Hi Trevor -- I volunteered at Bike Special Needs last year. It is not a pain to pick anything up. We had people out very quickly. Even if we didn't have your bag pulled before you rode up, it usually took twenty seconds to grab it, if not less. Volunteers and not supposed to hand you things, so we opened up bags, and, um, handed people things when asked. We mixed nutrition. And yes, you can just throw all sorts of wrappers, etc. and not worry about putting them back in the bag. We volunteers were pro at that. We wanted to get you on your way just as fast as you wanted to be there!
There was a lot of talk about using volunteers in transition, what are you all having these volunteers do for you? I know I need someone to give me my transition bag, and I'll want someone to help put on sunscreen, but what else do they usually help with?
Thanks!
Good question! It's all a blur in my mind, but they can help you make your transitions like an asembly line. For T1, dump out your bag, and as you disrobe or admin whatever you have to, you hand it all to the volunteer and they pack it back up for you. Wetsuit--you don't have to fuss putting it in. They can hand you your socks, your helmet, hold your sunglasses, etc. Just tell them what you want. T2, they pack your helmet, your bike shoes, your glasses, hold your visor till you need it, all that stuff that doesn't sound like much, but those are the last things you want to be messin' with. I had NO volunteers in T1 or T2 in my first IM, and vowed I would never let it happen again. I'm like a warrior making sure I get somebody to help me. Let me just say that my T1 time in the same race went from almost 15' to 8' with a volunteer. Sure, I got more focused the second time around and Rich threatened to kick me in my non-existent nuts if I took that long again ), but I also just let go of being responsible for my bag and what was in it, and just tore through getting myself outta there. Here's praying I do the same this time.
Never used bike special needs--don't want to stop and spend the time.. Doesn't look complicated from what I see, but if I can avoid that bit of admin I do. Probably take a few minutes at best. I'll be out there long enough on that stupid bike as it is so I try to avoid doing this and that and digging in bags.
@Kathy - as Trevor said you would probably know if you have latex tubes. For clinchers, they are typically green or red instead of black and cost about twice as much... but are worth every penny in my opinion for races. They are considered to be much better as they reduce the rolling resistance of the race wheels. I personally don't see any reason to use them in training though.
@Trevor - as Beth said spcial needs is typically very good and the volunteers try their hardest to be perfect and have everything for you as quick as possible. Just evaluate your goals and decide if you are willing to accept the risk of relying on someone else to get your nutrition to you or having to completely stop. I don't know what your goals are but just wanted to mention this. To 95% of the people racing this is not big deal... to me last year 50 seconds was a big deal and litterally change my life this year. I blew by SN at well over 20mph, if I had to slow to stop, wait 20 seconds for a bag, then accelerate again, that 50 seconds could have been gone right there.
If you have tubulars then it would depend on the brand and model of your tire, but I'm guessing you have clinchers. In that case, you'd probably know if you had Latex tubes because you really have to go out of your way to find them. Standard butyl tubes are the black ones that you can get anywhere, latex are thinner and finnickier. Anyway, if you fill up your tires and you still have decent air pressure in them the next day, you've got butyl.
No on tubulars and no on latex! Thanks Trevor and Matt. Good stuff to know though. Prolly just keep on using what I have been riding on.
As for stopping at special needs, I could have the race of my life and I wouldn't be within rolldown range, I'm just not there yet, so stopping probably won't kill me. However, I really would love to have my bike be as fluid as possible, stopping due to all of my mechanicals last RR was super distracting and I know I'll have a better race if I spend more time "in the zone" and less time stopped. BUT I don't think I can bring myself to pee on the bike so I'll probably be stopping either way.
I could possibly make it on my nutrition plan by carrying 3 fuel bottles on my bike and depending on my aerodrink + aid station refills for all of my water but I always carry at least one bottle of water only on my bike to refill the aerodrink, last thing I'd want to do is run low on water. Other option would be getting a speedfill... but I've clearly already entered into taper hysteria and have been spending way too much time obsessing over everything. Changing equipment, like using a Speedfill when I never did in my RRs just sounds ill-advised to me 3 weeks out.
Reminds me though, I want to replace my aerodrink straw with bendable plastic tubing so I can fold it over the back for aero purposes, anyone know what diameter tubing it takes? I'll measure it when I get home if not.
Reminds me though, I want to replace my aerodrink straw with bendable plastic tubing so I can fold it over the back for aero purposes, anyone know what diameter tubing it takes? I'll measure it when I get home if not.
Trevor,
I went to menards and bought tubing 1/2 in by 3/8 inch. Had to buy 10 ft of it...that was the smallest bundle. I like the longer tubing, seems to work well. I tuck the extra length under my front cable and it stays there perfectly!
Trevor, I cut up a really old camelbak. Fit perfectly. I liked it a whole lot more than the stiff straw. It wasn't in my face when I got down low in aero position.
As for stopping at special needs, I could have the race of my life and I wouldn't be within rolldown range, I'm just not there yet, so stopping probably won't kill me. However, I really would love to have my bike be as fluid as possible, stopping due to all of my mechanicals last RR was super distracting and I know I'll have a better race if I spend more time "in the zone" and less time stopped. BUT I don't think I can bring myself to pee on the bike so I'll probably be stopping either way.
I could possibly make it on my nutrition plan by carrying 3 fuel bottles on my bike and depending on my aerodrink + aid station refills for all of my water but I always carry at least one bottle of water only on my bike to refill the aerodrink, last thing I'd want to do is run low on water. Other option would be getting a speedfill... but I've clearly already entered into taper hysteria and have been spending way too much time obsessing over everything. Changing equipment, like using a Speedfill when I never did in my RRs just sounds ill-advised to me 3 weeks out.
Reminds me though, I want to replace my aerodrink straw with bendable plastic tubing so I can fold it over the back for aero purposes, anyone know what diameter tubing it takes? I'll measure it when I get home if not.
Trevor, I am with you. I would prefer not to stop on my bike for the sake of smoothness. But I am planning on having a second feed bottle in my SN bike bag. I'll do four scoops of infintie over the first half and three scoops over the second.
I'm not confortable peeing on the bike but I think I'm going to try it out there. I tried it during rainy century a while back and it took some concentration. I had a decent headcross wind and... well, good thing there was no one behind me. My concern is the bottle on my downtube. I'll keep reminding myself, "let it flow man, let it flow".
Trevor, I am with you. I would prefer not to stop on my bike for the sake of smoothness. But I am planning on having a second feed bottle in my SN bike bag. I'll do four scoops of infintie over the first half and three scoops over the second.
@David and others--have you seen this video on how to make super concentrate Infinit? I did it at my last two IMs, and it worked great. I carry the small concentrate in my singlet. At the halfway point, I stop, dump it in my Speedfill, add water from the aid station, and I'm sure I'm out in 30" or less. And I don't have to mess in the SN bags. Something to think about if you havent's seen this. Like Trevor said, the 30" makes no difference to me--if I ever even get a roll down slot, have the officials make me pee in a cup.
@Trevor, I know, I know we shouldn't do anything new, but hands-free drinking with Speedfill rules. I am sure it would take you exactly ONE ride to re-wire your neurons and know exactly how to use it on race day. I love mine.
One other trick that I do--for those who use Infinit or other colorless liquids--is I add a few drops of food coloring to it. That way I can look down at my Speedfill and get a visual cue on whether I'm on track with the intake. Otherwise, it's impossible to see how much you've drunk.
Re peeing on the bike--just MAKE yourself do it. Now there is a time sink and a half, stopping to pee. I taught a woman at IMFL mile 50 on the bike how to do it. Right there. We were "together" for hours. Taught her how to pee, and then she was gone. Turns out she was in my age group. She got 15th and I got 17th in AG. She would have been behind me, if not for that. No good deed goes unpunished, I tell you.
Re peeing on the bike--just MAKE yourself do it. Now there is a time sink and a half, stopping to pee. I taught a woman at IMFL mile 50 on the bike how to do it. Right there. We were "together" for hours. Taught her how to pee, and then she was gone. Turns out she was in my age group. She got 15th and I got 17th in AG. She would have been behind me, if not for that. No good deed goes unpunished, I tell you.
Okay -- race day peeing etiquette question. There are lots of people around. Is peeing an acceptable activiity to do in front of our fellow Ironman, or is it best to wait until we find ourselves "alone"?
Okay -- race day peeing etiquette question. There are lots of people around. Is peeing an acceptable activiity to do in front of our fellow Ironman, or is it best to wait until we find ourselves "alone"?
HA! Another good question. Never thought about it, but I guess I do wait until I'm somewhat "alone." If you stop briefly for any reason, it's also a good time to begin to let loose, then just get on back on the bike, pedal, lift your butt and go. ( I can see that this is going to totally go into TMI. )
I'm pretty sure I can pee on the bike, I've never tried but I think I can make it happen. But I dunno... if I was out there hammering and riding non-EN style I'd be more inclined to do it, but I keep thinking people will be like "that guy is too 'fast' to stop and pee but he rides like 5mph up hills?" The other thing is that due to differences in 'equipment' it's very easy for me to pee on the bike stopped, I just pull off the road slightly, unclip one leg and pull up one pant leg a bit and I'm usually on my way pretty quickly, no dismount required. *But* I'm still undecided on this one... I may force myself to try it at least once in practice and then make up my mind.
I swear, if my non-triathlete friends only knew the conversations I have about leg shaving and peeing myself...
Ok so if one pees on the bike.. your shorts and saddle end up smelling like urine? and I figure will be in my shorts all day...sorry guys don't think I can do it....just me.
@Trevor- Not sure that even that amount of exposure would be cool during a race.
@Kathy- Shoes, socks, shorts all get peed upon. I change shorts and socks for run (since I am not a contender). As for shoes, that's why the wiki includes a "how to get the funk out" section. ;-)
I find the peeing conversation rather entertaining each year...
I always find it amusing that It took me about 5 years for running and triathlons to finally learn how to pee on myself. I guess my parents did a good job teaching me as a kid not to pee on myself.
Personally, If I was not a comptetitive person I would have never learned how to pee while swimming, biking and running, but there was no way I was going to stop last year. Now it is almost second nature (which kind of worries me a little sometimes).
Anyway, best time to go is on a slight downhill for a few reasons...1) you hold your speed, 2) I find it easier to relax and go as I coast with one leg down, 3) people tend to naturally spread out on the downhill so you are less likely to get anyone behind you.
As far as the getting people behind you, there is a 7M drafting rule and I highly doubt your pee is going to travel 7M.
I highly suggest no socks on the bike if you are going to try this... or if you must wear socks, you may want to think about changing them in T2. Also make sure to wash you shoes as soon as possible, the longer they sit the harder it is to get them clean again.
Along the pee-ing lines.... the unpleasantness of the cleanup has always hindered me from practicing that. Tried it once or twice not very successfully, but still had smelly bike shoes for longer than I wanted. I vaguely remember a "clean up" thread from somewhere... I should search for that again.
@Trevor You might want to think about special needs as your "insurance" bag even if you don't plan to use it for necessary nutrition. If I were racing again this year, I'd also be trying to do nutrition from the course, but that said, I'd probably still have a calorie bottle in there just in case something went badly wrong in the first half, e.g., I've been at two races recently where the bike handoffs have been less than stellar (once when I was among the first bikers through, so that wouldn't happen at an IM!). Same thing as far as tubes, CO2, tires, and the like... not having any PLANS to stop and pick it up, but if you want/need it, it's there.
@mancona - what bike shoes do you wear that are washable? Mine are nearing the worn-out stage and I'll probably be buying new ones over the winter.
Re volunteers at transition: The guy next to me at T2 in the transition area had a volunteer reading a whole essay-length checklist back at him about what he needed to do and get. It was very nice of the volunteer, pretty amusing to hear (a bit) of, and I'm sure he got everythign done. I on the other hand, got out a lot faster, but forgot to slip off my bike shorts and ran the marathon with them over my tri-shorts which were underneath. :-)
I have LG tri shoes ... by wash I mean, I simply hose them down or have soaked them in a bucket with water and just a little soap and then hose them down again after. air dry.
I also think of BSN and RSN as insurance bags ... my BSN gets a tube and CO2.
Im having a blonde day ladez.....could u explain LP what a Halliganette is
Not blonde...we just forget not everyone was there for the beginning of the legend of THE HALLIGAN. Before ToC a few years ago, Dave Halligan was sincerely concerned if he was ready to take on the challenge. Rich kept assuring him, he'd be fine. Dave kept worrying. Long story short, Dave gets out there and nearly crushes everyone to death--for the entire week!
Soooo, Rich called him a fookin' sandbagger, and began the whole Halligan-as-Chuck-Norris theme than lives on. So with you and Neems talkin' like you are, and from what the rest of see with your training, you both are candidates for Halliganette status. Tha's the story in a nutshell.
BTW, if you ever meet Dave, he is the nicest, most humble, sincere person you'll ever meet. Don't let the legend stuff fool you. Teddy bear.
Im having a blonde day ladez.....could u explain LP what a Halliganette is
Not blonde...we just forget not everyone was there for the beginning of the legend of THE HALLIGAN. Before ToC a few years ago, Dave Halligan was sincerely concerned if he was ready to take on the challenge. Rich kept assuring him, he'd be fine. Dave kept worrying. Long story short, Dave gets out there and nearly crushes everyone to death--for the entire week!
Soooo, Rich called him a fookin' sandbagger, and began the whole Halligan-as-Chuck-Norris theme than lives on. So with you and Neems talkin' like you are, and from what the rest of see with your training, you both are candidates for Halliganette status. Tha's the story in a nutshell.
BTW, if you ever meet Dave, he is the nicest, most humble, sincere person you'll ever meet. Don't let the legend stuff fool you. Teddy bear.
Ok, cool story. Always kind of wondered why the peeps referred to him as THE HALLIGAN. I feel honored to be considered for Halligantte status..what say u Nemo? jeepers I tend to think all the chickas should be considered for Halliganette status!!!! OMW....just want to finish at a respectable time So looking forward to cheering for everyone...this gonna be our shining moment
Comments
Hi Trevor -- I volunteered at Bike Special Needs last year. It is not a pain to pick anything up. We had people out very quickly. Even if we didn't have your bag pulled before you rode up, it usually took twenty seconds to grab it, if not less. Volunteers and not supposed to hand you things, so we opened up bags, and, um, handed people things when asked. We mixed nutrition. And yes, you can just throw all sorts of wrappers, etc. and not worry about putting them back in the bag. We volunteers were pro at that. We wanted to get you on your way just as fast as you wanted to be there!
You better be!!!
See you there!
Good question! It's all a blur in my mind, but they can help you make your transitions like an asembly line. For T1, dump out your bag, and as you disrobe or admin whatever you have to, you hand it all to the volunteer and they pack it back up for you. Wetsuit--you don't have to fuss putting it in. They can hand you your socks, your helmet, hold your sunglasses, etc. Just tell them what you want. T2, they pack your helmet, your bike shoes, your glasses, hold your visor till you need it, all that stuff that doesn't sound like much, but those are the last things you want to be messin' with. I had NO volunteers in T1 or T2 in my first IM, and vowed I would never let it happen again. I'm like a warrior making sure I get somebody to help me.
Let me just say that my T1 time in the same race went from almost 15' to 8' with a volunteer. Sure, I got more focused the second time around and Rich threatened to kick me in my non-existent nuts if I took that long again 
), but I also just let go of being responsible for my bag and what was in it, and just tore through getting myself outta there. Here's praying I do the same this time. 
Never used bike special needs--don't want to stop and spend the time.. Doesn't look complicated from what I see, but if I can avoid that bit of admin I do. Probably take a few minutes at best. I'll be out there long enough on that stupid bike as it is so I try to avoid doing this and that and digging in bags.
Hope this helps.
@Trevor - as Beth said spcial needs is typically very good and the volunteers try their hardest to be perfect and have everything for you as quick as possible. Just evaluate your goals and decide if you are willing to accept the risk of relying on someone else to get your nutrition to you or having to completely stop. I don't know what your goals are but just wanted to mention this. To 95% of the people racing this is not big deal... to me last year 50 seconds was a big deal and litterally change my life this year. I blew by SN at well over 20mph, if I had to slow to stop, wait 20 seconds for a bag, then accelerate again, that 50 seconds could have been gone right there.
No on tubulars and no on latex! Thanks Trevor and Matt. Good stuff to know though. Prolly just keep on using what I have been riding on.
As for stopping at special needs, I could have the race of my life and I wouldn't be within rolldown range, I'm just not there yet, so stopping probably won't kill me. However, I really would love to have my bike be as fluid as possible, stopping due to all of my mechanicals last RR was super distracting and I know I'll have a better race if I spend more time "in the zone" and less time stopped. BUT I don't think I can bring myself to pee on the bike so I'll probably be stopping either way.
I could possibly make it on my nutrition plan by carrying 3 fuel bottles on my bike and depending on my aerodrink + aid station refills for all of my water but I always carry at least one bottle of water only on my bike to refill the aerodrink, last thing I'd want to do is run low on water. Other option would be getting a speedfill... but I've clearly already entered into taper hysteria and have been spending way too much time obsessing over everything. Changing equipment, like using a Speedfill when I never did in my RRs just sounds ill-advised to me 3 weeks out.
Reminds me though, I want to replace my aerodrink straw with bendable plastic tubing so I can fold it over the back for aero purposes, anyone know what diameter tubing it takes? I'll measure it when I get home if not.
Trevor,
I went to menards and bought tubing 1/2 in by 3/8 inch. Had to buy 10 ft of it...that was the smallest bundle. I like the longer tubing, seems to work well. I tuck the extra length under my front cable and it stays there perfectly!
Trevor, I am with you. I would prefer not to stop on my bike for the sake of smoothness. But I am planning on having a second feed bottle in my SN bike bag. I'll do four scoops of infintie over the first half and three scoops over the second.
I'm not confortable peeing on the bike but I think I'm going to try it out there.
I tried it during rainy century a while back and it took some concentration. I had a decent headcross wind and... well, good thing there was no one behind me. My concern is the bottle on my downtube. I'll keep reminding myself, "let it flow man, let it flow".
@David and others--have you seen this video on how to make super concentrate Infinit? I did it at my last two IMs, and it worked great. I carry the small concentrate in my singlet. At the halfway point, I stop, dump it in my Speedfill, add water from the aid station, and I'm sure I'm out in 30" or less. And I don't have to mess in the SN bags. Something to think about if you havent's seen this. Like Trevor said, the 30" makes no difference to me--if I ever even get a roll down slot, have the officials make me pee in a cup.
@Trevor, I know, I know we shouldn't do anything new, but hands-free drinking with Speedfill rules. I am sure it would take you exactly ONE ride to re-wire your neurons and know exactly how to use it on race day. I love mine.
One other trick that I do--for those who use Infinit or other colorless liquids--is I add a few drops of food coloring to it. That way I can look down at my Speedfill and get a visual cue on whether I'm on track with the intake. Otherwise, it's impossible to see how much you've drunk.
Re peeing on the bike--just MAKE yourself do it. Now there is a time sink and a half, stopping to pee. I taught a woman at IMFL mile 50 on the bike how to do it. Right there.
We were "together" for hours. Taught her how to pee, and then she was gone. Turns out she was in my age group. She got 15th and I got 17th in AG. She would have been behind me, if not for that. No good deed goes unpunished, I tell you. 
Hope this helps.
ha! That's a great story!
Okay -- race day peeing etiquette question. There are lots of people around. Is peeing an acceptable activiity to do in front of our fellow Ironman, or is it best to wait until we find ourselves "alone"?
HA! Another good question. Never thought about it, but I guess I do wait until I'm somewhat "alone." If you stop briefly for any reason, it's also a good time to begin to let loose, then just get on back on the bike, pedal, lift your butt and go. ( I can see that this is going to totally go into TMI.
)
I swear, if my non-triathlete friends only knew the conversations I have about leg shaving and peeing myself...
Ok so if one pees on the bike.. your shorts and saddle end up smelling like urine? and I figure will be in my shorts all day...sorry guys don't think I can do it....just me.
@Kathy- Shoes, socks, shorts all get peed upon. I change shorts and socks for run (since I am not a contender). As for shoes, that's why the wiki includes a "how to get the funk out" section. ;-)
I always find it amusing that It took me about 5 years for running and triathlons to finally learn how to pee on myself. I guess my parents did a good job teaching me as a kid not to pee on myself.
Personally, If I was not a comptetitive person I would have never learned how to pee while swimming, biking and running, but there was no way I was going to stop last year. Now it is almost second nature (which kind of worries me a little sometimes).
Anyway, best time to go is on a slight downhill for a few reasons...1) you hold your speed, 2) I find it easier to relax and go as I coast with one leg down, 3) people tend to naturally spread out on the downhill so you are less likely to get anyone behind you.
As far as the getting people behind you, there is a 7M drafting rule and I highly doubt your pee is going to travel 7M.
I highly suggest no socks on the bike if you are going to try this... or if you must wear socks, you may want to think about changing them in T2. Also make sure to wash you shoes as soon as possible, the longer they sit the harder it is to get them clean again.
@Trevor You might want to think about special needs as your "insurance" bag even if you don't plan to use it for necessary nutrition. If I were racing again this year, I'd also be trying to do nutrition from the course, but that said, I'd probably still have a calorie bottle in there just in case something went badly wrong in the first half, e.g., I've been at two races recently where the bike handoffs have been less than stellar (once when I was among the first bikers through, so that wouldn't happen at an IM!). Same thing as far as tubes, CO2, tires, and the like... not having any PLANS to stop and pick it up, but if you want/need it, it's there.
@mancona - what bike shoes do you wear that are washable? Mine are nearing the worn-out stage and I'll probably be buying new ones over the winter.
Re volunteers at transition: The guy next to me at T2 in the transition area had a volunteer reading a whole essay-length checklist back at him about what he needed to do and get. It was very nice of the volunteer, pretty amusing to hear (a bit) of, and I'm sure he got everythign done. I on the other hand, got out a lot faster, but forgot to slip off my bike shorts and ran the marathon with them over my tri-shorts which were underneath. :-)
I also think of BSN and RSN as insurance bags ... my BSN gets a tube and CO2.
Perfect
Soon to be nicknamed the Halliganettes.
Totally!! Too funny!
Im having a blonde day ladez.....could u explain LP what a Halliganette is
Not blonde...we just forget not everyone was there for the beginning of the legend of THE HALLIGAN. Before ToC a few years ago, Dave Halligan was sincerely concerned if he was ready to take on the challenge. Rich kept assuring him, he'd be fine. Dave kept worrying. Long story short, Dave gets out there and nearly crushes everyone to death--for the entire week!
Soooo, Rich called him a fookin' sandbagger, and began the whole Halligan-as-Chuck-Norris theme than lives on. So with you and Neems talkin' like you are, and from what the rest of see with your training, you both are candidates for Halliganette status.
Tha's the story in a nutshell. 
BTW, if you ever meet Dave, he is the nicest, most humble, sincere person you'll ever meet. Don't let the legend stuff fool you. Teddy bear.
Ok, cool story. Always kind of wondered why the peeps referred to him as THE HALLIGAN. I feel honored to be considered for Halligantte status..what say u Nemo? jeepers I tend to think all the chickas should be considered for Halliganette status!!!! OMW....just want to finish at a respectable time