Hmm, what does "catching" a bottle mean? a newbie might be thinking.
Don't know about others, but when I'm getting a bottle (using the "look and point at specific volunteer" approach noted in wiki post), I reach my right hand out in front, and as I touch the bottle, I allow my hand to start moving backwards, to allow for that difference in speed between my forward motion and the bottle being somewhat stationary (although a good volunteer will trot a little once you point, making the speed differential less.)
So my hand starts out about 2.5 feet in front of me, and is 2.5 feet behind me by the time I've got a good grip on the bottle - also, then, if I drop it, it falls behind me, not down into my spokes!
Another point: the aid station is a good place to think about dousing your head and body with water if it's a warm/hot day. Just make sure its H20, and not Perform or Gatorade. Squirt some on your head/helmet, on youyr back, on your lap, and drink the remainder before tossing.
I reach my right hand out in front, and as I touch the bottle, I allow my hand to start moving backwards, to allow for that difference in speed between my forward motion and the bottle being somewhat stationary (although a good volunteer will trot a little once you point, making the speed differential less.)
So my hand starts out about 2.5 feet in front of me, and is 2.5 feet behind me by the time I've got a good grip on the bottle - also, then, if I drop it, it falls behind me, not down into my spokes!
This is exactly what I do. Note the bottles tend to be wet with condensation so slippery. If you drop one, get another.
Watch out for the idiot in front of you who gets a bottle then decides to hit the brakes to fill his/her aerobottle...after I get my bottle I get to the left side and away from the chaos.
Comments
Great! Having crashed getting a bottle last year, this is very helpful.
Great! Having crashed getting a bottle last year, this is very helpful.
Hmm, what does "catching" a bottle mean? a newbie might be thinking.
Don't know about others, but when I'm getting a bottle (using the "look and point at specific volunteer" approach noted in wiki post), I reach my right hand out in front, and as I touch the bottle, I allow my hand to start moving backwards, to allow for that difference in speed between my forward motion and the bottle being somewhat stationary (although a good volunteer will trot a little once you point, making the speed differential less.)
So my hand starts out about 2.5 feet in front of me, and is 2.5 feet behind me by the time I've got a good grip on the bottle - also, then, if I drop it, it falls behind me, not down into my spokes!
Another point: the aid station is a good place to think about dousing your head and body with water if it's a warm/hot day. Just make sure its H20, and not Perform or Gatorade. Squirt some on your head/helmet, on youyr back, on your lap, and drink the remainder before tossing.
This is exactly what I do. Note the bottles tend to be wet with condensation so slippery. If you drop one, get another.
Watch out for the idiot in front of you who gets a bottle then decides to hit the brakes to fill his/her aerobottle...after I get my bottle I get to the left side and away from the chaos.