I have my first du of the season coming up this Saturday (Brandywine Du), and the weather forcast is not looking good. Rainy, windy, temps in the upper 40’s. What do people typically use for clothing in a race like this? My thought was trishorts and short-sleeve jersey on the 1st run, put on arm warmers and gloves for the bike and then take them off for the second run. Any thoughts?
I’m a whimp. I’d go for a light weight tights over my tri shorts & a long sleeve base layer with a sleeveless jersey. The season is early & I would be concerned about getting injured. Arm warmers sounds like a good idea.
I have a thick, tight Under Armor shirt that I wear under my tri-top on days like that. So it’s UA shirt, tri-top, tri-shorts, thin socks (so they don’t hold a lot of water), toe warmers on the cycling shoes, and thin, tight fitting gloves (tight so they don’t hamper transitions).
Done one in the nasty weather before and went with De soto shorts and top and was fine…and i’m not exactly toughest when it comes to cold weather. I’d go with vaseline instead of arm warmers or water proof the arm warmers so they don’t get soggy.
Make sure to turn over or cover your shoes in T1 for T2 or the 2nd run will suck for about a mile - yeah I learned the hard way.
Pajamas. Stay home and sit on the couch.
Pajamas. Stay home and sit on the couch.
Especially so if you are male 45-49…
I look at what everyone else is wearing and then wear less. I do this at 5k’s and longer races. If most women are in tights and long sleeves. I am in shorts and probably sports bra is over 40 F. I am very warm natured and only wear tights if below 25 F. For a race under three hours in cooler weather, I wear a one piece tri-suit. I think this keeps me warmer by not exposing the back. I tried arm warmer in a 8k/40k/5k and had them off at mile 4 of the 1st run. I was already soaked in sweat and tolerated the cold windy bike well. Just get some warm clothes on fast after the race and stay hydrated.
What do you wear in similar training conditions and how long do you plan to be on the course? Do you want to take the extra time in transition putting on clothes?
If it is windy, you may want to toss on a vest for the bike or a helmet cap. You maybe able to run in you cap if it does not slide off you head. I have only raced in tights once. It was cloudy, windy and high 20’s.
Take lots of clothes. Have anything and everything you and your friends will need.
“I am very warm natured and only wear tights if below 25 F.”
No kidding! Yikes. You must have legs of steel or Gore windblocker fabric implanted in your legs.
Fleck
doo rag
or is it du rag?
I’ll be at Brandywine too and the forecast does look a little sloppy. But, this past weekend they were calling for rain and it just sprinkled. So, you never know.
Whatever you do make sure to bring toe covers for the bike so you can feel your feet on the second run. Well, if it’s 40F and raining they still might go numb, but at least you tried. Another must is a good pair of gloves. You don’t want to get off the bike and you can’t feel your hands to get your helmet off and put your running shoes on. Thin gloves if it doesn’t rain, but if it’s raining I’m wearing gortex gloves on the bike. Numb hands in T2 in a duathlon is not cool.
I’m just planning on wearing a tri suit with arm warmers, gloves, and toe covers. I think you’ll be fine. The arm warmers depend on the temp, but if it is 40-50 I think I’ll wear them. Especially if it’s raining. You might want to put your arm warmers on for the first run because if you create a sweat after the first run and you try to put arm warmers on after that you will lose time. If you’re not worried about time, then do what you want and have a good time with it all. Also, maybe wear a cycling cap under your helmet to keep the rain out of your eyes.
If it is raining be careful on the bike. When you leave transition on the bike you’ll go straight and then turn left onto the main road. Right after this you will go over a big ass bridge. There is a grate?(if that’s what you call it) right before the bridge. If this is wet you are going to go down. So watch for that on the way out and especially on the way back. On the way back you’ll be going faster because the bridge is downhill at that part.
I hope it is cold as ever and raining hard. If you expect the worst then you’ll be ready for it.
Vest and gloves
You can get these on relatively fast, don’t waste time trying to put on arm warmers. If you’re hands are warm and your chest is warm you’ll be fine. Your forearms might sting a little but just suck it up it’s not as bad as if your hands go numb.
Since it’s a du you could wear a tight polypro top, this would give your arms some protection.
Keep it simple and quick.
If it is raining be careful on the bike. When you leave transition on the bike you’ll go straight and then turn left onto the main road. Right after this you will go over a big ass bridge. There is a grate?(if that’s what you call it) right before the bridge. If this is wet you are going to go down. So watch for that on the way out and especially on the way back. On the way back you’ll be going faster because the bridge is downhill at that part.
I hope it is cold as ever and raining hard. If you expect the worst then you’ll be ready for it.
There is a small metal-grate bridge on the main road between transition and the large bridge (Reedy Point Bridge). Three years ago, the cyclists (including the winner) walked it due to the conditions (major rain). I will do the same if it is raining; it’s not worth the risk of serious injury to ride over a wet bridge of this construction.
Also note that the transition area is grass. Be prepared for a wet and possibly muddy transition area, and plan accordingly.
I’ll be there too. Got excited by the nice weather last week and went ahead and registered. Oh well!
I’m debating tights. Will probably wear them over my tri shorts and just make a game time decision. I’m more comfortable in long sleeves at those temps so I’ll just go with that from the start along with thin gloves with moderate water protection. I don’t own any toe covers–may have to stop at a bike shop before sat!
Ken - How long is the grate bridge? Is it short enough that they could cover it with carpet or something similar? I hate those type of bridges when they are dry, never mind if they are wet.
IIRC, the grate bridge is maybe 100ft. long (maybe less?). But it’s part of the road, so don’t expect them to cover it up for you. If it’s wet, best just to hop off and walk it like Ken said.
Ken - How long is the grate bridge? Is it short enough that they could cover it with carpet or something similar? I hate those type of bridges when they are dry, never mind if they are wet.
It’s 82’ long. If you have Google Earth, here’s the location:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> Grate Bridge -75.59042406360251 39.57037765830752 186.1707620274189 2.393084760237374e-010 -0.0005996607398454949 root://styleMaps#default+nicon=0x307+hicon=0x317 -75.59050720889829,39.57021284427071,0Did you ever do the MS170 rides down to Cape Maywith the Flying Tigers? There were about a million of these bridges in S. Jersey, and people used to fall on them every year (because it always rained that weekend).
I remember them clearly. On one I took too hard of a pedal stroke and went about 45 degrees sideways. All I remember thinking was “man this is going to hurt bad”. Fortuantely the bike straightened out and I made it to the other side with all of my flesh intact.
Walking sounds like a prudent approach to me.
Current forecast:
8am  Rain / Thunder
51°F 46°F 70% 43°F 74% From NW 13 mph
Bleah. Save your watts for after the bike turnaround: you gonna need 'em.
Is the approach to the longer bridge steep? What kind of gearing is “right” for the bridge especially with a headwind on the way back? Should a 39 x 21 be OK?
Is the approach to the longer bridge steep? What kind of gearing is “right” for the bridge especially with a headwind on the way back? Should a 39 x 21 be OK?
The bridge is about a mile climb at a steady grade. Not a hard climb at all, but a head-wind will have a big impact there. Still, 39x21 is probably fine for most.