Beginner Triathlete-Novice Ironman–Don’t Expect Bike Magic

In about to take on the challenge of a first Ironman, I believe far too numerous athletes put too much attention on the bike they elect to buy for the event.

Somewhere along the Ironman trail, numerous athletes have come to believe that the lighter, and more state of the art the bike, the quicker they will finish the bike leg of the Ironman.

Nothing may be further from the truth. For example: You could put one athlete on a $10,000 bike and have him train without the aid of an adequate diet or without paying consideration to proper hydration decisions and replacement drinks and the Ironman will spit him out such as a cherry pit somewhere around mile 80 on the bike course.

Take another athlete and put him on a $800 prestigious, average weight, used bike fitted with proper pedals and aero bars. Then have him pay particular consideration all training year to proper diet, hydration, and race day fueling methods and somewhere around mile 80 of the same course he will call out “nice bike” as he passes athlete number one who is in for a notably long, painful day.

Don’t get all wrapped up in taking out a moment mortgage so you can pay for that “special” bike that is 6 ounces lighter than whatever on the road. finally, you’re going to be loading 5 pounds of water and food and gear on the thing before you even get out of transition. This is not your usual bike race. If you were just racing a bike century and that’s it, then that can be a different story. But that’s not the nature of this beast.

First of all you’ve most probable been bashed around for an hour or so in a wild free-for-all swim and for most of that time your heart-rate has been racing out of control. Plus, you still have a full marathon to take in consideration after you get off the bike.

Your bike is just a small component of the Ironman equation. do not get too wrapped up in light and fancy and overpriced. I know, I’ve done that.

I had my absolute bike leg ever and my first thought was to repair up the old bike and keep racing it. anyhow, I permit my bike supplier discussion me into purchasing a fancier, newer model that was so much lighter that I would go even quicker. I never, never matched my fastest bike ride through the next ten years. Even on bikes valued ten times more than my old standby. It was possibly the major single error I generated in my 20 year Ironman career. I must have gone with my notably first notion.

For some factor, a bike will just suit you. It suits your style, capability and “fits” you like that favorite pair of runners. When this occurs, hang on to that bike. If you have to, save it essentially for races and get a moment bike for the bulk of your training. That way your race-day bike will last you for years.

I’ve raced on more than one high-end bike that I was just never comfortable on, regardless of how light and rapid they were supposed to be. At first it may seem nice to be the recipient of jealous gazes from fellow triathletes when they see you on your bike the week principal up to the race. You are the bike “king”.

Believe me, its not so nice when these same athletes pass you out on the course with those dreaded words left in their wake. “Nice bike.”

Every time you listen that, you will need to sink as well and as well into your bike seat. You will want you were on a $250 beater. At least that way you factor, you would have an excuse for getting passed through and through again. There is nowhere to hide out there.

To save yourself a ton of embarrassment and humiliation, remember that your capability matches the bike you ride.

All my bikes are gone now, excluding for one. That same old bike is in my living room on a wind-trainer and if I resolve to do this awesome race once again, when I turn 60, 4 years from now–it will be on a very singular, 16 year old bike.