I have done a search on the string “time trial” and have found some useful info, but one question I could not find answered was whether to drink or not on a 40k TT. If I averaged 25 mph (which is my stretch goal) I would be out there for about an hour. This seems to be a grey area of whether to hydrate or not. I do agree that on anything up to 30k, I probably would not hydrate. Another thing that wasn’t answered was method of hydration. People mentioned bottles on the frame may have some aero benefit (ala John Cobb) but obviously you have to become “less” aero to use them. What about aero bar mounted bottles such as Profile Designs or are these uncool (or against the rules)? This will be my first TT so any help on this would greatly appreciated. Thanks.
what I’ll do for a 40k is take about 5-7oz of water and drink it all right before the turn around. Thats the only time I’ll reach for the water in the 40k. i use a frame mounted bottle on an aero frame if that helps.
Great question and on that I go back and forth on. For me it depends on the weather conditions. In Florida, if it’s hot and humid I’ll take a small bottle on a 40K TT. If it’s not, no cage or bottle. Plus, I’ve found it’s hard to drink and stay focused at 25+ mph and maintain that speed with conventional bottle placement. Your giving away seconds to drink that you’ll never get back. So only drink if you have to. You need to train and try this out a few times before the race to see if it works for you.
My general rule of thumb (this is for training/events in TX including the summers) is that hydration is not necessary in events lasting 1 hour or less assuming:
- You are fully hydrated when starting
- You have an excellent opportunity to focus on recovering for 24 hours after.
- You will concientiously re-hydrate afterwards.
I’ve raced several 40k events and a few that were shorter. (As fast as 57:50, which isn’t fast in the grand scheme, but a little faster than you’re shooting for) I’ve always taken a small water bottle and drank from it several times. The jury is out on whether the bottle on the frame hurts or helps you aerodynamically. My opinion is that if it slows you down to take a drink from a water bottle, then you are either severely lacking coordination, or doing something terribly wrong. (Or very unflexible)