HIM Help

[skean]

I'm starting to get nervous about this HIM thing. I'm constantly running through my kit list, so I thought I'd write it down. If any of you other Tri bods looks at it and think "but where's his...?" do say, but otherwise this is for my reference to compare after the event and for the future.

Comments

[jonnycowbells]

You remembered the Wife, but where's the Mistress in all this? They get a raw deal them Mistresses...

[skean]

Yup. I mean, not getting to see all those big, strapping, sweaty men in lycra suits is definitely a raw deal isn't it? Thats why the wife is coming along as far as I can tell.

[andygates]

Hey, at least this time she gets to take a photo of you with your shorts saying "Middle" instead of "Short"...

NB from Wife

[monica_boscini]

Actually, this time it's going to say "Half" on his shorts....

[andygates]

Thoughts:

1) What is the spare tube and gas in transition for? If it's not on the bike, it's not with the bike when (if) you flat.

2) I just did up my gloves around my tri-bars (brake hoods or bar-tops are popular too). Get on the bike, get out of transition, and then fuss the gloves on.

3) You can fit a couple of gels/bars in your trisuit pockets from the off. Wetsuit goes over them just fine. Tri guys have a fetish for "bento box" top-tube snack packs (see here).

4) A mini pump ought to come with a bottle-cage clip. Remove the bottle cage screws, and fit the clip to the frame between the frame and the bottle cage. The pump ends up tucked tidily in the clench between frame and bottle.

Have you bought a big weatherproof box yet? After the Great Soggy, I'm gonna.

Good luck!

[skean]

"1) What is the spare tube and gas in transition for? If it's not on the bike, it's not with the bike when (if) you flat"

Thats my "comfort blanket" 3rd (and maybe 4th) tube and gas. If I get 2 flats on the first lap, I'll come and grab another tube and gas at 45km. Maybe I'll put a tyre in there as well....

"2) I just did up my gloves around my tri-bars (brake hoods or bar-tops are popular too). Get on the bike, get out of transition, and then fuss the gloves on."

How? Bit of cotton, elastic band, something like that? Reminds me, maybe I'll get an aero bottle as well for between the Tri bars. Do you like yours?

3) I have the bento box, can generally fit 2 gels and my sunglasses in there. Another one in the Tri suit then, ta.

4) Didn't think to put a cage and a pump on the same screws! Ta. Not sure the one I have is "mini" enough, but will check tonight.

Not sure I want a big box. Will stick with carrier bags I reckon. Fingers crossed it won't be quite as soggy.

[andygates]

1) Gotcha, that's sensible.

2) My gloves have velcro fasteners inna oldschool stylee. You could stuff 'em into your bento, too.

I love my aero bottle. Filling it is messy! But it allows sips while trundling in the tuck, which makes it sa good as a Camelback for keeping hydrated.

4) You may need longer screws, but probably not. There's usually plenty of spare thread.

Oh and Ruth scores a point for suncream. Waterproof and sweatproof: burned shoulders are a real problem (so I'm told).

[arabis]

I think I should score extra points for the reminder about testing it in advance! (after all, this is Skean we're advising). Sore shoulders aren't fun (believe me, I know) but neither are stinging eyes.

[arabis]

Suncream (waterproof?) sounds like a good idea - but would definitely be something to test out beforehand to make sure it doesn't do things like trickle into your eyes and irritate them when you start to sweat.

[xeeny]

This isn't strictly kit, but after London, knowing where the first aid bit is for the recovery section will now feature in my list. I also carry plasters on my bike, but that might be OTT for a race.

Y'see, this is what I don't like about Tri - too much kit. Its almost as bad as LRP. I had the same problem with snowboarding. I definitely prefer kit-light side of things: running, swimming, surfing. Anyway, perhaps you can make your millions with tri-webbing?

BTW - managed to miss your race reports, but congrats to all the gang for New Forest times. 24 mins for the swim was ace! Small amount of personal new: cough is (almost) gone, so I once again start the slow climb to gaining some kind of fitness after three months off (sob sob). Went to BadTri swim session this week, which improved technique a lot. Hopefully should be able to do Bath sprint mid-July.

[ehutch]

Cool, glad to know you're on the mend.

Doing open water swims regularly on a Fri night at West Huntspill if you fancy it. Otherwise Andy and I go sometimes on a weekend if you fancy coming too.

[andygates]

Oddly enough, Skean and I were saying after New Forest that it was, basically, LRP for grownups: there's the kit and the multi-disciplinary thing and the silly outfits and the cavorting around in the countryside. :)

Anything you can fix with a sticky plaster is too trivial to bother with on race day, IMO. You'll either have grazes or something serious and usually, grazes are a lot bigger than a sticky plaster!

Good to hear you're on the mend!

[ehutch]

Spare goggles - on arm in swim, just in case.
Blisteze or similar in back pocket for run.
Ibuprofen likewise (you can see the sort of event injuries I've tagged...)
Talc in bike shoes (and socks if using) to stop blisters - do in advance
Body glide on neck, wrists and ankles really makes a difference to how quick suit comes off.
Elastic laces on running shoes
Zip line pump to bike
Carry spare cleat bolt in cycle pack - greased ready and in a placcy bag so you can find it easily (needed one of these on a ride too...)
Scrap shell / warm layers / hat and running gloves unless very favourite items - too much in T1/T2 is a nightmare.

Just some thoughts...

[skean]

I like the idea of some blizteze in a pocket, that could be a life saver. And maybe some ibruprofen. But does that count as doping then? ;-)

I bodyglide everywhere - at New Forst they couldn't write my number on my because I was so slippery.

Shoes: I go for lace locks and normal laces, which works OK for me.

And the cleat bold sounds a good one too.

Whats a zip line pump?