For me I stop on a full IM the 2 min it will take me to stop on the side of the road (I won't wait for a porta potty) is worth not being stinky for the next 10 hours. That's just me. I am not winning a kona slot either so does it really matter then? not to me.

IMHO i would NEVER, EVER do that. i am not paid athlete, therefore peeing should be the way is suppoused to be - bush, toilet.... i've seen some people doing ridiculus (sp?) things and they are at the very best recreational athletes... why???? i mean, do whatever floats your boat, but i am 100% against peeing on a bike. i am going to vomit now... see ya!
and welcome to trifuel!

[quote=brittda]For me I stop on a full IM the 2 min it will take me to stop on the side of the road (I won't wait for a porta potty) is worth not being stinky for the next 10 hours. That's just me. I am not winning a kona slot either so does it really matter then? not to me.[/quote]
+100000000000000000000000

I had this same question! While I've been training for my IM, it only takes 1 min to stop and pee so I reckon I will do this during my race...even if there is a line! However, the run is a different story. During my first marathon, I had to pee within the first 45 min which was odd because I trained for months without ever having to go...must have been the nerves...anyway, as I approached the aid station, I took water (make sure it's not gatorade) and while I was running, I peed and poured the water down my shorts at the same time. I have to say, at that point and there after, it was just water coming out so I didn't feel...stinky! I did it a few more times since it worked so well. The reason I didn't stop was because there was a long line at the first porta potty and there after, I was afraid once I stopped, I might not be able to start...but that was just a straight marathon. During my IM, I will use the few seconds or minutes and pull over to a porta potty:) Besides, I will be wearing my slick tri suit vs running shorts!

[quote=kpollock]I had this same question! While I've been training for my IM, it only takes 1 min to stop and pee so I reckon I will do this during my race...even if there is a line! However, the run is a different story. During my first marathon, I had to pee within the first 45 min which was odd because I trained for months without ever having to go...must have been the nerves...anyway, as I approached the aid station, I took water (make sure it's not gatorade) and while I was running, I peed and poured the water down my shorts at the same time. I have to say, at that point and there after, it was just water coming out so I didn't feel...stinky! I did it a few more times since it worked so well. The reason I didn't stop was because there was a long line at the first porta potty and there after, I was afraid once I stopped, I might not be able to start...but that was just a straight marathon. During my IM, I will use the few seconds or minutes and pull over to a porta potty:) Besides, I will be wearing my slick tri suit vs running shorts! [/quote]

Ok, I KNOW lots of people do that and I have actually contemplated it. BUT I really dont want to stink up my $150 runing shoes. Washing them isn't good for them and EWWWW. Didn't they get icked up? That said, even on a marathon I will just stop and go on the side of the road no porta potty. I have embarassed my sister but oh well, I just face traffic :) Most of the run on IMC is out of town so no problems doing that .

I say leave the peeing in the shorts up to the pro's that get paid to do so. Think about this.....How comfortable do you think would it be to ride in a urine soaked chamois? Saddle sores anyone? Ugh

[quote=KitKat]I say leave the peeing in the shorts up to the pro's that get paid to do so. Think about this.....How comfortable do you think would it be to ride in a urine soaked chamois? Saddle sores anyone? Ugh[/quote]

and add 90+ degrees EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
This is supposed to be fun :) I am right with ya.

USAT rules, 3.4 Race Conduct, part n. Indecent Exposure. "Public nudity at any time during the event is prohibited."

So if you're whipping something out to pee or using the bushes, then technically . . . So the only legit options are to either 1) pee in your drawers or 2) stop to wait in line and use a porta potty. Regardless of plumbing and which method you prefer, I'm giggling at the time justification for not doing it (I'm not a pro, I'm not getting into Kona, I can stand to lose a minute or so). So you'll buy disk wheels, aero helmets, and obsess about aero fit to save a minute, but to pee, you'll sacrifice a minute. I don't get the inconsistency. And for the record, I have been both the pisser and the pissed on. The lesson is that if you see someone in front of you stand up for no apparent reason and shift to one side, there's a good chance you shouldn't be too close behind. Wheel spray urine can exceed the 'no draft zone.'

I can't remember what I did with my running shoes? I think I washed them and used them for outdoor runs. It really wasn't that big of a deal. At the time I had to make a decision and that was the best one! I was actually quite proud of my self for being resourceful!

Now, I will NOT pee on the bike, at least on the run I had something to wash it away with! That brings me to another question since we are on the topic....I assume during the swim, you pee in your wetsuit. During my training in the pool, after an hour, I always have to pee! Fortunately I can get out but during an IM, I don't have that luxury. And is it easy to pee while swimming. I haven't swam that long in OW to find out. Even after I am done swimming in the pool, I still have to go, so I usually make sure I've gone a couple times before I hop on the bike....anyone else have that problem? I thought it was because I would take in too much water but even when I aqua jog, the same thing happens and my head is above water.

[quote=TriSooner]USAT rules, 3.4 Race Conduct, part n. Indecent Exposure. "Public nudity at any time during the event is prohibited."

So if you're whipping something out to pee or using the bushes, then technically . . . So the only legit options are to either 1) pee in your drawers or 2) stop to wait in line and use a porta potty. Regardless of plumbing and which method you prefer, I'm giggling at the time justification for not doing it (I'm not a pro, I'm not getting into Kona, I can stand to lose a minute or so). So you'll buy disk wheels, aero helmets, and obsess about aero fit to save a minute, but to pee, you'll sacrifice a minute. I don't get the inconsistency. And for the record, I have been both the pisser and the pissed on. The lesson is that if you see someone in front of you stand up for no apparent reason and shift to one side, there's a good chance you shouldn't be too close behind. Wheel spray urine can exceed the 'no draft zone.' [/quote]

Well honestly-- I don't have disk wheels or an aero helmet :)
If I ever get to be THAT good of a cyclist and that's how I can drop time rather than ride more and loose a few pounds off my fat @ss then I will :)

[quote=TriSooner]I'm giggling at the time justification for not doing it (I'm not a pro, I'm not getting into Kona, I can stand to lose a minute or so). So you'll buy disk wheels, aero helmets, and obsess about aero fit to save a minute, but to pee, you'll sacrifice a minute. I don't get the inconsistency.' [/quote]

It's not necessarily inconsistent at all. You are just exporting your own cost/benefit analysis to others. If people have money to spend, they have money to spend. If people don't want to wet themselves, they don't want to wet themselves. I'm getting off the bike to pee even if I end up buying some really cool gear to cut time. That's me.

I tried to pee in my shorts on the bike in my first ironman and ended up peeing all over my water bottles. Needless to say I ended up using the portos for the rest of the race only once for the run. I guess it was worth losing a little time than tasting my urine all day.

when did vineman way back in 01 they were Dq'ing people who were relieving themselves in the bushes. seems the locals got sick of everyone using their yards as bathrooms. guess they have a point. weird thing I've never had to pee on the bike or run - ever. did pee on the swim once or twice.

I had never thought about this until doing a 200 mi bike race 2 years ago. About 120 miles in the peleton totally splintered, and I somehow ended up out front. After a few minutes I realized I needed to go, so I figured since I was winning at that point, I would try to go while on the bike. The first time wasn't very successful, with lots of spray and almost wrecking, but I learned from it and the 2nd and 3rd were much better (I did end up winning the race, so maybe it was worth it, plus the learning has some value)

So here are some tips for the guys:
1. Find flat ground or very slight downhill
2. Make sure you're not in front of anyone
3. While seated, pull shorts as far up left leg as possible (Left leg avoids possible spray on drive train)
4. Reach with right hand, twist torso slightly and aim out :)

The faster you are going the worse the spray.

I'm sad to say that I have practiced this enough now, that I can do it with almost zero spray, I have even done it while staying aero :)

Now remember Rule #1 - Never try something new on race day. Try this in practice first if you intend to do it while racing. Good luck ;)

Don't ever get too close to me -- I pee in the water and on the bike, but never on the run. If I can hold it and stop in T2, great. Otherwise, I take my water bottle out of the cage so it doesn't get wet, and do my thing.

As for stinky the rest of the day....if I'm that well-hydrated that I have to pee, my urine is probably pretty clear and not strong-smelling. And my sweat guaranteed is far stinkier than my pee so it's not really making things noticeably worse!

i did it in the bike part of Vineman full distance. No big deal, yea my shoes stunk for a while but they are kept in the garage. I wasn't about saving time, it was more for the fun to keep riding without stopping.

Peeing on the bike is one of my favorite parts of tris ;) Ok seriously, yes, I pee on the bike. Do it right before an aid station, grab a bottle of water and pour it over you at the station and then toss it as you leave the station. The chamois will be basically water, and it's the same as riding after the swim. And on hot days can be somewhat refreshing. I practice sometimes in sprints over the winter... one near me is often in the rain and the swim is last, so no problem ;)

For the stinky shoes, just rinse them and let them dry in the sun when you are done.

I haven't yet pee'd while running -- but I haven't ever needed to. I usually make sure I go near the end of the bike, and then I'm good for the run.

Oh, and at one IM my legs were not doing so great so I was very glad I didn't have to try to stand up again after sitting on a potty!

Yes, at Vineman they do DQ you if you use the side of the road -- porta potties and in motion bathroom breaks only.

I haven't had the urge to go on the bike. I have only done sprints but have gotten everything out before hand. On the run, I don't have a choice on whether the pee comes out or not - pushing out two 9 lbs. babies pretty much ruined the muscle to hold in my pee when I run (or jump). If I am running and there is anything sitting in my bladder - it is coming out. *sigh* And they say having kids is a beautiful thing.

i am not nearly competitive enough to want to pee myself...one day, maybe, when i do the full body shave too :)

Wow - I understand for the age-groupers trying to get that "spot" or the professionals trying to get the "win", but I'm simply trying to finish these races, and for that reason alone don't think I could go with the peeing myself routine, which might be a problem for me!

In general I have to pee roughly every 45-60 minutes maximum, which would be crazy over IM distances, but I can't imagine simply letting the bladder go and continuing to run - even the thought of it is making me queasy. If I add 10 minutes to my time because I take 5 bathroom breaks, then I add 10 minutes - oh well, as long as I finish comfortably - the bathroom breaks can even be short rest periods.

[quote=Captain Mal][quote=TriSooner]I'm giggling at the time justification for not doing it (I'm not a pro, I'm not getting into Kona, I can stand to lose a minute or so). So you'll buy disk wheels, aero helmets, and obsess about aero fit to save a minute, but to pee, you'll sacrifice a minute. I don't get the inconsistency.' [/quote]

It's not necessarily inconsistent at all. You are just exporting your own cost/benefit analysis to others. If people have money to spend, they have money to spend. If people don't want to wet themselves, they don't want to wet themselves. I'm getting off the bike to pee even if I end up buying some really cool gear to cut time. That's me. [/quote]

I couldn't of said it better than Captain Mal.

When I was a kid and played racing games, they didn't let you drive the expensive cars until you passed the low levels driving the crappy cars. In triathlons, you can be out of shape on an expensive bike, or in great shape with jean shorts and a bmx.

I can only speak for myself when I say that I might pay for swim lessons when I'm 30 min from qualifying for Kona. I might also rent race wheels, buy an aero helmet, and pee on the bike when I'm within 15 min from Kona. However, if squeezing every min off your time is what keeps you training and racing, then it doesn't matter if you are collecting medals for age group finishes or qualifying for championships.