Unfortunately its looking like a rainy weekend for Galveston 70.3 with potential for thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday . Do I need to do anything to protect my bike while in transition over the night before the race? Ideas?
I’ve been forutnate enough to have raced for a few seasons without this ever being an issue.
Big plastic bag to cover the cockpit wouldn’t be a bad idea. Some people also cover the saddle. Be careful though not to create a “sail” in case it gets windy. I’ve heard bikes flying off racks during strong wind gusts.
I never understood why people are so concerned about their bikes getting wet in transition. They hop on them right out of the water in wet tri suits so the seat is immediately wet. They sweat all over them, spill water and gatorade all over them and they pee all over them. And you are worried about rain?
Never understood that either. I figured the rain cleans the ass cheese from my rides off.
I’d take the computer off or at least cover it with a plastic baggie.
I recall the rules stating you could only cover your seat (not sure why you would do that unless it was torn and could soak up water somehow). Please check yourself as it would not be cool to get a penalty or DQ because you covered your bike. Personally I would not worry about it.
The only think I foolishly did, was leave my helmet, shoes and glasses in transition overnight once as well (I guess so I couldn’t forget them) at Hyvee last year. That was a dumb decision.
I agree that covering your seat is pointless. You hop on the bike soaking wet, then sweat all over it… what are you “protecting” it from? getting cleaned off?
I never understood why people are so concerned about their bikes getting wet in transition. They hop on them right out of the water in wet tri suits so the seat is immediately wet. They sweat all over them, spill water and gatorade all over them and they pee all over them. And you are worried about rain?
Di2 groupos and computers might claim to be “waterproof” but if I were running them I wouldn’t leave them out in the rain to test it.
I think the triathlon rules state you must cover you plastic saddle with a grocery bag to protect it from water. Maybe the leather saddle would have stayed popular if plastic grocery bags had been invented sooner.
I have no clue why people do that.
http://i60.tinypic.com/2zzrod5.jpg
I like to be a nice guy and bring one of these. This way the whole rack doesn’t get wet. I also offer to wipe down the seats of everyone in my rack before they transition from the swim to the bike. I would hate for their saddle to be wet when they sit on it after swimming that ungodly distance.
I never understood why people are so concerned about their bikes getting wet in transition. They hop on them right out of the water in wet tri suits so the seat is immediately wet. They sweat all over them, spill water and gatorade all over them and they pee all over them. And you are worried about rain?
Most likely because water seeps into the frame through the seat tube, cable routing holes, etc. Rain is quite a lot more volume than what is on a wet tri suit. I once drove back from Vegas with bikes on a roof rack. Removed the seat posts and hung them upside down and at least a pint of water came out of each bike.
To the OP. We had a similar situation at IM Switzerland in 2011 and the race gave us plastic bags when we checked in our bikes the day before.
I did IM Tahoe and it was cold/rainy the night before the race. Was baffled by the amount of bike covering taking place. But my wife had the genius idea of removing our armrests and bringing them back race morning. Turns out she is a genius, as I had to knock ice off my seat in T1.
Battery in my Stages PM died in the cold, but I don’t think that was rain-related. The bonehead move I did was putting my nutrition in the bento on race morning without realizing there was a block of ice that would melt and turn my food into a swamp.
But I don’t see any reason to cover your seat, drivetrain, etc.
I never understood why people are so concerned about their bikes getting wet in transition. They hop on them right out of the water in wet tri suits so the seat is immediately wet. They sweat all over them, spill water and gatorade all over them and they pee all over them. And you are worried about rain?
Agreed. Besides, you are likely to ride in the rain. So you bike will get wet regardless. The handlebars, the seat, the chain. So you want to cover them exactly why?
I’ve had my bikes in transition overnight in the rain several times, including my current race bike with electronic shifters. I only had a problem once, although I wasn’t aware of it until the race was over. When the bike was brand new, it was out overnight at Rev3 Quassy. When I put my bike on the rack to drive home, I felt and heard liquid sloshing inside the frame. I learned that there were several holes in the frame for cables, but weren’t being used and hadn’t been plugged. At least it gave me an excuse for my slow bike time.
I think the issued plastic bag covers are par for the course in European IMs. I had them in Regensburg and Kalmar. Which makes you wonder…why is it that in Europe they issue everyone a full bike cover, but in the US they are expressly banned. Hello, anyone in WTC want to answer why the right hand is not talking to the left hand?
Full covers act as sails, and in windy conditions can not only lead to your bike getting blown off the rack, but a whole rack getting pulled over. I think Galveston can get pretty windy.
ETA: I was curious, so I checked the athlete’s guide. One part says full bike covers aren’t allowed and will be removed, and another says that they are allowed if you tie it to the bike. So pick whichever choice you like more.
Good thing it never gets windy in Europe. Or maybe we user cheaper racks in the U.S. Either way, it is a stunning difference in policy execution between two continents within the same series.
Good thing it never gets windy in Europe. Or maybe we user cheaper racks in the U.S. Either way, it is a stunning difference in policy execution between two continents within the same series.
I too noticed that in Europe. Was awesome. Also, discouraged anyone from messing with your gear while you weren’t around.
What about putting a large bag over and then cutting some slits down the side so the wind passes through better? Just don’t run the slits up too high–or just cut some circle flaps like some of the outside banners companies use.
I don’t thing that people who cover up their bikes are worried about wet saddles or handlebars, but rather the cups-o-water that will be hanging out around their bottom brackets adding weight and corrosion to parts.
I never understood why people are so concerned about their bikes getting wet in transition. They hop on them right out of the water in wet tri suits so the seat is immediately wet. They sweat all over them, spill water and gatorade all over them and they pee all over them. And you are worried about rain?
Most likely because water seeps into the frame through the seat tube, cable routing holes, etc. Rain is quite a lot more volume than what is on a wet tri suit. I once drove back from Vegas with bikes on a roof rack. Removed the seat posts and hung them upside down and at least a pint of water came out of each bike.
A pint of water weighs .473kg. Or a pound. A) On a flat course, it doesn’t matter, B) on a hilly course, very few would notice, and C) from a bike maintenance (frame) standpoint, if you’re riding AL, Carbon, or TI, it doesn’t matter.
There are so many things to pay attention to in life. This isn’t one of 'em.