DFW_Tri wrote:
I will give you several reasons to consider minimizing use of on course nutrition
(1) you are stuck with whatever they are offering
(2) they are the most dangerous section of most courses-wet, volunteers, biker refilling etc
(3) aero or weight “losses”, if any, may be regained when you don’t have to slow down at an aid station
(4) if you miss a bottle hand up you when biking by, you either have to stop and go back or wait
Those make sense. I’ve seen many accidents at aid stations. It’s certainly an individual decision. When I train I try to use same nutrition that will be on my “A” race. If it doesn’t work then I do have to find a plan B. Never really had it not work. Also it’s not Just losing aero but also energy to haul around the excess weight.
I find it easy to mitigate the aid station issues by avoiding the beginning of the aid station. We all know there is a technique. Point to the person. Be loud and direct on what want. Be thankful to them when you leave. I’ve never had an issue or a missed handoff in the aid station.
If you do it right the nutrition handoff takes just seconds. I’d rather do that then use energy carrying full bottles. Keep in mind I’m not stopping at every aid station. But this is my personal preference. If others have picky stomachs or nervous around aid stations then of course it makes sense to bypass.
Hard nutrition (gel, blocks, etc) I carry. I only use aid stations for fluid.
Obviously on shorter Races it differs. Sprint doesn’t require any on bike nutrition and Olys maybe just a small water bottle.
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