I have a sprint tomorrow morning (500/20/4.5). Temp is supposed to be 39-41 degrees or so when I get on the bike. If the temp is 50 or above with some sun – I would usually just gut it out and go, but sub 40 temps have me concerned. I am trying to balance transition time with some level of comfort on the bike. I race in a one piece tri suit. My thoughts were that I could put the neoprene booties on my shoes with hot hands under the neoprene and my feet will be OK with no time cost in transition. I was also thinking about having my wife throw me a towel after the swim so I can dry my arms and on the run to the bike and have arm warmers (full of baby powder) waiting , and after putting on my helmet - I could burn the little time it takes to throw on the arm warmers, and my ski gloves. The ski gloves are fast to put on, and my hands get abnormally cold compared to most folks I am with. I figure I might burn an extra 20 seconds in transition, but will save some shivering and distraction from being cold on the bike without too much cost aerodynamically. Thoughts? does anyone have strategies they use to deal with the cold in a situation where transition time is important? - -Thanks
I have a sprint tomorrow morning (500/20/4.5). Temp is supposed to be 39-41 degrees or so when I get on the bike. If the temp is 50 or above with some sun – I would usually just gut it out and go, but sub 40 temps have me concerned. I am trying to balance transition time with some level of comfort on the bike. I race in a one piece tri suit. My thoughts were that I could put the neoprene booties on my shoes with hot hands under the neoprene and my feet will be OK with no time cost in transition. I was also thinking about having my wife throw me a towel after the swim so I can dry my arms and on the run to the bike and have arm warmers (full of baby powder) waiting , and after putting on my helmet - I could burn the little time it takes to throw on the arm warmers, and my ski gloves. The ski gloves are fast to put on, and my hands get abnormally cold compared to most folks I am with. I figure I might burn an extra 20 seconds in transition, but will save some shivering and distraction from being cold on the bike without too much cost aerodynamically. Thoughts? does anyone have strategies they use to deal with the cold in a situation where transition time is important? - -Thanks
neoprene toe covers not booties… at that temp I usually throw on an LG jacket that has unlined sleeves and it goes on faster than arm warmers ever will (the sleeves get a tad wet but dry very quick). Don’t worry about the aeroness of the gloves, the key is to use ones that go on easy, think gross motor skills here, fine motor movement deteriorates under stress.
Pool or lake swim?
I would use toe warmers on the shoes and nice warm socks that you can use on the bike and run. With it being a short 20 mile ride you will warm once that HR get moving. Arm warmers and a vest(or stuff a newspaper under kit) on the bike would be my choice and a thin beanie on the noggin and probably use same gear on run. I am going to purchase a nice pair of warm cycling gloves this weekend as I have a 100 miler to do in similar weather. Good Luck!
I would use toe warmers on the shoes and nice warm socks that you can use on the bike and run. With it being a short 20 mile ride you will warm once that HR get moving. Arm warmers and a vest(or stuff a newspaper under kit) on the bike would be my choice and a thin beanie on the noggin and probably use same gear on run. I am going to purchase a nice pair of warm cycling gloves this weekend as I have a 100 miler to do in similar weather. Good Luck!
I think the OP mean 20km…?!? It’s the benchmark distance for a sprint tri
even shorter if that is the case
The gloves are a must but are tricky with wet hands. I’d quickly pull on a lightweight jacket - not hard to do when wet. I’d skip the full shoe booty and just go with the toe covers - it provides 80% of the warmth and you can still easily slip the cycling shoes on - even when still clipped in. Maybe slap on a skull cap for under the helmet.
I’d also consider going topless under your wetsuit - this way you can slip on a dry shirt and jacket. Make sure the dry shirt has a full length zipper - easier to put on when wet.
So here’s my transition: Wetsuit off, dry full length zipper shirt on, jacket on, scull cap on, helmet on, gloves on, grab bike, run to transition line, clip into bike w/ toe cover already on, ride like a bat out of hell!
If your gloves restrict fine motor movements then you might need to put the shoes on before clipping in and before putting the gloves on.
Ah good point, definitely would not wear booties
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Thanks for all the advice - - I meant toe covers vs booties.
I did mean 20 miles – this is a strange distance race
I might end up with a tight windbreaker vs the arm warmers - -I was just concerned about Aero.
What I think I am doing:
Toe covers with hand warmers tucked in them - no socksBeanie under helmet - all vents taped over on helmetSki gloves (go on really easy and are very warmJacket or arm warmers – I really don’t know yet, but am leaning toward Jacket as I am pretty sure most of my competition will be dealing with less than desirable Aerodymanics as well.
Thanks Again
good luck! You must be around the northeast, the weather freagin suckin ass this weekend. Not fun fo sho
I have worn toe covers at quite a few races … if you can’t race cold up here then you probably DNS way too much