Allen,

During the Stage 4 time trial, I was surprised to see a number of riders, including some of the top time trialists, ride with water bottles and cages. No doubt hydration is important. But in a sub 40 minute ride, wouldn't it have been better from a power standpoint to cope with modest dehydration and ditch the extra weight of the water bottle and cage?

Thanks,
Jonathan
Seattle, WA

Jonathan,

In the time trial in Cholet we did not run cages or bottles. So you're right on. Over about 30 min the saving in aerodynamics is worth the dehydration. Besides just the cage and bottle there is also the time to get the drink and come out of position. That all said, we do hyperhydrate our guys before the TT and do go to extremes to keep them cool before the start. In addition, the guys will sometimes fill a ziploc bag or two with water and stuff it in their skinsuit behind their arms. If they need they can get a gulp or two of fluid that way.

Allen

I've seen various snapshots and information from Georgia, the Giro and now the Tour on the team's ice (cooling) vests made by Pearl Izumi. A quick search on Google yields numerous results on studies and various vests (and other core cooling systems) and I was wondering if you could recommend a particular company as Pearl Izumi replied to me yesterday stating that they have no plans on releasing the ice vests to the public.

Thank you,
Tom
Logan, Utah

Tom,

I designed the ice vests Pearl Izumi built for us because I wasn't happy with ones on the market so I don't have any recommendations. In the past we just filled tube socks with ice and put them down riders jerseys. You might want to try that as a simple solution until I convince Pearl to change their minds.

Allen

Hello Allen,

this is a nutritional question:
Are the guys eating those olive oil- salt- potatoes during the TDF08? If so, does that mean you are cooking these things in the evening or early morning?
Good luck guys!

thanks,
-Tim

Tim,

I've been getting up at about 6 each morning to prep the savory rice cakes. The guys like them the best. It is a major pain. But there's nothing more important than feeding our riders well so its worth the effort. Today Jesse Bartholomew from Saris showed up and helped me cook. We knocked out 64 cakes in about an hour and a half. New Tour record.

Allen