Question Should triathletes be allowed on bikes?

[BroDeal]

Why do you care what anyone does for enjoyment Bro? Why do you care what they wear or how they spend their money? Unfortunately it seems, not everyone is up to your standards

Speaking for myself, I'm glad that there are people out getting some exercise rather than sitting in front of the boob tube with a beer and bag of Ruffles nearby. I don't care what they want or need to get themselves in the space to better their fitness as long as it doesn't effect the public safety (at least any more than what we see as a normal course of the activity)

Lighten up, Francis. There is a lot of hilarity involved in triathlon. Do a few and you'll understand.

 

[kurtinsc]

I'm still waiting for the triathlon with a 5-mile swim, 10 mile bike and 1-mile run. Or better yet, a 1-mile run, 10 mile bike and FINISH with a 5-mile swim.

I'd be the one getting the chuckle then. They cyclists and runners would all have drowned.

 

[trailrunner]

My progression was running -> mountain biking -> triathlon -> ultra marathons -> road bike racing.

Generalizations:

For both runners and roadies, the best of the lot are mellow and appreciative of their talents, and willing to help others, including clueless new comers. The second tier - the ones that have some talent and are good and can win a race if the top dogs don't show up - can be uptight arrogant PITAs. But overall, roadies are the most uptight, self-centered and cliquish group of all these athletes I've ever met.

I did triathlons back before they were the big business they are now. And what a business they are. A 1/2 IM I did in 2000 for $100 now costs over $400. The first time I did it, I signed up on a whim two or three months before the race, but now you have to sign up within mSec of the opening of registration 9 months before the actual race. Now that I'm older, my wave usually goes at the end, which means that I have hundreds, or even thousands of cyclists riding all over the road in front of me that I have to wade through. The young studs that are faster than me on the bike started their bike leg long before me, so I've got tons of MOPs and BOPs from their AGs littering the road. No thanks. Give me a small, no-name race with 100 experienced triathletes any day. Plus now the charities are involved (I am not going to contribute to a charity just so someone can do a triathlon in Florida). Triathletes do have an odd streak to them, whether it is the underwear run or whatever. As far as the MOPers sending their power files to coaches -- I know plenty of roadies who do that, so that sure isn't limited to triathletes.

The MTB scene in the 90s was cool. Mellow vibe. Race hard, crash hard, get muddy, tailgate in the grass field afterwards. Ultras are like that too. Their races are the simplest: do or do not, pure and simple. Fat asses should be the model for other events. However, they have an odd dichotomy of claiming to be low-key and supposedly eschewing bragging, yet they wear their race t-shirts as badges of honor at every running event.

 

[FitSsikS]

I'm still waiting for the triathlon with a 5-mile swim, 10 mile bike and 1-mile run. Or better yet, a 1-mile run, 10 mile bike and FINISH with a 5-mile swim.

I'd be the one getting the chuckle then. They cyclists and runners would all have drowned.

You sound like a very smart or evil person.

 

[CobbleStoner]

this is the funniest thing ever, the guy got taken down by the Canadian triatlete that 'hit' a speed bump and crashed himself wrote him a letter telling the Canadian how cool he was and such an inspiration, like it was an honor being crashed by this guy.
I hate it when a triathlete crashes me because he can't handle his bike in a ridiculous, off-balance position

here is the letter: http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusolyexperts/FACEBOBOBOBBOBK.jpg

 

[kuoirad]

The young studs that are faster than me on the bike started their bike leg long before me, so I've got tons of MOPs and BOPs from their AGs littering the road.

Huh?

MOPs?

BOPs?

AGs?

 

[FitSsikS]

I hate it when a triathlete crashes me because he can't handle his bike in a ridiculous, off-balance position

...and in a shoe off position too!

 

[Boeing]

My progression was running -> mountain biking -> triathlon -> ultra marathons -> road bike racing.

Generalizations:

For both runners and roadies, the best of the lot are mellow and appreciative of their talents, and willing to help others, including clueless new comers. The second tier - the ones that have some talent and are good and can win a race if the top dogs don't show up - can be uptight arrogant PITAs. But overall, roadies are the most uptight, self-centered and cliquish group of all these athletes I've ever met.

I did triathlons back before they were the big business they are now. And what a business they are. A 1/2 IM I did in 2000 for $100 now costs over $400. The first time I did it, I signed up on a whim two or three months before the race, but now you have to sign up within mSec of the opening of registration 9 months before the actual race. Now that I'm older, my wave usually goes at the end, which means that I have hundreds, or even thousands of cyclists riding all over the road in front of me that I have to wade through. The young studs that are faster than me on the bike started their bike leg long before me, so I've got tons of MOPs and BOPs from their AGs littering the road. No thanks. Give me a small, no-name race with 100 experienced triathletes any day. Plus now the charities are involved (I am not going to contribute to a charity just so someone can do a triathlon in Florida). Triathletes do have an odd streak to them, whether it is the underwear run or whatever. As far as the MOPers sending their power files to coaches -- I know plenty of roadies who do that, so that sure isn't limited to triathletes.

The MTB scene in the 90s was cool. Mellow vibe. Race hard, crash hard, get muddy, tailgate in the grass field afterwards. Ultras are like that too. Their races are the simplest: do or do not, pure and simple. Fat asses should be the model for other events. However, they have an odd dichotomy of claiming to be low-key and supposedly eschewing bragging, yet they wear their race t-shirts as badges of honor at every running event.

don't confuse your fitness with skill

 

[BroDeal]

My progression was running -> mountain biking -> triathlon -> ultra marathons -> road bike racing.

Generalizations:

For both runners and roadies, the best of the lot are mellow and appreciative of their talents, and willing to help others, including clueless new comers. The second tier - the ones that have some talent and are good and can win a race if the top dogs don't show up - can be uptight arrogant PITAs. But overall, roadies are the most uptight, self-centered and cliquish group of all these athletes I've ever met.

I did triathlons back before they were the big business they are now. And what a business they are. A 1/2 IM I did in 2000 for $100 now costs over $400. The first time I did it, I signed up on a whim two or three months before the race, but now you have to sign up within mSec of the opening of registration 9 months before the actual race. Now that I'm older, my wave usually goes at the end, which means that I have hundreds, or even thousands of cyclists riding all over the road in front of me that I have to wade through. The young studs that are faster than me on the bike started their bike leg long before me, so I've got tons of MOPs and BOPs from their AGs littering the road. No thanks. Give me a small, no-name race with 100 experienced triathletes any day. Plus now the charities are involved (I am not going to contribute to a charity just so someone can do a triathlon in Florida). Triathletes do have an odd streak to them, whether it is the underwear run or whatever. As far as the MOPers sending their power files to coaches -- I know plenty of roadies who do that, so that sure isn't limited to triathletes.

The MTB scene in the 90s was cool. Mellow vibe. Race hard, crash hard, get muddy, tailgate in the grass field afterwards. Ultras are like that too. Their races are the simplest: do or do not, pure and simple. Fat asses should be the model for other events. However, they have an odd dichotomy of claiming to be low-key and supposedly eschewing bragging, yet they wear their race t-shirts as badges of honor at every running event.

Ultrarunners, at least the trail type, are the most laid back. I think it has something to do with the events kick the crap out of you so much that it really emphasizes the fact that you are only competing with yourself and the mountains. Getting chicked is par for the course. There is nothing quite like staggering through twenty miles at two miles and a half per hour.

The thing about the shirts is too true, but it is way better than M-Dot tattoos. I cannot recall seeing an ultrarunner with a ridiculous tattoo announcing to the world that he finished a 100 miler. Still it is funny going to a prerace meeting and everyone is wearing the t-shirt for a race at least as bad ass as the race they are about to do. If you did Hardrock six years ago, you dust off the carefully preserved t-shirt and wear it. The other option is to wear a shirt for the event but the oldest editition that you did.

Luckily I thought ahead and bought extra shirts for all my ultras. They are stored in Ziplock bags.

 

[BroDeal]

Huh?

MOPs?

BOPs?

AGs?

MOP = middle of pack
BOP = back of pack
AG = age grouper

 

[Boeing]

Ultrarunners, at least the trail type, are the most laid back. I think it has something to do with the events kick the crap out of you so much that it really emphasizes the fact that you are only competing with yourself and the mountains. Getting chicked is par for the course. There is nothing quite like staggering through twenty miles at two miles and a half per hour.

The thing about the shirts is too true, but it is way better than M-Dot tattoos. I cannot recall seeing an ultrarunner with a ridiculous tattoo announcing to the world that he finished a 100 miler. Still it is funny going to a prerace meeting and everyone is wearing the t-shirt for a race at least as bad ass as the race they are about to do. If you did Hardrock six years ago, you dust off the carefully preserved t-shirt and wear it. The other option is to wear a shirt for the event but the oldest editition that you did.

Luckily I thought ahead and bought extra shirts for all my ultras. They are stored in Ziplock bags.

slope style and DH guys are the chillest for sure. and Brian Lopes is neither hahahahah

 

[BroDeal]

Sweet. Ironman NYC is now $1200. Why can't we get bike races with $1200 entry fees? Cycling is being outdone by a bunch of bucket listers.

 

[BroDeal]

From Slowb!tch:

So, I finally got my new Cervelo P1 out for a ride today. This is my first experience on a tri bike coming from fitness bike. Was planning on about 30 miles.
Wow! Talk about responsive handling. Especially in the aero position. About 5.5 miles in a car was passing on my left, so I tried to get over a little to the right, but a little turned in to a lot and when I tried to ease a little to the left I ended up skidding across the asphault at about 20mph. Skinned myself up pretty good and my wrist has a pretty limited range of motion right now, but I am more po'd about the scratches on my bike and side of my brand new bike shoes. Can't believe I crashed.

How did you guys handle riding a tri bike for the first time. Did it take some time to get used to? Can all you experts on here even remember back that far? jk

I am quite surprised there are not frequent triathlete bike deaths. Riding on aerobars on open, unprepped roads is stupid--err, risky--enough for experienced riders. For people who have no clue it is asking for bad things to happen.

 

[gustienordic]

From Slowb!tch:

I am quite surprised there are not frequent triathlete bike deaths. Riding on aerobars on open, unprepped roads is stupid--err, risky--enough. For people who have no clue it is asking for bad things to happen.

That was a great quote!! That guy is an idiot!

 

[jamiephillips]

Driving along the other day I saw a cyclist ahead. As I drew near him I slowed down with a view to overtaking. Just then the cyclist pulled over on to the cart track at the side of the road, went **** over tit at the exact moment his front wheel fell out of his forks!
Immediately thought of this thread!

 

[ElChingon]

What the heck is a fitness bike?

Bike shoes, but did he have cleats as well? Still missing the whole picture.

 

[mewmewmew13]

What the heck is a fitness bike?

Bike shoes, but did he have cleats as well? Still missing the whole picture.

Like a 'comfort bike'....think tractor seat padded...?
erm...I'm not sure though..

 

[BroDeal]

Like a 'comfort bike'....think tractor seat padded...?
erm...I'm not sure though..

It might have a flat bar, slow steering, tall head tube, and longer wheelbase along with the tractor seat.

I just know that learning to use aero bars probably should not be done around cars zooming past you and in general using aero bars on open roads is not wise.

 

[Boeing]

What the heck is a fitness bike?

ask coachfungi, he'll know

 

[CobbleStoner]

What the heck is a fitness bike?

 

[trailrunner]

From Slowb!tch:

So when things get slow in the clinic, you troll Slowtwitch looking for stories like this, and post them here for ridicule?

You need to get a life.

 

[BroDeal]

So when things get slow in the clinic, you troll Slowtwitch looking for stories like this, and post them here for ridicule?

You should look up the definitions of troll and trawl.

 

[42x16ss]

So when things get slow in the clinic, you troll Slowtwitch looking for stories like this, and post them here for ridicule?

You need to get a life.

You've not had a good look through Slowtwitch before have you? Some of the "Cycling" threads are hilarious. It generally comes from people taking up cycling from other sporting backgrounds and not taking the time (or not wanting?) to contact a coach/mentor.

If the guy in the quote above spoke to somebody who knew what they were doing I doubt he would have tried to go straight from a stationary bike to riding a TT bike on the open road, would he? Anyone with any real experience would have told him to go to his local crit circuit when it was quiet and get acquainted with it there....

 

[Race Radio]

You've not had a good look through Slowtwitch before have you? Some of the "Cycling" threads are hilarious. It generally comes from people taking up cycling from other sporting backgrounds and not taking the time (or not wanting?) to contact a coach/mentor.

If the guy in the quote above spoke to somebody who knew what they were doing I doubt he would have tried to go straight from a stationary bike to riding a TT bike on the open road, would he? Anyone with any real experience would have told him to go to his local crit circuit when it was quiet and get acquainted with it there....

They do not need a coach, they are experts in everything. People should be asking them for advice.

 

[42x16ss]

They do not need a coach, they are experts in everything. People should be asking them for advice.

Haha! Too true!

After another perusal of Slowtwitch I've reached the following conclusion.

Standard Logic:

Not sure? --> Ask someone who knows --> Try what is suggested --> Success!

Beginner Tri Geek Logic:

Not Sure? --> Try Anyway --> f$%k up --> Start thread wondering where you went wrong on Slowtwitch