What free gear is available at an IM? Bottles, gu, gels, etc?

The expo will have some free stuff..... But mostly it's samples.  You may get free Gu's/similar.  Might find someone giving out bottles.  I wouldn't count on CO2.  In other IM's, I have gotten free socks, race # belts, samples, coupons, a cow bell, a few gels, etc.

I wouldn't count on getting anything you need for the IM for free.  You've already invested a lot in time, training, and actual costs.  Don't let the last few dollars ruin your race day.  I would bring my own stuff with and know I have it, and it's my brand/flavor/etc.  Really, it's worth it, even if you have to carry on an extra bag.  If it becomes a big deal, nothing says you have to bring it home with you.

There will be stores/booths at the expo which sell stuff you might need (bottles, Gu's, CO2, etc).  If you choose to buy from them, I would get there as early as possible (first day you're in town) and buy it then, just so you don't risk them running out.  I've never been to IM Fla, so I don't know what sporting goods stores are nearby to help out.

How is your bike getting there?  Any chance you can slip some gels and CO2's inside water bottles and ship them with the bike?  Or mail them to yourself care of your hotel?

Edited by Jonas Grumby 2009-10-12 2:49 PM

There is not that much free stuff given away, they used to give you Gatorade at the swim practices, and some samples in the althlete village.

In your weocome bag you may get a water bottle

If you are expecting a lot of giveaways you will be disappointed.

Not only will it not be free, it will likely be more expensive than you are used to

Bring everything you will need.  Don't bank on the fact you will get stuff.

If it were me, I would make sure that I am self sufficient and leave nothing to chance.  Of course I can assume they would have course nutrition...

On the other hand, I have gone to the local sports store and just bought nutrition or gatorade to avoid packing that for shorter races.

Can't fly with CO2 cartridges either....

Free stuff? HAHA.

You will, however, have the opportunity to purchase anything and everything that has an mDot on it

Bear Naked Granola, an occasional race belt and that is IT.  You're $550 will get you an opportunity to earn a finishers shirt, medal and hat (once you cross the finish line).

And let's just say that somehow my CO2 cartriges have made it to every race I've done...including Australia and St. Croix.

But is that really worth being the reason your airplane crashes?  Because some cheap CO2 cartridges exploded in the cargo bay?

Leave 'em at home...buy them at the expo...donate them to a local when you leave.  Karma.

To the OP...I wouldn't depend on getting anything you couldn't buy at a bike shop.  I would bring all your own stuff (except the CO2) if you can.

Really, I can fit everything I need for an Ironman into a bike case, my roll aboard, and my backpack.  The only thing that doesn't fit into that is a bike pump and that's because I need a new travel one.

They give you a cheap shoulder bag and a poster and that's it......

You can receive a free G-Aid bottle if you use the gear check service at the Gatorade swim but that's about it....

The cheap hat, t-shirt, and medal are given out on sunday night

I'm not encouraging anyone to violate the airline rules on cargo, but a 16g CO2 cartridge ain't gonna cause an airplane to crash.  All the gas in the cartridge would fit in a box 8 inches on a side at standard pressure/temperature.  Perhaps a tiny bit more due to the low pressure at altitude.

Shrapnel is nasty stuff.  All it takes is one piece.

I'm not saying I've never forgotten to take them out.  And personally I really doubt they'd do anything.  But why take the darn chance?  Buy a new set at the race and increase your karma by giving them away at the end of the day.

Anytime you leave a reason for TSA to open your bike box is TROUBLE.  Would you like it if they opened your box to take them out and then ended up breaking a part on your bike trying to put it back into the case?

Not to add fuel to the fire but did you all know that on some planes the "fill" on your under seat life preserver is a 16g CO2 cartridge? My ex was an airline mechanic and each year or so the cartridges need to be replaced for safety reasons. I have a ton of the unused but still functioning ones they took off planes.

I put pitt stop in my luggage when I flew to Seattle guess what it made it there and back. I left it in outside zipper pocket easy to get to if they wanted to take it out.

Interesting that the 16 oz canisters are in the life jackets..so we all know where to get some while traveling

While this may be true, there is still a rule out there that they are not supposed to be packed in your luggage.  A rule is a rule.  I am apparently the minority on this topic, but I will continue to follow the rule.

It used to be that there was a bunch of little stuff around the expo that you could get (fill out a survey card, sign up for a "raffle"...) for nothing but time......one year at IMFL, I got socks, a hat, race belt and more Gatorade bottles than I could launch in a year!
Now, however, things have changed.....samples of granola, some coupons for discounts, and the stuff that is for sale at the expo is about all there is besides the race bag (sting backpack) and a poster.....

Sign of the times I guess.....
Paul