Here I am again asking for more info. That's what you get for being so helpful, hehehe.

As I've said, I'm going to be doing my first tri, the ride is 13km. I have a Huffy Mens mountain bike, but it doesn't have a water bottle holder on it, nor does it have a place to put one on the frame. To me this is a design fault and I can't believe I never thought of that when buying, oh yeh, I only wanted to right around the suburb with the kids, that's why.

It's only a short Tri 300 swim, 13km bike and 3 km run (thought I don't think 3k is 'short' at all). But I'm assuming after doing the swim and choking on all that foul water I'll want a drink. I guess I could have a bottle sitting at transition for me to drink from before I get on the bike, but then I won't have anything whilst riding. I'm certainly not a good enough rider to hold a bottle the whole way round. Hubby did win a camel pack at Anaconda, but I suspect that's overkill.

Do I just wait til the run leg for hydration and drink at T1? Or are there other places to put a water bottle on a bike without using a poxy basket with flowers on it?

Wannabe

Hi Wannabe,
You can get water bottle cages that attach behind/under your seat so that your bottle sits behind your bum. Whether or not this will work will depend on what sort of seat you have, but I suggest a trip to your nearest tri-friendly bike store.
(Warning: this can turn into an expensive exercise, as you suddenly learn about all sorts of gear you *must have*)
cheers,
Wardy

I'd suggest you leave a water bottle at transition so you can have a quick drink before you start riding. You'll want to get that awful salt water taste out of your mouth. And then you can have another one as you get off the bike.

when doing a mini tri, i take all the crap off the bike, not add it on.

eg. remove drink bottle holders, lights, tool kit, speedo, aero bars etc. feels nice and light after all that.

any event that lasts less than 45 mins i am sure i am taking no drinks at.

Another option is if you have or can borrow a cycling top you could put drink bottles in the back pockets.

The type of drink bottles are the 250ml popper juice ones. Rinse them out and Bob's your /was my Uncle (passed away many years ago).

Still have the bottle at transistion from swim to use to rinse your mouth out and then have a drink.

I have done 3 mini tri's, and haven't had any water for 2 of them. The event did provide some along the way during the run though. Don't know if you would use it even if you did, as I found it very difficult when I tried to have a drink on my first tri, and didn't give another go as was very wobbly, and probably raised my heart rate more than the ride was doing anyway. I don't worry about it for 40 minute racing. But everyone is different. I think to take the salt taste out, then yes at T1 would be best. Adrenalin is going too, so you may forget alot of things too. Including the taste of sea water. Good luck with it, They are unreal to do.

As stated above, if wearing a cycling jersey I would just put the drink bottle in one of the back pockets.

As a temp solution just tape / cable tie a drink bottle to the handlebars - add a long flexible tude to use as a straw and suck away .....

or just go without.

My first bike didn't have the attach points for a water bottle, just used a metal pipe joiner thingy from the pool shop, the kind you use a screw driver to tighten the metal belt, and it held the cage in very secure. Just put it on the frame as you would place the water bottle. Shouldn't cost more than $5.

Ross...

Had the same problem with my Giant X Mountain bike and I used some plastic ties. Shouldn't cost more than $1 and doesn't scratch bike frame.

I NEED the computer, especially when out at Penrith, otherwise I lose track of laps and have no idea when to stop riding!!

I don't use my drink bottle much on the bike in anything less than 30km but I like the security of knowing I could use it if I needed to. Not sure what drink bottle you have Rohan but mine doesn't weigh the bike down too much!!

You could also look at getting a bottle belt with a couple of 250ml bottles. Helps in the run as well and they don't weigh to much. Looking at doing my first tri in March. Good luck