Question:

I hit the wall about half way thru and gave up — Web – www.ianlivesey.co.uk VOICE/FAX – 0709 237 9395 Web Cam – http://tv.earthcam.com/channel.php?id=305339 I got the same feeling reading this post.  Just when I wanted to give up and quit, hope appeared in the shape of the last sentence.  This was a great feeling, and every reader knows that feeling.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

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Every runner knows that the end of a race is important.  Just when you think you are about ready to give up and quit, hope appears in the form of a finish line.  All the tired feelings are not even felt whenever one comes to the end of a race.  This is a great feeling and every runner knows the feeling.  This makes the race exciting and worth the time.

  THE STORY OF PINK SHORTS   I’ve been out of town all weekend at a triathlon with one of my   marathon-training partners. It was SO exciting and even though I was a   bystander and not an active participant, I had a blast just watching   everything that was going on.   My friend has participated in over 25 triathlons. Triathlons are comprised   of three events: swimming, cycling, and running. At this particular tri, the   distances were a

Question:

Is it still possible to get Triathlete magazine in the UK i use to subscribe to it about 3 years ago and i can not see it in any shops. Dave.o

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Is it still possible to get Triathlete magazine in the UK i use to subscribe to it about 3 years ago and i can not see it in any shops. Dave.o

Hi, Dave – Katherine Williams here – the former editor of the British edition of Triathlete mag (until it folded exactly one year ago). You should indeed be able to find the US edition at the bigger UK newsstands, now that the British edition is no longer distributed. I was able to find some US copies there last summer. You can also subscribe — I think an airmail sub costs about US$85 for 12 months, roughly about

Question:

21 y-old male triathlete…. I need someone to train with in the Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Somerville, Branchburg area Swim Bike and RUN! serious triathlete…. but have been out of it for 1.5 years… so I need to get back in the game thank you..

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I need someone to train with in the Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Somerville, New Jersey  USA Branchburg area Swim Bike and RUN! serious triathlete…. but have been out of it for 1.5 years… so I need to get back in the game thank you..

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Question:

My apologies to the group. The send operation kept giving me an error, so I kept resending. Tim Gordon, Thanks for the info. I think, after the third time, he understood your gratitude. I pity your mailman when your annual bonus from the Discover card comes. Unlike the lady in the commercial, a triathlete can probably outrun one of those postal jeeps. <G

Before you buy.

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Gordon, Thanks for the info. I’ll probably carry an extra tube, but I have to find out how to change them. How well do they hold up on long rides(100 miles and up)? People have told me they are only race wheels and shouldn’t be used for the longer tours. I never carry a big load on my bike and weigh only 125lbs, so it may not be a big deal for me. Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tim, I just bought a set of 404 tubulars. I can’t really speak to their long-term durability yet but I don’t see anything in their design or construction that leads me to believe they

Question:

wheels? I am using a Specialized floor pump which I have had to replace twice because the top tube that screws into the base has stripped before. While we are at it; what is the best pump to carry? I carry Co2 and a pump – also Specialized. Thanks

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I love the "Joe Blow Pro" by Topeak for my floor pump, but I’m still looking for a bike pump that works. Especially since I have to use a mini pump to fit in the bag on my Softride. Mark Rinaldi Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

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I like the Blackburn Airstick.  They fit in the Softride bag, and best of all I can get my 700X20 and 650X20 tires up to about 120 lbs.  It takes a while, but for as often as I do it…. FWIW, on my tri bike I carry CO2 but on my road bike (on which I do much longer rides) I use the aforementioned Airstick. John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I love the "Joe Blow Pro" by Topeak for my floor pump, but I’m still looking for a bike pump that works. Especially since I have to use a mini pump to fit in the bag on my Softride. Mark Rinaldi Inland Inferno Triathlon Club http://members.aol.com/infernotri/home.htm

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I love the "Joe Blow Pro" by Topeak for my floor pump, but I’m still looking for a bike pump that works. Especially since I have to use a mini pump to fit in the bag on my Softride.

In my opinion, CO2 inflation is the only way to go on the bike. As far as floor pumps go I have had good success with the Silca line. gil gilliland

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Being a lazy fellow, I paid $15 at Walmart for one of those pumps you plug into your cigarette lighter in your car.  It has a built in lighted pressure meter and goes up to 250 pounds.  The built in meter matches the Zefal meter I have so I believe it is reasonably accurate.  I’ve had it for years.  So I can pump up the tires at home, or better yet, just before the race.  And I don’t even work up a sweat. On the bike, I second those who recommend carrying the CO2 cannisters. Cary — Cary Purdy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – wheels? I am using a Specialized floor pump which I have had to replace twice because the top tube that screws into the base has stripped before. While we are at it; what is the best pump to carry? I carry Co2 and a pump – also Specialized. Thanks

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In my opinion, CO2 inflation is the only way to go on the bike. As far as floor pumps go I have had good success with the Silca line.

I’m with you there. I have only flatted once in a tri (fingers crossed) and had my CO2. The big problem for me was the tremendous difficulty I had getting a glued tubular off the rim. After that I only glued them between every other spoke hole. I have used my pump on training rides, a Blackburn full size double shot. It takes more time than I’d want to see go by in a race. When you are by the side of the road in a race and see all those people streaming by you will never again use a pump, much less any of those mini-pumps. Am using my 12 year old Silca floor pump for intitial inflation. Ken

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I love the "Joe Blow Pro" by Topeak for my floor pump, but I’m still looking for a bike pump that works. Especially since I have to use a mini pump to fit in the bag on my Softride. In my opinion, CO2 inflation is the only way to go on the bike. As far as floor pumps go I have had good success with the Silca line. gil gilliland

How does everyone get CO2 to work with valve extenders?  I cannot get the device that came with my CO2 to fit on the valve extenders.

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How does everyone get CO2 to work with valve extenders?  I cannot get the device that came with my CO2 to fit on the valve extenders.

 good question, one that I would like to know an answer to.  I just bought HED deeps and have never used a co2 on them. — Tri Your Hardest!   /O     ___o      o  ~~~~   _ <,_    <|        (*)/ (*)      / Darrin Bartlett Homepage:  www.geocities.com/~djdarrin

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I love the "Joe Blow Pro" by Topeak for my floor pump, but I’m still looking for a bike pump that works. Especially since I have to use a mini pump to fit in the bag on my Softride. In my opinion, CO2 inflation is the only way to go on the bike. As far as floor pumps go I have had good success with the Silca line. gil gilliland How does everyone get CO2 to work with valve extenders?  I cannot get the device that came with my CO2 to fit on the valve extenders.

I am not sure why you would have a problem with valve extenders.  It works ever better with valve extenders as the fit is better than with a presta valve.  Depending on the type of inflator you have you can just screw the cap on the inflator in or out to get a good fit. ORN: 9 miles in the very early dark am with 6 x 3:15 hard with 2:00 minutes recovery gil gilliland St. Anthonys Gulf Coast USTS Atlanta IMC

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— snip gil gilliland How does everyone get CO2 to work with valve extenders?  I cannot get the device that came with my CO2 to fit on the valve extenders. I am not sure why you would have a problem with valve extenders.  It works ever better with valve extenders as the fit is better than with a presta valve.  Depending on the type of inflator you have you can just screw the cap on the inflator in or out to get a good fit. gil gilliland

Well, I’m a bit loss… I am assuming the valve extenders you are describing have screw threads.    Not all valve extenders have threaded openings.  In fact, most that I have seen do not.  So, the co2 valve extender use is still a big question. jkmoya

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wheels? I am using a Specialized floor pump which I have had to replace twice because the top tube that screws into the base has stripped before. While we are at it; what is the best pump to carry? I carry Co2 and a pump – also Specialized. Thanks

Good point!  The stress of the pressure and pumping action seems to lead to a short life for pumps that are suppose to push it past 150 lbs.  I had the same problems with specialized and blackburns.  My friends who are hard core biker types seem to like joe blow and silca pumps… but, even they have been known to fail at the top tube to base threading area. So, kudo’s to the walmart electric pump idea… saves on pump useage and (thus) the threads on the top tube base. As for the road pump…eeh gads! I say — go with co2 without valve extenders (unless threaded valve extenders) and stay away from non-prestretched tubulars. For what it’s worth… j k moya

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Question:

Hello, I just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there who is going to do the Firecracker Triathlon on July 6 in Tucson, AZ.  I am hoping to finish it, as it will be my first experience with a triathlon.  If there is anyone out there going, I would love to correspond, so I can get some tips and just find out things about tris here in Arizona. Thanks, Tim Murphy

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This is a fun race- part 2 of the Tucson Triathlon Series.  The swim is in the pool at Univ of Az, followed by 3 loops of a 4 mile square course- mostly flat, but gradual ups and downs along each leg.  The run goes thru the campus (the course varies slightly due to the construction going on the campus).   the race is very well organized, they have food and refreshments afterwards, and massages too!!  I highly recommend this race to anyone who wants to do a fast 1/2 Olympic distance race… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there who is going to do the Firecracker Triathlon on July 6 in Tucson, AZ.  I am hoping to finish it, as it will be my first experience with a triathlon.  If there is anyone out there going, I would love to correspond, so I can get some tips and just find out things about tris here in Arizona. Thanks, Tim Murphy

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Question:

One duathalon (actually it was in the days of biathlons) that I competed in supplied a communal bottle of 407 (household cleaner) and a roll of paper towels for the after race ritual of marker remover. Karen

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going out in public…. I have noticed that one sunscreen I use ( Saurus Sport ) seems to remove the numbers pretty well, but I don’t know what the active ingredient might be that makes that happen. BTW, I found this out unfortunately at a race just after getting markered; I had waited to apply sunscreen ‘case I thought I was being helpful… Anyway… If someone has a good simple household marker removal, I’d appreciate hearing about it! thanx, Dan

Emerging Technology Services   – innovative mechanical product development   – software application development/management

Mascara remover works well.  Tri it. Pat

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: Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? : Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, : but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going : out in public….

I use small alcohol swabs. Individually packaged, and available very cheaply in any drugstore.  Made primarily for diabetics, but work on ANY marker. Marty Marty Miller Proprietor of The Triathlete’s Web http://w3.one.net/~triweb

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going out in public…. I have noticed that one sunscreen I use ( Saurus Sport ) seems to remove the numbers pretty well, but I don’t know what the active ingredient might be that makes that happen. BTW, I found this out unfortunately at a race just after getting markered; I had waited to apply sunscreen ‘case I thought I was being helpful… Anyway… If someone has a good simple household marker removal, I’d appreciate hearing about it! thanx, Dan

We have a couple of Kids of Steel, who do not appreciate the feel of steel wool on their calves to remove race numbers, so we have found baby oil works very well.  Ideally, use a cotton ball, but pretty well anything soaked liberally should work well. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Emerging Technology Services   – innovative mechanical product development   – software application development/management

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I have a couple of Kids of Steel that do not appreciate the feel of steel wool on their calves to remove the race numbers, so we have found that baby oil works just as well.  Ideally, apply it with cotton balls, but even paper towelling will work if you keep it soaked in fresh baby oil.

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We have a couple of Kids of Steel that do not appreciate the feel of steel wool on thier calves to remove race numbers.  Actually, I think they are more of a status symbol and they just do not want them off.  We find baby oil works well for removing marker with the least ammount of fuss.   Ideally, it should be applied with cotton balls, but even paper towels seem to work if the oil is used liberally enough. Chris

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we have a couple of Kids of Steel that do not appreciate the feel of steel wool on thier calves to remove race numbers.  Actually, I think they are more of a status symbol and they just do not want them off.  We find baby oil works well for removing marker with the least ammount of fuss.   Ideally, it should be applied with cotton balls, but even paper towels seem to work if the oil is used liberally enough. Chris

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I’ve found that suscreen works great. It also works fast. By the time I’m out of my wetsuit, all my numbers are gone. PAM also seems to work based on my race last week. I was unregognizeable as a racer except for the fact that I was sweating so much, since my numbers were completely gone after the swim. Race numbers look cool on mondays in the gym , but they look very UNCOOL on fridays, the week after a race. Don’t you guys ever wash?!?! TriDork

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Ah….the reasons for your recent less than stellar results are slowly becoming evident. Poisoning, self mutilation etc etc. If everyone followed your training regeime, Triathlon would die and I could finally qualify for Kona!   Do as Ironman says, yeah that’s it. TriDork

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The best thing I`ve found is WD-40 which every triathlete should have in his car anyway. Francois Brissette The petroleum distillates in WD-40 get absorbed very well through the skin and I would highly recommend NOT using this solution, even as effective as it is. I used to use WD-40 for getting tar and gunk off my hands when working on my car, until I found out how bad it is for a human. I consider it to be as bad as inhaling or drinking the stuff. WD-40 is good fro getting rid of wasps etc in emergency situations though. TriDord

Mr. Dord, et. al.: I advise the following technique: 1) Liberally soak the skin with gasoline.  Gently prick the skin with a sharp ice pick to promote thorough penetration. 2) Apply a match or other flame source to the area. Allow to burn until a light crust forms. 3) Using a wire wheel, chucked in a standard 3/8" drill, buff all charred area.  Using a *brass* wire wheel will avoid scratching the underlying bone. Repeat the above process until the annoying marker residue is completely removed.  Please *do not* allow the marker to remain as it may be bad for your skin. Hope this helps! — <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Michael Clark                < I’m the slime oozin’ out Cary, NC                     < Of your TV set!

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Why bother manually removing them, they are a great conversation piece.  Besides, if you shower every day they are usually gone by Tuesday. — // // stephen f. cawley //

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PAM works?  What about SPAM? Rob

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The petroleum distillates in WD-40 get absorbed very well through  <snip TriDord

 ^^^^^^^ Who the hell is that?  Another weak Canadian who cannot tolerate a little petro-action on the skin I s’pose.   Anyway, I find pure gasoline to be a good solvent for removing the marker.  Also, I have found that pure bleach mixed with ammonia works well too.  When that doesn’t work, use sandpaper or steel wool and just grind it off along with your skin (While I am sure it is obvious – JUST KIDDING!) -Rolf —     Rolf "Ironman" Arands, PhD in ChEng "This above all, to thine own self be true."

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thanx for all your creative ideas on this one…. emperical testing shows that: – some brands of sunscreen work great (and should be applied BEFORE the race if you want to be able to prove who you are afterwards and get your bike back!) – fingernail polish remover works great, but can dry out your skin a little. – baby oil/Pam works well on most markers, but not all. – other forms of abrasive removal or the application of industrial solvents like WD-40 do work but are not preferred by most people. ciao, Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.sport.triathlon Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going out in public…. I have noticed that one sunscreen I use ( Saurus Sport ) seems to remove the numbers pretty well, but I don’t know what the active ingredient might be that makes that happen. BTW, I found this out unfortunately at a race just after getting markered; I had waited to apply sunscreen ‘case I thought I was being helpful… Anyway… If someone has a good simple household marker removal, I’d appreciate hearing about it! thanx, Dan — Emerging Technology Services   – innovative mechanical product development   – software application development/management

Emerging Technology Services    - innovative mechanical product development    - software application development/management

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Baby oil and cotton balls usually does the trick for me, but acetone finally got my OCPAC numbers off (kind of hard on the skin)! Ron Urman

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I work so hard for those damn numbers that there’s no way that I’m going to remove them!  The fading numbers (which seem to wash off in the shower after several days) have started some great conversations:  "Were you in a concentration camp?"  "What rock concert did you see?"  "How cum you have that funny number on your arm [or leg]?" "Are you a triathlete?" I’m a triathlete in part to fight boredom.  The numbers just seem to make life a litle more interesting! –Lee ("Love me, love my number!") Crumbaugh

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The best thing I`ve found is WD-40 which every triathlete should have in his car anyway. Francois Brissette

The petroleum distillates in WD-40 get absorbed very well through the skin and I would highly recommend NOT using this solution, even as effective as it is. I used to use WD-40 for getting tar and gunk off my hands when working on my car, until I found out how bad it is for a human. I consider it to be as bad as inhaling or drinking the stuff. WD-40 is good fro getting rid of wasps etc in emergency situations though. TriDord

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I’ve found that the cheap "Kroger brand" lemon scented fingernail polish remover works great, much to the dismay of my daughters, who are always trying to get it back and out of my tri backpack.

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Individually packaged alcohol swabs are available At any pharmacy. I keep a handful in my transition bag and they remove any marker I’ve come across yet. Quick and easy. Andrew Peabody Miami Beach

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The best thing I`ve found is WD-40 which every triathlete should have in his car anyway. Francois Brissette Dept. of Construction Engineering Universite du Quebec, Montreal            ’                         /_        ’      ’ swimswimswimswim bikebikebike runrunrunrun pigoutandgotobed        

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A friend of mine has suggested using baby oil.  She says it works great! I’ve been to lazy to try it and have been walking around with 738 all over my body for the last two days.  Maybe I’ll give it a try, too.

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: Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? : Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, : but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going : out in public…. : I have noticed that one sunscreen I use ( Saurus Sport ) seems to : remove the numbers pretty well, but I don’t know what the active : ingredient might be that makes that happen. BTW, I found this out : unfortunately at a race just after getting markered; I had waited : to apply sunscreen ‘case I thought I was being helpful… : Anyway… If someone has a good simple household marker removal, : I’d appreciate hearing about it! : thanx, : Dan : Emerging Technology Services :    - innovative mechanical product development :    - software application development/management Try soap and a loofah sponge- this seems to work well Ben REuter

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Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going out in public…. I have noticed that one sunscreen I use ( Saurus Sport ) seems to remove the numbers pretty well, but I don’t know what the active ingredient might be that makes that happen. BTW, I found this out unfortunately at a race just after getting markered; I had waited to apply sunscreen ‘case I thought I was being helpful… Anyway… If someone has a good simple household marker removal, I’d appreciate hearing about it! thanx, Dan Emerging Technology Services    - innovative mechanical product development    - software application development/management

Response:

Anyone have any suggestions for a good magic marker remover? Sometimes it’s fun to leave those numbers on and strut your stuff, but other times I’d really like to get the numbers off before going out in public….

<snip I’ve found that Lava soap works very well.  Again, I’m not trying to advertise that brand, but the grittiness of the soap works well for me. Rod

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Question:

My husband did the Carlsbad Tri yesterday and it was a great race – anyone in the southern California area should definitely consider it for next year.  Its a 1K swim – 25Kbike and 5K run. They have a great pre-race dinner, free to participants, $5 for anyone else which was very good, filling (even for my husband who is usually not satisfied with these dinners).  Then they had a luau show which was fun to watch.  Race day was overcast but kind of muggy.  The swim was calm with the water temp probably about 64 but there was quite a current.  I could watch all the swimmers and even the elite wave kept going off course.  The bike course had some rolling hills and was two loops and the run was fairly flat.  Sorry I can’t give any results =

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I did that rece and found that all the distances were longer than advertised!!! Any one else feel that way The swim sure felt longer.  Or maybe it was that cold ocean current we

swam through that made it feel really long!  Due to a flat, I was unable to finish the rest of the course!  Hmmm, I did feel the course was a bit crowded and hectic though!  Later TriGators! Ron ^^^ Ron Williams Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, Arizona ….always bring a patch kit!

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I did that rece and found that all the distances were longer than advertised!!! Any one else feel that way

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   I did the race and although I enjoyed it very much for the previously mentioned reasons, the distances were definitely longer than advertised. Steve Fredericks

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i too did this race and it was longer, but one of the best races i’ve been to. the crowd at the finish was great. as gene & roger say "2 thumbs up"…

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Question:

The front cover of this months "Triathlete" has Spencer Smith with a QR Kilo slung over his shoulder.  The Kilo is emerald green.  It’s very nice but when I bought mine (Dec 94′) I thought they only came in blue, red and black.  Not that I mind – I like my black one just fine  But I was curious.  Was Mr. Smiths painted differently for a reason (as if being particularly fast isn’t a reason) or can the average age grouper specify a particular color if they’d like?  Mr. Empfield?

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: The front cover of this months "Triathlete" has Spencer Smith with a QR : Kilo slung over his shoulder.  The Kilo is emerald green.  It’s very nice : but when I bought mine (Dec 94′) I thought they only came in blue, red and : black.  Not that I mind – I like my black one just fine  But I was : curious.  Was Mr. Smiths painted differently for a reason (as if being : particularly fast isn’t a reason) or can the average age grouper specify a : particular color if they’d like?  Mr. Empfield? I noticed the wheels on his steed, The Specialized ones. I think they only make a 700c model (according to the article inside, but we all know how accurate that could be). I remember (hey I survived the 60’s and70’s) that QRman once said they only make bikes for 26" wheels. I could be completely wrong anywhere along this alleged thought, but maybe the Lizard Green (my description) wasn’t the only custom thing about Spencers bike. How come the mag didn’t have an article about SS? Even penthouse has a word or two about their cover person. (so I’m told) QRman can you tell us more? Triathlete apparently won’t. Also how come your wetsuits in the same mag appear to be two tone in the picture? Is this th new model or quoi? TriDork Marcus Perry

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My apologies to those of you that read this post.  I just received a copy of "Californias Best" and they are selling Kilos in blue, red, black – and yes green.  So there is nothing all that interesting about noting that Mr. Smith has a green one (aside from the fact that he has good taste in Bikes and colors ). Happy training. Bob (who is starting to taper for St. Croix and having nightly sweats about "The Beast").

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<<: The front cover of this months "Triathlete" has Spencer Smith with a QR <<: Kilo slung over his shoulder.  The Kilo is emerald green.   They come in green now too. <<I noticed the wheels on his steed, The Specialized ones. They now come in 26". <<How come the mag didn’t have an article about SS? I imagine it’s coming.  He just won again this past weekend in Australia, over Ben Bright, Miles Stewart, et al, by about two minutes. <<Also how come your wetsuits in the same mag appear to be two tone in the <<picture? Is this th new model or quoi? Hydrophobics come in all black, or black and silver. QRman

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I noticed the wheels on his steed, The Specialized ones. I think they only make a 700c model (according to the article inside, but we all know how accurate that could be). I remember (hey I survived the 60’s and70’s)

I may also be wrong, however, some of Team Motorola’s TT bikes seam to be sporting 26" Specializeds front wheels.So it seams as if Specialized might be experimenting with the smaller wheel diameter. —arr—

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Question:

I was dissapointed in Tri-Fed when I read the update on current happenings in the latest issue of Inside Triathlon.  Two items irked me.  First, Tri-Fed has changed the chinstrap rule from a DQ to a one minute time penalty…granted it is not worth a minute to unstrap your helmet early…but why change a rule that is so easy to follow…helmet goes on the head before the body gets on the bike and stays there until the body gets off the bike…so what if a pro got DQ’ed because he wasn’t thinking.  Second, Tri-Fed is siding with ITU (this is my interpretation of the article) on the Gold Coast Australia World Cup race over the use of a word in their well established race name.  Why doesn’t ITU find a word that is not in use instead of making other races change their names? Just my thoughts…for the Tri-Fed folks who are listening… Karen C

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was dissapointed in Tri-Fed when I read the update on current happenings in the latest issue of Inside Triathlon.  Two items irked me.  First, Tri-Fed has changed the chinstrap rule from a DQ to a one minute time penalty…granted it is not worth a minute to unstrap your helmet early…but why change a rule that is so easy to follow…helmet goes on the head before the body gets on the bike and stays there until the body gets off the bike…so what if a pro got DQ’ed because he wasn’t thinking.   Just my thoughts…for the Tri-Fed folks who are listening… Karen C I agree with Karen – it sounds as though some of the Race Directors of the big money making triathlons put the squeeze on the NGB, whining about how their "customers" are unhappy with the rule.  TV did not help either.  Then again, it takes courage to stand up against powerful lobbies.

So what’s the benefit from having a "DQ" versus a 1 minute time penalty?  I can see advantages, starting with it being somewhat unreasonable for someone to lose a good chunk of change after a hard, excellent, performance, SOLELY because he/she pulled a bonehead move on releasing their strap too soon.  My guess is that the rule exists solely as an insurance/liability shield in the first place, and then the question is – will it cost more for insurance that they downgrade the violation from a DQ to a 1 minute penalty?  I doubt it. I’ve never done it.  The closest I’ve come was after my win in the Texas USCF Regional 35-39 road race last year – a hot, humid day, and immediately after crossing the line my first thought was to take my helmet off.  I barely remembered the USCF rule (helmets must be worn AT ALL TIMES, including warmups and warmdowns, when on the bike – officials have even tried to DQ guys warming up on their wind trainers for not wearing helmets) in time to stop myself.  I’d have been somewhat irritated to have made that mistake and lost the title, even though there was no money involved and the race was really just for fun (I’d actually been riding support for some friends). But I’d certainly not classify it in the same vein as a drafting penalty, or cutting the course, where someone is consciously violating rules in order to do less work.  And it’s a lot less dangerous than folks screaming into the transition zone without slowing down, which I’ve seen happen quite often. Phil

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