The rules of Ironman

[shawnvan]

Nice post Red Zone.

 

However, I don't agree fully. Ironman is meant to be hard!

 

And meachnicals are just one of the many, many challenges people will face on the day. I think a lot of people are too reliant on things going perfectly and on things that are out of their control, and they fail to embrace challenges and change their race plan which things don't go 100%.

 

A lot of things in Ironman are completely out of peoples' control. Like the weather in 2012. A LOT of people had their races ruined because of the weather and did not finish, but a LOT of those same non-finishers were back in 2013. Gastro issues are another thing, no matter how much you "train" your gut.

 

Serious mechanicals are out of my control, but if I have one I do not expect a crew to help me finish the race. I will just change plan, try to deal with it McGyver style and do my damndest to get back to T2 any way possible. If my goal time is blown, so be it. And if its so serious that I can't finish, well that will just suck balls but its not the end of the world and I will be on the finish line cheering all the others that overcame their own challenges on the day.

 

If I recall correctly one of the pros last year had a puncture ~10km from the end of the bike leg. There was no support so he just ran his bike in for 10km and carried on with marathon. He still finished in like under 10hours or something rediculous. That is Ironman!

 

Also, I think that the capacity to have a support crew that can actually deal with "serious" mechanical issues is very limited. They might be able to carry spare chains, cables, bolts etc, and maybe some spokes which are standard (can you even fix a spoke road side?), but it will be practically impossible for them to carry anything more specialised than that, like rear hangars for the dozens of different bike models, special spokes to fit different model deep wheelsets, etc...

 

At most I think that practically a support crew will only ever be able carry spares to deal with your run of the mill mechanicals and punctures - that people should be able to fix themselves anyway... or limp back to the finish...

 

And there is always next year!

[SwissVan]

Nice post Red Zone.

 

 

If I recall correctly one of the pros last year had a puncture ~10km from the end of the bike leg. There was no support so he just ran his bike in for 10km and carried on with marathon. He still finished in like under 10hours or something rediculous. That is Ironman!

 

 

And there is always next year!

 

 

Yep gr8 story for around the braai BUT what if it was 10 km from the end.....of the first lap?

[Eldron]

Broken chain - use chain tool to remove link then fit tooless quick link. No problem.

Puncture - check tyre for debri, fit new tube, bomb. No problem. Tubbies are a silly idea at IM - one puncture and you're done. Unless you have sealant in which case why did you bother getting tubbies if you're going to make them heavy and lifeless with sealant.

Broken spoke - normally only one goes - wrap it around the next spoke, loosen brakes, carry one. Only a problem if you break a few of them - that doesn't happen unless your wheels are really old or you hit a pothole of note. If you hit a pothole of note then a few broken spokes will pale in comparison to the road rash on your body.

Broken gear cable - so you get stuck in the 11 or 12. You still have the 53/39 combo in front. Pedal harder. Or you lose the big ring. 39-11 for the rest of the way.

Broken/bent hanger - nothing you can do really except adjust the cable tension to give yourself a few usable gears and carry on. Like the previous poster said - to expect the organisers to keep 30 kinds of hanger is just silly.

 

Barring the stuff above the likelihood of you breaking something and not being able to finish is really close to zero as long as you have a multitool.

 

Tech stations are not a bad idea - dot a few around the cycle route and tell competitors where they are - you might need to run for a few km. Back up vehicles? Crazy. It's dangerous enough with hundreds of knackered cyclists trying to or not trying to draft each other without throwing vehicles into the mix.

 

About the only thing that a tech station can keep is wheels, gear/brake cables/tyres. All the rest you should be able to fix yourself with a multitool.

 

It still baffles me how people will spend thousands of Rands and hundreds of hours preparing for an IM then leave the mechanical stuff to fate when the basics are a piece of piss.

[Garfield2010]

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Edited March 8, 2014 by Garfield2010

[Garfield2010]

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Edited March 8, 2014 by Garfield2010

[Shebeen]

Broken chain - use chain tool to remove link then fit tooless quick link. No problem.

Puncture - check tyre for debri, fit new tube, bomb. No problem. Tubbies are a silly idea at IM - one puncture and you're done. Unless you have sealant in which case why did you bother getting tubbies if you're going to make them heavy and lifeless with sealant.

Broken spoke - normally only one goes - wrap it around the next spoke, loosen brakes, carry one. Only a problem if you break a few of them - that doesn't happen unless your wheels are really old or you hit a pothole of note. If you hit a pothole of note then a few broken spokes will pale in comparison to the road rash on your body.

Broken gear cable - so you get stuck in the 11 or 12. You still have the 53/39 combo in front. Pedal harder. Or you lose the big ring. 39-11 for the rest of the way.

Broken/bent hanger - nothing you can do really except adjust the cable tension to give yourself a few usable gears and carry on. Like the previous poster said - to expect the organisers to keep 30 kinds of hanger is just silly.

 

Barring the stuff above the likelihood of you breaking something and not being able to finish is really close to zero as long as you have a multitool.

 

Tech stations are not a bad idea - dot a few around the cycle route and tell competitors where they are - you might need to run for a few km. Back up vehicles? Crazy. It's dangerous enough with hundreds of knackered cyclists trying to or not trying to draft each other without throwing vehicles into the mix.

 

About the only thing that a tech station can keep is wheels, gear/brake cables/tyres. All the rest you should be able to fix yourself with a multitool.

 

It still baffles me how people will spend thousands of Rands and hundreds of hours preparing for an IM then leave the mechanical stuff to fate when the basics are a piece of piss.

I was going to say exactly that, but in much less words. One acronym actually. JRA

[Garfield2010]

.this thread has served its purpose. In typical hub fashion it has changed into a i am better than you know it all yada yada.

Edited March 9, 2014 by Garfield2010

[JGR]

I got his point loud and clear, thanks for backing mine up.

 

If you need neutral support to provide with a new chain to finish your race, then you haven't arrived prepared. And that is a waste of training/expense/sweat etc..

 

FYI, thanks for pointing out what is allowed to be debated in this thread, think you'll like this one.

http://blog.writeathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Moot-Point-Mute-Point-e1341271002625.jpg

Judging form your response it doesn't seem that way else why compare it to Andy breaking his chain and blaming shimano. Move past the chain, we can repair a chain, change a tyre ect. He is clearly referring to items that are not repairable on the spot or when you have broken a chain multiple times. Clearly the delays would be penalty enough against your overall time not be the end of your race if you aren't Mc Guyver. If you took the time to read his OP you would have noted he said the pro's get offered this so why not the rest, which was also the main part of his point. If its allowed it should be allowed for all, if it isn't, then the same should apply for the front guys.

 

Why not enter, train for 9 months and then let us know how you feel not haven't access to a spare wheel on the course.

 

I certainly did not back up your point

Edited March 9, 2014 by JGR

[Shebeen]

.this thread has served its purpose. In typical hub fashion it has changed into a i am better than you know it all yada yada.

ah, but thanks to the thread it does look like if nothing else you will be getting expert lessons on how to use a chain breaker. that will increase your race day luck big time!

[shawnvan]

Yep gr8 story for around the braai BUT what if it was 10 km from the end.....of the first lap?

 

Pro = probably would have pulled out if he couldn't it fix it himself and support vehicle didn't show up within ~30 minuntes...

 

AG = sit on side of road sctaching head until another AG stops to help! People also forget that in IM a lot of AGers (esp back of field) are just in it to finish and will help each. Some kind souls will stop and ask if they can help...

[SwissVan]

 

 

AG = sit on side of road sctaching head until another AG stops to help! People also forget that in IM a lot of AGers (esp back of field) are just in it to finish and will help each. Some kind souls will stop and ask if they can help...

 

 

For AG's sure....BUT do the rules allow that? Could not find the rules for IMSA but IM Zurich rules say:

 

§ 8 Unauthorized assistance

 

1. Accepting assistance from a third party is not permitted, in as far as this competition information (Race info) does not make exceptions. The athletes must refuse assistance or accompaniment of any kind. Athletes may not accept accompaniment or pace maker services of any kind. The athlete must remove the objectionable condition, as demanded by referees or race management, immediately. Failure to do so can result in the disqualification of the athlete from the race by the competition jury.

 

2. Exceptions will be made in case of emergency (health risk) or assistance through personnel assigned by the organizer.

 

3. Athletes may receive personal food only in the area 50 m behind official aid stations designated and marked for this purpose. This must be handled by private support. On the run course it is permitted to receive personal food only 50 m behind official aid stations designated and marked for this purpose.

 

4. The organizer will assume no responsibility or liability for the handling of personal food.

 

5. There will be a mobile bike service on the course during the event. The bike service is available for the athletes in cases of technical defects, without the athletes having a legal claim to aid by the bike service. The bike service does not supply additional tubes.

 

Originally from: http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman/switzerland/athletes/rules-regulations.aspx#ixzz2vYLZrAtI