Doing my first Half IM at the Ochsner race. Anything I should know about leaving my best friend over night out in the elements?
If it’s raining or misty, put a bag over your seat.
Other than that, it’ll be just fine.
good luck and see you at the races…
If it’s raining or misty, put a bag over your seat.
+1
And…
If you have an aerobottle up front, bag that too.
If you have latex tubes, pump up your tires again on race morning.
Check your bike in the morning to make sure nothing was disturbed.
Rack by your brake levers if possible. Racking by your seat is not as stable if the night turns windy.
I leave my tires a little deflated in case the sun spends a lot of time shining. It is funny how many tires you can hear popping in a hot transition. Bring your pump and inflate that morning.
I put a cover over the seat at least because dew will get it wet overnight.
Don’t leave anything on it that is removable, like your bike computer or waterbottles. No need to make things easy for someone just strolling by.
Otherwise kiss her goodnight, she will be just fine.
If it’s raining or misty, put a bag over your seat.
I’ve never understood that one. Aren’t you wet when you get on your bike?
The easiest way to get a triathlete to do something is to show them other triathletes doing it.
The easiest way to get a triathlete to do something is to show them other triathletes doing it.
Michael,
Brilliant!
Post of the day.
That very nicely sums up much of the madness that you see in this sport.
If it’s raining or misty, put a bag over your seat.
I’ve never understood that one. Aren’t you wet when you get on your bike?
I was thinking the same thing - you have just come out of the water - are you really going to notice if your saddle is dewy/rainy/misty???
I leave my tires a little deflated in case the sun spends a lot of time shining. It is funny how many tires you can hear popping in a hot transition. Bring your pump and inflate that morning.
x 2 Funny how many times you hear them pop in the morning.
Timberman 06 I was told to cover my seat w/ an old swim cap. Brilliant, I thought.
Then I saw the light.
Last year at IMLP it was comical. Many covered thier bikes the night before bc of the forecast. Of course, the deluge didn’t start until we got out of the water.
I think if you name your bike though, you are obligated to cover it. Or, it may be upset with you (and call you names back).
First, I agree with the bag over the seat being silly…you are wet out of the water.
Second - I would LOVE for someone to show proof of any tire bursting from being over inflated and popping due to the sun, this is nothing more than a wives tale.
I was thinking the same thing - you have just come out of the water - are you really going to notice if your saddle is dewy/rainy/misty???
Read eganski’s post - it nicely sums up the “Why” of this and so many other strange things about the sport of triathlon! 
I leave my tires a little deflated in case the sun spends a lot of time shining. It is funny how many tires you can hear popping in a hot transition. Bring your pump and inflate that morning.
x3. I also cover the seat as well as the derailleurs and cassette.
One thing I’ve seen that has surprised me is people racking their bikes the day before with full bottles in the cages and their gels/nutrition already in place on the top tube or Bento Box. Save that for race morning so it’s fresher.
Personally even though it’s secure, I do a cheap cable lock. Why? Because I just want to make my bike 1% harder to steal. Even though it’s not really secure…it’s 1% more secure than the others… It takes 10 seconds to take it off in the morning…
One thing I’ve seen that has surprised me is people racking their bikes the day before with full bottles in the cages and their gels/nutrition already in place on the top tube or Bento Box. Save that for race morning so it’s fresher.
Seems silly yeah, but do gels/nutrition actually stay fresher in one’s room?
Save that for race morning so it’s fresher.
Fresher than what? They are all pre-packaged but for some sport drinks…what does it matter if your Gel is on your bike or in your bag?
You would be shocked how many people pre-rack their bike, then race AM forgot their bottles - gels - food - pump - water and on and on. Just put the stuff on your bike and leave it there. Some mix drinks excluded.
actually…i was a volunteer at kona this year helping athletes rack their bikes the day before and we were told to “suggest” that they deflate their tires for this reason. i heard 3 tires pop that day while i was giving this suggestion to “my” racers. i guess it does happen.
Second - I would LOVE for someone to show proof of any tire bursting from being over inflated and popping due to the sun, this is nothing more than a wives tale.
2x I think it is more likely tires that are mounted the day before the race and were never properly seated.
Nope:-)
What is more common is that people will install their “race wheels” and not check over the tires and tubes well. Fact is that if you have your tires at 110psi, if you are on either a clincher or a tubular +/- 20F is not going to blow the tire due to pressure changes. Even more so on a Tubular that can easily handly 150/190psi. Yes, tires do blow, but it is not due to pressure changes.
I leave my tires a little deflated in case the sun spends a lot of time shining. It is funny how many tires you can hear popping in a hot transition. Bring your pump and inflate that morning.
Sigh…the “sun caused tire popping” myth rears it’s head once again…do the math; the amount of pressure increase even with LARGE variations in tire temperature is quite small.
I’m thinking it’s more a case of people changing tires/tubes the day before the race and not seating the tube properly…a latent failure just waiting to happen.