I’ll be riding 808’s with the option of a wheelcover. Should I go with it or not? For what its worth, I weigh 194 so I’m pulling a lot of weight anyway. Another thought…I assume there will be a lot of time sitting up while climbing - is the negatives of an aero helmet (heat, etc). outweigh the positives on this course?
Not sure about the wheel cover, although I did see quite a few discs on course last year. As for the helmet, I was extremely comfortable in my Rudy Project Syton. Had the weather been more on the warm side (started in the 50s and got progressively cooler as the day wore on), a full aero lid may not have been the best option. Frankly, I’d take both types of helmets and make your call on Saturday; CdA weather is apparently every bit as iffy as that of south Texas.
Bump
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I have done that race twice and used a disk both times…no issue there at all.
There really aren’t any long climbs, and quite a few shorter hills you can “run.”
Personally, I have never used an aero helmet BUT the race has been cool both times I have done it.
Great race - enjoy!
I did IMCDA. It’s a very hilly course in the back section. Hope you’re incorporating hill training. I’m 180lbs. I went with a 1080 front, sub 9 rear for CDA. It’s the preferred choice if you look at zipp.com. I had some side winds, but at your weight you should be fine. Yes, wear the aero helmet.
If you weigh 194 there is no reason you should be worried about riding the wheelcover. NO WORRIES. 808 and disc will be fine.
Helmet, unless you are extremely sensitive to heat or your aero helmet doesn’t vent at all, I would say go for the aero. Its unlikely to be all that hot in CDA. Many wear them in Kona, and its unlikely that it will be hotter than Kona at CdA.
I’m a CdA local, have ridden the course many times…and am an aero-geek engineer:
Definitely rock the wheel cover – it will be faster and more stable in all wind/weather conditions on the course. (This assumes you have low enough gearing to avoid the extra mashing you might have to otherwise do to offset the extra weight when climbing.)
There are two drawbacks to an aero helmet: 1) the geek factor; and 2) somewhat less ventilation.
Unless it’s 90+ degrees, and you have some unusual fear of overheating your head, rock the aero helmet. Geekiness be damned. 
3x for me
Use them both - thou we are due for a warm one - it has been a few years. Wheelcover is a must.
I would also say go with the areo helmet.
Mike
There were very few disk wheels in '09. Disk isn’t really needed on this course. Although the ones using a disk were going backwards by comparison to the non-disk wheel folks that I encountered. I’d go for the 808 rear. No need for an aero helmet, most can’t hold a steady head position for 112 miles anyhow & negate the full aero effect by dropping their head & applying the “air brake”.