Rivermiles Forum - RANDOM TIPS

02/14/11 at 19:52:24

JoshS Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
3X Gritty Veteran
2X MR340 Safety Boat Pilot
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Kawnivore Veteran

Posts: 606

Thought I would start a new thread of random tips, things too weird or obscure to make it to the FAQ thread.

I have never liked wind in my eyes when on bicycle or motorcycle because it dries them out. Before last year all my night paddling had been on lakes, so during the 340 my speed relative to the ground was much higher than before. After taking off my sunglasses in the evening I found it very annoying and dried my eyes out. Bothered me to a point that I tried to paddle with my eyes closed, (someone else was steering). Lesson learned next year I will wear a clear pair of shooting glasses at night.

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Reply #1 - 02/14/11 at 20:11:40

Manitou Paddler Offline
6X MR340 Veteran
3X MR340 Safety Boat Pilot

Posts: 3096

Midge hatch (little nats) can be amazing in July....to the point that looks like a brown smoke on river and clear glasses are critical to keeping the critters out of eyes...another reason why head lamps suck for night paddling

They still get in ears and mouth....but that is just extra protien

Tip....have a tray to put food in....you do not want to eat a sandwich that falls into the evil bilge water that forms in the bottom of the boat....even though I have anyway Lips Sealed

river is as river does

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Reply #2 - 02/14/11 at 20:35:14

Christina Offline
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I like the clear glasses (like safety glasses) for night, too. And if the little hatching critters are out, know that they taste like celery. Another reason to have some peanut butter item to snack on...the tastes compliment each other. Wink

Here is my random tip: Red or yellow shirts worn by ground crew make them easier to spot from the water.

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Reply #3 - 02/18/11 at 22:59:14

Los Humungos Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
Sometimes wears a Wally
Werderich costume

Posts: 1366

Often times it is very hard to eat during the race because you are exerting so much effort. Your body just does not want food, but you need it badly. At that point, a food supplement like Boost or Ensure is good to consume. The calories in the supplement are easily broken down by your body into energy. Also, the supplement is easy to consume even when your body is rejecting other types of food.

Wally Werderich
Los Humungos Paddleos

Sometimes when you are man, you wear stretchy pants...its for fun... -Nacho
You do not get guns like these from riding a bike. -Matt Strieb

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Reply #4 - 02/18/11 at 23:05:08

Los Humungos Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
Sometimes wears a Wally
Werderich costume

Posts: 1366

Use broom clips fastened to your thwarts as a way to attach spare paddles to your boat.

Wally Werderich
Los Humungos Paddleos

Sometimes when you are man, you wear stretchy pants...its for fun... -Nacho
You do not get guns like these from riding a bike. -Matt Strieb

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Reply #5 - 02/18/11 at 23:11:55

Los Humungos Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
Sometimes wears a Wally
Werderich costume

Posts: 1366

A marble taped to the on/off button of your flashlight (it works with many flashlights, but I do it with a maglight) makes the flashlight much easier to turn on and off when your hands aren't working well from excessive paddling. Also, with the marble on the flashlight, if the flashlight is mounted to the bow of your boat, the flashlight can be turned on and off without leaning forward to reach it. All you need to do is simply slap the flashlight with your paddle.

W
LHP

Sometimes when you are man, you wear stretchy pants...its for fun... -Nacho
You do not get guns like these from riding a bike. -Matt Strieb

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Reply #6 - 02/19/11 at 07:31:27

jimmiethejet Offline
MR340 Veteran

Posts: 437

A tip from my dermatologist. Take chapstick and gloss up your eyebrows. This keeps sweat from running down into your eyes. Even though I don't have a highly coveted uni-brow...... I run the chapstick all the way across to help make a full barrier. It works. Besides, people leave you alone when they get a good, face on, look at you.

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Reply #7 - 02/19/11 at 09:41:22

West Hansen Offline
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He who hesitates is lunch.
--Chuck Darwin
Austin, Texas, Third Coast

Posts: 1623

Bright red lipstick works really well in case you run out of chapstick for your unibrow.

J and J canoe equipment has a whole bunch of little doo dads we use to outfit racing canoes and kayaks. Here's the link:
http://www.jjcanoe.com/prod_A.html

There are so any tiny nothing sized things that mean a lot when rigging a boat. These guys have a lot of that specialized stuff. --West

Cognitive Dissonance: when being wrong just isn't an option.

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Reply #8 - 02/19/11 at 11:43:50

jimmiethejet Offline
MR340 Veteran

Posts: 437

The lip gloss with glitter is a nice touch too and the barge's spotlight picks it up at night from about 200 yards.

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Reply #9 - 02/19/11 at 17:22:29

Tim G Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
Kawnivore Safety Boat Pilot
Gritty Fitty Veteran

Posts: 137

West, thanks for the link. Great stuff
Jim, be sure that if you use the sparkle gloss to wear the hot pink pfd to go along with it. You may want to use a bedazzler on it too and get all rhinestoned up.

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Reply #10 - 02/20/11 at 20:56:26

goldfishgoddess Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
The Docks, Pembrokeshire Wales

Posts: 308

Pool Noodles
Cut up pool noodles in half lengthwise and in 12 inch segments and use for shoving under pressure points, such as heels and hips. If you load your dry bags with soft clothes on one side, you can stuff one under each knee to vary leg position when in a kayak or canoe.

Trash bags
Have one on hand at each checkpoint to give to your crew filled with your trash, and have them give you a fresh one. Keep the river clean, retrieve any wrappers or trash that gets blown out of your boat. We love Vicki and Steve.

Misc comfort bag
Zantac, pepto, aspirin, cushioned waterproof tape, hand spray, chafing stick, eyedrops, allergy medicines, bug itch cream, mini toothbrush etc.

Lots of love from Wales, United Kingdom.

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Reply #11 - 02/22/11 at 11:49:48

Los Humungos Offline
2X MR340 Veteran
Sometimes wears a Wally
Werderich costume

Posts: 1366

I just posted a few more on the Los Humungos Paddleos blog. The first batch was posted on Feb 22nd. I plan to post more on the blog.

http://loshumungos.blogspot.com/

The tips are in regards to nutrition/eating.

Hut,
Wally "Mastodontico" Werderich
Los Humungos Paddleos

Sometimes when you are man, you wear stretchy pants...its for fun... -Nacho
You do not get guns like these from riding a bike. -Matt Strieb

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