The Ironman Texas in The Woodlands needs new bike route

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Ironman Texas is a premiere sporting event scheduled to happen in just weeks in The Woodlands which includes a 112 mile bike course.

The bike course begins in the Woodlands and stretches into rural Texas, but race officials say road construction, east of Magnolia and stretching north through the Sam Houston National Forest puts the route in jeopardy.

Premiere competition needs new route by May 14 (KTRK)

TJ Fry is an Ironman Texas competitor, "To ride through all the areas that we know and train on, it's a big deal."

So for competitors, word of a big change so close to race day is unnerving, especially he says for first-time competitors.

"It causes a bit of panic."

The Woodlands Township chairman, Ed Robb says he's hopeful county commissioners will find a solution. He says the race will still originate in The Woodlands, and negotiations look promising with a possible route into part of Harris County. That's good because of all that's riding on securing a new portion of the route.

"It's over a 5 million dollar impact, with 7600 hotel nights," says Robb.

Race officials say they are still finalizing details of the new portion of the bike route, and hope to have an announcement soon.