Was at a cousin’s sprint race in Houston a few weeks back and I heard about a lady riding a road bike with clip on aero bars. I am looking for a picture I know exists. She had her elbows on the pads and her hands under her chin, like she was gazing out of a window.
Anyone else care to throw in here?
Edit:
http://www.karenthibodeaux.com/Image.asp?catalogID=242223&websess=69597391110727
Speechless.
I don’t get it, looks like she’s goofing off for the picture. Seems comfortable and in control…whats the big deal
Light hearted yes but it also looks dangerous-to herself and others participating. Plus I love that she is now an ambassador of my local tri scene. 
Last year at Ralph’s HIM my wife was having such bad neck pain on the bike that she supported her chin with one hand, not both. She was on the edge of DNF’ing because of the neck pain. It certainly wasn’t the safest position to be in, but it kept her in the race. Fortunately she was far back enough in the pack that there weren’t many others around her.
Having said that, from the looks of this pic I don’t think that’s this person’s situation.
Actually, after looking at the pic again, she certainly doesn’t seem to be smiling, maybe she was having some neck pain. Still I wouldn’t recommend that position. A DNF is better than a broken collarbone or whatever else might occur if she loses control.
Hehehe. I can’t poke too much fun at her. My first tri (not counting the half dozen sprints I did in college in the mid 80’s) was a HIM I did on somewhat of a dare. I had only ridden 40 miles for my longest ride during my brief training. I had only recently installed clip-ons, so my neck wasn’t used to the position. During the last mile of the 56 mile bike leg, I could barely hold my head up. It occurred to me that I could put one elbow on the pad and support my chin, just like that lady. I did at least keep one hand on a hood, though. I also had the sense to get back in my aero position with my game face on when I saw the photographer.
Looks like she is holding an ice bag to her face. Maybe she had already wiped out?
Actually I ride with one hand in this position sometimes, too. Not for long…just for fun…but never at a race or around other cyclists. I try riding different positions all the time…hand under chin…both hands on right aerobar…both hands on the left aerobar…one leg, with one hand…it all helps in bike handling skills. I haven’t conquered the one leg, no hands thing YET!! Its a tad scarey with HED3’s.