Musings

Preemptive Tri-not Excuses

Musings, Triathlons, , Leave a comment

For the last few years when the subject comes up that I do triathlons, I almost assuredly hear a unpetitioned excuse for why “they” don’t do triathlons.  I bring up the topic as little as possible, but inevitably when discussing what occurred over the weekend it is hard to omit the time spent training or less so of a race weekend.  I don’t bring up the topic because the description of my hobby could be seen as bragging by some, and though I am proud of my achievements, I don’t usually like to dwell on them.  And aside from what the underlying meaning and connotations of a personal blog are, I don’t like talking about myself too often (typing about myself is much easier and I use this as more of a journal than anything else anyways).  So when I come upon this conversation I usually let it run its course and try not to respond.  I am not always seeking converts however healthy, fun, rewarding, or life changing triathloning may be for me.  The conversation usually goes like this:

Me:  “Oh yeah, I guess I’ve never mentioned that I do triathlons as a hobby.”

Them:  “Why?” (sometimes this question is more colorful)

Me: “I enjoy the training, it keeps me fit, and accomplishment really drives me”.

Then for whatever reason they either give me an excuse for why they don’t, or simply congratulate me or berate my sanity (that’s cool/good for you/you’re crazy) and the conversation moves on.  What I find interesting during this conversation with the people who give excuses is that not once did I champion the cause for “them” to start doing triathlons.  It is “they” who internally play the excuse/justification game, and I am just there to hear the outcome.  Evidently they have seen that I am not a stereotypical endurance athlete in build or any other associated character trait, and figure that if I can, they can.  They might ask a few follow-up questions regarding my insanity or motifs, but ultimately these people bring in the “don’t try to convert me” excuses.  Here are the ones I hear most often along with my rebuttals.  The rebuttals are weak at best cause I don’t care that much if you do pick up the sport or not.  Without you in the fray, I might not get kicked in the teeth during the next OW, or I might luck into a AG podium, so stay away if you choose.  I just feel the requirement to give rebuttals.

1. I Can’t Swim

Yeah, I know, neither can I, at least not fast.  I understand this fear and excuse.  I gave it myself the first time a triathlon was suggested to me.  In reality it has taken me close to 5 years to become fully comfortable in the water.  I really didn’t like swimming.  I didn’t understand the breathing rhythm required.  I didn’t even like swimming when using floatation devices.  If swimming is the only hangup, just try it.  Go to the local pool and attempt one length of the pool without stopping.  If you can do that, you are further along than I was when I started.  Also, swimming is the least stressful sport of the three physiologically, and returns many benefits.  I am now to the point that swimming non-stop for an hour is not only possible but sometimes enjoyable.  I also need less recovery time after such a workout due to the minimal physical stress my body endures.  Even if you weren’t to take up triathlons, I would still argue that swimming for exercise is a good idea.   However, even as swimming has become more enjoyable for me, I am still slow.  My thought process with swimming has always been one of “get through it”, and consequently to date I have spent little to no time in the pool with speed drills or intervals to become faster.  I might do that this off-season. Might…

2. I Don’t Have Money for a Bike

My rebuttal for this one is simple: borrow one!  Everybody knows someone who has a bike not being used.  For your first triathlon, the type of bike doesn’t matter either.  I have seen a Mt. Bike at every single race I have ever done.  Every time I see it, I think the same thing, “Awesome!”  Honestly, if you do a triathlon, and catch the bug, you will eventually find the money to buy a bike.  You don’t need an expensive one either.  One of the fastest bike splits I have ever seen was done on a 30-year-old steel frame road bike slightly modified for triathlon usage.  It set that person back $135.  “It’s not about the bike”, and whether or not you attempt a triathlon shouldn’t be either.

3.  I Don’t Like to Run

I hear you.  I don’t either.  I never have.  Even when I get into a good zone and tune out the lazy man in my head, running is still only moderately enjoyable for me.  Some of the modifications that I have made to make running more enjoyable include pace and route variation.  I also enjoy listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks.  Another reason I don’t enjoy running is because I am not fast.  I am incredibly average in pace.  However, listing all those negatives, the most fulfilling workouts from exertion/endorphin standpoints will almost always come from running.  Connected to that, it is the best method of burning calories.  Also, for beginners, running is the sport which will show you the most improvement in the shortest amount of time.  Improvements in running are also much more beneficial for your overall time than improvements elsewhere.  A common euphemism in triathlon is that you “Ride for show, Run for dough”  (stolen and adapted from a golf euphemism). 

4.  I Don’t Have the Time

Really? Is this even a liable excuse? I only spend 3 to 7 hours a week training and half a saturday morning once a month during the summer for a race.  I personally think that you could find that excess time between the couch cushions.  In essence hobbies are just what you make of them.  Prioritization is important in a well-balanced life, and at times I find myself pulling in the reigns for my sanity sake, but I really dislike the lack of time excuse.  Twenty years ago if someone would have asked us to spend over 20 hours a week staying in contact with friends and acquaintances on the world-wide web, we would have also declined with the same excuse.  It seems simple that if you want to pick up some more hours in the day, you could take them from the social media time killer vacuum.   

5.  That is too Hard for Me

Yeah, I agree it is hard, but I imagine you’ve done something that took more effort at one point or another in your life.  Maybe not physically, but it is a good method of testing yourself.  Start out slow and small.  Do mini mini triathlons to see how it feels, and hey if the accomplishment of finishing one doesn’t fuel you to do another, now you know, and you can move on.  Challenging yourself on a routine basis is essential for life enjoyment.  So why not Tri?  Thanks for stopping by.

Number of Bikes?

Bikes, Commuter, Gear, Musings, Roadie, , , Leave a comment

This post will show my obsession with bikes, or better yet what I deem as the necessity of possessing numerous bikes. Different bikes serve different purposes. A full suspension Mt. Bike serves a much different purpose than a triathlon bike, and consequently if a person is to become an all year cyclist, numerous bikes are required. The following categories are my idea of how many bikes I could possibly have at one time and still not think it too  many (my wife disagrees, but that is the point of a hobby no?)  Also within these categories are a few desired niches fulfilled. These niches include: Leather Saddle, Internal Hub, Belt Drive, Dynamo, Full-Suspension, Aerobars, Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Carbon Fiber, 26”, 700c, 29er, Bar end Shifters, Disc Brakes, etc.

A Commuter:

This is usually the least expensive bike, and may be the most versatile within the arsenal. My personal preference for this style of bike is an old Mt. Bike Frame converted to be capable of high speeds on the road. Slickish but fatter road tires, fenders, a rack, good shifting (but only the gears you need), and reliable breaking are usually the requirements. This bike is desired to be inexpensive or at least should look inexpensive because it may need to be locked up to a post for extended periods of time (work hours). A back rack that can facilitate a set of panniers is usually sufficient for commuting needs. Just like every style of bike, you could end up spending a fortune on this style of bike, but as little as 80 dollars could be spent to acquire a sufficient commuter.  This bike will also be the grocery getter, or random errand bike.  Attaching a kiddie trailer to this bike should be possible.

A Road Bike:

An all-purpose road bike is needed. This is your go to bike when a pavement or road ride is considered. This bike needs to be light but durable. Aluminum is usually sufficient but this is also preference. This is the bike that will be used for Century Rides, club tours, road races, and in pinches can be used for triathlons. For this type of bike cheap usually means that more time and money will eventually be spent on repairs. The third tier components for each company is usually the lowest that I look to purchase for this category, although I have had lower. Considering quality however, the higher the price doesn’t always mean the highest quality in this category; it usually means the lightest. Little details with this road bike purchase can save money which enables the purchase of more bikes. If a steel frame with fender eyelets and the capability of wider tires is purchased, this road bike can also serve the purpose of a Randonneur used for Breves and credit card tours. In my opinion, this bike should cost somewhere between 1000 and 2000 US dollars.

A Mt. Bike

If just one Mt. Bike is to be purchased, it is more beneficial to purchase an all style Mt. Bike, or All Mountain. Personal preference decides as to whether this is a full suspension or hard-tail. This category can encompass many different styles and choices. Because of this the niches of different bikes can be fulfilled within this bike. A titanium frame for example could be fulfilled by this category as well as a 29er. Disc brakes are almost a necessity and commonplace these days, but rim brakes are acceptable too. For this bike expect to spend anywhere from 500 to 3000 dollars.

A Touring Bike:

This is a niche bike and only needed for those that do tours. However, it can also be doubled as a commuter when spec’ed appropriately. Those that do tours swear by a few things. Steel frames, Leather saddles, reliability, and compatibility. When you go on a tour, you want all of those things. Thus, my ideal Touring bike would incorporate 26” tires, chromoly-steel, disc brakes, a Rohloff 14 speed hub, a leather saddle, and a Dynamo. Front and rear racks are also needed for this style of bike. This being a niche, there is also possibility to get very high prices in this category. For me, this bike would cost between 2500 and 4000 dollars, but I have seen some people spend as little at 80 and still make it work.

My Dream Setup (different paint job). http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/touringaudax-bikes/thorn-mercury

My Dream Setup (although with a different paint job). http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/touringaudax-bikes/thorn-mercury

A Triathlon Bike:

You haven’t really experienced speed on a bike until it has been done on a TT bike. My first race with a dedicated triathlon bike shaved nearly 10 minutes off the same 25 mile course. That is a big difference. A road bike with good geometry can be tailored a bit to become a Triathlon Friendly ride, but it still isn’t exactly the same, and I have found them a little twitchy. A dedicated TT bike has a more vertical seat tube angle and thus on average a different thrust angle with your legs. This steeper angle also helps with the twitchiness when you are in the tucked or aero position. Idealy, a TT bike should have the following features. TT bars. These increase speed and drop times sometimes better than any training or speed intensity program can. Stiff and Light wheels. A deep V wheel cross-section for the rim is a good thing, and somewhat more aerodynamic. A nose padded or triathlon specific saddle. Riding in the tucked position is hard on the body’s saddle contact point unless a Tri specific saddle is used. Being comfortable in the tucked position is pivotal for better split times. There are many more specifics with Triathlon bikes that are nice to have and shave seconds off your time, but everything has a price. This bike is like the ice cream toppings of the collection because it is not absolutely necessary, and can be anywhere from 800 to 8000 dollars. I try to keep this bike in the “one paycheck” range.

A Fixie/SS:

Every bike collection should have the bare bones no frills fun of a fixed gear. Some use this bike as the only method of transportation, and usually carry that stigma around with them too. Fixies have developed their own following and subgroups too. My favorite style of a fixie is a refurbished steel framed 70’s or 80’s road bike. This takes some mechanical intelligence, but it usually results a pretty sweet and enviable ride. Not as fast as the aluminum and carbon options out there, but a lot of fun. This bike should cost somewhere between 100 and 1000 dollars. However, if one of the novelties above can be included like a belt drive, more money can be appropriated.

A Refurbished Roadbike/Randonneur:

This bike is all about beauty. It will not be light, and not have the newest technology, but it will look nice. Usually a touring frame from the 80’s is desired. Some refurbishing is possible, but other likewise replacements can accommodate a good-looking retrofit. The parts will all be as shiny a silver as possible, and the accessories like handle bar tape and saddle should all be honey colored brown. It is tough to say how much a bike like this could eventually cost, but the frame should usually be picked up in the classifieds and be no more than 100-150 dollars.

I love what pedaling nowhere did with this bike. Beautiful! http://www.pedalingnowhere.com/gear/renovating-a-vintage-touring-bike/#.U774y1YkfXY

I love what pedaling nowhere did with this bike. Beautiful! http://www.pedalingnowhere.com/gear/renovating-a-vintage-touring-bike/#.U774y1YkfXY

A Fat-Tire Bike:

Because I think companies like Surly and Salsa are awesome, and why not!

Everybody should have at least one Surly. http://surlybikes.com/bikes/moonlander

Everybody should have at least one Surly. http://surlybikes.com/bikes/moonlander

As is the nature of a blog, this post only represents my opinions.  I am fond of bikes and the simplistic and beautiful mode of transportation they can provide.  Tweak that simplicity and you obtain art.  Then my desired collection becomes no different from a useful art gallery right?  Thanks for reading.