AASQ #51: Do triathletes really pee on their bikes? (2024)
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article.Learn More
We know, there’s no such thing as a stupid question. But there are some questions you might not want to ask your local shop or riding buddies.AASQ is our weekly series where we get to the bottom of your questions – serious or otherwise. Hit the link at the bottom of the post to submit your own question!
Triathletes are cyclists too, right? Sure they are, though both groups don’t always like to admit that they participate in the same activity (with some obvious unique requirements for their equipment). Though I think that we should get over our differences and just be friends, there’s one nagging question that really needs to be addressed: Do triathletes really pee on their bikes?
While we often go to outside sources for our AASQ series, we also field the questions ourselves from time to time. I’m still the new guy at Bikerumor.com (hi!), and you can find my existing work here. I’ve been asked to answer this particular question because, while I’ve competed in road races and ridden all types of bikes, I got my start in triathlon and raced competitively for over a decade including a several-year stint as a pro. I soon realized that I was a better mechanic and explainer than I was an athlete, so here I am.
On to the matter at hand – yes, some triathletes do, in fact, pee on their bikes. Full-disclosure, I am among those who have done it. Gross, right?!
Yes, it’s at least a little bit gross. But let’s talk about why, how, and when it’s done – to gain a bit more understanding about this unpopular idea.
If it’s not obvious, triathletes pee while riding their bike so they don’t have to stop – saving precious time for competitive races. If you’ve spent a decade of your life trying to qualify for the big race in Hawaii, soiling yourself to save 60 seconds doesn’t necessarily sound like the worst idea. It’s free speed!
Let’s be clear: the ONLY time that peeing on your bike is an acceptable practice is during a race. I’ll further clarify with my own opinion that it should only be done during half-Ironman distance or longer (consisting of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run). Olympic or sprint-distance races typically last three hours or less, and shouldn’t be an issue if you relieve yourself before the race begins.
Once you’ve made the decision to throw your modesty to the wind, you’ve got to decide when and where to leave your mark. This is actually a huge consideration, and one that can make the entire experience not-quite-as-bad. Here’s the deal: You want to pee while going down a hill and ONLY when there aren’t other athletes behind you. Just stand up, coast, and let ‘er rip. If you’re carrying enough speed, most of it just flies out behind you. If you’re unlucky, it might go down your leg and into a shoe. I know that’s disgusting, but reality isn’t always pretty. The other key is trying to time the deed reasonably close before an aid station. That way you can pick up an extra bottle of water to rinse yourself and your bike off.
Doesn’t this whole ordeal soak your shorts and chamois? It can. The good news is that the chamois used in triathlon-specific shorts are pretty thin compared to cycling shorts, reducing the amount of liquid they can hold. And as previously mentioned, rinsing off with water helps a lot to dilute everything. Don’t look at me like that – I know that 95% of you have peed on yourself in a pool or in the shower.
What about the bike? Can the urine damage it or cause long-term issues? Having been in and around triathlon for over 15 years, I’ve never heard of any catastrophic failure or caused by it (i.e. a chain breaking). The most common consequence is that cables, housings, and rear brakes get gummed up with a mix of sweat, sports drink, dirt, and yes – pee. I always made a point to wipe down my bike with mild de-greaser right after the race, and then wash it the day I arrived back home (most races don’t have provisions for washing bikes on-site). This is an area that many triathletes fully deserve some shame, as many bikes get badly neglected. I didn’t normally wear nitrile shop gloves while wrenching until I encountered some awfully smelly, sticky, disgusting triathlon bikes. Now Ialways wear gloves.
Do ALL triathletes pee on their bikes? Of course not. There are a lot of sensible ones that take a break, accept the time penalty, and go on with their lives. If I had to venture a guess, only about 25% of triathletes ever do it, and you’ll often see people at portable toilets or on the side of the road, a la cycling road race. I truly hope this has been informative, and that you can all live with greater peace and one fewer burning question. You’re welcome!
Got a question of your own?Click hereto use the AASQ form and submit your own question!
If it's not obvious, triathletes pee while riding their bike so they don't have to stop – saving precious time for competitive races. If you've spent a decade of your life trying to qualify for the big race in Hawaii, soiling yourself to save 60 seconds doesn't necessarily sound like the worst idea. It's free speed!
The only sure way to avoid a penalty is to use one of the Porta-Potties along the course. If there are none, you should take major precautions to relieve yourself somewhere well off the beaten path and/or completely out of sight of any human being—especially a policeman, race referee and your fellow triathletes.
If the pace of the race is high and there's no collective 'nature break' in sight, some riders will call on their teammates to give them a push while they relieve themselves whilst still riding.
While all organized races will have toilets before the swim and on the bike and run courses, it's much easier to just do it while you swim, bike, or run. It's pretty gross though, especially if you don't rinse yourself off or if it gets on other athletes around you.
The NFL hasn't banned toilet breaks - but you don't often see players leaving the pitch to relieve themselves. Half-time's trip to the changing room is probably their best chance. NFL players have been known to pee in their pants, in a cup, behind the bench, or on the sidelines hidden by towels.
In most municipalities, doing so in public is considered a public nuisance, and it can carry misdemeanor charges. But few courses make a stink about it. Some even invite the practice with good cheer. The Etiquetteist: If your golf ball damages personal property, should you confess?
It is what grown up people do. How do the riders at the TdF Femmes pee during the race? Apparently they wait for a lull in the race and they hop off their bikes and pee. Sometimes this is just one girl at a time, others, they all just make a combined decision to stop and they all stop at once.
“If you're peeing to the right, your right leg is in a 6 o'clock position, left at 12, left hand on the handlebars, right hand holds the shorts down, and you coast while relieving yourself,” King says. Alternatively, riders will sprint off the front and get ahead of the peloton to take a break.
But even though cycling might not be seen as intensive as running when it comes to breast movement, they still need to be supported, and if a person is wearing a well-fitted sports bra while undertaking any sport, their performance can actually be improved by up to 4%, according to research by the University of ...
When you need to urinate, pull your car over to a safe place. The sides of the road, a freeway exit, or some other place away from traffic are all good options. For safety, do not pull your car over onto the side of a major freeway or highway. Do not use your urination device while you are driving.
As soon as you feel an urge, quickly contract your pelvic floor muscles 5 to 10 times while taking a few deep breaths. Distractions, such as counting backwards, may also help you successfully postpone your need to urinate.
In some cases, holding in pee for too long can cause bacteria to multiply.This may lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI). Many doctors recommend avoiding holding in pee for extended periods of time, as it can increase the risk of UTIs, especially if a person has a history of frequent UTIs.
There is no question that during an Ironman event you need to take in a considerable amount of fuel (30-60g CHO per hour), but whether this is in a solid or liquid form is up to the individual – both will provide sufficient energy if used correctly.
There are a growing number of first-timers doing Ironman, and people aged 13 to 89 have finished an Ironman or iron-distance triathlon. Almost anyone can do an Ironman if they work hard and follow a smart training plan.
Do people walk during an Ironman? Yes. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find any non-pro who DOESN'T walk during an Ironman. Even if they're short spurts to eat/drink at aid stations while walking, the marathon course is full of people taking it easy and surviving their way to the finish line.
If it's not obvious, triathletes pee while riding their bike so they don't have to stop – saving precious time for competitive races. If you've spent a decade of your life trying to qualify for the big race in Hawaii, soiling yourself to save 60 seconds doesn't necessarily sound like the worst idea. It's free speed!
Half-time's retreat to the locker room is likely their best opportunity. NFL players have been known to go to the toilet in their pants, in a cup, behind the bench, or on the sidelines covered by towels. Former Miami Dolphins star Channing Crowder used to pee in his pants as no one would notice from afar.
Modern triathlon shoes are created with sockless running in mind, and often feature suitable lining and stitchless uppers to remove the risk of rubbing. However, shoes simply designed for running might not include these considerations, so don't assume your trusty training or racing shoes won't rub.
Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
