The ocean water temperature at Oceanside is currently 61’F.  That is cold and only just above the ‘wetsuit mandatory’ temperature for racing.  In addition to cold water, I will be dealing with cool morning temperatures (mid 50’s), when I race on Saturday morning. It is critical therefore, that I find ways of staying warm, as I begin the bike leg.

The challenge with colder starts to the bike leg, is that it often doesn’t stay cold for long.  If you overdress to stay warm at the start of the ride, you will overheat once you get going, and that will compromise your race.  The key is to use ‘temporary’ methods of staying warm.

The first of these is to wear gloves that you can discard at an aid station.  It is very likely that my hands will be cold after the swim, so I will start the bike ride wearing a pair of cheap gloves.  If my hands stay cold, I will keep them on. If my hands get warm, I will throw the gloves away at an aid station.

Today’s photograph shows my other favorite way of staying warm.   The photograph depicts a piece of plastic fertilizer bag, that has been cut down to a size of about 10″ x 14″.  I will put this piece of plastic down the front of my race kit, where it will help keep my core temperature high.  I edge the plastic with duct tape and round the corners. This tape helps me quickly get the plastic in place in transition, and also makes the whole film a little more comfortable.

I have used the plastic sheet trick in many of my races.  There have been times where I have left it in place, for the whole bike leg. On other occasions, I have thrown it away at the first aid station. It all depends on how warm I am feeling.

So those are two tricks for staying warm as you begin the bike leg.  I will likely be using both on Saturday.