Free Speed in T1 & T2 ???
Coaches RnP,
Watching the Four Keys DVD yesterday I noticed Patrick say that he hands the wetsuit & gear bag to a volunteer to have them stuff it in there while he is heading out on the bike. Is this a common practice & can I expect volunteers at IMUSA to help like this?
I also think I heard Patrick say coming in to T2 he hands his bike and helmet to a volunteer(s) and they put them back where they belong while he gets his run on. Again - is this acceptable? If so, these are a few less things I have to deal with in transition.
TW
0
Comments
Coming into T2- there will be someone there to grab your bike (you don't rack it yourself). But I've never given that person my helmet- they don't have anywhere to put it. You will run into the T2 changing tent area and give THAT person your helmet to stuff in your bag.
I always hand my helmet to the bike catcher (a cool job if your SO wants to volunteer - they can even catch YOUR bike) and say "Clip this to the handlebar for me." I also take my feet out of my shoes while still biking, before I enter the chute to T2, so bike, shoes and helmet are all together on the rack for me after I finish.
In T1, if it is super crowded (swim times of 64-78 minutes), you can just pile all your stuff on top of your T1 bag, and someone will eventually put it all back in. OTH, taking 30 seconds to SLOWLY and SURELY stuff it all in can help smooth your transition nerves, if you're not trying to shave every possible second.
Take a sharpie to the race, and number shoes, helmet, wet suit, etc.
This is an individual race, be self-reliant, there is no dedicated pit crew for you.
At IMFL2008-T1, there weren't enough volunteers to take my wettie, stuff it in a bag and hand me my bike stuff. I even had to put on my own sunscreen leaving the tent.
At IMCDA2009-T2, there weren't enough to take my bike, I had to rack it myself. Know your rack spot for both T1 and T2, do a walk through ON YOUR OWN.
If you don't want to sit around and wait for someone to help you, expect to do it yourself. Be pleasantly surprised if there are some peeps to help - and be sure to thank them.
P
I would demand service and yell and scream until you get it
I agree if plan on doing it all yourself, you will be happy when someone helps youl
here's my Ricky Racer, top secret, I-can't raise-my-FTP / VDOT-so-I-transition-fast t1 approach:
-if allowed: sunglasses, helmet, shoes and all food attached to bike.
-fold up t1 bag into 5" x 5" square. Tuck under chest of wetsuit.
-swim, exit, remove wetsuit as soon as you're out of the water, bag it as you're running, throw the bag in the pile on the fly.
-Bonus points: if possible, find a route that lets you bypass the changing tent when running to the bike and avoid the chaos therein.
From the Athlete's Guide for WTC IM races:
"Helmets and cycling shoes MUST go into the athlete’s bike gear bag. No loose gear will be allowed on the ground next to the bicycles."
(Barney the Purple Dinosaur)
3 trips to Lp, and vol's were mac daddy at all three, swim around 1:10 and the tent will be full so raceday i exit the tent to put stuff on and go. each time I had a vol. to grab my stuff when I was finished. Someone made a good point to be ready to do it yourself. I've had to get my swim to ride bag several times and coming out of the swim is not the time to look for a vol. that is busy helping others to get your stuff and have no clue where your bag is and you see 2,000 bags in front you. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Pg
going in 29 days to resign up for 2011
MikeN
as for LP you really would not want shoes on the bike. The mount area is really small and narrow and then there is a really steep narrow hill you ride down. People end their race there every year. The thought of folks swerving and attempting to get feet in shoes or ride the hill with feet on top of shoes is scary.