I'm officially in. Staying at the Best Western. Plan is to do the big swim friday morning and then head out for CDA... should get there 3-4 pm so up for meeting that night as well... perhaps we can scope out a place for dinner Saturday night. Cell is 206-218-4761.
Are you guys rolling with full race set-up (tires/helmet/etc/)? I think I am except I will have rear hydration set-up due to lack of course support this week-end Race Day it is going on the shelf... Speedfill and topedo mount in between the bars only on race day...
thanks, scott. sending you room details soon. i think i get to spokane later afternoon around 6pm. then drive over to cda with my brother.
i'm bringing my hed clincher disk, but regular wheel in front.
no aero helmet, just to keep travel simple.
torpeedo front and speedfil plus the race set up with small bike bag under seat and bento box behind stem.
i currently have some chafing down below from my last big ride, so will have to wear non-team shorts with a bit more padding, but will wear the EN tri or cycling top (if the tri top doesn't have pocket to carry phone..for RR not the race). no gloves at the race, but for the RR i will wear gloves for safety.
changing into run shorts and run top for the RR, but not in the race. fuel belt with one bottle with water and one bottle with gu plus salt tab plus water. race flats, of course.
@Art- I will keep my race wheels and aero helmet home for this one, but will go full dress rehearsal for RR #2. For RR #1 I will be wearing EN cycling jersey with EN Tri shorts. Depending on temp I may have arm warmers and knee warmers for the the first lap. The weather is looking up and could be in the 70's before its all said and done. I will be testing out my infinit bottle exchange with two 3 hours bottles (carrying one at a time). I will carry additional water on the rig during the RR that I won't have to carry on race day. So for the race one infinit bottle and one water bottle. For the RR I'll have two water bottles and one infinit bottle I will resupply at the half way point.
@ GH, I just checked my CO2 supply and I have four spare canisters, but two are 16 grams and two are 12 grams (I must have bought the 12 gram canisters by mistake). You are free to use them this weekend.
@ Art, I haven't finalized my decision about gear, but I likely will go with the wheel cover (I don't own fancy wheels so that's what I'll use on race day) and will likely not use my aero helmet. The main reason to use my wheel cover is because I've never used it before. The rest of my gear I've used for previous races and am very comfortable with. I'm still deciding how to carry enough water. Would it be super nerdy to use a Camelback? One loop will take me about 3:15, which means I'll want 5-6 bottles of water.
@Scott: Yes, that will be super-nerdy. However, by virtue of participating in this sport, I would argue that ship has already sailed for all of us Wait until you see my big LG aero helmet on my big melon head on Saturday... you'll feel just fine with your Camelback next to me...
Can't wait for some course recon info from you guys! Not that it is THAT important, considering the breadth of experience on the team...but it is reassuring to hear things right before the race!
bring what you need to get the job done. the nerd factor gets diluted when you are with a bunch of other nerds on tri bikes. just to make you feel better...i showed up to one of my first rides with Strauss and his homies, with a tri-bike (they are all on road bikes) AND with a camelback!!!!!
i might end up not bringing the HED disk if i can't get to mechanic in time adjust the shifting.
Sorry for being sparse. Been so busy with work. Im officially in for this weekend. Im staying at some dive called the Riverbend Inn. Got it for 45 dollars on Priceline!! I should be in town Friday by dinner time if anyone wants to get together. Just to verify, we are meeting in the parking lot right by the swim start and transition at 8:30 Saturday? I'm bringing the full race ensemble except for the helmet. Going with uniform and all. Will refill my water and try my special needs meal after the first lap, even though it occurs slightly after the halfway point in the real race.
I still for eating st the CDA brewery Saturday. Just so we can send Beluga messages to Tucker to make him jealous. Looking forward to partying with you guys!
You guys just made me realize something. Last time at CDA, I went with a Xlab carrier on the seat. I had one bottle of Infinit mixed and one dry powder Infinit bottle on the back. Had one plain water aero bottle up front. I'm thinking now I will just keep the aero bottle up front and one mixed Perpetuem bottle on the down tube. I could theoretically pick up the second three hour bottle of Perpetuem at the special needs pickup.
What do you think? Putting the Xlab carrier on would be more aero, but add weight.
Greg- I've stayed at the Riverbend several years ago and it was not too bad, esp. for the price. Can't say what its like now... Its right before you cross the border into Wash. Unless the RR tells me something different I will not use the xLab for nutrition at the race. I may still keep it on to hold my tubular tire and tools in a bottle, but not sure about that yet. I really want to keep it simple with one Infinit on the down tube and one water in the torpedo, pick up water on the course and pick up a 3 hour Infinit bottle at the SN. I will use the RR to tell me what condition the three hour bottle will be in after several hours sitting around.
I think a few of us will be getting together Friday night. I'll be tied up with family until probably 7 or 8, then I'm game 253-209-4848.
@Greg - let the decision be based on comfort and easy-of-use...not wight and aero because those differences are really likely to be negligible. I would suggest using the one that keeps you in aero the longest, without sitting up. Sitting up for an extra 120 seconds will probably make a bigger difference than which kit you use.
That being said...I bet the downtown and aero bottle combo will keep you aero longer, and would then be the better solution. I may do the same thing in fact. I will keep my x-Lab on during the RR though, just to make sure I have enough water. I will rotate fresh bottles into the down tube as if picking them up in the water stations.
Thanks guys. The more I think about it, the more I like going minimal versus making my seat look like part of the international space station. Im riding an aluminum Cervelo so Im always trying to save weight somewhere if I can. Of course, I could also stop drinking but that would just be crazy....
@Greg, aluminum? I thought you were a doctor? Oh and I saw your comment about going to the brewery. That's cool, you guys enjoy. I'll be hitting up Beluga Friday night with my beers, AFTER I'm done my RR!
For those going the CDA this weekend for RR, exactle where are we meeting? I have heard that we are going to meet in City Park, If that is true then I would suspect the east parking lot???
As far as a place to start/park on Saturday: I suggest the parking lot immediately to the North of City Park (actually the Northwest corner of W.Mullan Rd & Northwest Boulevard). City Park is where transition will be. The parking is free if you drive just a little ways past the ice cream/hotdog window (you'll be by a baseball field and/or skate park). This is also where you will likely park in the days before the race whenever you go to the venue. There are public bathrooms in City park for changing.
Actually, could just park in City park itself (Northeast corner of the Park has parking... didn't immediately think of it as it was always full when I was there!)
BTW - with my jumbled schedule I ended up running 32 miles in 6 days including today's long run... that's a long way for this big fella... I'm gonna need some serious recovery mojo in order to be in the game come Saturday...
All CDA RR participants - Have fun. Be safe. Looking forward to hear comments about the bike and run courses.
I'm doing my RR tomorrow. Forecast is 51*F and 60% chance of rain. Time to get wet, and not be a pool. I did the RR swim this am. 4200 yds in 1:22. Was about 1 min slower on the last 2000 yds than the first 2000, so fairly even pace. Still not fast but 3 minutes faster than last week and swam the entire way non-stop. Last week I stopped after each 1000 yds to rest for 60". I now know I can make the swim and get out of the water and be ready to ride/run.
Comments
Are you guys rolling with full race set-up (tires/helmet/etc/)? I think I am except I will have rear hydration set-up due to lack of course support this week-end
thanks, scott. sending you room details soon. i think i get to spokane later afternoon around 6pm. then drive over to cda with my brother.
i'm bringing my hed clincher disk, but regular wheel in front.
no aero helmet, just to keep travel simple.
torpeedo front and speedfil plus the race set up with small bike bag under seat and bento box behind stem.
i currently have some chafing down below from my last big ride, so will have to wear non-team shorts with a bit more padding, but will wear the EN tri or cycling top (if the tri top doesn't have pocket to carry phone..for RR not the race). no gloves at the race, but for the RR i will wear gloves for safety.
changing into run shorts and run top for the RR, but not in the race. fuel belt with one bottle with water and one bottle with gu plus salt tab plus water. race flats, of course.
gh
@ Art, I haven't finalized my decision about gear, but I likely will go with the wheel cover (I don't own fancy wheels so that's what I'll use on race day) and will likely not use my aero helmet. The main reason to use my wheel cover is because I've never used it before. The rest of my gear I've used for previous races and am very comfortable with. I'm still deciding how to carry enough water. Would it be super nerdy to use a Camelback? One loop will take me about 3:15, which means I'll want 5-6 bottles of water.
Go kill it and have fun.
thanks, scott!!!
bring what you need to get the job done. the nerd factor gets diluted when you are with a bunch of other nerds on tri bikes. just to make you feel better...i showed up to one of my first rides with Strauss and his homies, with a tri-bike (they are all on road bikes) AND with a camelback!!!!!
i might end up not bringing the HED disk if i can't get to mechanic in time adjust the shifting.
GH
Sorry for being sparse. Been so busy with work. Im officially in for this weekend. Im staying at some dive called the Riverbend Inn. Got it for 45 dollars on Priceline!! I should be in town Friday by dinner time if anyone wants to get together. Just to verify, we are meeting in the parking lot right by the swim start and transition at 8:30 Saturday? I'm bringing the full race ensemble except for the helmet. Going with uniform and all. Will refill my water and try my special needs meal after the first lap, even though it occurs slightly after the halfway point in the real race.
I still for eating st the CDA brewery Saturday. Just so we can send Beluga messages to Tucker to make him jealous. Looking forward to partying with you guys!
PS: Any other docs coming to this? Just curious.
What do you think? Putting the Xlab carrier on would be more aero, but add weight.
I think a few of us will be getting together Friday night. I'll be tied up with family until probably 7 or 8, then I'm game 253-209-4848.
That being said...I bet the downtown and aero bottle combo will keep you aero longer, and would then be the better solution. I may do the same thing in fact. I will keep my x-Lab on during the RR though, just to make sure I have enough water. I will rotate fresh bottles into the down tube as if picking them up in the water stations.
Go kill it bud!
@greg: yeah, i vote for no xlab for the race. i don't want to risk ejection of bottles, nor reaching back for things during the race.
see u at the RR.
gh
Thanks guys. The more I think about it, the more I like going minimal versus making my seat look like part of the international space station. Im riding an aluminum Cervelo so Im always trying to save weight somewhere if I can. Of course, I could also stop drinking but that would just be crazy....
For those going the CDA this weekend for RR, exactle where are we meeting? I have heard that we are going to meet in City Park, If that is true then I would suspect the east parking lot???
i think greg suggested 8:30am start time.
art wrote this for where to meet:
As far as a place to start/park on Saturday: I suggest the parking lot immediately to the North of City Park (actually the Northwest corner of W.Mullan Rd & Northwest Boulevard). City Park is where transition will be. The parking is free if you drive just a little ways past the ice cream/hotdog window (you'll be by a baseball field and/or skate park). This is also where you will likely park in the days before the race whenever you go to the venue. There are public bathrooms in City park for changing.
Actually, could just park in City park itself (Northeast corner of the Park has parking... didn't immediately think of it as it was always full when I was there!)
does this sound good to you guys?
gh.
BTW - with my jumbled schedule I ended up running 32 miles in 6 days including today's long run... that's a long way for this big fella... I'm gonna need some serious recovery mojo in order to be in the game come Saturday...
All CDA RR participants - Have fun. Be safe. Looking forward to hear comments about the bike and run courses.
I'm doing my RR tomorrow. Forecast is 51*F and 60% chance of rain. Time to get wet, and not be a pool. I did the RR swim this am. 4200 yds in 1:22. Was about 1 min slower on the last 2000 yds than the first 2000, so fairly even pace. Still not fast but 3 minutes faster than last week and swam the entire way non-stop. Last week I stopped after each 1000 yds to rest for 60". I now know I can make the swim and get out of the water and be ready to ride/run.