Tri / Triathlon / Triathlons - do they float your boat?

So continuing my stream of noob questions... Water bottle or not on 31 klm course? Also, should I bother changing from my rubinos to the puncture prone ultremos that are marginally quicker? Bearing in mind this is a closed path following the rowing pond?

I would say probably... if you've not done one before then it'll be nice to have the option to drink if you need. By the time you've done a few races you'll have worked out what works for you in terms of when you do and don't drink for yourself.

As for the tyres, you aren't going to win anyway (I doubt) so the couple of seconds it'll save you probably isn't worth the hassle. That said, I'm never going to win either and I still race on full TT setup with a disc and all sorts of carbon that I can't really afford.