I am over 60 and planning to try my first IM this fall. Looking at either MD or Louisville. I am an old runner, so assuming the body holds together, I will survive there. I bike a pretty good bit, and do a fair amount of hill work, but the swim is going to be a trick for me as I absolutely hate it !! My wife is an AA Masters swimmer so I have a “coach”. I am pretty late in the game for MD as far as a place to stay so I would have to stay 30 miles away. Did a number of tris 25 years ago, but have not been intimate with an aero bar since then. Any suggestions or helpful hints as to which to choose ? Thanks !!
Profile Design clip-on stuff is some of the more adjustable. They allow you to really dial in a comfortable position with aerobar width, pad height, pad width, tilt, length, etc.
I’m 60 as well, but don’t know if that adds to perspective or not. Have done 8 IM and 23 HIM, so been around the block a bit. If I were to be looking at my first IM, I’d be thinking about a venue that has a pretty well-known history, a multitude of race reports to draw from, and a venue that’s easy to get to and from. Louisville fits that bill, and since it’s moved to later in the year, the heat won’t be a factor. And the swim is downstream! And there are no jellyfish in the river.
im assuming that you are sticking with your road bike? if so, pick up a set of shorty bars or a bar that you can position the pads aft of the clamp. pretty sure most of the profiles fit the bill. Something like the Profile T4 (aluminum) gives you a ton of adjustment range.
Louisville has a “short” swim due to the current, and it’s a TT start (less crowded). And with the move to Oct. it should be WS legal.
but the swim is going to be a trick for me as I absolutely hate it
If this is the case I don’t understand why you’d want to do an IM. Training for one involves lots of swimming. Why do something you hate? IM is not that special.
I may have misunderstood your original post. thought you were asking which aerobar to choose, not which race 
Louisville has a “short” swim due to the current, and it’s a TT start (less crowded). And with the move to Oct. it should be WS legal.
+1 on the downhill swim with a wetsuit. But also consider temperatures. I prefer cooler temps, but I know that (how shall I say this delicately) more mature folks get cold easier. I imagine that on average MD would be warmer than LOU.
Don’t sweat the swim, though. With enough preparation, the cutoff is more than generous.
Actually, I probably worded my question incorrectly. Was asking about aero bars and other tips as well as any opinions as to which one to do. As to why I am doing it if I am uncomfortable swimming, I guess because I have never done one and I am getting up there in my years.