Noob question - what sort of bottles are at aid stations?
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151 days
GGehrke posted 8 weeks ago.
And follow-on: I presume if I want a powerbar or other solid food I'm going to have to come to a complete stop?
I will probably just pack my own, but the cheapass in me wants to get my $250 worth!
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638 days
cayman posted 8 weeks ago.
They used the sport drink bottles at my IM, so it should be the same at your HIM-- operative words are 'should be'. But like a good boy scout, always be prepared--take 2 bottles 1 water, 1 g-ade if you have 2 cages, 2 cages is not a bad idea anyway. One of the aid station bottles I rec'd still had the safety seal on it, I had to open and peel it off on the fly--ya never know.
Powerbar, pack your own, maybe you can get a free one on the run;)
john
I don't need to get faster, I just need to get older!
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262 days
Leroy Bonkers posted 8 weeks ago.
I don't know about etiquette, but if you can carry enough water to skip the first aid station you'll have an easier time. The first station is often very crowded. If you've got two full bottles you might even make it to mile 30 where the crowd has thinned out.
When you approach the aid station pick you "target" volunteer. Point at him, make eye contact, and yell out what you want -- "water!". When you make the grab be gentle. If you attack the bottle you'll drop it. If there is room I like to pick an early volunteer. That way if I drop the bottle I can try again.
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Bullet posted 8 weeks ago.
Yep, always be prepared. I've received regular water bottles and the crappy ones with the plastic protective wrap still on them. Most races will give you a good list of what to expect at the aid stations. Be careful with planning on using the food they provide on the course. Make sure it's something that you have trained with so you know your stomach can handle it.
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1172 days
JamieM posted 8 weeks ago.
You have aerobars? Get something like the profile aero bottle and then it doesn't matter as much. Whatever type of bottle it just gets dumped into the aerodrink anyway.
And has been said make sure you practice in training with the products they are going to give away.
For my upcoming HIM (First real race) I'm considering is using my regular old bottle cage and starting with one bottle of gatorade, then simply ditching the bottle and replacing it at the aid stations ("Every 10m" according to race website)
What I'm nervous about, though, is getting a screw-off-only top or some equally kludgey bottle that's going to trip me up. I am assuming the water bottles will at least be standard bike bottles, right? This is a Ford 70.3 race.
Also, what's the proper etiquette for picking up a bottle on the bike?