I am signed up for Ironman Coeur D’Alene this summer which will be my first Ironman. I have a question regarding water bottles handed out on course. Are the water bottles the standard “cyclist” size water bottles, or are they bulk bought platic water bottles that are too small for my carriers? Being my first long course, I don’t want to buy lots of accessories (like the podium quest dual chamber hydration system) if I can do fine with my current ride.
Water bottles are ‘typically’ kind of generic plastic bottles with sport tops. They will sort of fit some cages.
Sports drink are ‘typically’ sport top Perform bottles that ‘fit’ in most cages.
On my bike I can carry 3 bottles plus an aero bottle on my handle bars. I used that for Tremblant in 2012 during a very hot and humid summer, then rendered unnecessary for all of them for the mild weather the race brought us.
From what I have seen in race highlights, CDA doesn’t appear to have the hottest and humid races so having your hydration on your aerobar plus 1, maybe 2, bottles should suffice (along with what you get on the way). Keep in mind, for training you won’t have that luxury on your long rides!!!
From what I have seen in race highlights, CDA doesn’t appear to have the hottest and humid races so having your hydration on your aerobar plus 1, maybe 2, bottles should suffice (
You are correct about the humidity, but 3 of the 5 years I did IMCDA were record temperature days and the sun stays out until about 9:00 PM.
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Strange how no one can train for the weather. Hydration is so specific as well.
And CDA is also an early race which makes it tougher to gauge.
So is it 4 bottles on the bike for an IM, only 3 bottles on the bike for HIM? I have 3 positions on my bike right now (downtube, Fuelselage, and Torpedo BTA), with my toolkit under my tail in a Specialized Keg and Reserve Rack. Planning now for electrolyte drink in the Fuelselage and the downtube bottle for refill, water in the Torpedo - refilled with hand ups.
If I need 4 bottles for full IM’s, I’ll likely buy a Specialized Fuel Cell for my toolkit (aero box in the frame), then put a Turbo wing with two cages under my tail.
Is that the general trend, 4 bottles for IM’s? 3 for HIM’s?
I use one bottle. You can get a new bottle every 10-15 miles so why carry four or five pounds of extra crap?
I use one bottle. You can get a new bottle every 10-15 miles so why carry four or five pounds of extra crap?
similar to GMAN said.
but I have an electro/carb drink on the downtube and water in the BTA position. plenty enough.
I’ve been “planning” to have one bottle, my bta, of water, then carry all of the electrolyte I expect to need on the bike, instead of having it at special needs. So one bottle worth in the shiv frame bladder, another bottle on the downtube for refill.
Or maybe I’m factoring my electrolyte needs wrong and wouldn’t need 2 bottles worth?
find out what the event electro/carb drink is, practice with that, get used to that, use that.
you said that this is your first long course event… do you plan on doing any 1/2 IMs before the IM?
if so, you’ll have a much better idea of what you’ll need from that event.
keep it simple, don’t overthink it.
If you are worried about electrolytes, check out electrolyte pills. It’ll simplify your life and you don’t need to carry 20 lbs worth of fluids of the bike.
Not directed at you … I’ve never understood why people carry 4 bottles of anything on the IM bike leg. People spend a few extra $ks to save a lb on their bikes then strap on 20 extra lbs of crap to their bikes during a race.
100% agree with zoom. I’m not a huge fan of pills but you can always have powders on you and get them in a bottle. Takes practice so don’t start on race day. I suggested a lot of bottles during training BC you won’t have volunteers giving you water on your 120k+ rides. But during the race, Use what they give you and keep electrolytes on you. For races, (HIM and up) I’d have 1 aero bottle and 1 bottle on me.
You paid $650+ for this race. Use as much free fluids they give you!!
find out what the event electro/carb drink is, practice with that, get used to that, use that.
you said that this is your first long course event… do you plan on doing any 1/2 IMs before the IM?
if so, you’ll have a much better idea of what you’ll need from that event.
keep it simple, don’t overthink it.
Not meaning to hijack mac’s thread, but this summer will be my first “long course” also. I’m starting with a HIM, planning for an IM this winter.
Since I’m still building my endurance base, fluids are my security blanket, plus, I’m getting advice from guys to “never depend on the aid stations,” so that’s how I’ve been planning to ride so far. I’m not in love with the idea of taking the time at special needs just to get more electrolyte drink, so I figured it’d be keeping my life simpler to carry both bottles of electrolyte on the bike, then take hand ups for water.
Still playing with the plan, have 4months left, but wanting to get my chit figured out soon so the plan stops changing.