Total 200 — Advice and Roll Call

This topic has 78 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 9 months ago by hozn.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 78 total)

1 2 3 4 5 6 →

Author

Posts
June 18, 2013 at 11:25 am #973173

Steve
Participant

@eminva 55447 wrote:

I will be doing the 200 KM version — life happened and I didn’t have time to train for the longer 200 mile route.

You’re riding 124 miles. I don’t think this requires any explanation.

I’ll defer to the triathletes here with respect to seat post mounted cages, as they are the folks who tend to use those the most. Some people complain that the bottle can bounce out, but most seem to really like them. Just out of curiosity, does your pump mount directly into the water bottle cage braze-ons? Or does it use a little pump holder that mounts onto the frame? I know with my mini pump, I can mount the pump mount and bottle cage into the same braze-ons, just might need long enough screws.

June 18, 2013 at 11:38 am #973175

mstone
Participant

@Steve 55450 wrote:

Just out of curiosity, does your pump mount directly into the water bottle cage braze-ons? Or does it use a little pump holder that mounts onto the frame? I know with my mini pump, I can mount the pump mount and bottle cage into the same braze-ons, just might need long enough screws.

I’ve noticed more mini pumps that have a holder that mounts inline with the bottle braze-ons, rather than offset. This gives more flexibility if you want to mount the bracket to the top tube or seat stay, but sucks if you want to mount it on the bottle holder and still use a bottle. It doesn’t seem to be a technical issue, as people still use the older offset mounts with the new pumps, topeak just seems to have had a Steve Jobs moment and decided that you didn’t need that functionality.

June 18, 2013 at 12:48 pm #973180

TwoWheelsDC
Participant

I bought a couple of Specialized Airtools for my road and commuter bikes. The packaging says they’ll do 120psi, although I can’t imagine how hard that would be on your arms. Regardless, they mount to the bottle cage braze-ons, while still allowing for a bottle cage. I haven’t had to actually use them, but they seem well built and are barely noticeable on the bike.

June 18, 2013 at 1:13 pm #973182

Amalitza
Guest

The total 200 is well outside of my current abilities, but I am a thirsty thirsty girl with small bikes.

The hybrid has a bottle cage on the downtube and I added a handlebar-mount bottle cage so I can carry two bottles without having to break out the trunk bag on the rear rack (which I do for longer rides).

That was my first set-up on the road bike, but I didn’t much like the water bottle on the handlebars on that bike, so I went with http://www.profile-design.com/profile-design/products/hydration—nutrition/all-hydration/aquarack.html on the seatpost. Of course, that takes up the space where I previously had a saddle bag, so I got a Cage Box for the carrying of tools, spare tube, band aids, etc. I have one water bottle on the downtube, a second water bottle and the cage box in the two holders on the seat-post holder. It is an expensive piece of plastic– it’s intended customers are triathletes who will sell their mothers and firstborns for the promise of more aero– but it gives me more water on the bike than I otherwise could carry. (the road bike is also better designed than the hybrid with a cage mount on the seatpost, but can only fit a small bottle there, while I want at least two large water bottles if I’m going to out for more than an hour. I REALLY don’t like to run out of water or feel that I need to ration myself to make sure I don’t:)).

June 18, 2013 at 1:19 pm #973183

Amalitza
Guest

@Steve 55450 wrote:

I’ll defer to the triathletes here with respect to seat post mounted cages, as they are the folks who tend to use those the most. Some people complain that the bottle can bounce out, but most seem to really like them.

I’ve never had a bottle bounce out of the seat-post holders, while I *have*, more than once (and usually in traffic, just for fun) had bottles jump out of the downtube bottle cage.

I have not mastered any ability to actually drink out of the bottle behind me while riding. I drink out of the one on the downtube, and switch them out when empty.

June 18, 2013 at 1:24 pm #973185

hozn
Participant

@eminva 55447 wrote:

Hello —

Anyone else doing the Total 200 this year (July 6th)? I will be doing the 200 KM version — life happened and I didn’t have time to train for the longer 200 mile route.

Question for those of you who have done this before: what do you do about water? How frequently is water available on the course? I only have space for one water bottle on my bike at the moment unless I remove my air pump. I’ve seen cyclists with a rack for water bottles on the back of their seat post (I think) — that’s the only other option I can think of. Otherwise, I’m not too proud to use the Camelbak. Advice is appreciated.

I am doing it! As well as a couple of my coworkers/team-mates (Doug and I are doing the 200-mile version; another guy is doing the 200k version).

I have not done the ride, but I notice that the checkpoints (http://www.total200.com/The_Ride/Check_Points) are 20-30 miles apart. That is probably 1-1.5+ hours, depending on pace. That might be a little tight for a singe bottle (esp if it’s hot). I typically budget 1+ bottles per hour on long rides/races. The suggestions here wrt mounting the pumps along side the cages are obviously very pertinent. I have the tiny lezyne pump (looks like similar in size to that Specialized pump that twowheelsdc posted) that I just keep in my jersey pocket.

June 18, 2013 at 1:36 pm #973194

dasgeh
Participant

I see lots of people put a water bottle or two in their jersey pockets. Never done it myself, so I can’t comment.

Another trick I’ve seen bike racers use: fill a long sock with ice. Stick it down your back. Bike in hot weather.

June 18, 2013 at 2:48 pm #973206

Tim Kelley
Participant

My experiences based on last year when it was 105 degrees. Remember, I drink two or more gallons a day:

Water is plentiful at stops. I had two bottles on my bike and a third in my jersey pocket. I would drink heavily at stops and ration the two bottles between stops and use the third to cool me off. I wore all white sleeveless kit that I had white long sleeve ballet-style shrugs I could put over and drip water onto from the third bottle.

Camelbak is a good idea. Also, make sure the hydrate in the days leading up to the event too.

June 18, 2013 at 2:50 pm #973207

Tim Kelley
Participant

@acl 55460 wrote:

I’ve never had a bottle bounce out of the seat-post holders, while I *have*, more than once (and usually in traffic, just for fun) had bottles jump out of the downtube bottle cage.

I have not mastered any ability to actually drink out of the bottle behind me while riding. I drink out of the one on the downtube, and switch them out when empty.

I’ve had bottles rocket out and I’ve even had entire mounts crack and break apart under the weight of completely full bottles. Make sure to get something sturdy.

June 18, 2013 at 3:05 pm #973209

jabberwocky
Participant

Regarding pumps, performance sells a little mount that bolts alongside a water cage. It allows you to keep the cage. I have a topeak mini-morph in mine and it works great (I added some duct tape to tighten the fit on the pump, but it has a velcro strap that gives additional security).

June 18, 2013 at 3:08 pm #973210

culimerc
Participant

I’m in for the full 200. Hozn has it about right, water stops 25-30 apart, I’d definitely use 2 bottles and put the mini pump in the jersey. Overall, its only the 1st and last 20 miles that are any kind of hilly. Once you are away from the beltway, it just sorts of rolls along gently, but there is *no* shade, no place to hide, from the sun. So, hydration will be important.

For anyone who is interested I’m off to explore a new route on Sunday in the name of training. Wheels up from Loudoun Co High school at 8:30. I’m looking at doing a variation of this. I’ll probably cut about 15 miles off by not going into Middleburg, and just head to Bluemont at Snickersville Turnpike. There should be water and food available in Bluemont, Shepardstown, Harpers Ferry, and Point of Rocks, so every 30 miles or so.

Please let me know if your interested. Contact me here or off line.

June 18, 2013 at 4:48 pm #973229

Mark Blacknell
Participant

I’m in for another T200. Thirding/fourthing advice to go for two bottles. Support is pretty great, but it’s good to have a margin built in. If it’s an especially hot day, I’d recommend making one of the bottles insulated. Ice + drink = incredibly helpful on such a long hot day.

Looks like an interesting ride, Culimerc. I’d be up for that, if I weren’t going on a ride the day before.

June 18, 2013 at 5:29 pm #973239

Megabeth
Participant

Roll call! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gflUUZzhu_Y

I’m attempting the entire enchilada with Mark. And, would love to build a little train of folks (I will not be pulling any Tim Kelley heroics and am about surviving the day…)

Also, I have to do a 125 mile ride this weekend. Have no access to car so I’ll be starting in Arlington and I don’t want to build in any insane climbs. I will be most likely be riding by myself so will need easy and often water stops. Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

June 18, 2013 at 5:35 pm #973240

mstone
Participant

@acl 55459 wrote:

The total 200 is well outside of my current abilities, but I am a thirsty thirsty girl with small bikes.

The hybrid has a bottle cage on the downtube and I added a handlebar-mount bottle cage so I can carry two bottles without having to break out the trunk bag on the rear rack (which I do for longer rides).

Is there just not enough room on the seat tube? You can clamp a bottle rack on even if there are no braze-ons, unless (of course) it just won’t fit. (Once upon a time, that’s how they all were. )

June 18, 2013 at 5:58 pm #973250

consularrider
Participant

Those both look much more challenging than my boring century this Saturday.

I did 170 miles of the Total 200 last year. You will need at least two bottles between the water stops if the day is sunny and warm. Last year I tried the “freeze a bottle” for the jersey pocket for both the Crystal Ride and the Total 200. I won’t do that again. Too much melt running down along with the sweat where I didn’t want it. I still ride with a smaller bottle in the middle jersey pocket as my third bottle on longer rides where I expect hydration to be an issue. I tried a behind the seat dual bottle holder (mounted on the seat rails). This configuration allowed me to still use a small wedge bag for spare tube and tools. However, I found my bottles were too prone to jumping out and getting in the way of the riders behind me. Also the bolts attaching the holder to the seat rails tended to vibrate loose. When I did the Ride Across Indiana (RAIN, 160 miles in one day), the road was littered with loose water bottles.

If you want to reclaim your second water bottle cage brazeons, there are options. The standard Topeak Morph pump holder can be zip-tied to the underside of the top tube. Topeak also sells a separate holder that mounts under the bottle cage. I have gone back to using the Lezyne Pressure Drive pump which comes with a bracket that mounts under a bottle cage or is small enough to be carried in a jersey pocket.
Author

Posts