We recently heard that a couple of the updated rules in the 2010 Competition Rules that caused some confusion at the end of last year have been examined and ruled on by the ITU Technical C'ttee. This is, word for word, what we have today;
Handlebars/Non Drafting Races - any aerobar is now acceptable providing it does not extend any further than the leading edge of the front tire. Bridging is not required. Open bar ends must be plugged. Brakes must not face forward.
Compression Socks. Cannot be used in a non-wetsuit swim. they can be used in duathlon and after the non-wetsuit swim. Compression socks include any covering below the knee
So, even if the SockSnob thinks compression socks (and calf-guards too) are a fashion-crime, you won't get dinged for wearing them at Cyclesmith or DIFS, or Riverport for that matter (do we have any duathlons when it's warm?). As for non-wetsuit swims, well we're almost always in wetsuits. However, should you venture out-of-province, you should be prepared for this rule to be enforced. This goes double should you, even as an age-grouper, be at any of the ITU Triathlon Worlds such as Long Course Worlds (Henderson, NV, November '11) or Olympic Distance Worlds (Beijing, China, September '11), both of which sound warm.
Handlebars. Well after the confusion at the end of last year we're back to status quo ante for non-drafting races, even at Worlds. So, as long as they are plugged, you aren't a mid-90s Graeme Obree....
.... and you haven't done that hispter flop-and-chop thing, you're good to go.
We also think that although not explicitly covered by the Competition Rules, we'd find it in our cold, dead, unfeeling NTO hearts to DSQ this entry to BikesnobNYC's "Cockies" (as in outrageous bicycle cockpits you one-track-minded person you).
Ten extra bonus points however if you modified your bar-end shifters to comply with the 2010 Competition Rules (we did see someone do this!).
A word about those Worlds, and this comes from, the "personal experience file" (as in "a wiser man learns from the mistakes of others"). Remember, disc wheels in non-drafting races have always been allowed at the discretion of the TD. The TA can only think of one instance provincially in the last eight years where such a ruling was made; however the ruling was made at Du Worlds last year, much to the consternation of some international athletes who only had a rear disc.
You should always be prepared for discs to be disallowed on competition day. If you're driving to an event, chucking a spoked wheel in the trunk isn't an issue. If you are travelling abroad, then whilst space may be a premium, remember to pack a spoked wheel. Perhaps even a mass-start road-racing UCI-legal wheel, should the TD be a bit of a hard-ass. Sure, a $50 surcharge to get your spare wheel-set on the plane may be steep, but not starting Worlds because of a strong cross-wind is going to cost you more.
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