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Heartland Open
NC-ITT*
6.9-mile Conditioning Tester



Last Thursday of the Month during the Summer
5:30 PM
North Point Drive, Stevens Point
(At the Nature Center, Schmeeckle Reserve, UWSP)

* Non-Competition Individual Time Trial.
   This is NOT a race, but a chance to track your conditioning over the summer.

Event:   Have you ever wanted to see in numbers how you have been progressing in your conditioning/training over the summer? If so, here’s a way you can do that.

 During the biking season this summer (May-September), on the last Thursday of each month the first hour of the Sport Training Ride from Herrschner’s will feature an individual ride conducted as a non-competition individual time trial (TT). The TT, over a 6.9-mile loop course to the north, called the "Nature Loop", will start 5:30 PM on North Point Drive at the UWSP Schmeeckle Nature Center. Riders will start at one-minute intervals and a timer will record start and finish times. We will keep the times over the summer for the participants so each can track the progress of their conditioning/ training. Following the TT, the Thursday Sport Ride that normally leaves from Herrschner’s will leave for a 25-30 mile training ride (See Thursday Sport Ride for more information.)

Riders:   This is an open event and any bike rider may join in. We are assuming those with road bikes will be most interested in this event. If you are in training for competition, such as a triathlon or road race, this may be of particular benefit to you, as you will be able to track your training/conditioning over the summer. But you do NOT have to be preparing for competion to participate in this event--you only need to be interested in how your biking conditioning is progressing over the summer months. You can ride your bike at ANY speed, and the speed you choose will not be compared to other riders for this event. THIS IS NOT A RACE. You will ride against yourself and/or the clock, not other riders.

Course (6.9 miles / 10.8 kilometers):

  • Start -- North Point Drive at Schmeeckle Reserve Nature Center;
  • West on North Point Drive to N. Reserve for .3 miles;
  • Right turn onto N. Reserve Street for 2.5 miles;
  • Right turn onto Jordan Road for .9 miles;
  • Right turn onto Wishire Blvd. for 2.5 miles;
  • Right turn onto North Point Drive for .7 miles
  • Finish Line -- North Point Drive at Schmeeckle Reserve Nature Center.

Event Procedures and Requirements:
  1. Participants must "sign-in" by 5:30 PM. Signing-in constitutes a waiver holding Heartland Club, its Officers, and members harmless for injury or damage (participation in this event is at your own risk).
  2. Event will start at 5:45 PM at 1-minute start intervals. Start sequence will be determined by the event host based on the stated or assumed speed riders will travel over the course, fastest to slowest. Riders will start from a stand-still with one foot on the ground and begin their ride at the signal from the starter.
  3. The event host will record and hold for future referrence the time it takes each rider to cover the prescribed course.
  4. Participants:
    1. must always wear a helmet when on their bikes;
    2. are responsible for obeying all traffic laws and safety procedures;
    3. are responsible for avoiding unsafe conditions, such as dirt/sand/gravel and other obstructions on the road, conflicts with moving vehicles and animals, etc.;
    4. who ride individually may not obtain help from other riders (no drafting) and/or vehicles and spectators. Teams must ride and finish together with no more than 36" separation between riders.

Things to Remember:
  • The course will not be marked on the road.
  • You will be responsible for getting yourself back to the start point. You will need to rely on the map or other means if you get off the course.
  • Roads will NOT be closed to motor vehicle traffic, so always stay on the right side of the road and in bike lanes when available. If you bridge the gap with the rider(s) ahead of you, stay well clear and pass on the left when the road is clear of traffic both in front and to the rear.
Event Host:
Jack Friess jfriess@spacs.k12.wi.us (715) 340-3132