Question:

Lew added to the list: 1980 – Wausau YMCA Triathlon.  Wausau, Wisconsin.

One of my favorites…though I didn’t do it till ‘85. Wisconsin has hills! I have to put a small plug in for the Pardeeville (WI) Lions Triathlon that had been held every year from 1985-99…and I was lucky to have raced every one of them.  15 years of small race greatness with one key guy, Bill Ehlert, finally calling it quits this year. Nice thread Lew. Best, Mark

Response:

I don’t know The Greater Wilkes Barre Back Mountain Triathlon’s start date and would appreciate feedback

This was its 19th year according to the race app.  Course has changed over the years but I think the swim has always been in Harveys Lake.  I prefered the old course that ended at College Miseracordia to the present one that finishes at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  It was a longer, somewhat hillier bike and shorter but hillier run.  It was my first Olympic Distance race back in ‘89 so it holds a special place in my heart but something has to be done about that freaky weather up there!!! -hug Before you buy.

Response:

The Los Angeles Triathlon Series (3 races at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA – April, May, June) has been continuously held for 18 years, so it started in 1983.  I’m not sure if the courses have changed over the years, probably not as they are pretty much set by the roads/trails of the park.  Not as old as some of the races listed, but it claims to be the longest running continuous more of the races might be even older than the series, but I’m not sure of the early history.  It was way before my time (tri-wise, at least). -John John Moss

Response:

I don’t know The Greater Wilkes Barre Back Mountain Triathlon’s start date and would appreciate feedback This was its 19th year according to the race app.  Course has changed over the years but I think the swim has always been in Harveys Lake. … but something has to be done about that freaky weather up there!!!

The weather has been just fine every time I have done the race (the drizzle didn’t start this year until I was a mile or two into the run). And since I am planning on being there next year for the 20th, you should be able to count on good weather (OH, am I setting myself up with that statement…).                                 — John John Walker              Lucent Technologies, Landover, Maryland, USA

Response:

Do you have other candidates for our list?

I’m pretty sure that the Greater Wilkes-Barre Triathlon goes back a ways. Does anyone know what year this triathlon started?                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMC’99: 10:45:03          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

Response:

I don’t know The Greater Wilkes Barre Back Mountain Triathlon’s start date and would appreciate feedback (are you listening, Jim Harris?).  The first triathlon in Pennsylvania was the 1979 Emmaus Road Runners Triathlon.  I’ll follow up the current discussion with a what I know about triathlon history in each state; Pennsylvania will be one of the first. Lew – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you have other candidates for our list? I’m pretty sure that the Greater Wilkes-Barre Triathlon goes back a ways. Does anyone know what year this triathlon started?                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   | IMC’99: 10:45:03          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

Response:

Damn! I thought this said "longest STEAKS". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have you ever wondered which races have been in existence for the longest period of time?  [O.K., so you haven't, but now that the question is raised, are you at least curious?]  Here is a list of suspects I’ve published on www.cooltri.com.  I’d love your feedback. Did you do one of these in the early years?  What do you remember? Have some of these streaks been interrupted?  Do you have other candidates for our list? 1975

Question:

…  Still, Laurie regularly graces this newsgroups, so she really should be here herself to tell us about her 5 hour 6 minute race. Ruth Kazez

I feel like I’m back in school and my mother is nudging me to do my homework!  Really I’ve been meaning to write a race report but having just returned from a 3.5 week road trip life has been pretty hectic. Answering emails alone has taken days!  Still haven’t unpacked!  And just last nite I FINALLY got to see my new niece who was born while I was in Australia! If I don’t get to it by this weekend it just won’t happen so I’ll just say that it was an indescribable feeling to be leading for over an hour into such a big race!  I kind of did Wildflower on a whim since it just happened to fall on the weekend I was returning from Worlds.  My flight from Oz landed in LAX and when I saw I could drive there I decided to do it even though it was definitely NOT my prefered race distance.  Was my first half Ironman in a DECADE!!!  Really crazy to choose it as my first pro race I guess but no regrets!  Felt like I was at one of those baseball fantasy camps where regular joes play with the allstars/legends of the sport!!! -hug (who thought the WF mountain bike triathlon looked like A LOT more fun!!!) Before you buy.

Response:

Really, someone should be asking Laurie Hug about her race at Wildflower.  I don’t want to tell you that Laurie was leading OVERALL until 15 miles into the bike; Laurie herself should be telling you about it.  Let her tell you she was passed by Paula N-F 19 MILES into the bike.  Because she was surrounded by various media on this, her 1st race as a pro at the almost middle age of 35, you’ll probably find out about her soon enough.  Still, Laurie regularly graces this newsgroups, so she really should be here herself to tell us about her 5 hour 6 minute race. Ruth Kazez

Response:

Elite Bicycles is her proud sponsor along with Speedo, Syntace, Hed, Powerbar and Steve’s Multisport.  I’ve known Laurie for years and she’s racing better then ever at her tender young age! Congrats to her! STeve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Really, someone should be asking Laurie Hug about her race at Wildflower.  I don’t want to tell you that Laurie was leading OVERALL until 15 miles into the bike; Laurie herself should be telling you about it.  Let her tell you she was passed by Paula N-F 19 MILES into the bike.  Because she was surrounded by various media on this, her 1st race as a pro at the almost middle age of 35, you’ll probably find out about her soon enough.  Still, Laurie regularly graces this newsgroups, so she really should be here herself to tell us about her 5 hour 6 minute race. Ruth Kazez

Response:

Question:

Ruthie, Am I not your trusted, most loyal friend, sister, confidant, advisor/advisee, advocate, training and racing partner, sharer of dirty cartoons, instigator of all that is good ?????

Yes Yes Yes All of the above, sweetie. Lynne then suggests I get a bike sponsor. A LBS some years ago volunteered to give me everything I needed dirt cheap.  But after every race I had to tell the local newspaper what I did, mentioning of course that I was sponsored by the store.  The feeling I had tooting my own horn like that was awful, really humiliating. Our paper doesn’t like any sport that doesn’t use a ball or at least twist a few arms and legs, so I was out of place in the paper even if I hadn’t put it in myself.  Even when Hawaii sends them info about me they usually ignore it.  The bicycle maker himself has promised me a price usually reserved for shops, so maybe all will be well.  You know, Lynne, you have a selling presence that I most certainly do not have. Never did have, for that matter.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – $300 !!!!  This must be an entirely different animal from the prices I’ve been quoted, which go something like: Dura Ace parts kit:  $1,260 (except for Ultegra bb) Carbon steerer fork  $335 Refinishing:         $125 (my present carbon frame) Mechanical           $85 3 day Shipping       $75 total                $1880 I definitely trust the builder, so there must be a good explanation for the difference.  I think bottom bracket and stuff is included.  In fact, I think that’s everything except the frame which I would provide.  At this point I’m leaning toward the whole bike if I can sell mine. It’s little and there’s not a whole lot of demand for my size. Although I’m not little (in my eyes), I do best on a 50 cm. Ruth Kazez

TRUST is good but DONATE is better;-)!!! BTW has anyone told you how NICE you look today? If not, let me be the first!!! GOD   (the BIG IRONDUDE) PS.  Keep the frame, it is too small for the wonderful,cute, kind, lovable, adoring (did I mention cute?) Ironkid I have in mind.

Response:

If there was TRULY a god, he wouldn’t give Dura-Ace to kids. Fast kids is bad enough, but fast kids on fast bikes…

        Actually, this is how I get all my bikes. "Gimmie your bike IronKid or I’ll get you after school!" "I also take his lunch money" David Barclay Ironman Lanzarote 1999 Triathlon: "Swim, Bike, Crawl"

Response:

Dan Empfield Be a nice guy,   give our deserving friend and idol a new 9 speed bike. She will use it to enhance the already good image of QR.  While you are at it send a new rubber band to Ironkid.   I think his may be a bit  stretched from over winding. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

Response:

: love. Buy only the parts you need for a 9-speed conversion: : Freehub bodies (one per rear wheel) Mon Dieu Rick……surely if Ruth has 8-sp rear hubs alread we all know they’re 9-sp compatible.

Yup, you are right. I went back and reminded myself.  Ain’t no difference between the hubs. They be the same. Of course, I’m still using 8 speeds. It seems an abundance of gears: I remember racing and riding 300 miles a week with five cogs in the back. Rick "I SAID, Ask me about Campy, dammit" Denney

Response:

Once upon a time I had a delightful steel QR, equipped with 7-speed Ultegra, but I was unable, in this bicycle-backward community to upgrade it without losing a bundle.  So I sold it for a thousand bucks and got my present bike.  I suffered such pangs of separation anxiety that I tried to buy it back for more than I sold it.  The buyer, a member of the air force, refused and even took it with her to Bicycle Heaven Italy.  Now I’m afraid the same feeling of giving up the kid for adoption might overwhelm me, so I’m leaning toward the unthinkable – possessing two bikes for a little while.  I know this wouldn’t faze rev.Rick, proud papa of octuplets, but for me it’s almost depravingly extravagant.  To those who feel that 9 speeds is overkill anyway, I agree, I could probably be efficient with just high, low, and somewhere in the middle.  But I need to be able to shift smoothly over a wide range because I’m deep in the heart of the appalachian hills, yet I like an 11 for the flats.  I’m still undecided; the posts are very helpful and I think I’ve made a lot of progress in my decision-making. Now, as for that adorable little brat, I’ve got one nifty tricycle that I can pass down to him so he can tool around safely in his backyard, if he ever behaves well enough long enough to be allowed out of his room. Ruth Kazez

Response:

While not wishing to turn this into another technical debate. Freehub bodies (one per rear wheel) Rear Derailleur DA-9 and DA-8 are the same width cassettes??

That was not my understanding. But I ain’t done it myself. About a year ago, I measured it all up at the LBS, and knew all the details. But I’ve slept since then. Chainring Inner only I assume ?? Outer should be fine ??

Yup. And even that is on the bubble. Some report that they do just fine with the old chainrings, and others report problems. Rick "Ask me a question about Campy" Denney

Response:

o.k., o.k., o.k. You’ve heard from the rest now here is the straight skinie. I replaced my 8sp with 9sp DA last year and raced all year long with nairy a problemo. Cassette, barends, chain, and rear derailamajig and thats it bubba – Works great, less filling. Old chainrings work just fine as does the front thing-a-majig. Hey, and I did it all myself (so proud). Go for it Ruth. Cheers, Bernie Sher – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

Response:

While not wishing to turn this into another technical debate. Freehub bodies (one per rear wheel) Rear Derailleur

DA-9 and DA-8 are the same width cassettes?? Chainring

Inner only I assume ?? Outer should be fine ?? — MB.

s.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez No, it is not wiser to replace the whole bike. Keep the frame that you love. Buy only the parts you need for a 9-speed conversion: Shifters Chainring Freehub bodies (one per rear wheel) Cassettes Rear Derailleur Chain Yes, it will cost some money. Yes, it will be a bit of a hassle to sell the old stuff. (So much of a hassle that you should just throw the stuff away, in which case I, out of the goodness of my heart, provide the trash can. In fact, if you replace the parts, let me know–I have a bare frame in need of just what you’d be taking off.) No, it is not harder than getting a new bike dialed in. But never, ever sell a frame that you love. Rick "I can’t even bear the thought of it" Denney

Response:

Will I be able to use my existing Dura-Ace 8-sp bar ends?

No, my son. Rick "Except in friction mode–which is dicey with nine of them suckers back there" Denney

Response:

I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

No, it is not wiser to replace the whole bike. Keep the frame that you love. Buy only the parts you need for a 9-speed conversion: Shifters Chainring Freehub bodies (one per rear wheel) Cassettes Rear Derailleur Chain Yes, it will cost some money. Yes, it will be a bit of a hassle to sell the old stuff. (So much of a hassle that you should just throw the stuff away, in which case I, out of the goodness of my heart, provide the trash can. In fact, if you replace the parts, let me know–I have a bare frame in need of just what you’d be taking off.) No, it is not harder than getting a new bike dialed in. But never, ever sell a frame that you love. Rick "I can’t even bear the thought of it" Denney

Response:

I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.

I suppose I have a different question – why? Why spend $1800 or $300? DA 8 speed with downtube or STI shifiting is a great group so unless you need to replace your grouppo because you have ground it out with lots of miles…. If you want to replace the grouppo let me ask why DA why not Ultegra. 105 does the job just fine. The thing in the Ultegra group that would interest me are the hollow forged crank arms and the slightly improved shifting (shifting just feels a little better). DA? You will find the Ultegra group more reasonably priced of course. Your bike sounds nice so I would say hang onto it, especially if it fits and rides well. Its fun to get a bike refinished. I have seen some beautiful paint jobs come back. Just my two cents {well probably more like a two cents and a lead slug, character flaw I guess } Enjoy the ride whatever you decide. Sanjay

Response:

$300 !!!!  This must be an entirely different animal from the prices I’ve been quoted, which go something like:

This is for just the parts you need for a nine-speed conversion. Dura Ace parts kit:  $1,260 (except for Ultegra bb) Carbon steerer fork  $335 Refinishing:         $125 (my present carbon frame) Mechanical           $85 3 day Shipping       $75 total                $1880

This is the Bike Shop Owner With A Kid Who Needs Braces plan. This replaces nearly everything on the bike, including a bunch of stuff that’s just fine. I definitely trust the builder, so there must be a good explanation for the difference.  I think bottom bracket and stuff is included.  In fact, I think that’s everything except the frame which I would provide. At this point I’m leaning toward the whole bike if I can sell mine. It’s little and there’s not a whole lot of demand for my size. Although I’m not little (in my eyes), I do best on a 50 cm.

Rick "I can’t bear it. Ruth suffering from New Bike Fever!" Denney

Response:

Ruthie, Am I not your trusted, most loyal friend, sister, confidant, advisor/advisee, advocate, training and racing partner, sharer of dirty cartoons, instigator of all that is good ????? Bikes and their parts are now like computers; obsolete after you drive it off the lot. You have a very , VERY impressive resume. Write it up, take it to several bike stores. Ask for cost + 10%. If I can do it for 4 bikes, YOU, with a resume 10-fold, can surely find some interest ! Love and hugs, Lynne

Response:

Assuming DA8–DA9, then I think he’s right. If your existing groupo is otherwise, then it might be different. From memory the part you NEED are: – Cassette(s) – Chain – Inner Chain-Ring – Shifters – either STI or Bar-Ends.   However, if already using bar-ends, you could just opt for setting to friction. That’s it — everything else should work. Of course, whether or not it’s worth it just for another gear in the mix… And re: the DA-9 BB, well… sometimes cheaper is better… — MB. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last year, I upgraded my DuraAce 8sp to 9sp, so I know it can be done.  I bought an upgrade kit from Triathlete Zombies for around $300, that included a rear cassette, bar end shifters, new chain, etc. $300 !!!!  This must be an entirely different animal from the prices I’ve been quoted, which go something like: Dura Ace parts kit:  $1,260 (except for Ultegra bb) Carbon steerer fork  $335 Refinishing:         $125 (my present carbon frame) Mechanical           $85 3 day Shipping       $75 total                $1880 I definitely trust the builder, so there must be a good explanation for the difference.  I think bottom bracket and stuff is included.  In fact, I think that’s everything except the frame which I would provide. At this point I’m leaning toward the whole bike if I can sell mine. It’s little and there’s not a whole lot of demand for my size. Although I’m not little (in my eyes), I do best on a 50 cm. Ruth Kazez

Response:

If there was TRULY a god, he wouldn’t give Dura-Ace to kids. Fast kids is bad enough, but fast kids on fast bikes… — MB. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ruth, I am in much the same state – I would like a definitive from Rev’ Denny. Rev, what is the answer to this question? I want to convert! Joe GOD here: The Rev. Denney is busy. He asked me to pass along this info. Get rid of all that old junk and buy NEW. Donate your old stuff to poor kids in far away places— like Toledo Ohio. There are kids there who are sooooo poor, that they only have a BI and it will probably be years before they get the KE. Think how hard it is to do a triathlon on your BI with no front wheel and only a rear wheel with 3 speeds. Swim, Wheelie, Run:-(. I know one poor kid who was given a Dura-Ace skewer and is just waiting for the rest of the parts to go with it. Think how happy you would feel as a poor little wonderful, cute, lovable, adoring, honest, kind, (did I mention cute?) kid blows by you knowing— YOU made it happen. So, buy NEW!!!  Donate fast!!!  I will reward you in many ways, depending on what kind of loot you send. Please respond to RST because ( heaven.com) gets pretty busy, and I will have one of my little angels email you the address of the poor little, wonderful, cute, lovable, adoring, honest, kind, (did I mention cute?) Ironkid. Thank You and I bless you. GOD      (the BIG IRONDUDE) PS. if you have any vanilla GU and the grape tablets (you know), send them too;-).

Response:

Ruth, I am in much the same state – I would like a definitive from Rev’ Denny. Rev, what is the answer to this question? I want to convert! Joe

GOD here: The Rev. Denney is busy. He asked me to pass along this info. Get rid of all that old junk and buy NEW. Donate your old stuff to poor kids in far away places— like Toledo Ohio. There are kids there who are sooooo poor, that they only have a BI and it will probably be years before they get the KE. Think how hard it is to do a triathlon on your BI with no front wheel and only a rear wheel with 3 speeds. Swim, Wheelie, Run:-(. I know one poor kid who was given a Dura-Ace skewer and is just waiting for the rest of the parts to go with it. Think how happy you would feel as a poor little wonderful, cute, lovable, adoring, honest, kind, (did I mention cute?) kid blows by you knowing— YOU made it happen. So, buy NEW!!!  Donate fast!!!  I will reward you in many ways, depending on what kind of loot you send. Please respond to RST because ( heaven.com) gets pretty busy, and I will have one of my little angels email you the address of the poor little, wonderful, cute, lovable, adoring, honest, kind, (did I mention cute?) Ironkid. Thank You and I bless you. GOD      (the BIG IRONDUDE) PS. if you have any vanilla GU and the grape tablets (you know), send them too;-).

Response:

Last year, I upgraded my DuraAce 8sp to 9sp, so I know it can be done.  I bought an upgrade kit from Triathlete Zombies for around $300, that included a rear cassette, bar end shifters, new chain, etc.

$300 !!!!  This must be an entirely different animal from the prices I’ve been quoted, which go something like: Dura Ace parts kit:  $1,260 (except for Ultegra bb) Carbon steerer fork  $335 Refinishing:         $125 (my present carbon frame) Mechanical           $85 3 day Shipping       $75 total                $1880 I definitely trust the builder, so there must be a good explanation for the difference.  I think bottom bracket and stuff is included.  In fact, I think that’s everything except the frame which I would provide.  At this point I’m leaning toward the whole bike if I can sell mine. It’s little and there’s not a whole lot of demand for my size. Although I’m not little (in my eyes), I do best on a 50 cm. Ruth Kazez

Response:

I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

Response:

Ruth,  I THINK that if you want to go to 9spd you can just replace, 1) the cassette 2) chain 3) shifter 4) derailleurs and MAYBE just the smaller chainring. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

Response:

Ruth, I am in much the same state – I would like a definitive from Rev’ Denny. Rev, what is the answer to this question? I want to convert! What must I place in the coffers to become one . . . errr . . .  nine. Will I be able to use my existing Dura-Ace 8-sp bar ends? Cheers, You Two, Joe Joe Foster "The idea is to create your own future, and not have it shaped by circumstance." – Peter Thomas

Response:

Ruth, Last year, I upgraded my DuraAce 8sp to 9sp, so I know it can be done.  I bought an upgrade kit from Triathlete Zombies for around $300, that included a rear cassette, bar end shifters, new chain, etc.  Their original kit had the STI shifters.  I am going to upgrade my other two bikes now using the same kit. John Welch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

Response:

Ruth, Surely you build your own bike frames from fresh carbon fiber?  :-) Larry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I   Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have? Ruth Kazez

Response:

For me, I would not bother with changing from 8 to 9 speed.    But,  since you are hooked you can just go with the up-grade kit.   It makes the most sense from an economics point of view. Heck,  I often still race on 7 speed stuff as it is less temperamental but not nearly as cool looking and a few onces heavier. If price is not an object, go for the complete new set-up.    You owe it to yourself for all that you have accomplished.    Just remember,  the performance gain will be negligible and your purpose is "pride of ownership",  motivation and being the coolest. Now,  if I could get some new knee parts I would go run and bike but Guess I will have to be content with a swim. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I really like my bike.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other, regardless of cost.  But I have been coveting the new 9-speed Dura-ace stuff.  If I strip my bike and replace everything but the frame, what do I with all that expensive stuff plus a couple extra 8 speed cassettes and extra chainrings, to say nothing of bottom bracket, etc. Profile bars, the works?  Is it wiser to replace the whole bike even though it’s the same frame I will be getting, no better than what I have?  Is it easier to sell the kit and kaboodle than all the stuff piecemeal?  I want to decide fast so I won’t have to think about it anymore. Ruth Kazez

Response:

Question:

Well, my story is not quite up to the level of the others, but I thought I would add it. Story #1 In one of my rare biathlon races (Ringwood Biathlon) I was in decent place after the 1st run & bike ride, seeing only perhaps 10 of the 100 bikes racked. Surprised and excited, I pushed myself to get started with my run as fast as I could. The only thing was that I was still on my bike. I dragged the bike, locked to my foot, for about 5 feet before realizing I had to change my shoes. The bike and I came to a crashing stop in front of the largest group of spectators, who burst into laughter. That’s it. -Rolf — I am Iron Mac…               …meet Sammy Salmon…                                    …the food of champions! IMC’94/14:07    IMC’95/11:59    IMC’97/12:12    IMC’98/14:02

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While test riding my brand new–no-miles-on-it  Litespeed Tachyon on the LBS parking lot I grabbed the brakes to prepare to turn around.  Boy, were those brakes tight!  At about 15 mph (remember..brand new bike)  I went flying over the handlebars and crashed in the parking lot!  No helmet, etc.  The mechanic who was helping me get dialed in on my new steed had a look of horror, disbelief, and amusement as I pulled up to the storefront.  i felt pretty stupid.  Lost some flesh, minor blemishes to my prized bike.  Major loss of ego, pride, self esteem, etc.  

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At Vineman there are a lot of hotels in Santa Rosa. They range from about $30 a night up to $100+ a night. You will want to make reservations at least 3 months ahead of time to make sure you have a good selection. I will be there doing the full…good luck!          B.Oliver

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I Tried to post this once, but before I was finished it somehow got lost in cyberspace, so If somehow it got 1/2 posted blame it on the gremlins, anyway, 2nd attempt.  "…. I went flying over the handle bars,& crashed into the parking lot .. … …" Today I was riding my brand new windshear on a country road, I was on the aero bars, coming to an intersection.   As I looked to my left I saw a School Bus with about 5 cars behind it coming down the hill.   Even though this was only my 2nd day on these aero bars, I had allready developed a superior technique to deal with the problem of haveng to stop fast.   All you have to do is hold onto the aero bars with your right hand, and grab your brake with your left hand, and safely stay in kind of a half aero position while slowly coming to a stop.   Well I employed my superior technique, lightly squeezing on the LEFT Brake, I however wasn’t stopping fast enough, so I had to squeeze harder. Boy does my left (FRONT) brake work good. "I went flying over the handle bars, & crashed ……" I held onto the grip shifter w/ my right hand, and let go with my left hand, All I remember seeing was My BRAND NEW BIKE FLIPPING!!!      I don’t remember if I landed on my head, my back, or planted my left hand and did a complete flip and landed on my feet. I just remember worrying about my bike and picking it up, and standing there with my helmet on holding my bike, and looking at the school bus as it went by, wondering how many kids saw my graceful act?     As I Walked up the hill with my bike (Actually it was a highway over pass, we don’t have hills where I live) I noticed my left thumb was quite sore. (It’s a little swollen now but I’m sure it will be just fine) I examined my bike, it looked ok, So I got back on it and rode home.   My neck is a little sore now, but hey my bike seems just fine, so maybe I’ll skip work tomorrow (Sore thumb, sore Neck) and work out the kinks (Not in my neck, … in my superior technique) Steve "Looking at my Soft Ride right now with a smile on my face" Adams

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Yeah, anybody else actually have to pay $430 to repair the paint job on the car they fell against . . . ?  . . . the *expensive* car they fell against?

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When I caught up with this thread there were 19-really-dumb-things stories and they were great.  Thanks to all writers, and I’m going to remember whether my front wheel is on tight the next time I think about pulling up on those handlebars. In my first (of four total) triathlon, I left the gear bag under my seat open. Two miles into the bike, the power bar, the swiss-army style tool, etc. fell out, went around with the rear wheel, and would have flew right into the person behind me had there been one.  15 miles later, I’m spacing out entirely, fail to judge the turn coming up, and run right off the road into (thank g.) a sand pile.  I’m thankful that they let me return. Those are obvious errors — here’s one that wasn’t so obvious to me.  Don’t stand your bike upside down (on the seat and handlebar) when you change your rear tire.  You’ll scratch the h— out of your speedometer. Hey!  I signed up for 1/2 vineman.  Where’s a good place to stay?  do I need to make reservations asap?  Thanks.

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Needless to say, I simply fell over sideways and then struggled for a while on the ground to unclip. OK Admit it. Hand up all those that have done something similar.

Ok, I’m in.  I did it (most visibly) in a mtb race.  I had been on my Frogs for about 3 days.  I was following a guy through a mud hole.  His front wheel suddenly disappeared in a hole-in-the-mudhole and he endo’d right in front of me.  I grabbed all the brakes I could and stopped before running over him (he was a friend of mine, after all) but couldn’t get out of the pedals and had a seat in 8" of mud with bike still attached.  Made the next 32 miles a little uncomfortable.   Ray

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  As I approached the light, I braked to a complete standstill and then tried to unclip from my Speedplays…

I did the same thing at the end of a long ride.  Pulled up to the light, kept trying to pull my foot straight up off of the pedal and couldn’t figure out why it was stuck there.  Next thing I know my handlebar is drawing a line down the front quarter panel of the van that was parked at the light.  Luckily the driver let it go and drove on.  Man, was I embarrassed! — Randy Lexvold Fulgent Technologies ph: 408-795-1543 fax: 408-795-1542                 __o       o    /o_         <      </_

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I did the same thing, except with the front wheel.  I had just returned to Hawaii after six months in the Persian Gulf on a ship, and was overjoyed that I’d be able to ride something other than a sweat-stained lifecycle that hadn’t had a maintenance session for about 20,000 miles. Well, it’s a beautiful Saturday morning in May in Honolulu, so I decide to go on my favorite ride – from Pearl Harbor out past Hanauma (sp.?) Bay and back, via Waikiki Beach for (as we used to say in navy) "a little eyeball liberty".  I made it through about 40 miles, having a great time – now that the tradewinds were behind me – and cruising along around 23-24 mph at Ala Moana Beach Park.  Back in ‘91, this particular stretch of road (just west of the Ala Wai canal – where they filmed the SS Minnow as it was leaving for it’s "three hour tour…three hour tour") was in pretty bad shape.  Being familiar with the street and it’s flaws, I came up off of my aerobars, and tugged up on the handlebars to lightly roll over the worst part of the road. Unfortunately, when I did this, the axle came right out of the forks. Imagine forks planting in the street, me rolling ass over teakettle, sliding on my trusty bell helmet, watching my bike (now behind me) tumbling end over end, and seeing my wheel just bouncing down the road.  As you know, all of this happens in slow motion.  It wasn’t until I tried to pick up my bike from the middle of Ala Moana Blvd, that I realized I had broken my left collarbone. As luck would have it there was a pay phone right there.  I asked a couple of elderly women if they had a quarter I could borrow to make a phone call – they looked at me like I was from Mars.  I didn’t realize until later how bad my road rash was on my shoulder, arm, and legs.  I also had a mild concussion (the helmet cracked in three places, and was laid to rest appropriately).  These ladies apparently weren’t sure if I needed help or wanted to mug them, ’cause they looked at and then tossed a quarter to me from about 10 feet away -and scurried off towards the mall…. I laugh now when I think about it, but you can bet I check that quick release religiously ever time I ride…. Dave

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -How about forgetting to lock your rear wheel before a ride? Did that. I was climbing a hill (going as hard as I could) and something went wrong….After going over the handlebars and landing on the side of the road, I discovered that my rear wheel had dropped off the back of my bike. Genius.  Jim

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How about forgetting to lock your rear wheel before a ride? Did that. I was climbing a hill (going as hard as I could) and something went wrong….After going over the handlebars and landing on the side of the road, I discovered that my rear wheel had dropped off the back of my bike. Genius.  Jim

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re dumb things to do Get involved in a Zone diet debate Hamish "my Internet bill is HOW MUCH" Ferguson

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I was really sick and a friend took me to the doctor.  While dropping me off at my house he saw my tri bike and wanted to sit on it.  I was too sick to help him put the front wheel on so I told him what to do while I went an laid (sp?) down.  A few days later I was feeling much my normal self and joined in on the Friday beer ride from the LBS.  We were about 5 mi out when we cut through a parking lot to get from one road to another. Part of the parking lot involved going off of a sidewalk.  I apparently was feeling "really" good and need to show off.  Instead of just rolling off the side walk I bunny hoped.  Unfortunately,  my friend didn’t put the wheel on correctly and when I went up into the air the wheel didn’t.  I landed on forks, which promptly failed and I went end-over-end.  The pack behind me did their best to avoid hitting me but one unlucky sole had no choice to ride over my head.  My helmet had teeth marks from his chain ring.  I wasn’t much the worse (scrapes) but my bike frame was bent.  I was out for a month because of the wreck. Robb Rocket

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This is sort of standard newbie biker fare, but it was shameful nonetheless. I purchased my first real racing bike with clipless pedals in the middle of January, and the weather here in NYC was not conducive to much outdoor riding.  So, instead of facing the wet and cold of a northeastern winter, I did all my bike work on a CycleOps trainer indoors. By late Feb or early March, the weather was nice, so I decided to take my still-new QR out for a spin in the park.  As of yet I had only ridden this bike in my apartment.  As I approached the intersection of 57th Street and 8th Ave, the light turned red.  If you’ve ever spent much time in NYC, you’ll know that this is a busy intersection with lots of pedestrian as well as automotive traffic.  So I couldn’t just roll through the light.  I had to stop.  As I approached the light, I braked to a complete standstill and then tried to unclip from my Speedplays.  After all, that’s how I’d been doing it for the last 2 months indoors.  Needless to say, I simply fell over sideways and then struggled for a while on the ground to unclip.   I was embarrassed, but none the worse for wear. — | Lance Ball | Anima Sana in Corpore Sano

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I did one of those on my MTB.  I flatted and I guess got distracted while putting the wheel back on and didn’t lock it down.  I have horizontal dropouts so as long as I was pedalling everything was fine. The chain was pulling the wheel up into the frame and all was well. Then I hit the brakes.  The wheel stopped a good bit faster then myself and the rest of the bike.  Luckily, the only damage was a kink in the chain and a couple of scratches on the frame.  But it’s a mountain bike so it’s supposed to be scratched, right? Ray – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How about forgetting to lock your rear wheel before a ride? Did that. I was climbing a hill (going as hard as I could) and something went wrong….After going over the handlebars and landing on the side of the road, I discovered that my rear wheel had dropped off the back of my bike. Genius.  Jim

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Lance Ball says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is sort of standard newbie biker fare, but it was shameful nonetheless. I purchased my first real racing bike with clipless pedals in the middle of January, and the weather here in NYC was not conducive to much outdoor riding.  So, instead of facing the wet and cold of a northeastern winter, I did all my bike work on a CycleOps trainer indoors. By late Feb or early March, the weather was nice, so I decided to take my still-new QR out for a spin in the park.  As of yet I had only ridden this bike in my apartment.  As I approached the intersection of 57th Street and 8th Ave, the light turned red.  If you’ve ever spent much time in NYC, you’ll know that this is a busy intersection with lots of pedestrian as well as automotive traffic.  So I couldn’t just roll through the light.  I had to stop.  As I approached the light, I braked to a complete standstill and then tried to unclip from my Speedplays.  After all, that’s how I’d been doing it for the last 2 months indoors.  Needless to say, I simply fell over sideways and then struggled for a while on the ground to unclip.   I was embarrassed, but none the worse for wear.

OK Admit it. Hand up all those that have done something similar. I was riding alone when the car in front stopped suddenly.  I stopped but couldn’t get unclipped in time and fell over in a screaming heap (fortunately onto the footpath). AJ — If swimming is so good for the figure, explain whales Simon Haigh Illawarra Triathlon Club – Australia http://members.xoom.com/ajsimon/index.htm   <—- New web site      

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Broke my hand doing this the first time in toe clips, remember those? Phil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK Admit it. Hand up all those that have done something similar. I was riding alone when the car in front stopped suddenly.  I stopped but couldn’t get unclipped in time and fell over in a screaming heap (fortunately onto the footpath). AJ — If swimming is so good for the figure, explain whales – Simon Haigh Illawarra Triathlon Club – Australia http://members.xoom.com/ajsimon/index.htm   <—- New web site

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Happened to me several times. I don’t remember how many times. But I do remember one instance where somebody in a wheelchair was in the middle of the baike path. OK Admit it. Hand up all those that have done something similar.

–                        \  - –  //      Achim Wilfried Heinle                         oooO   (   )                        (   )    ) /                         (    (_/                          _)

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I just remembered this one.  During the cool down after a training ride I saw two attractive woman outside talking.  So I decided to show off by doing a wheelie on my bike, aerobars and all.  Well I pulled too hard and ended up flipping the bike because I couldn’t get my feet out of my look pedals fast enough. Oh, the girls, they laughed their asses off %^( and I ended up with a torn up seat. Take Care, Zack Jones

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While riding one day I noticed that the left plastic plug that goes in the end of the handlebar was coming loose.  I was going farily fast downhill at the time.  I decided just to bump it back in with the palm of my hand.  Wrong!  The instant that I struck it,  the bike decided that I wanted to go sharply to the right.  I just barely managed to regain control and stay upright.  Really dumb, huh? Jim Turner

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It’s so good to hear that I’m not the only one. Mine was with the clips too. Didn’t break my hand though. Susanne << Broke my hand doing this the first time in toe clips, remember those? Phil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK Admit it. Hand up all those that have done something similar. I was riding alone when the car in front stopped suddenly.  I stopped but couldn’t get unclipped in time and fell over in a screaming heap (fortunately onto the footpath). AJ — If swimming is so good for the figure, explain whales – Simon Haigh Illawarra Triathlon Club – Australia http://members.xoom.com/ajsimon/index.htm   <—- New web site

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  As I approached the light, I braked to a complete standstill and then tried to unclip from my Speedplays…

Mine was coming home at the end of a long ride, big intersection, really tired, couldn’t quite get coordinated…went down in view (but thankfully out of reach) of a long line of cars.  Most drivers just looked bemused, one did at least check that I was OK.  Only damage was to my ego. Glad to know I’m not the only one to feel foolish like this! Liz

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My winter commute involves taking the mountain bike about 20 miles along a canal tow-path (into the centre of Glasgow).  There are anti-car gates put in every couple of miles, with a chicane than you can get through on a bike if you slow right down.  These things are quite irritating, and break up your rhythm, so I’d got into the habit of breaking at the last possible moment to minimise the interruption. The other week I’d had to stop and fix a puncture on the front wheel, but forgot to re-attach the quick-release brake… Needless to say, the passer-by who was walking his dog along the path had trouble control his laughter as I hit the gate at full speed, and went over head first, dragging the still-clipped-in bike over after me. Andrew Stirling Triathlon Club

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Reading the thread on eating QuicDisc made me think of a terrible gaffe I pulled…. especially when I told people about it.  So don’t tell anyone else, OK?  Let’s keep this between us. I was at home, in the garage, fixing a flat on my road bike.  I decided to put in a new tube, but the only ones I had were 650c for my tri bike.  So, I just stretched it on the 700c wheel rim, mounted the tire, and proceded to pump her up.  Aftre all, tubes are rubber and stretch, right?  Needless to say, I heard a loud pop when I got to about 80PSI. When I told my now-former (;)) friends at the LBS shop they wanted to know if I was congenitally stupid… chees, anyone knows you can’t do that! Well, I know that now, and still take the ocassional joke about it. Hmm, I wonder if a 700c would fit in my tri bike…. John

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That’s a good one. This is one I pulled. I the spring of 1991 I am getting ready to go to my first training camp in Luxembourg. I was living in Brussels (Belgium) at the time and we had an annual one week training camp during the easter week in Luxembourg with the Brussels Triathlon Club. As I take the wheels off my bike I notice a couple of spokes that seemed a little loose. So I decided to tighten them. I did this with both my wheels. You can imagine my face when I unpacked them in Luxembourg and they were all wobbely. Luckily we had a bike mechanics who was going to join us. He had spend the day at local road race in Belgium and most of that day in a pub. Needless to say that when I showed him my wheels he almost fell over. So now I don’t touch those spokes anymore. Reading the thread on eating QuicDisc made me think of a terrible gaffe I pulled…. especially when I told people about it.  So don’t tell anyone else, OK?  Let’s keep this between us.

–                        \  - –  //      Achim Wilfried Heinle                         oooO   (   )                        (   )    ) /                         (    (_/                          _)

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Not a personal experience but… Two guys decide to drive to the French Alps from Sweden via Germany. They wanted to do some wild mountain biking. They drive more or less non stop for 36 hours sharing the driving and pitch up at a campsite in southern Germany. They unpack the car and camp. The following day they repack their car and carry on to the mountains. They arrive and pitch camp and decide to go to the shop for food, hey we can take the bikes, well we could if only we had the front wheels which were back in Sweden. Phil

t… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Reading the thread on eating QuicDisc made me think of a terrible gaffe I pulled…. especially when I told people about it.  So don’t tell anyone else, OK?  Let’s keep this between us. I was at home, in the garage, fixing a flat on my road bike.  I decided to put in a new tube, but the only ones I had were 650c for my tri bike.  So, I just stretched it on the 700c wheel rim, mounted the tire, and proceded to pump her up.  Aftre all, tubes are rubber and stretch, right?  Needless to say, I heard a loud pop when I got to about 80PSI. When I told my now-former (;)) friends at the LBS shop they wanted to know if I was congenitally stupid… chees, anyone knows you can’t do that! Well, I know that now, and still take the ocassional joke about it. Hmm, I wonder if a 700c would fit in my tri bike…. John

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Question:

gee, we haven’t talked for a bit, so now i’ll have to plunk out the money & call her tomorrow.  i shouldn’t have put my mouth in print so quickly! PMcD-C

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I am looking for information about Sister Madonna Buder.  She participated in the Senior Olympics in Tucson this year.  She was wonderful in the women’s triathlon, and blew her competition away.  Any articles about her would be a great help to me.

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she’s a good friend of mine, and would be delighted to know someone wanted to know about her.  she’ll be in columbia, of course, for nationals on august 17.     various articles have been done on her in triathlete  & inside triathlon, & triathlete had her as a centerfold (!) in 1996, i think–maybe 1995—during ironman hawaii. peggy mcd-c

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: she’s a good friend of mine, and would be delighted to know someone wanted : to know about her.  she’ll be in columbia, of course, for nationals on : august 17.     Is this confirmed?  I was also told that she’ll be at IMC this year.   She’s listed on the web site.  I suppose you can race OD and IM distance a week apart… — Jason Mayfield, Arlington VA Persist, Persevere, Deny, Pursue, Pain, Survive, Ignore, Endure, Strive, Laugh, Cry, Live, Prevail, Scream, Sweat, Bleed, Sustain, Learn, Ascend, Give, Get, GO!   36 Days Until Ironman Canada ‘97

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Question:

This race is cancelled.  Per the race director

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In June there is a sprint distance triathlon put on by the Tysons (Athletic) Club in McLean, VA. It usually is put on the third weekend of June with distances of 400yd pool swim, 16 mile bike, 5k run. Tucker Newberry

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I’ll admit this is plagiarism….I stole it off a basketball poster in my 10 year old son’s room:     "The harder I work, the luckier I get." I’ve found it applies even when your 40 years old. Tim

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As seen in some running commercial : Pain is nothing compared to the feeling of giving up.

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How about: The harder the stone, the sharper the blade.

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I believe this event was cancelled.  The letter I got from TriAthlantic says that the costs of the bike course (15 traffic lights, a minimum of 30 police officers) were the main reason. — Steve Noone – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s also a tri in Fairfax on May 25.  TriAthlantic is organizing it and the distances are .5 mi./14 mi./5K if I remember correctly.  There are full lists of all the regional events in SportsFocus and Metrosports magazines, both free publications available at bike shops, shoe stores, etc.

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There’s also a tri in Fairfax on May 25.  TriAthlantic is organizing it and the distances are .5 mi./14 mi./5K if I remember correctly.  There are full lists of all the regional events in SportsFocus and Metrosports magazines, both free publications available at bike shops, shoe stores, etc.

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Does anyone know of any sprint distance triathlons in the Northern Virginia, Maryland area during the months of May or June?  I am looking to do a short triathlon before building up to longer distances in July and August.

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Question:

says… 1988 ITU World’s dates Triathlon World Championships are on the last weekend of August 1998 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Long Distance Triathlon Long Distance World’s will be at Sado Island, Japan in July.

Long Distancd World’s will be at Sado island in Japan at September 5th 1998. **===  Nobuyasu Narashima  from  Yokohama, JAPAN    ===** **===     homepage : http://www.airnet.or.jp/nara/  ===**

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Does anyone out there know what exact date the World Champs are at Switzerland in 1998. I am hoping to be there but need to organise a few things first. This is for the Olympic Distance Triathlon. Thanks for the assistance. Jeremy.

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1988 ITU World’s dates Triathlon World Championships are on the last weekend of August 1998 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Long Distance Triathlon Long Distance World’s will be at Sado Island, Japan in July. The Long Distance Duathlon World’s will be at Powerman in Zofingen, Switzerland the first weekend of June. Duathlon World’s have not been determined yet. John Warren home pages: http://www.ts.co.nz/~warrenjk/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone out there know what exact date the World Champs are at Switzerland in 1998. I am hoping to be there but need to organise a few things first. This is for the Olympic Distance Triathlon. Thanks for the assistance. Jeremy.

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Question:

I have compared the standard deviations for swim, bike and run times for sprint races.  On this basis, the swim is worth about half as much as the bike and run.

Could you explain this in more detail?  (I’m not a statistician, but I know what a standard deviation is.  You need to take standard deviation into account, but the mean is the more important figure, isn’t it?)  Seems to me that I run 4 times as far in a given time as I can swim in that time.  Why is the swim worth half, rather than one-quarter as much as the run?  And the bike is obviously worth more. Or am I missing something? Indoor tri’s could be great events, but the way they’re run now, they’re just a chance for the bikers to flex their muscles.  (Spoken like a triathlete whose worst leg is the bike, eh?)   – marty — Marty Billingsley

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I have compared the standard deviations for swim, bike and run times for sprint races.  On this basis, the swim is worth about half as much as the bike and run. Our company fitness center sponsers an indoor event, with 20 minutes for each leg.  They double the swim distance before adding the bike and run distances.  After appropriate translations, I determined that this scoring system works about the same way. — Curt Austin          http://www.iac.net/~curta/ Cincinnati, Ohio

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I was thinking about a short tri of 15 minutes per event with 5 minutes : in between events. Sounds fine to me.  For some reason, all 5 of the ones I know about that were held in Chicago this year were structured as follows: 10 min swim pool 5-10 min transition  (10 min is time to go to a locker, dry & change) 20 min bike (stationary) 5 min transition 15 min run (4 were track, 1 was treadmill) I don’t know why this distribution was chosen.  Your idea of 15-15-15 would still be pretty close to it.

I’ve tried to suggest to the people who run these events — for a couple of years now — that they alter the format.  If you can believe it, the way they score these tri’s are to add up the total distance.  What a crock!!  Not only is the swim ‘way shorter than the bike and run (and the run shorter than the bike), but with the total distances added up, a strong biker could totally skip the swim and still win the event.  And this is a fair competition? Nonsense!! For example, let’s say in a 10-minute swim, person A swims 200m further than person B.  That’s a *lot*, a huge difference in swimming ability.  Now, person B is a slightly better biker than person A and bikes 300m further in 20 minutes.  That’s pretty easy to do!  Assume they’re equal runners.  Person B will win the event, by dint of being a little bit better biker, but a *much* worse swimmer.  That’s unreasonable: he’s obviously not the better triathlete! The Downtown Sports Club in Chicago, who put on the first indoor triathlons in the city (as far as I know), starting about 1986 or 87, used to score them in an interesting way.  First of all, the events were 20 minutes each: no lopsided event here!  If you were the fastest swimmer you got 100 points, 2nd fastest got 98 points, etc.  Same with biking and running.  At the end, the person with the most points won.  One advantage of this was that the event could be held over a period of a week, with people coming in at their convenience to run the race (there wasn’t enough room to hold the event all at once).  It worked out pretty well, and the results seem fair.  (Unlike the results of the indoor tri series that I’ve seen over the past couple of years.) Another way to score these indoor events, where you compete for a certain length of time rather than a distance, would be to calculate a reasonable "fudge factor".  I don’t know that much about biking, but I constantly compare my running and swimming times.  Running is aproximately 4 times faster than swimming (I’ll do repeat 100s (meters) in the pool in 1:25, and interval 400s on the track in 1:25 or thereabouts).  You could take the results of many people’s efforts in a triathlon and calculate a reasonable average fudge factor for both the swim and the run so that the distances are comparable to the bike distance.  Then you’d have a *much* fairer event. I know a few people who boycotted this winter’s indoor triathlon series in Chicago because of the emphasis on biking.  I hope that the folks responsible for putting it on will read this and think about changing the format. Anybody else have suggestions for a fair way of scoring an indoor tri?   – marty — Marty Billingsley

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: I was thinking about a short tri of 15 minutes per event with 5 minutes : in between events. Sounds fine to me.  For some reason, all 5 of the ones I know about that were held in Chicago this year were structured as follows: 10 min swim pool 5-10 min transition  (10 min is time to go to a locker, dry & change) 20 min bike (stationary) 5 min transition 15 min run (4 were track, 1 was treadmill) I don’t know why this distribution was chosen.  Your idea of 15-15-15 would still be pretty close to it.

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: How do you organize an indoor bike race that is fair for everyone? : Do you organize the bike using stationary trainers? : Do you provide rollers or track stands and let people bring their own : bikes?  And if so, how do you track mileage? The best setup I’ve seen is about 8 Windracers set up in series, all hooked up to a central monitor that had little color coded cyclists along with bar graphs of avg. speed, distance, etc. Since the windracers are computerized and adjusted for weight, etc. as part of the program, it was extremely accurate and far for everyone. It only took a second as you got to the bike in the 5 min. transition to punch in your weight and age, etc., and everyone was started by the computer at once. It all worked pretty well.         I’m not sure how they got all the stuff; I think the university already owned them (University of Toronto), and the software in the windracer did the rest. You might want to talk to the people at Windracer, maybe they’ll let you use some for free promo.         Good Luck!         B @ Queen’s University             Kingston, Ontario

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Our club wants to organize some events in conjunction with the athletic facility here at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Members were talking about an intramural swim meet.  This is no problem to organize but we were also interested in organizing an indoor triathlon.  None of us have ever done one before so i have a few questions. I was thinking about a short tri of 15 minutes per event with 5 minutes in between events.  I figure a swimmer can cover 1200 yds (48 lengths of a 25yd pool).  A cyclist at 20 mph can cover 5 miles and a runner at about 6.5 to 7 min miles can cover 2 to 2.5 miles.  On our depressingly small indoor track that comes out to 40 to 50 laps.  So the plan was to use the following formula: swim lengths (~ 48) + bike miles X 10 (~ 50) + laps run (~50)= total score. Does this sound reasonable?   How do you organize an indoor bike race that is fair for everyone? Do you organize the bike using stationary trainers? Do you provide rollers or track stands and let people bring their own bikes?  And if so, how do you track mileage? Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.  Now I really regret not doing the multitude of indoor triathlons that were always advertised around the Chicago area when I lived there.  :( Thanks. — John H. Kwon Albert Einstein College of Medicine

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I was thinking about a short tri of 15 minutes per event with 5 minutes in between events.  I figure a swimmer can cover 1200 yds (48 lengths of a 25yd pool).  A cyclist at 20 mph can cover 5 miles and a runner at about 6.5 to 7 min miles can cover 2 to 2.5 miles.  On our depressingly small indoor track that comes out to 40 to 50 laps.  So the plan was to use the following formula: swim lengths (~ 48) + bike miles X 10 (~ 50) + laps run (~50)= total score. Does this sound reasonable?   How do you organize an indoor bike race that is fair for everyone?

No race can be fair for everyone unless everyone finishes with the same time/place/distance for the same effort.  I would try your format with a few triathletes of varying skill and check the results. Do you organize the bike using stationary trainers? Do you provide rollers or track stands and let people bring their own bikes?  And if so, how do you track mileage?

If you use a stationary trainer, you need some way to calibrate the resistance to make it equal.  Otherwise, some people may have a very low resistance and get a big advantage against the people who set their resistance high. Any input at all would be greatly appreciated.  Now I really regret not doing the multitude of indoor triathlons that were always advertised around the Chicago area when I lived there.  :(

The series I did used the following format: Swim 10 minutes, volunteer counts lengths, swimmer gets credit for next full length if past halfway mark at 10 minutes.  Convert lengths to mileage. Bike 20 minutes on stationary exercise bike.  Use distance from odometer. Over the past three year, three types of indoor bikes were used.  The first year the top people averaged ~45MPH, so the distance was divided in half. The bike was usually the main factor in the final results.  You need to be careful on choosing an indoor bike because some models cannot be calibrated equally. Run 15 minutes on indoor track (sizes from 8 to 13.5 laps per mile), runner gets credit for full lap if past halfway mark at 15 minutes.  Covert laps to miles. Overall place was determined by total distance traveled. Be prepared to sweat! Todd Jensen                                   o AT&T Bell Labs              ___^o_    __o    <| Naperville, IL                      _ <_    _

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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:

The Subject line says it all.  I have been training for the Napa Valley Marathon on 5 March, only to find that I have to travel to the far east that weekend on business.  I am in great shape, and want to qualify for Boston ‘96 this spring.  I have already committed to competing in a Powerman Duathlon qualifier on 2 April in Holland, and any later will impact my triathlon season. Does anyone know of a marathon in the US on 11 or 12 March?  Thanks.     *******    / /        *******        Hewlett-Packard Laboratories  *     ****     / __  // __  /  **** phone: +1 415-857-8664               *     ****    / / / // /_/ /   ****   fax: +1 415-852-8030               *     ****   /_/ /_// ____/    ****                           =o         *     *****        / /        *****         ___^o_     _=o    <|        *     *******     / /       *******                  _ <_             *

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I think (but am not 100% sure) that the Hyannis marathon (on Cape Cod, MA) is that weekend — Roland

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1, Hyannis,   Hyannis, Mass. 5087786965 2. Maui, Kahalui, Hawaii    808 8716441 3. Mendocino Trail, Russian Gulch State Park, Stinson, Beach, CA 415 8681829

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The Subject line says it all.  I have been training for the Napa Valley Marathon on 5 March, only to find that I have to travel to the far east that weekend on business.  I am in great shape, and want to qualify for Boston ‘96 this spring.  I have already committed to competing in a Powerman Duathlon qualifier on 2 April in Holland, and any later will impact my triathlon season. Does anyone know of a marathon in the US on 11 or 12 March?  Thanks.

You can stop off in Hawaii on your way back for the Maui Marathon on 3-12-95. —

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