IMLP Extended Forecast - 70% Rain

Bryan Davis

IMLP Extended Forecast - 70% Rain. 

Granted the race is 10 days off and weather forecast could (will) change in between time but i was wondering if you had rain day tips or things to watch out for? 

Mark Roberts

Take arm warmers, knee warmers etc. in case of rain on race day. I raced in the deluge in 2008 when it rained all day and the high temperature was only 58 or so and was pretty cold in a singlet and shorts. Hands were numb and shaking at by the time I got to the bottom of the descent into Keane.

Kerrie Freeborn

I'd bring the warm stuff Mark mentioned and some additional items Coach Rich suggested last year when it became clear it was going to rain on race day (moderate rain for parts of the day, in the low 60s for the bike, I think). Coach R told me to stick a tyvek envelope (think USPS) in my top and use tube socks with holes cut in the feet for arm warmers. Then dump them (in an appropriate trash disposal location) after Keene. Depending on temp, you may well be warm enough after the descent to ditch the envelope/socks and won't need them on the 2nd loop. Able to get the envelope but not the socks in LP last year. Coach was right - carried those stupid arm warmers ~100 miles in my jersey pocket.

And I'd add big ziplock/trash bags for your transition/special needs bags. I double-bagged my stuff, so everything stayed dry. I thought more time-efficient in rain. Have to unzip or tear open the interior bag, but easier & therefore faster to put on dry socks & shoes than wet and to separate dry items in special needs bag than wet ones.

Coach Patrick

Make sure your brakes aren't on carbon rims. all that warm stuff, but flexible -- vest you
Can open is good, plastic bag you can't is NOT. Extra body glide for chafing on the run and yes to visor / hat to keep rain off face on run. Anyone else??

morpheus

I was lucky enough to finish IMAtlantis (also known as LP) in 2008. Rained heavy the whole day. HUGE fun! seriously...it was. Be cognizant of all the folks squeezing their brakes for dear life on the down hills. There was so much trepidation that peeps were riding 4 across, sitting up, and clamping down. I went hoarse yelling over the rain that I was moving thru (always stay left, they love to 'I'm Sorry!' their way from left to right when they're riding 3-4 across).

Have the right lens for glasses. If it's raining heavily, it's a tuff call between no vision glasses or sans glasses with crap flying up at you the whole time. Have a plan for that.

Reliving it today. Last big ride before a vacay with no workouts. It's pouring here all day. I could bail. But, you've just motivated me to remember it's ok to ride when the weather doesn't perfectly suit my plans!

Good luck.

Al Truscott

There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

Temperature is a factor. Rainy IM bikes in the mid 60s I've done OK with just DeSoto Wings as extra protection. On the run, the same was fine down to 50F. If the bike is in the 50s, then additional layer might be needed. We generate a lot of heat when our HR is high Z1/low Z2, where it should be for the bike and run.

Cover your drive train with plastic bag the day before to prevent loss of oil, rusting. Also the headset.

morpheus

If it does rain heavy most of the day, you will accept the conditions quickly. Everyone else racing in it, too. Put extra extra extra coats of body glide or similar all over your feet in T1. Worked for me. Didn't have a single problem from the waterlogged shoes. I hit the med tent after to follow up on a low body temp and I immediately noticed how many athletes were having layers of skin peeled & cleaned, debrided, because of running for 4-5hrs on waterlogged feet. The lube might make it really slippery but it acts as a water repellant, too.

Coach Patrick

There is also a product calld Rain-Ex (I think) that an angel gave me back in the early days of our Tour of California camp -- it rain just beads off your lenses keeping them super clean!!!

Bryan Davis

Everybody- thanks for your helpful tips. The weather forecast must change about three times a day for LP.

@ Mark - thanks for the sock idea. I might use them rain or shine depending on the temp.

@ Patrick & Mike- thanks for he heads up on the body glide on the feet. I agree the hat or visor is a must in the rain. THe Rain is a nice touch on the eye wear.

@ Al- i agree with you on the bad weather aspect. My  main love is to mountaineering, before i became a slave to IM, and proper clothing make all the difference in the world!