
Curt
Friday, December 22, 2006
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