General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Yes, another stupid newbie question... Rss Feed  
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2009-03-20 9:40 AM

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Subject: Yes, another stupid newbie question...

How does the bottle exchange work? I'm not sure whether you trade out your regular bottles or just to bring 24 oz bottles of Dasani and Gatorade to swap out? Do you have to get off your bike?



2009-03-20 9:46 AM
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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...

Not stupid at all. Some people never even think of this before they go into a race.

Yes, you're going to lose your bottles, so bring cheap sport-top bottles if you like. 

As you come to a water stop, move to the right, slow down and toss your bottle BEFORE the water stop. There will be volunteers in lines shouting what they've got (and you can see the color too). Grab whatever it is you want, stow it in your bottle holder, and LOOK to your left and be careful merging back into traffic.

2009-03-20 9:46 AM
in reply to: #2029839

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Master
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Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...
mammatri's - 2009-03-20 9:40 AM

How does the bottle exchange work? I'm not sure whether you trade out your regular bottles or just to bring 24 oz bottles of Dasani and Gatorade to swap out? Do you have to get off your bike?

i've only ever seen handups on 1/2 and IM races, and they have always been gatorade or a dasani bottle or the like.  you'll ditch your bottle as you come up to the aid station, and take a new one from a volunteer as you roll thru or if you don't feel comfortable with that, you can stop and take care of things before you roll off.  Just be sure to be aware of where you are in the road, and try not to block other racers going thru.

Edited after I read Yanti's comments.  She said everything that I did.....



Edited by Doughboy 2009-03-20 9:47 AM
2009-03-20 11:44 AM
in reply to: #2029839

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...
Practice this with a buddy in an empty parking lot or street. Its harder then I thought it would be. Of course I probably could have slown down more.
2009-03-20 12:13 PM
in reply to: #2029839

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Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...
You can do whatever you want at the bottle exchange. It is basically a rest stop with water or gatorade available. You may or you may not disregard bottles depending on your set up before you pick bottles. I use an aero drink holder so all I do is pick a bottle open it and and pour it into my drink holder and dispose the empty water bottle while I am still in the trashing zone.
Also if you do not feel comfortable exchanging on the fly you can stop or even get off the bike.
I do not think losing a minute or two will make a huge difference in your case as a beginner.
It just cracks me up when I see people trying to exchange bottles on the fly and either missing or dropping them and have to stop and go back even losing more time.
It is like a flying dismount from your bike you should only do it if you perfected everything and trying to shave off seconds. Otherwise it is just comical.
2009-03-20 2:18 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...

Keep in mind:

1)  You're not a pro cyclist/triathlete

2)  They're volunteers, not a dedicated support team

Slow down, they should hold the bottle out and you grab it as you ride by s.l.o.w.l.y!  This gives you the best chances of not dropping it, not hitting them, and not getting pulled off the bike accidentally because you get tangled up with them.  In the last 20-30', you and they should be agreeing on where the handoff will occur (i.e. it should be in a good position for you to grab)

As others have said, pay attention to someone coming up on your left either moving right to get their own bottle or in your path as you move back to the left after getting your bottle.  Try to leave a big gap between the volunteer you're targeting and the volunteers the rider ahead of you is targeting.  (Don't go for the neighbor.



2009-03-20 2:31 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...
mammatri's - 2009-03-20 7:40 AM

How does the bottle exchange work? I'm not sure whether you trade out your regular bottles or just to bring 24 oz bottles of Dasani and Gatorade to swap out? Do you have to get off your bike?

Just to add one thing to what everyone else has said -

 BE CAREFUL where you launch your discarded water bottle. Remember, you are going anywhere from 15-25 mph (Depending on your race pace), so that bottle now becomes a 20mph projectile. Especially if it's not drained, if you hit someone with it, it's going to hurt. A lot. (And yes, I have done this in road races by accident. Sucks when you wipe out one of your support crew with a 1/3 full bottle... )

John 

2009-03-21 11:03 AM
in reply to: #2029839

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Veteran
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Thibodaux
Subject: RE: Yes, another stupid newbie question...
Thanks so much for all the replies. Very helpful info. I think I'm just gonna see how congested the exchanges are when I approach. If they seem pretty free, I'll try riding through. If not, I'll get off & park then got a new bottle. I think i'm gonna be so far towards the back of the pack, they won't be too crowded. Thanks again. This website has been such a lifesaver!
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Yes, another stupid newbie question... Rss Feed