Aerohelmets, Skinsuits, and Latex

This past weekend I tried out some new toys. I purchased a generic skinsuit from Voler, some shoe covers, a bunch of latex tubes from Michelin, and a set of Bonty Race X Lite TT Aerowing tires. I tested out the stuff along with the new position tweaks and documented on camera (except no skinsuit)

Everything was put to the test at DC Tri's annual TT down at Hains Point. I managed to navigate the 5 loop course, dodging some runners, cars, stop signs (sans stopping), and other fun objects to complete it in 33:24 or 34:06, depending on where the course stopped. Last year it was 4.9 laps, and this year it was 5. Either way, its right around 28.5 mph. Wind was fairly strong out of the N. Position seems to be working quite well. Shooting for 29.xx out in San Diego in on 10/11.

The gate to gate sections averaged 350 watts at 29.0 mph. The sections between stop signs were a tad slower, but watts were the same. Given my large former swimmer shoulders, that means the aero position is coming along pretty well. The course in San Diego has no turns, so that should help to boost speed and watts a little bit.

Fortunately, fitness is returning after being quite sick. Earlier in the week, there is no way I could have done ~34 minutes at 350. Hopefully wattage will be back soon enough.

I think I'm going to test out a Giro Advantage 2 and/or a LG Rocket, because those are a little shorter than the Kronos helmet I have now. A slightly shorter helmet will likely work slightly better, as it will be even with my back. Think those might fit a little better?

Matias and I have a bet. We are going to guess each other's times for our races. I'm doing a 20K TT, and he is doing Ironman Hawaii. Whoever is off by a greater percentage buys the other a beer. I honestly don't know if I am supposed to guess my time or his. Good thing is either option results in a beer.

Oh yeah, fast clinchers with latex tubes are just ridiculously fast. There is a discernible and quantifiable improvement in speed. Earlier this year I was racing on Michelin PR3s with butyl. Bontys with latex seem to be about 0.5 mph faster...or 15 watts, pick your poison.

My brother--Patrick--had his maiden voyage this past weekend on the new surfboards we purchased. I secretly scheduled this late season TT as a reason to get back out there to get some good surf.

Savageman was this past weekend. First time not participating for me. There is some beautiful and challenging riding out there! I hope to return at some point for sure. For posterity's sake, here is video of the wall from last year in 2008:

Some of the related videos are really classic. They demonstrate just how steep and torn up that road is!

Is the Tues/Thur Hains Point noon ride still speedy? I might bust out the TT stuff for some good/strong efforts.

I need to figure out how to make these posts less boring. I like numbers and data, but I'm not sure that is what readers (are there any?) are looking for!