So I stopped in to Nytro (well into my ride and into a hunger fit) to grab a Clif bar last weekend, and totally geeked out with all the tri toys … then came across this strap on box … and it got me thinking
For Ironman, how exactly does one carry all those gels on the bike? I have seen pics of 10 of them taped to the top tube, and I tried 3-4 taped for a 1/2 IM relay and it worked fine, but for the big daddy - IM - do I need one of these boxes or can I get gels at aid stations … because I am having a hard time just getting over the aerobottle (roadie who jumped ship to IM)
Because they have water/gatorade at every station, I allocated one of my bottle holders to a water bottle filled with Hammer Gel. You get to know that a swig is one gel, and no fooling with gel packages or the waste, and no sticky hands, mouth, top tube, clothes. Make sure the bottle you use will draw a thick liquid easily so you don’t suck your eyeballs back into your head. You can also cut it with water, after you figure how many calories you will need (and maybe put a few gels in your shirt so you don’t run low–I also sometimes use this on the top tube–you can use the Hammergel flasks too, you just need to put velcro on them:
for IMAZ, what did you eat on the bike and what was in your special needs bag, if you dont mind me asking? (and assuming you only consumed Gatorade on the run)
I had a bad experience in a race with a gel flask. For some reason, I can’t seem to stomach a big mouthful of gel. Squeezing it into my mouth from the package is okay, but the big mouthful doesn’t work. I haven’t been able to have hammergel since then. So be sure the try the flask before you race with it.
Because of that experience, I’ve switched to all liquid on the bike this season, and it’s going great. Carbo-pro and Gatorade endurance mixed to desired concentration (200-300 cals/hour) has been working really well for me. 275 cals per hour is working well for me, that’s what I’m going to use this weekend. I had no problem mixing 1000+ cals in one 28 oz bottle. When it’s concentrated like that, I just take a swig every 15-20 minutes and wash it down with water.
Experiment in training to see what works for you and how many calories that you need. Befoer you make it too complicated see if what they have on the course will work for you. it will make your life much simpler on race day. fleck has posted in this many, many times.
Over the last several years I have experimented with various fule concoctions gels, maltodextrin, etc. I have gone with all of my calories from sustained energy, pure maltodextrin with some gatorade for flavor. they all seemed to work.
This past april I was the least organized I had ever been going into the race and the only thing I had on the bike before the start was a single bottle of water. the rest of the day I just winged it with what was available on the course (it is well catered). No bonking and I set my Ironman marathon PR. Go figure. Not to mention that it was much easier.
Find out if the stuff on the course works for you or not. I don’t think that you should start loading your bike down with until you have determined in training that the available products do not work. It is much simpler.
One thing at a time, I start swimming next week, I am in my 2nd week of running and it hurts … however less than in '02 when I started running for the first time
I use a bento box (or similar product) for all my training and racing (sometimes I remove it for shorter races). I have my own bars and gels and a minitool in my bento box.
The advantage is that I can take my own food and only have to go after water/sports drink at aid stations.
Sure, my Guru front end is pretty low (for a Guru) and it still works fine - a little “scrunched” up front, but there are 4 velcro straps and it is easy to adjust it and cinch it down. I can have some Gu packets in there, keys, cell phone and sunscreen wipes with no problem - very handy right in front of me.
I do and it’s annoying. I have seen the smaller box put in front of the seat (i.e.: instead of hooking it onto the stem, if you’re flat there (no spacers), put it backwards under your legs. Apparently you don’t hit it at all … haven’t tried it tho.
i used a bento box last year in placid to hold all of my gu but i never use it for any race shorter than im. however, they’re great for holding the 3 remote controls i use while on the trainer!
You can also get Bento boxes that go in front of you aerodrink.
Mine pretty much stays on my bike 24/7. 1) Cause I am too lazy to take it off and 2) I like knowing I have extra gels and gear in case I or another rider needs it during training etc.
The bento box is a good idea if the race day supply of gels is not one that you use.
Short legs (31" inseam), on 54" Cervelo. I tend to pedal with my knees coming pretty close to the top tube so my natural pedal stroke and the Bento Box doesn’t really work for me very well.
One thing at a time, I start swimming next week, I am in my 2nd week of running and it hurts … however less than in '02 when I started running for the first time
What happened to your TT goal(s) this year?
I hit my knees on the bento box as well. With some creative strapping, I can put my bento box between my aero bars where some put a water bottle. This works out great. I fill mine with cliff bars and gu’s and strap my sunglasses on top so I can grab them when I want them on the bike. I don’t have to carry 40 Gu’s since I get most of my calories through carbo-pro. I basically carry a handful of Gu’s as a backup plan in case my body rejects the carbo-pro or cliff bars. Never had that happen yet though.
