relief on the bike
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Anton posted 7 weeks ago.
Peeing on the bike takes practice. If you haven't by now, don't worry about it if your goal is to finish.
A pee stop can go pretty quick and actually gives you a quick chance to get off the bike and stretch a little.
As to pee getting on the bottles: You're moving forward and the pee because of your movement is heading backwards, so really it's your rear wheel the gets the brunt. You might get a bit on the down tube bottle so if you want, just pull that one up and hold it before you start to go. If that bottle has water in it...use it to spritz yourself and the other bottle. It's never been an issue for me and in races I pee on the bike all the time.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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TriSooner posted 7 weeks ago.
Obviously you don't want to pee on your bottles, but since you will be wearing your shorts, the chamois channels the whiz down your leg. It is your shoes that will fill with pee rather than splatter on your bottles (for the most part). (Note: If anyone thinks, "Oh no one really does that," then you don't race long-course or watch any of the grand tours on TV.)
Some races serioulsy frown on the bush option ("indecent exposure") so be very discreet about it, and if it is a big race, you will find lines at the porta potty. Standing in line while a clock ticks is excrutiating. I think you best bet is to try to pee while on the bike.
Here's a blog about how to pee on the bike, but much of it is for guys. The basic premise is to stand to take pressure off the urethra.
Nearly every guy in the left-hand side of this pic is executing the manuever, and if you look closely at the pavement and at the USPS "rider," you can see the evidence. And this is why I never touch anyone's bike seat.
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burnman posted 7 weeks ago.
Growing up, if one of my friends was having a lousy day, we used to say, "Boy, someone pis*ed in his Cheerios!" I'm sure that relieving yourself atop your water bottles will inevitably have the same effect on your day. Like all things, practice makes perfect. My suggestion is to either scoot way back (nearly off) the saddle, or rest one of your thighs on the saddle and shift off to the side, preferably while coasting downhill. Let it fly and the drag will take care of the rest. Keep in mind that "relieving" yourself on the bike will most likely result in some degree of friendly fire.
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jtrimom posted 7 weeks ago.
hilarious, Sooner, thanks for sharing...although, as you warned, a lot of pertinent info for men, not so much for women as I can't imagine there will be any kind of stream, maybe something more like a flowing puddle, with the shorts' padding and all...maybe I should practice, although I can't imagine it would be kindly looked upon on my favorite hike n bike trail
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Tamara posted 7 weeks ago.
I've done it (my first HIM I actually over hydrated and peed four times while on the bike!), and it's not a big deal. Presuming there's a cutout in your saddle, just tell yourself you're sitting on a padded toilet seat. As Anton said, if you're worried about that back bottle, hold it while you go, but for the most part it will soak into the chamois or fly off the back, and yes some will probably run down your leg. And, just like the water from swimming, it will dry pretty quickly. So, while you'll know in your head that your shorts and saddle are now gross, you won't feel like you're a baby in a wet diaper all day.
But, DEFINITELY make sure to clean that saddle well when the race is over. And if you happen to have borrowed it from someone, do them a favor and just don't return it (sorry again, jmcglos!). :-)
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
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jbird2131 posted 7 weeks ago.
LET IT RAIN JTRIMOM!!
As Sooner said, it helps to stand up while "releasing". In regards to the bottles, I have never had an issue with my bottles getting soaked as long as I'm moving at a decent clip. It does however fly off your rear wheel like a perfect anti-drafting repellent. Good luck!
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JohnieTri posted 7 weeks ago.
TriSooner posted 3 hours ago.
New
"It is your shoes that will fill with pee rather than splatter on your bottles (for the most part). (Note: If anyone thinks, "Oh no one really does that," then you don't race long-course or watch any of the grand tours on TV.) "
Did this at IMKY in '07. Filled my right shoe about 30 miles into the bike. Very gross feeling. From then on I just looked for a somewhat secluded spot on the course, pulled over still straddling my bike, and let her go. The extra 1-2 minutes per stop was of no concern to me. Oh and couple that with the already dead smelling aroma of an IM T2, it's just not that big a deal for me to pull over. And no, I didn't keep those socks if anyone was wondering. Threw them out along with the insoles of the shoes. It's one of those "matter of preference" things.
-Johnie
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jtrimom posted 7 weeks ago.
thanks for all the insight guys, I don't know if I could even if I wanted to (performance anxiety), but I will try on my next long ride
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beads1985 posted 7 weeks ago.
I always have a tough time if I am on the bike.
I like to pull over and get a quick stretch and go.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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jtrimom posted 7 weeks ago.
beads1985 wrote:
I always have a tough time if I am on the bike.I like to pull over and get a quick stretch and go.
so much easier to go in the bushes if you're a guy :( although that Paula Radcliffe (I think) sure makes it look easy to pull over, squat, and continue running
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groovyjen posted 7 weeks ago.
I got nothing on the bike stuff, but I am good at the outdoor pee.
So, ideally you want to find someplace with a slight downhill. Find your location on the up part of the downhill. One hand in back, off to the side - out of the path, as it were. Other hand in front for balance. Feet in a squat type position. It's all very ladylike.
Then again, there is this thing.
http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0014250515391a.shtml
Although what you would do with it the rest of this time?
Anyhow, good luck with the HIM. Be sure to include the pee pee verdict in the RR.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
now that my 1st HIM is only one month away, I have been thinking about my "goals". Seeing as it's my 1st, I'm thinking I will just be happy to finish alive and well, but I have never, in training or racing had to go potty while on the bike and I was wondering if I will want to get off and go in a blue loo, bushes, or if I would (could) go while on the bike...and then it occurred to me, that I will have 2 bottles beneath me on my bike...isn't that a problem if I decide I want to "go" on the bike?