General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bring your own bottles? Rss Feed  
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2012-09-12 1:57 PM

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Subject: Bring your own bottles?

Hey guys,

I have a question for those who have done the half ironman races....Would you bring your own bottles for your bike part during half ironman or will you take any bottles from the aid station? This will be my second HIM. The first time I did the HIM; I brought my own bottles but realized it was too much on my bike. Your feedbacks would be much appreciated!

 Thanks!



2012-09-12 2:07 PM
in reply to: #4408006

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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?
I've done 3 HIM and always bring my own bottles (3). I was never a Boy Scout, but I do like to be prepared.
2012-09-12 2:10 PM
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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?
I bring on own bottles, I wouldn't want to 30 miles or so with nothing..waiting on a aid station
2012-09-12 2:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?
I've always brought my own bottles (either 2 or 3, depending on the bike I used).  Whether I take any from the course depends on the weather and conditions that day.
2012-09-12 2:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

When I did my HIM I took a few "throw away" bottles.  In my case they were just convience store water bottles (AquaFina or some brand) with the squeeze top.

I threw them out and replaced them with the ones from the course at the next couple of aid stations.

Of course they were not insulated so considering the extra time in the water etc you might want a better bottle.

2012-09-12 2:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

Even for distances up to HIM/IM, I only have 2 bottles on the bike -- one primary fuel bottle (3-hour mix) in a nice Camelbak podium bottle, and one throw-away bottle I swap at each exchange. 

Start the race with both full bottles on board, as you are enroute, drain your old beater exchange bottle so you can swap it at the exchange, and go from there...  By the end of the bike, you are left with a "new" exchange bottle to use at the next race.  Rinse, race, repeat

Cheers, Chris



2012-09-12 2:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

Depends on where the aid stations are, but in general I bring enough fluid for about half the course, and grab bottles at aid stations. I try to have one extra just in case as I go along. If I have one left upon entering an aid station I will take 1 bottle of water. If I have zero or less than 1, I'd take two. 

It depends on what you drink on the bike. WTC IM brand 70.3 often hand out something different than at independent races. By using water that I add a nuuns tablet to, my nutrition plan works for all races no mater the sports drink they give out.

2012-09-12 2:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?
I use a speedfil A2 that I do not ditch with Infinit,then a water bottle with plain water that I do ditch.  So I do both
2012-09-12 2:44 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

I brought 2 full bottles on the bike during my HIM.  I didn't finish what I put in them so didn't do an exchange.

I was told during a HIM clinic that, for aero purposes, you should always keep a bottle (empty or full) in the water bottle cage on your seat post.  I have no idea if that's good advice, but I followed it.

2012-09-12 3:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

I think it depends on what you use as your nutrition.  I use Infinit so I don't live off the course for anything except water and fruit.  On the bike for my HIM I carried my aquacell and then two bottles.  My plan was to empty a bottle early on and then exchange it for a plain water bottle at an aid station.  This bottle wouldn't be for anything other than as a backup in case I consumed more than I anticipated.  Since I use liqud nutrition, I would have had all the calories and electrolytes I needed up to that point, and would simply need the fluid.  I ended up not using it. 

If I didn't use Infinit and used gatorade or something else that's available on the course I wouldn't worry about carrying so much.

As for the bottle itself, I picked up a couple of inexpensive bottles that I was willing to throw away and lose the money on.  I think I got the $5.99 bottles at my local shop.  I just considered it an expense of doing the race.

Good luck,

Shane

2012-09-12 4:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

I only carry water on the bike.  All my calories come from gels in a flask.

The HIM I have done (twice) has aid stations every 10 miles, so I could easily just start with one bottle, toss it, then use on course bottles the rest of the way.

However, as a MOP swimmer and FOP biker, I usually try to avoid the first aid station as it's very congested and I'm usually still passing a lot of people.  So I start with 2 bottles to make sure I can make it to the 2nd aid station where things are a lot less congested and I'm not passing people as often.



2012-09-13 11:42 AM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?
Thank you everyone for your inputs!
2012-09-13 7:34 PM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?
How much of a geek will I be if I carry my camelback ? It's what I train with, keeps my back cool for a while and easier to get to than fiddling with my bottles ( I have a 47 frame. Two bottles fit really close).i don't want to have to stop for nutrition since I don't like what they provide on the course. My plan was water in the camelback and heed in one Gatorade in the other bottle. I am most worried about the nutrition aspect of it all. I use stinger gels and waffles right now. Any thoughts?
2012-09-14 7:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Bring your own bottles?

How much of a geek will I be if I carry my camelback ?

 

If it suits you, go on with it. Some can live with one bottle all the way until the next station, while others use more than two. It's an individual thing. Sometimes I would kill for another sip of liquid, and aid stations are loooooooong away.



Edited by Gladiador 2012-09-14 7:34 AM
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