I am doing IMC for the first time this year. In lieu of shipping my bike, I am exploring the option of renting a bike for race day. I seem to remember that last year at IMCDA there was a Cervelo tent at the expo that was renting bikes … I think … but of course I could have been mistaken.
Does anyone know if a similar set up will be at IMC this year? I already contacted The Bike Barn and they said that no shop in the area rents road bikes.
I know it wouldn’t be ideal to ride an IM on a rented bike, but I don’t think IMC will be very fast for me this year since I will have just come off IM Lake Placid 5 weeks prior. So IMC is mostly about hanging out with friends and enjoying the beautiful course.
Thanks!
Hi,
I guess you are serious…so here goes.
No one rents out the bikes for race day. Not Bike Barn, or the Cervelo test fleet.
Are you Nuts?
OK, I will be nice again…You can try and establish a relationship with the fine folks at Cervelo and see if they would loan you a bike for the race…if you can get them to say yes, then you have a career in politics and/or fund-raising waiting for you 
Money must not be a problem, as the price of hanging out and seeing friends will run in the low 4 figures, but since $ is no issue, what price do you put on pain, when doing an IM on a bike that you are not familiar with?
I am not trying to crush your dreams, but I just do not get the logic
I’m w/o a clue
cheers
Hey Tom if he just packs his saddle, pedals, shoes and helmet and rents a road bike and rides on the hoods of the drop bars, I don’t see why this can’t be pulled off. I’ve done this and immediately been on a rental road bike riding 2-8 hours (again in the road position, not aeroh, and on the same crank length as home). If the guy does not care about speed or aero, its a viable option.
I know what you are saying, but realistically if the contact points with the bike are familiar (your own shoes, pedals and saddle), and you know your basic measurements, then this should be a 5 min job to set up and get to within 95% of what you have at home.
hey dev,
I agree with you 100% on that. Like Fleck and others have said, If you know your setback, height, drop and reach: (and bring shoes and pedals:) you can drop in on anything.
BTW, What are your big 09 races?
cheers
**I know it wouldn’t be ideal to ride an IM on a rented bike, but I don’t think IMC will be very fast for me this year since I will have just come off IM Lake Placid 5 weeks prior. **
- What if you DNF at IMLP, would you want your bike at IMC?
- What if you feel GREAT for IMC, but don’t have your bike with you?
- What if you feel LOUSY for IMC, and to top it off, you’ve got an unfamiliar bike that you have to ride for 112 miles?
**So IMC is mostly about hanging out with friends and enjoying the beautiful course. **
- Even more reason to have your bike with you, so you can actually enjoy the beautiful course, instead for fidgeting on the saddle, or trying to work out the ache in your neck.
- Do you want a rented bike going down Richter Pass at 80-90 kph?
- Do you want a rented bike hitting the cross winds in the chicanes coming down from Yellow Lake?
If it were me, I’d want a bike I know. I wouldn’t want to find out climbing Mclean Creek that the chain skips in my climbing gear.
But if you insist, here’s what I’d do:
- Network. Try local Penticton triathletes, maybe someone has a bike that would fit you, which they’d be willing to rent to you.
- The Bike Barn doesn’t rent bikes, but if you gave them your story, and told them what size bike you need, maybe they could help find a donor.
- Particpant list. Much easier for a BC triathlete to bring an extra bike to Penticton. Check the list for Oliver, Kamloops, Hope, Kelowna, etc. Post on a message board or forum.
For me, each IMC I’ve done has been a great experience. Last year my training got sidetracked, and I toed the line knowing I had to take it easy, especially on the bike. I delighted in an unexpected result: I got to immerse myself in the beauty of the course, akin to the very first time I rode it.
If IMLP is your “A” race, I say go for it, but don’t discount IMC.
It’s a great event, and who knows, you might delight in an unexpected result: It may bring out the “A” race in you.
Good Luck, and train smart. IM’s 5 weeks apart are a challenge, but the reward is OH,Canada, SO SWEET!