IMLou Questions - Odds & Ends
So just throwin' together a couple of odds and ends..
1.) Just added a Speedfil A2 frontend hydration system...love it.; A couple of questions for those who have it also
- do you do anything to manage the drink tube...or just let fly...I'm inclined not to worry about it...it doesn't seem to be in the way?
- does everyone use the bite tube or is it easier without?
2.) At IM Lou last year I had 4 bottles (2 inback, 1 downtube, fronthydration Aeordrink bottle) and I had nutrition in the Aeordrink (Perpetuem), and mostly water in the rest....I have since learned more about nutrition/hydration and am planning on going straight Perform in all bottles and gels/bars...........QUESTION: since I am going with the on course fluid of choice...I was thinking of dispensing with the 2 bottles in the back and just using the downtube and Speefil...the refilling the Speefil with Perform from the course with the downtube as a back up/extra.... or should I keep the cages attached and then always have a water and or perform from the course in the back as back up too..............
3.) Last year at IMLou I changed 2 times...speedsuit to bibs/bike kit to trishorts/top kit....this year I'm thinking of...speedsuit - to trishorts/bike shirt - to just changing out to tri top for the run.....Question? Do most of you ride and run in the same shorts or change? This year I have found Desoto Forza shorts and think they are perfect for both the ride and run........
4.) What bike/saddle lube do you use? I'm currently just using bodyglide...but have heard/would like something thicker/heavier
5.) Where do y'all keep your tire changing stuff?
Comments
Joe, everyone has their own way. Here's mine:
Q2: I run a torhans up front and a cage on the seat post. If i need more (which I haven't yet), I plan to throw a bottle in a jersey pocket. No need for extra cages.
Q3: I'm swimming/biking in tri-shorts and changing into running shorts for the run. Takes all of 15 seconds to drop one and pull the other up. My undercarriage thanks me for the freedom after the bike.
Q5: Small bag under the seat.
YMMV. See you in the ville.
2) you prolly don't need the bottles on the back, maybe you could put your tire change kit back there.
3) at IMLou last yr, I wore my tri shorts and kit top under my speed suit. In T1, I took the speed suit off and didn't change again all day. It's really personal preference and doesn't take all that long to change.
4) I also use Bodyglide and would also like to find something better.
All good advice. I've been using Aquaphor for a couple years. Cheap, you can get it everywhere, it works, and it's cheap.
Tri kit under speed suit. Take speed suit off after swim and don't change all day.
We raced Mont Tremblant yesterday only using Aquafor and fared better than all other races where we used chamois butter. My vote is Aquafor.
Tools/tubes under seat pouch
We use aero bottle and one on down tube.
Nothing behind seat.
Bottles on down and seat tubes. Bottle between aerobars. Plenty.
All tools and nutrition in brevet bag. Tube tube/stem. Clean. No stuff hanging around. Tube. Multitool that includes tire levers. . Wipperman chain links. Derauiler hanger. Valve extender. Valve core tool. Tire boot. Cable splitters. All add minimal weight and make you fully self sufficient.
Speed suid over outfit for the whole day. Desoto tri bibs and en top. Drop suspenders on run.
I use the speedfill aero drink bottle. Bite valve intact, and loop it from right to left around bike computer on aerobars and tucked inside left elbow rest. I use on course nutrition as well, and keep a bottle of perform in a cage on the aerobars. This make the cockpit busy, but it works for me. I make a point of filling the aerobottle when I am sitting up on the last hill before the next aid station, and get a new bottle of perform every aid station. Might be a touch wasteful, but if you are lucky, they keep the drinks on ice, so you get a cold one.
I leave my cages on the back. There was a thread somewhere last year that suggested it does not effect aerodynamics too much. I put all me flat tire stuff in a drink bottle and tape the bottle to the cage well. I talc my tubes heavily before putting them in there because it is quite a tight fit. I can't seem to find a good seat bag for the P3 setup with an agressive forward position.
Re: clothes - Bike shorts, EN top and are coolers under wetsuit; change to running shorts in T2.
Body glide first, then Aquaphor. Liberally applied.
Hope this helps, and good luck in Louisville!
In terms of lube, the best that I've ever used is Lantiseptic Skin Protectant...originally a tip from a friend that's a cross-country ski racer
...put it on the tri short pad and skin before the swim, and that's it...still there and working 13 hours later, same shorts...I used to change in both T1 and T2, but no longer need to
In terms of hydration I use a standard, frame mounted Speedfill for water...holds up to 40 ounces...and a NeverReach for Perform...up to 64 ounces...easy to manage
This has been great! thanks for all the feedback.....