Hydration systems, bottles etc.
Where do you guys prefer your bottles? do you use those speedfil things? Does it change HIM to IM? bike to bike? I would assume that you'd need more water for a warmer race than in cool temps. I'd just like to get a real world view of how this goes. Do you get off the bike in the middle of ironman and refill the bottles? Good tips needed.
Inquiring minds.
0
Comments
My one big lesson learned is that only water goes on the aerobars. Gatoraid (or whatever else) goes in the cage on the frame. I like to keep the sticky stuff away from my bars.
http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/6253/Default.aspx
That's exactly what I was wanting. ACTUAL info from the gals on what you do. I still have my road bike but I'm thinking the TT bike is in the future. I am curious as to how many people get off their bike too, during a race and why...and geez, I guess I should have volunteered for the bike course instead of the run course at IMFL!
I've also asked some of my beast-like friends here, but they are all so fast, they don't spend nearly as much time on the course as I likely will.
Thanks!
Taping the CO2 cartidges to the bike...what kind of tape do you think was used? I also think that reaching around back for water has to be hazardous! Thanks for the link!
Grabbing bottles from behind is actually just as easy as grabbing it from the frame- you just have to practice. I also have a rear hydration bottle cage doo-hicky that I will use quite a bit during training because there's no other way for me to be sure I have enough water during the rides otherwise.
Also HIGHLY recommend you practice the aid station bottle grab if you aren't already comfortable with that process. No- people don't generally stop when getting water from each aid station. You simply slow up a little, find the person you are going to take from, MAKE EYE CONTACT (I'll even point and nod- you, yeah I'm coming to YOU), then as you roll by you grab the bottle from them.
Bike aid stations are notorious for crashes because there's lots of folks doing stupid crap- so be on high alert and cautious. Stopping here (in the middle of the bottle exchange) is actually pretty dangerous. If you are going to stop, do so either just before the exchange or just after it (there are usually port-o-potties just after the bottle exchange as well, so many others are stopping here to take care of business.
Sarah
Let me know.
Santa is one man who is always welcomed, especially in the brown sleigh... my super duper security here at work won't let me look at those links...I'll try something else...what a generous offer! brb
OK, wow...I'll let you know. That might just work.
On opening gels- I've found some are easier to tear with the teeth than others. If you use CliffBlocks, tearing that packet open with your teeth can be a real challenge! So for more solid-ish stuff (like cliff blocks), I'll cut a small slit with sissors at the end to make it easier to tear during the race. This wouldn't be a good option for Gu/Gel as that could be very messy!
What does usually work nice with gels is using the electrical tape to tape the gel to your downtube. You place the tape just above the tear point on the packet and then when you want to use the gel you just rip in off right from the frame. The tape keeps the top down and makes it tear easier.
As for where to start on the swim, this kinda depends on how strong a swimmer you are and the race you are doing. So fill us in on some details here. How comfortable are you in the open water? What is your Swim TT pace/100? And what race are we talking about?
I have clip on bars that I have yet to install. Do you think they'll work? I'm not buying the tri bike until June.
I love love love my xlab torpedo for the front. Horizontal mount with a straw that
tucks. I do have to remember to let the
fluid out of the straw before I tuck it.
I put my electrolytes in it just fine.
There is also a computer mount on the front. I have a bottle on my down tube and two
bottles in my xlab on the back. So I
carry four bottles= 3-4 hours. For my IM, I had powder in my BSN bag and asked
the volunteers to put one bag of powder in each bottle, fill with water, and
shake. They were finished by the time I
got out of the porta pottie! Less than
three minutes and I was on my way.
Oh, cool thanks! I don't use gels so that won't be a problem (unless I have an emergency/bonk). I have the Red Shift Sports bars and I'm thinking about getting the stem also, that shifts into the TT position. With all the $ I'm currently spending on my new saddle, physical therapy, it's starting to get "real". I also have some new wheels that I've had since last year, and they STILL aren't on my bike! I should just take it to my bike shop. Those guys are great. I just don't like being without her for any length of time!