Numpty IM questions..

kingQuez

Ok, so I've a load of little questions....

In terms of bike repairs, what did/would/will you bring? For punctures I was thinking two tubes, a few gas cannisters, tyre levers. Would you use a pump? Puncture repair kit? (The site says there will be two repair crews on the road - so is anything beyond tubes and cannisters overkill?). Normally i throw these all into my jersey pockets, but I'm planning to wear my tri race kit so guess It's all going into a saddle bag for this one. I assume I'll be able to pick up a few gas cannisters over there, since you're not meant to fly with them.

For general fixes I usually have a multitool with me, which I expect is a good idea if you've just put a bike back together incase anything comes loose?

Toilet breaks during the bike; you can leave the course for them, but there are no explicit rules against going while on the bike. Is this really the norm? I'll probably be red faced enough when it happens, so would prefer to know that its just a regular thing and not get a penalty for it (!). I hear its best to do it after just going over a hilltop......

What's all the special needs stuff about - is that just for people with medication?

Bike shoes are allowed be on the bike, or in your T1 bag. I usually have the shoes attached in other races, is there a reason to put them in the bag this time round?

I'm sure I'll have other questions but that will do to start

mloc123

Can't talk about IM but from my HIM in Austria...

I brought One tube and one CO2 canister, anything after one puncture and I would have said f*ck it my race is over. I think for an IM I would do the same. Maybe stick a second set in your special needs bag and take them if you have already punctured once by half way. Multi tool, I wouldn't bother myself... make sure your bike is 100% before the race and you will not need it.

Piss on the bike/run... tri is not for those with dignity

griffin100

All based on my one and only IM...........

In terms of bike repairs, what did/would/will you bring? For punctures I was thinking two tubes, a few gas cannisters, tyre levers. Would you use a pump? Puncture repair kit? (The site says there will be two repair crews on the road - so is anything beyond tubes and cannisters overkill?). Normally i throw these all into my jersey pockets, but I'm planning to wear my tri race kit so guess It's all going into a saddle bag for this one. I assume I'll be able to pick up a few gas cannisters over there, since you're not meant to fly with them.

I had a multi tool with a chain breaker and allen keys, tyre levers and two tubes in the saddle bag. I had a mini pump on a bike cage which I practiced using to pump up tyres to 100psi before race day. I'm not a fan of CO2 canisters. I cant use a chain breaker but I thought it would be useful to have in case a chain broke and another competitor was feeling charitable and decided to help me :rolleyes:

What's all the special needs stuff about - is that just for people with medication?

I had no special needs bag as I didn't fancy trying to find my bag amongst 1,500 others. As Mloc says maybe stick an old tube in the bag if you think you'll need it or a few extra gels in case of emergency but the course should be well stocked with food. Bear in mind that the bags that are not collected get binned IIRC so don't put loads of stuff in.

Toilet breaks during the bike; you can leave the course for them, but there are no explicit rules against going while on the bike. Is this really the norm? I'll probably be red faced enough when it happens, so would prefer to know that its just a regular thing and not get a penalty for it (!). I hear its best to do it after just going over a hilltop......

As I wasn't in the hunt for a Kona slot I stopped and got off to p!ss.

Bike shoes are allowed be on the bike, or in your T1 bag. I usually have the shoes attached in other races, is there a reason to put them in the bag this time round?

Again IIRC the only thing that you can leave at your bike are your bike shoes and nothing else - but check this to be sure.

Make sure you are familiar with the race rules - a club mate of mine got a technical DQ at a IM distance race in Spain a few weeks ago for wearing her number belt under her wetsuit - a petty Spanish Tri federation official grabbed her as she was leaving the water and DQ'd her for having her belt on under her wetsuit. Nowhere in the race manual did it say that you couldn't wear a race number under your wetsuit but apparently its a Spanish rule They finally agreed to allow her to continue after nearly an hour but at that stage she had had enough and pulled out. She got an apology and a free race entry for next year from the organisers but thats not a lot of help when you've been training all year for this race:mad:

Zuppy

griffin100 wrote: »

Make sure you are familiar with the race rules - a club mate of mine got a technical DQ at a IM distance race in Spain a few weeks ago for wearing her number belt under her wetsuit - a petty Spanish Tri federation official grabbed her as she was leaving the water and DQ'd her for having her belt on under her wetsuit. Nowhere in the race manual did it say that you couldn't wear a race number under your wetsuit but apparently its a Spanish rule

OUCH!!!

kingQuez

griffin100 wrote: »

All based on my one and only IM...........

Make sure you are familiar with the race rules - a club mate of mine got a technical DQ at a IM distance race in Spain a few weeks ago for wearing her number belt under her wetsuit - a petty Spanish Tri federation official grabbed her as she was leaving the water and DQ'd her for having her belt on under her wetsuit. Nowhere in the race manual did it say that you couldn't wear a race number under your wetsuit but apparently its a Spanish rule They finally agreed to allow her to continue after nearly an hour but at that stage she had had enough and pulled out. She got an apology and a free race entry for next year from the organisers but thats not a lot of help when you've been training all year for this race:mad:

Thats actually one of the rules in IM Austria that they have down as a DQ (!). I don't get it, I can only assume its got to do with the swim having one sponsor and the run another.... so they dont want the run sponsor's logo appearing in any swim-finish photos??

Really seems OTT for a regular rule...

Bambaata

yeah same situation at Austria 70.3 but it was referred to at the briefing (which i missed but luckily got the info passed on to me!)

mloc123

Yup, quite insistant about no numbers under your wetsuit in Austria 70.3... Austria IM is run by the same company also. Makes sense I guess.

Jmcmen

kingQuez wrote: »

Ok, so I've a load of little questions....

In terms of bike repairs, what did/would/will you bring? For punctures I was thinking two tubes, a few gas cannisters, tyre levers. Would you use a pump? Puncture repair kit? (The site says there will be two repair crews on the road - so is anything beyond tubes and cannisters overkill?). Normally i throw these all into my jersey pockets, but I'm planning to wear my tri race kit so guess It's all going into a saddle bag for this one. I assume I'll be able to pick up a few gas cannisters over there, since you're not meant to fly with them.

For general fixes I usually have a multitool with me, which I expect is a good idea if you've just put a bike back together incase anything comes loose?

Toilet breaks during the bike; you can leave the course for them, but there are no explicit rules against going while on the bike. Is this really the norm? I'll probably be red faced enough when it happens, so would prefer to know that its just a regular thing and not get a penalty for it (!). I hear its best to do it after just going over a hilltop......

What's all the special needs stuff about - is that just for people with medication?

Bike shoes are allowed be on the bike, or in your T1 bag. I usually have the shoes attached in other races, is there a reason to put them in the bag this time round?

I'm sure I'll have other questions but that will do to start

Is this your first? Which one are you doing?

Doing my first this Sunday in Nice. Not bricking it yet but I'm sure I will. I'll be getting off the bike to slash, I won't be near the top 3 finishers by any stretch of the mind.

Saddle Bag with 2 Co2, 2 tubes, multitool, levers. Question is why would you risk it not finishing it with only 1 tube. if you got 3 punctures you would be very unlucky. Only takes 5mins to change.

Best of luck whenever your out

zico10

For bike repairs I just took two tubes, a CO2 pump, two canisters and tyre levers. If you're competent using the CO2 canisters, then I don't see the need for a pump. I kept all these in a water bottle on the frame of my bike. That left me with the aero bottle on the front of the bike and the other bottle on frame of bike to use for fluids. With aid stations at such regular intervals, you shouldn't need any more. I don't know what the rules are on carrying CO2 canisters on planes, but I was able to take mine on as part of my cabin luggage. A club mate who also raced in Copenhagen, had to remove them from his bike bag though. But you can carry aerosols as part of your cabin luggage, are these any different to gas canisters?

I'd bring the multi-tool to put your bike back together, but I don't think there's any need to take it to the race. Cycle your bike after putting it back together, if there's anything loose you should find out then.

Piss on the bike would be my advice, I don't think it matters whether you're trying to qualify for Kona or not. Stopping just takes up too much time, and considering you'd be prudish enough to stop in the first place, you're probably going to waste more time seeking some privacy. Don't know if there's an optimum time to go, I just stopped pedaling and went whenever. And seemingly, stopping pedaling isn't even wholly necessary. I've never raced an Ironman branded event, but I'm pretty sure there's no marshals out to bust people for pissing, so I wouldn't worry about that.

I think the special needs bags are just if you want your own nutritional products and not those supplied by the organisers. I'm not sure who is expected to hand them to you. In Challenge Copenhagen, I think you had to have a friend do it, and they had to be standing in designated areas along the route.

Again I can't answer with certainty for Ironman® events, but I doubt they forbid you from having your shoes clipped into the pedals.

kingQuez

Jmcmen wrote: »

Is this your first? Which one are you doing?

Yep, this is the first.. heading for Austria on sunday week.

Jmcmen wrote: »

Doing my first this Sunday in Nice. Not bricking it yet but I'm sure I will. I'll be getting off the bike to slash, I won't be near the top 3 finishers by any stretch of the mind.

Yeah, I'm going to be a long way from the front but time is time... and if i save 10mins by peeing on the bike for one day its an extra 10mins i dont have to train for. At this stage I don't know if i could knock that off a swim with another year of training, and i'd struggle to improve my run pb by that much. So ill take it

Jmcmen wrote: »

Saddle Bag with 2 Co2, 2 tubes, multitool, levers. Question is why would you risk it not finishing it with only 1 tube. if you got 3 punctures you would be very unlucky. Only takes 5mins to change.

I know someone who DNFd at a 70.3 recently after three punctures! If anything im being paranoid, if I thought I'd need it id find a way to strap 5 tubes to the bike!

Good luck this weekend!

Izoard

Am I the only fool that goes with a mini pump?:eek:

tunney

Are the numbers readable after the swim?

CO2 and two spare tubes.
Special needs another spare tube and extra co2

Piss on the bike. So spare socks in T2.

Stand No Tubes in the tyres. Doesn't hurt rolling resistance.

tunney

Exiting T1 in Austria can be chaos. A lot to be said for putting your shoes on in the changing tent.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Izoard wrote: »

Am I the only fool that goes with a mini pump?:eek:

I just had a mini pump tucked into the chest part of my tri suit for the Challenge Barca HIM. I did forget to take it out coming out of T2 into the run though.

interested

that was so close to 'Id a mini pump in my tri pants' its still funny

shotgunmcos

Sunscreen
Ok I've heard P20 is the biz. One application? Or do you spray it on again at T2?

Car hire
Whats the smallest car you can get 2 people and a bike box into?

Night run
There is an organised night run 2 days before the vent. 12.4k. Prob an hour at gentle pace. Too much?

C02 canisters
Do they get more PSI in than a hand pump can?

Thanks

kennyb3

shotgunmcos wrote: »

C02 canisters
Do they get more PSI in than a hand pump can?

Yes - so quicker to reinflate plus you wont be at only 90-100psi. Make sure your not a 'pincher' or you ll be flying through tubes though.

I ll leave the rest for others

mloc123

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Sunscreen
Ok I've heard P20 is the biz. One application? Or do you spray it on again at T2?

I used p20 in Austria, once before the swim. I did get burnt but not badly. I think all the sponges on the run washed the remains of it off.

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Car hire
Whats the smallest car you can get 2 people and a bike box into?

'Golf or similar' as the rental agencies put it.

shotgunmcos wrote: »

C02 canisters
Do they get more PSI in than a hand pump can?

Thanks

How are people not using C02, I could not imagine going back to a minipump. 16g can will pump a tyre to about 120psi afaik. Use one at home first to test them out.

zico10

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Sunscreen
Ok I've heard P20 is the biz. One application? Or do you spray it on again at T2?

I'd just play it by ear. If it's sunny at the start of the race apply it then, have a bottle in your T2 bag and if you think it'll be sunny for the three plus hours you'll be out running, apply it then. This is what I did for my race, I didn't actually use any, probably could have, but I didn't suffer for want of sunscreen.

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Night run
There is an organised night run 2 days before the vent. 12.4k. Prob an hour at gentle pace. Too much?

I think so, just do your own shorter run, about half that distance. Push it for the middle third, finish and get back to sitting down.

shotgunmcos wrote: »

C02 canisters
Do they get more PSI in than a hand pump can?

Depends how strong you are, I guess.;)

tunney

Most mini pumps are only rated to less than 100psi. Which means closer to 80. Some upto 140 though. Got a new one recently that is.

Would go co2. But remember co2 leaks out(albeit over days)

Suncream - transfer to hotel shampoo bottles and take a few with you on the run. Sunburn is an illness and the body will try to recover in the later ether of the run and performance affects. Have loads on before getting intl the water.

Remember that there is UVA and UVB protection. One stops sunburn the other cancer. Most creams are just for sunburn.

bryangiggsy

mloc123 wrote: »

I used p20 in Austria, once before the swim. I did get burnt but not badly. I think all the sponges on the run washed the remains of it off.



'Golf or similar' as the rental agencies put it.




How are people not using C02, I could not imagine going back to a minipump. 16g can will pump a tyre to about 120psi afaik. Use one at home first to test them out.

I used p20 in Frankfurt last year ...put it on before the swim which was non wetsuit .Slapped some ordinary stuff on also on shoulders at start of run..and I mean slapped. Did not get burned at all. Got fried in placid the year before.

Shoes were at bike. Had air champ pro co2 canister plus mini pump at side of water bottle. Two tubes. Tyre levers. All cliff blocks in top tube box . 26 of them.

Orbea due to curved design can only carry one water bottle. So had profile design drinks container on handlebars. Would not do that again. going with torpedo wedge on handlebars which carries regular bottle.

Hatchback car mid size that seats fold down.

3 pisses off bike at side of road. 1 to many
have not mastered on bike
Stay away from water. Only dilutes your salt

Iso drinks only

If u have not pissed after 90 mins on bike your dehydrated. Drink drink drink

Salt tabs

Best of luck

zico10

bryangiggsy wrote: »

3 pisses off bike at side of road. 1 to many
have not mastered on bike

It's not exactly rocket science.:) I just stop pedalling and it's as natural as breathing.

bryangiggsy wrote: »

Stay away from water. Only dilutes your salt

That'd be a big no, no for me. Drink plenty of water is what I'd say. Your stomach needs it to digest food, this is my understanding. Your body's not limited to the supply of salt it has starting the race, no more than it is limited to the supply of water it has. You're able to drink, you're also able to eat. Sports drinks, food and gels should replenish the sodium you lose through sweat. Plus you lose far more water sweating, than you do salts. Fair enough you're drinking sports drinks, but it makes no sense to me just to be just chiefly replacing the salts. But maybe science can prove me wrong.

bryangiggsy

zico10 wrote: »

It's not exactly rocket science.:) I just stop pedalling and it's as natural as breathing.



That'd be a big no, no for me. Drink plenty of water is what I'd say. Your stomach needs it to digest food, this is my understanding. Your body's not limited to the supply of salt it has starting the race, no more than it is limited to the supply of water it has. You're able to drink, you're also able to eat. Sports drinks, food and gels should replenish the sodium you lose through sweat. Plus you lose far more water sweating, than you do salts. Fair enough you're drinking sports drinks, but it makes no sense to me just to be just chiefly replacing the salts. But maybe science can prove me wrong.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. However there is plenty of water in isotonic drinks. Just telling what worked for me. Had only isotonic drinks throughout and lots of it. Did not have any stomach issues, cramp issues and did not walk once during the run and there were plenty of people walking

kingQuez

Ok, i knew I'd have more questions..

Aid stations: On the bike, do they give you replacement regular 750ml bike bottles? Or just bottles of water with the tops off that you refill from?

Izoard

@ IM CH, they gave you 750ml bike bottles of water, so you just tossed the ones you had that were empty.

BTW, what was the outcome on the CO2 - OK to bring on the plane (Hand luggage or in the hold?) or no?

kingQuez

Izoard wrote: »

BTW, what was the outcome on the CO2 - OK to bring on the plane (Hand luggage or in the hold?) or no?

The internets say you cant pack co2 for either hand luggage or into the bike box, so I picked up a tiny pump as a backup and will (i hope!!) be able to find some co2 in klagenfurt. It sounds like the sort of thing that people will be looking for, so hopefully will be able to get it there!

griffin100

At IMUK they gave you 750ml bike bottles of either water or Gatorade so you could just toss the empty one at the aid station.

mloc123

Austria 70.3 were 700ml bottles of water, powerbar or coke. Klagenfurt are the same company so would expect the same this year. Pick up co2 in the expo when registering. I packed some in my bike box with no issues.

shotgunmcos

Thanks for starting this thread bythe way KingQuez, 'tis useful so 'tis

The T2 bag dumb question: since I'll be changing from cycling shorts to running shorts I'll need a towel in there big enough to wrap around me? Whats the penalty of the towel falls down

Izoard

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Thanks for starting this thread bythe way KingQuez, 'tis useful so 'tis

The T2 bag dumb question: since I'll be changing from cycling shorts to running shorts I'll need a towel in there big enough to wrap around me? Whats the penalty of the towel falls down

It is Germany...certainly in Switzerland, no one was bothering with towels, so I just joined in:)

griffin100

The T2 bag dumb question: since I'll be changing from cycling shorts to running shorts I'll need a towel in there big enough to wrap around me? Whats the penalty of the towel falls down

Imagine missing your sub 10 goal because you got delayed in T2 trying to stop people looking at your teeny weeny;)

At the pointy end of the field (no pun intended) where you'r going to be I don't think there's much of an issue with nudity. I have read mention of penalties for nudity but based on what I seen in T1 and T2 last year half the field would be DQ'd. Just make sure there are no TV cameras in your face when changing:)

shotgunmcos

Actually Roth is a Challenge event so starts in waves. As such I expect T2 to be busier! Its not a tee towel I'll need to pack you know, do you ever got off the turbo after a couple of hours and the blood rushes up from the legs!

See, its these quality triathlon related conversations that we are missing with the Forum structures as is

kingQuez

What's the deal with changing to run/bike shorts MCOS, for comfort? I figured I use my tri kit for every other race so wasn't going to bother with a full change in T1/T2.

shotgunmcos

Yeah comfort. Plus if its hot the running shorts are lighter and airier (is that a word?), I'll keep the tri top on so I can stuff gels in the pocket

pgibbo

Does anyone run with a fuel belt or is it a waste of time given that there will be aid stations?

Just realised from the last post by MCOS that I'll probably need to get a tri top as all I have are tri suits and don't fancy running the distance in a tri suit. Must try it on a few long runs first as all my long runs are in running shorts.

There I was thinking it was all about swim, bike and run....:D

mloc123

If the aid stations have the gels you use, I would use them. If not, as is often the case I'd carry my own. I carried mine for the run in Austria in my tri-suit pockets.

Izoard

pgibbo wrote: »

Does anyone run with a fuel belt or is it a waste of time given that there will be aid stations?

Just realised from the last post by MCOS that I'll probably need to get a tri top as all I have are tri suits and don't fancy running the distance in a tri suit. Must try it on a few long runs first as all my long runs are in running shorts.

There I was thinking it was all about swim, bike and run....:D

I switched to a tri suit this year and got through the HIM and Double Oly with no problems. In both cases threw on a pair of cycling shorts for some extra padding on the bike.

RedB

Izoard wrote: »

I switched to a tri suit this year and got through the HIM and Double Oly with no problems. In both cases threw on a pair of cycling shorts for some extra padding on the bike.

Does a tri suit not make it a bit more awkward to... ehhh...use the toilet facilities or does that not occur on an IM if you're on hi carb diet for the day?

pgibbo

Izoard wrote: »

I switched to a tri suit this year and got through the HIM and Double Oly with no problems. In both cases threw on a pair of cycling shorts for some extra padding on the bike.

I've used a 1 piece tri suit up to HIM distance without any issues so perhaps it will be fine for IM too. Cheers Izoard.

@RedB, it's only a matter of seconds slower to pull down a tri suit versus the shorts on a 2 piece. Mind you, those few seconds could be vital! :eek:

Izoard

pgibbo wrote: »

I've used a 1 piece tri suit up to HIM distance without any issues so perhaps it will be fine for IM too. Cheers Izoard.

@RedB, it's only a matter of seconds slower to pull down a tri suit versus the shorts on a 2 piece. Mind you, those few seconds could be vital! :eek:

@RedB, I recently discovered the joys of eh, not getting off the bike for toilet stops - having said that, I've never had a serious decision to make on that front.:)

@pgibbo - I'd use your own belt and gels.
I use 2 belts - 1 with just my number for the bike and then add the 2nd belt with the gels for the run.

Oryx

Ah jeez this thread is putting the wind up me with HIM Antwerp four weeks away. Ive only just realised the transitions for IM events are different.

Is a mini pump a necessary thing to have? I can only pump 3Opsi with one so was relying on co2, in spite of never having used one yet.

Good to hear that an extra pair of shorts are the done thing on the bike. Was afraid my saddle would have sawn me in half by 56m in a trisuit.

zico10

Oryx wrote: »

was relying on co2, in spite of never having used one yet.

Deflate a tyre and practise in your bedroom. Watch youtube clips if you have to, I really don't think there is anything complicated about it. And after one or two goes you'll feel the same. If a flat happens in a race, take a second and relax, think about what you're doing and it'll be the same as if you're in your bedroom. (Luckily I've never punctured in a race, but this is what I'd be telling myself if I did.)

Oryx wrote: »

Good to hear that an extra pair of shorts are the done thing on the bike. Was afraid my saddle would have sawn me in half by 56m in a trisuit.

Obviously one or two boardsies wear an extra pair of shorts, but I'm fairly certain this is not the done thing. '56 miles' saw you 'in half?' How long have your long cycles been? Surely you can survive longer, and far longer, than this. For me at least, two pairs of shorts is way too much, but hey, whatever you're comfortable with.

Oryx

The long cycles are long enough but in normal shorts I still get injured.

zico10

@Oryx, especially for you.:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EY7lYRneHc

Oryx

Thats the second time in this forum someone posted that especially for me. I am hard enough. Its my ar5e that isn't.

bryangiggsy

Oryx wrote: »

Thats the second time in this forum someone posted that especially for me. I am hard enough. Its my ar5e that isn't.

Just seeing these posts now as back from hols.

One pair of shorts and plenty of chamois butter on b4 u swim. Done the trick for both mine full distance.


Why waste time in transition?.....if u there longer than 5 mins thats too long..unless the tranistion is miles away

Tri top and shorts on under wetsuit. number at bike. Chamois butter and sun screen b4 swim. Out of water to bike or change tent..westsuit off,shoes on,helmet on ,sunglasses on,number on....on yer bike!

Going off topic here but had to take a second look when i signed up for Frankfurt 2012 a couple of weeks back. 519 euro including active fee. fook me.

Oryx

Holy cow thats expensive. Better talk nice to the credit union for next year, so.

Gringo78

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Sunscreen
Ok I've heard P20 is the biz. One application? Or do you spray it on again at T2?

I've heard from a long distance OW swimmer that you should apply the sun screen the night before so that your skin is saturated with it, then reapply first thing in the morning when you wake up, then again shortly before the swim.

SPF multiplied by 10 is the number of minutes that you will have protection for so you need a high SPF - SPF50 will be useless after 500min so you need to reapply before the run or get a higher SPF.

Izoard

You can't be too careful these days with the sun...perfect solution for the grey-skinned Paddies...

RedB

BUMP - Worth reviewing . I'll be adding to the numpty questions next week

<Mods - might be better moved under Tri sub-forum>

Brick Session

I think that Mr Tango won the Hardman last year and is also Technical advisor or maybe someone else including Alan from Hardman may be able to answer this first timer question.

On the bike course and perhaps the run, will they be giving out bottles of Maxifuel Active Energy drink? I can carry 2-3 of my own pre-mixed bottles maybe to start the bike but they will obviously need repleneshing so was wondering how that will work. I have started using the Maxifuel in training and while I am not mad about it taste wise I just want to be sure as there is no point in using this if it is not available on race day. I hope that makes sense.