How to setup T1 bike if forecast calls for heavy rain/flooding

Wolf Gottschalk

Race is on Sunday. Weather forecast for Saturday is heavy rain and flooding. Need to do bike drop off and racked on Saturday.

Any advice on how much I can cover of the bike and what I should try to cover? I know the rules state that you can't use a "bike cover", but can you (should you) cover drive train, etc? I'm also racing my Flo wheels and disc cover and am concerned that water will pool somewhere in the rim?

Thanks for your help!

Al Truscott

Wolf, I make sure I cover the drive train, to save parts from rust, and keep the grease from washing off. If you have electronic shifting, any exposed junction box should be protected. Some people cover saddles, but I don't bother; its gonna get wet anyway cause I've been in the water.

You can buy a product meant to protect drive trains while a bike is on the top of a car (Google bicycle drivetrain cover). But I just jury rig something with plastic bags.

bob hiller

Wolf, good luck in your race.  In addition to Al's suggestions, when you rack your bike on Saturday, you may want to turn your wheels so the valves are at the 12 o'clock position.  That way you may limit, or avoid, the pooling of water inside your rims.   When you get to your bike in the morning, check to see if there is water in your rims and try to "shake" out the water, if you can. 

Also, depending on how your bike is racked, i.e., one or both wheels resting on the ground, you may want to put something 1" or 2" high under your wheel(s) to raise them up above the possible flood level.  

Wolf Gottschalk

@ Al - thanks! Will do!

@Bob- thanks! I should clarify a bit. The Flo wheels are aluminum rims with a carbon "deep rim" sleeve attached to it. The spokes are attached to the aluminum rim itself but there is a hole in the carbon sleeve itself through which the spoke passes. My fear was that water would find its way into these holes and settle where the carbon sleeve is glued to the actual aluminum rim. Hope this makes sense? Someone suggested just wrapping the holes where the spokes are with electricians tape (only the ones that might be exposed to the heavy downpours, etc) and thereby minimizing the amount of water that can get in there. Don't know, and don't know if this is even a concern or not but the forecast of flooding is what made me a bit concerned.

bob hiller

Wolf, sounds like you're on top of this.  I'm looking forward to hear about your race.

MattAaronson

My $0.02...

1. Tether your bike to the rack in case the storms blow the bike around

2. Personally I don't worry about covering things up, although a plastic grocery bag on the drivetrain if you can is probably good

3. As you should anyway, go with a minimal setup on the day of the race. Nothing on the ground other than your running shoes which you can cover with a plastic grocery bag to keep dry

4. Bring a big garbage bag in which to put your backpack/transition bag so your dry clothing and other non-race stuff doesn't get soaked

Danielle Santucci

Wolf, I just raced in Syracuse last weekend with all of the elements (rain, thunder, lightning, wind, etc.). I'm with Matt when it comes to trying to keep your bike dry, it becomes a moot point if the second you uncover everything it gets wet anyway. I say that from recent experience. Covered everything the night before to protect from the evening rain only to be setting up in transition and 2 seconds later the sky opened up and poured on us...wet bike. What I highly suggest doing is covering your transition area stuff (shoes, bib, visor, socked, etc) with a kitchen garbage bag. It kept my stuff pretty dry. I also stuck my run socks in my T2 "to go" ziplock and although they eventually got soaked on the run it was nice to put on dry socks for a bit. Good luck to you in NJ!!!