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Is it too "fred" to wear a cycling jersey in an Oly?

baprincebaprince
in General Training Discussions

I have an Oly race coming up, and the water temp is 82, so this race is clearly non-wetsuit. I don't have a speedsuit or singlet, so my options are: struggle to get my race top on in T1; or race in a cycling jersey that zips all the way open (self-editing the last option, no race top, for everyone's benefit).

I'm definitely MOP, but we all like to look pro.  Plus, this race is attended by most of our local tri-club so there will be a lot of mojo wearing the local club kit.  Wearing a cycling jersey will take away that mojo.

Is it worth the T1 time to look cooler?  Any tips for getting a race top on in T1?

Comments

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    If it's hot, why wear any top? Putting on a top over wet skin is going to cost you some serious transition time. USAT rules don't require a top (WTC does), and down here in Florida you will see a large percentage of men without any top from May into Oct. Just don't wreck! image
  • Joseph LombardiJoseph Lombardi

     Swim in a race/Tri top.  Cycling in the bike top I think would be okay...but running in it...now that's Fred....plus its gonna be hot to run in.

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    I'll be Frank, yes, it's Fred.

    Borrow a singlet or non-cycling jersey from a local tri team member, or go topless like Paul suggests.
  • jetskrjetskr
    I have a race Sunday that won't be wetsuit legal as well and I plan on swimming in my EN top. I'm not sure how much more drag it creates but it doesn't feel bad. One option for putting it on in T1 is to put your feet in first and pull it up. Maybe not the most masculine move but WAY quicker than trying to pull on a wet jersey while wet.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    It's FRED. Swim in the top unless you have an upper body that is just shredded. If that is the case, why would you even own a top, or a shirt for that matter.... image
  • foolio_mugooliofoolio_mugoolio
    Swim in the tri top. I always where mine with or without a wetsuit. A lot of people do that.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    I would not swim in a tri top unless the pockets have a flap to cover. As for running on in a cycling jersey, I think it is fine. I did a local olympic a few weeks ago and some dude in my AG cruised past me on the run at mile 3 wearing a cycling jersey. He ran a 38:xx 10k. I don't think he's a "fred". I think he's a fast runner. Also I agree with Paul, why wear a top at all if that's allowable?
  • foolio_mugooliofoolio_mugoolio
    I don't know, for me my tri tops, at least the ones that I wear, are so fitted at the little pockets are supertight. There's no way they open up and flap around in the water. I only made a mistake one time to leave my tri top in T1. It took me so long to put it on because my body was wet that i vowed to never do that again. Of course, that was just my own personal experience with it.
  • baprincebaprince
    Thanks all. I took my tri-top to the pool and it really seemed to affect my comfort and speed, so wearing it in the water during the race is out. I expected to hear a lot more, "go with whatever is fastest" but it seems that the jersey is so Fred that it outweighs saving a few seconds.

    I tested Jeff's suggestion to pull the top up, which while not masculine works surprisingly well. I guess I'll make a game-time decision of no-top or pull the top up in T1. Thanks for saving me from a super-Fred moment.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    It absolutely does matter. Form over function, always, says the guy who just bought new gloves and tall socks to finally complete the matchy matchy EN cycling kit ensemble!

  • kjanracingkjanracing
    You are a triathlete. It would be FRED if you wore a rear view mirror on your helmet. How about a one piece tri suit?
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