Question:

Anybody beginning to smell a troll?

What took you so long?  You probably thought my response was mean. The posts have been very thinly veiled criticisms of people who race rather than do healthful exercise, and probably do so without even having a proper license.   rtk

Response:

What took you so long?

It just took me this long to say anything (I notice you also sat on it, probably for the same reason – it was creative and amusing – not all trolls are bad.) You probably thought my response was mean.

Ruth! Stop and think who you’re talking to for a minute. The posts have been very thinly veiled criticisms of people who race rather than do healthful exercise, and probably do so without even having a proper license.

That’s one possibility.  Another is that they’re self-satirical. Or… it could be someone planning on a shooting rampage at a triathlon trying to set himself up for an insanity plea.

Response:

Jason’s right on this one.  Its always so damn difficult arranging everything on the bike without shorts.  Damn spokes just catch you every time!

Spokes are the least of my problem; that pavement’s rough! Brian "Thank goodness for positioning rules that keep other bikes’ wheels at least 7 meters back" Wagner

Response:

I don’t see anything specifically about having a bike license in the USAT rules, but I would think disqualification under the "ready to operate" clause could be a real possibility. Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?  Just curious.

Anybody beginning to smell a troll?

Response:

I believe in every state a bike license is "required" to operate on public right-of-way.

Neither Florida or Georgia require it, nor can I think of any state I’ve lived in that does. And I’ve biked in many states and it’s never been an issue. Maybe it’s a California thing. Has anyone here been ticketed, disqualified, or otherwise inconvenienced over the lack of a valid bike registration either as part of a triathalon or otherwise? How about if you are stopped for some other infraction? Will they then check the registration?

Man, you worry a lot, don’t you?   Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" Ironman, Model Railroader, Gamer

Response:

Jason O’Rourke wrote PS: to answer your next question, yes, you might get in trouble for flashing the public changing in the transition.  Some races may DQ you for it as well.  A good towel, or nice tri clothing that can do all stages is the answer.

Jason’s right on this one.  Its always so damn difficult arranging everything on the bike without shorts.  Damn spokes just catch you every time!

Response:

I believe in every state a bike license is "required" to operate on public right-of-way.

An assumption you probably want to validate first.  UC Berkeley does give a more expensive ticket to bikes that don’t have the license, but that might have been just during their silly bike ban era in the mid 90s.   I don’t see anything specifically about having a bike license in the USAT rules, but I would think disqualification under the "ready to operate" clause could be a real possibility.

First you come wanted encouragement for a likely slow olympic finish, then you want races altered to meet your needs.  Now you’re looking for obscure traps.   My advice: be a newbie lemming and just follow the herd for a while.   Works for me.  Read thru the rules at the USAT web page and go forward.   I briefly worried that I might get DQ’d for a minor violation out of ignorance.  But unless they drag you off the course, what does it really change?  You don’t get your name in the official results.  You might still gets splits info if you don’t know it yourself. PS: to answer your next question, yes, you might get in trouble for flashing the public changing in the transition.  Some races may DQ you for it as well.  A good towel, or nice tri clothing that can do all stages is the answer. — Rec.scuba strokes pics page: www.jor.com/strokes Aquashot page: www.jor.com/dive/aquashot

Response:

I believe in every state a bike license is "required" to operate on public right-of-way.

In Illinois, at least, only "titled" vehicles require registration. I don’t see anything specifically about having a bike license in the USAT rules, but I would think disqualification under the "ready to operate" clause could be a real possibility.

Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much?  Just curious. -Kevin Munday

Response:

I believe in every state a bike license is "required" to operate on public right-of-way.

Wrong.  Bicycle licenses are issued by _some_ municipalities as a means of identifying recovered stolen bicycles.  Some, mostly inner ring enclaves of big brother government paternalism, actually require them, either to park the bike at a public rack, or, in some extreme cases, to ride it. It seems in reality one gets stuck with a purchase of a license when one buys a new bike. When it expires everyone just forgets about it.

They typically do not expire, since they are primarily designed to aid in the identification of stolen and recovered bicycles. I don’t see anything specifically about having a bike license in the USAT rules, but I would think disqualification under the "ready to operate" clause could be a real possibility.

There can be no such requirement, as participants are residents of a number of different jurisdictions, not all of which have licenses. Is it part of the organizers’ permit to allow bikes on the course which might be technically illegal otherwise?

This is not the case.  States have laws mandating uniformity of vehicle requirements, otherwise people’s bikes would become illegal at every municipal boundary.  This raises issues for those few busybody cities that require licenses to ride a bike, since non-residents can’t even be sold a license, and may reside in a city that doesn’t have them. Has anyone here been ticketed, disqualified, or otherwise inconvenienced over the lack of a valid bike registration either as part of a triathalon or otherwise? How about if you are stopped for some other infraction? Will they then check the registration?

There is one recent case where I live, in the People’s Republic of Cleveland Heights, where a 14 year old was stopped for ‘acting suspiciously’ and treated like Dillinger in what is publicly suspected to be a case of racial profiling.  When the boy’s father showed up and started raising the prospect of civil action, the officers wrote a citation for not having a bicycle license, which would not withstand a legal challenge, but which gives their conduct some flimsy air of legitimacy.

Response:

Has anyone here been ticketed, disqualified, or otherwise inconvenienced over the lack of a valid bike registration either as part of a triathalon or otherwise? How about if you are stopped for some other infraction? Will they then check the registration?

I licensed my bicycles a few years ago when I lived in Ontario, California.  It took an hour or two because they couldn’t find the licenses and didn’t know how to do it once they found them.  It seems in this case, the licenses were almost always sold at school bike safety clinics.  That’s why the desk people were clueless as to the process. The primary purpose of the license is so that the local PD has a record of the bike in case it is recovered as stolen property.  Only the local PD has the information so if the bike is recovered outside the local PDs jurisdiction they won’t find out anyway. IOW, If one kid steals another kids bike and dumps it, the cops can find the rightful owner from the license information.  As far as adult toys are concerned, the process doesn’t apply.  I’ve gone through this twice and both time got the impression that I was being an annoyance by bringing it up. It probably varies by locality but in Southern California, it’s not an issue unless you’re in grade school. Larry

Response:

I believe in every state a bike license is "required" to operate on public right-of-way. It seems in reality one gets stuck with a purchase of a license when one buys a new bike. When it expires everyone just forgets about it. Recently I waved at a sheriff deputy then suddenly got chills. I don’t see anything specifically about having a bike license in the USAT rules, but I would think disqualification under the "ready to operate" clause could be a real possibility. Is it part of the organizers’ permit to allow bikes on the course which might be technically illegal otherwise? Has anyone here been ticketed, disqualified, or otherwise inconvenienced over the lack of a valid bike registration either as part of a triathalon or otherwise? How about if you are stopped for some other infraction? Will they then check the registration?

Response:

Question:

Eagleman was my first 1/2 and I’m still feeling pretty drained.  Everything is back to normal with the exception of some low energy.  All I’ve done this week is a short 30 minute swim on Wednesday and again on Friday.  I raced Columbia then two weeks later did Eagleman.  Hopefully my energy will return before Sunday.  Because I’m doing the Chesapeake Bay swim, and I sure as hell hate to find out I don’t have enough energy to get across when I’m out in the middle! See ya, Brad – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was just thinking about this yesterday as day number 4 without a workout rolled nonchalantly past, and I was still happy to let it go. After Blackwater, I felt more beat up than I could ever recall after a 1/2IM (this was my 8th go at this distance).  Usually I’m up and *slowly* creeping about by day 2…but not this time. I might get to the pool today for an easy swim, but even if I don’t, I’m not overly concerned.  Anyone else as un-motivated after a hard cycle? I raced both Columbia and Blackwater, with an 85/10 brick over Memorial Day weekend…I’m wondering if it’s all catching up at once. For both Ruth and Pete, and everyone else recovering quickly from Blackwater…God Bless!  I’m still in love with naps and sitting in my hammock watching the sunset this week.  Maybe I’ll ride Saturday… …naaah.  6 Weeks to Tupper.  I need my rest.  :) Hurricane Bob *Always make sure you have a Bob nearby for those unexpected emergencies* Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Ruth, you are amazing.   I did Keauhou a couple weeks ago and still feel some lingering fatigue.   I can work out at a high level but perceive the effort to be beyond what it is.   Feel great for short bursts but fall apart on the long hauls.   I think one more week will do it.   Hope so as I will do the Mid Night Sun marathon in Anchorage on the 21st. That is about typical for me for pushing the 1/2 IM distance.   You must be eating right.  Maybe it’s just the Karma. Ken – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m really really curious about the recovery time of others who felt so totally wiped out by Sunday’s BWE.  I took off Monday because of the adductor pain, swam 3500 and biked a windy 25 on Tuesday, the same on Wednesday, had a TBF* attack yesterday, and today, after a 4 mile run – whaddyaknow? – I feel great!  Aside from some lingering adductor aches I’m totally recovered.  Because I’m wondering about the connection between age and recovery time, I would like to know how others are faring. *TBF: Total Body Failure Ruth Kazez P.S. Another thread. David Bowden (age 18 or so?) says, in answer to why he races: 1. Suffer from inherited compulsive competitiveness disorder. 2. Triathletes are the nicest people and the best place to find them is at races. 3. Need something to do with excess energy. 4. I like having medals and trophies cluttering my room. 5. What else am I going to spend money on (why earn it if it’s not for something important ie bike. NB I live with my parents so have no living costs). 6. I like having sinewy limbs and not getting puffed doing every day things. 7. I really love getting outside on a nice day and hurting myself. 8. Occasionally I get some money from it (not often enough though). Aside from #8 and half of #5, I have all the same reasons.  Growing up never did come easy to me.  Maybe…someday. I like the toys so much, so I have to use them. RK

Response:

It’s funny that you should ask this — it’s been a big issue on my mind for the last few days. To echo the feelings of what other’s wrote, Sunday was by far the hardest 1/2 I’ve ever done. I feel worse now than I did a week after my first ironman last year. Until this morning, I was sure I was going to do Thundergust. After speaking to my trainer, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea (she’s sure it isn’t). Unlike some people, I did only Blackwater this past weekend. I did go really hard, though, and I had a really bad race. I’ve worked out once this week, and it wasn’t too hard, either. For some reason that race took a lot out of me physically and mentally. Stephan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m really really curious about the recovery time of others who felt so totally wiped out by Sunday’s BWE.  I took off Monday because of the adductor pain, swam 3500 and biked a windy 25 on Tuesday, the same on Wednesday, had a TBF* attack yesterday, and today, after a 4 mile run – whaddyaknow? – I feel great!  Aside from some lingering adductor aches I’m totally recovered.  Because I’m wondering about the connection between age and recovery time, I would like to know how others are faring.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ruth, you’re right.  There is a positive correlation between age and recovery time. When you get older, you might not recover so quickly.  It is therefore important that you at least look cool while you’re doing it. Ray Ps..   been swimming all week, ran twice, will bike tomorrow if I can find a handlebar plug to replace the one I lost at mile 40 at BWE. Ray Plotecia Male Amateur, 50-54 Ruxton, MD

Damn, I missed a shot at giving out another penalty  ;^) — Bruce Platt

Response:

My body hurt on Monday, but after that I felt fine physically, however, mentally/emotionally I’ve been a bit off all week. Training has not been a problem. All that is except for my foot, which hurts, but I don’t think that’s what you were talking about. I have really decided that during the run I have never been so miserable in my entire life. Nothing chalks up to that in my memory. Nothing. For some reason that’s been very dramatic for me. Maybe it’s the impending marathon at Ironman USA, no, probably it is. In addition to the "why do you race" thread – I have my own answer which occured to me this morning as I did the following:  "so I can eat a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts on the way to work and not gain an ounce!" Yup, I ate an entire dozen warm glazed donuts on a 20 minute drive to work this morning. SchwingDing – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m really really curious about the recovery time of others who felt so totally wiped out by Sunday’s BWE.  I took off Monday because of the adductor pain, swam 3500 and biked a windy 25 on Tuesday, the same on Wednesday, had a TBF* attack yesterday, and today, after a 4 mile run – whaddyaknow? – I feel great!  Aside from some lingering adductor aches I’m totally recovered.  Because I’m wondering about the connection between age and recovery time, I would like to know how others are faring. *TBF: Total Body Failure Ruth Kazez P.S. Another thread. David Bowden (age 18 or so?) says, in answer to why he races:  1. Suffer from inherited compulsive competitiveness disorder.  2. Triathletes are the nicest people and the best place to find them is at races.  3. Need something to do with excess energy.  4. I like having medals and trophies cluttering my room.  5. What else am I going to spend money on (why earn it if it’s not for something important ie bike. NB I live with my parents so have no living costs).  6. I like having sinewy limbs and not getting puffed doing every day things.  7. I really love getting outside on a nice day and hurting myself.  8. Occasionally I get some money from it (not often enough though). Aside from #8 and half of #5, I have all the same reasons.  Growing up never did come easy to me.  Maybe…someday. I like the toys so much, so I have to use them. RK

Response:

I was just thinking about this yesterday as day number 4 without a workout rolled nonchalantly past, and I was still happy to let it go. After Blackwater, I felt more beat up than I could ever recall after a 1/2IM (this was my 8th go at this distance).  Usually I’m up and *slowly* creeping about by day 2…but not this time. I might get to the pool today for an easy swim, but even if I don’t, I’m not overly concerned.  Anyone else as un-motivated after a hard cycle? I raced both Columbia and Blackwater, with an 85/10 brick over Memorial Day weekend…I’m wondering if it’s all catching up at once. For both Ruth and Pete, and everyone else recovering quickly from Blackwater…God Bless!  I’m still in love with naps and sitting in my hammock watching the sunset this week.  Maybe I’ll ride Saturday… …naaah.  6 Weeks to Tupper.  I need my rest.  :) Hurricane Bob *Always make sure you have a Bob nearby for those unexpected emergencies* Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Ruth, you’re right.  There is a positive correlation between age and recovery time. When you get older, you might not recover so quickly.  It is therefore important that you at least look cool while you’re doing it. Ray Ps..   been swimming all week, ran twice, will bike tomorrow if I can find a handlebar plug to replace the one I lost at mile 40 at BWE. Ray Plotecia Male Amateur, 50-54 Ruxton, MD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m really really curious about the recovery time of others who felt so totally wiped out by Sunday’s BWE.  I took off Monday because of the adductor pain, swam 3500 and biked a windy 25 on Tuesday, the same on Wednesday, had a TBF* attack yesterday, and today, after a 4 mile run – whaddyaknow? – I feel great!  Aside from some lingering adductor aches I’m totally recovered.  Because I’m wondering about the connection between age and recovery time, I would like to know how others are faring. *TBF: Total Body Failure Ruth Kazez P.S. Another thread. David Bowden (age 18 or so?) says, in answer to why he races: 1. Suffer from inherited compulsive competitiveness disorder. 2. Triathletes are the nicest people and the best place to find them is at races. 3. Need something to do with excess energy. 4. I like having medals and trophies cluttering my room. 5. What else am I going to spend money on (why earn it if it’s not for something important ie bike. NB I live with my parents so have no living costs). 6. I like having sinewy limbs and not getting puffed doing every day things. 7. I really love getting outside on a nice day and hurting myself. 8. Occasionally I get some money from it (not often enough though). Aside from #8 and half of #5, I have all the same reasons.  Growing up never did come easy to me.  Maybe…someday. I like the toys so much, so I have to use them. RK

Response:

I’m really really curious about the recovery time of others who felt so totally wiped out by Sunday’s BWE.  I took off Monday because of the adductor pain, swam 3500 and biked a windy 25 on Tuesday, the same on Wednesday, had a TBF* attack yesterday, and today, after a 4 mile run – whaddyaknow? – I feel great!  Aside from some lingering adductor aches I’m totally recovered.  Because I’m wondering about the connection between age and recovery time, I would like to know how others are faring. *TBF: Total Body Failure Ruth Kazez P.S. Another thread. David Bowden (age 18 or so?) says, in answer to why he races:  1. Suffer from inherited compulsive competitiveness disorder.  2. Triathletes are the nicest people and the best place to find them is at races.  3. Need something to do with excess energy.  4. I like having medals and trophies cluttering my room.  5. What else am I going to spend money on (why earn it if it’s not for something important ie bike. NB I live with my parents so have no living costs).  6. I like having sinewy limbs and not getting puffed doing every day things.  7. I really love getting outside on a nice day and hurting myself.  8. Occasionally I get some money from it (not often enough though). Aside from #8 and half of #5, I have all the same reasons.  Growing up never did come easy to me.  Maybe…someday. I like the toys so much, so I have to use them. RK

Response:

I’m really really curious about the recovery time of others who felt so totally wiped out by Sunday’s BWE.  I took off Monday because of the adductor pain, swam 3500 and biked a windy 25 on Tuesday, the same on Wednesday, had a TBF* attack yesterday, and today, after a 4 mile run – whaddyaknow? – I feel great!  Aside from some lingering adductor aches I’m totally recovered.  Because I’m wondering about the connection between age and recovery time, I would like to know how others are faring. *TBF: Total Body Failure Ruth Kazez

The body acts in strange ways Ruth. The lingering heat two days after the race didn’t help me either, but when the heat wave broke, I felt a hundred times better. Maybe you experienced the same thing? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -P.S. Another thread. David Bowden (age 18 or so?) says, in answer to why he races: 1. Suffer from inherited compulsive competitiveness disorder. 2. Triathletes are the nicest people and the best place to find them is at races. 3. Need something to do with excess energy. 4. I like having medals and trophies cluttering my room. 5. What else am I going to spend money on (why earn it if it’s not for something important ie bike. NB I live with my parents so have no living costs). 6. I like having sinewy limbs and not getting puffed doing every day things. 7. I really love getting outside on a nice day and hurting myself. 8. Occasionally I get some money from it (not often enough though). Aside from #8 and half of #5, I have all the same reasons.  Growing up never did come easy to me.  Maybe…someday. I like the toys so much, so I have to use them. RK

I agree.  I’m definitely having fun with triathlon. Plus, I always love to test myself against the best; that is why you will see me in the big races. I know of nothing else that would better suit my time.                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMNZ, IMC ‘99 IMC’97: 10:42:53          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

Response:

I will be participating in my first triathlon (sprint) on June 9th.  I have the chance to participate in two more for a total of three sprint tri’s in three consecutive weekends (June 16th and June 23rd).  Am I a little too optomistic?  Will I have enough time to recover from each race for the next? I have been running for two years, swimming for 4 months, and biking (seriously) for a month. Is this even possible? Thanks in advance, Noel

Response:

I will be participating in my first triathlon (sprint) on June 9th.  I have the chance to participate in two more for a total of three sprint tri’s in three consecutive weekends (June 16th and June 23rd).  Am I a little too optomistic?  Will I have enough time to recover from each race for the next? I have been running for two years, swimming for 4 months, and biking (seriously) for a month. Is this even possible? Thanks in advance, Noel

It’s possible do all three, but I would have to express some reservation on this choice since you are just starting out in triathlon and you do not know how your body will recover from one race, let alone two or three. My advice is to maybe leave out the middle one and do the two on each end of your schedule. This way, you have two weeks between each race and enough time to recover from the first to do your second. Once you get a few triathlons under your belt and get the feel for how your body recovers, then you can schedule more aggressively in the future. Hope this helps.                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMC’99: 10:45:03          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

Response:

Question:

As a childhood friend of Hunter’s, I have to believe that the comments supposedly made were taken out of context by our favorite friends at NBC. He’s as nice of a guy as anyone is, and is far from cocky. IMHO! P.S. Get a free email account over at iDoTriathlons.com  - Our whole triathlon team got ours. It’s a pretty cool system. Also, you can get registered for a Cervelo P3 (this month). They always have killer prizes! Before you buy.

Response:

Sam, I was replying to an early post and accidently posted a new message. I understand where you’re coming from. Hunter’s confidence may border cockiness (at times, I suppose), although I’m still here to say out of all the truly cocky athletes I know, he’s simply not one of them… but of course, this is coming from a friend of his Best wishes. Forgive me, but to which comments are you referring? Hunter is a nice guy, but he has a very confident streak that borders on cockiness (of course the person doing the judging cannot help but have bias in a determination of this sort).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a childhood friend of Hunter’s, I have to believe that the comments supposedly made were taken out of context by our favorite friends at NBC. He’s as nice of a guy as anyone is, and is far from cocky. IMHO! P.S. Get a free email account over at iDoTriathlons.com  - Our whole triathlon team got ours. It’s a pretty cool system. Also, you can get registered for a Cervelo P3 (this month). They always have killer prizes! Before you buy.

Before you buy.

Response:

I also know Hunter.  I also read the comment (it was much farther down my list).   To some extent this is a typical case of what sport psychologists teach the athletes.  I know several sports psychologist who have the athletes visualize. Also, who ever dreams of coming in 17th? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sam, I was replying to an early post and accidently posted a new message. I understand where you’re coming from. Hunter’s confidence may border cockiness (at times, I suppose), although I’m still here to say out of all the truly cocky athletes I know, he’s simply not one of them… but of course, this is coming from a friend of his Best wishes. Forgive me, but to which comments are you referring? Hunter is a nice guy, but he has a very confident streak that borders on cockiness (of course the person doing the judging cannot help but have bias in a determination of this sort). As a childhood friend of Hunter’s, I have to believe that the comments supposedly made were taken out of context by our favorite friends at NBC. He’s as nice of a guy as anyone is, and is far from cocky. IMHO! P.S. Get a free email account over at iDoTriathlons.com  - Our whole triathlon team got ours. It’s a pretty cool system. Also, you can get registered for a Cervelo P3 (this month). They always have killer prizes! Before you buy. Before you buy.

Response:

I am a friend and train with Hunter in Orlando and think that you really do not know what the hell you are talking about.  Hunter is like any elite, he needs confidence or you will not make it in the elite field.  Unlike the age group racing that you are use to there is very little difference than winning and loosing on any given day.  Confidience in your self is a must and if you don’t understand that you are an idot.

Response:

I happen to be a fan of Hunter and think he did as well as he could. But if you are going to flame at least sign your name. Tom Townsen (aka Olden Slow)

Response:

Also, who ever dreams of coming in 17th?

all the masses who didn’t even qualify…

Response:

Forgive me, but to which comments are you referring? Hunter is a nice guy, but he has a very confident streak that borders on cockiness (of course the person doing the judging cannot help but have bias in a determination of this sort). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a childhood friend of Hunter’s, I have to believe that the comments supposedly made were taken out of context by our favorite friends at NBC. He’s as nice of a guy as anyone is, and is far from cocky. IMHO! P.S. Get a free email account over at iDoTriathlons.com  - Our whole triathlon team got ours. It’s a pretty cool system. Also, you can get registered for a Cervelo P3 (this month). They always have killer prizes! Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

There was a movie called "The Program".  Not sure who wrote it, but it sounds familiar. You might do a search at amazon.com since I think you can search by topic.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not a triathlon post, but this is such an erudite group perhaps someone can help. I’m looking for the name of a book that came out a year or so ago — a novel, critical about big-time college sports, about the varsity football program at a fictional midwest university, by a former Michigan player. Can you help me with the name?  Thanks.

Response:

I read that book. It was really good but I can’t remember the name. Sorry. says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Not a triathlon post, but this is such an erudite group perhaps someone can help. I’m looking for the name of a book that came out a year or so ago — a novel, critical about big-time college sports, about the varsity football program at a fictional midwest university, by a former Michigan player.  Can you help me with the name?  Thanks.

Response:

Not a triathlon post, but this is such an erudite group perhaps someone can help. I’m looking for the name of a book that came out a year or so ago — a novel, critical about big-time college sports, about the varsity football program at a fictional midwest university, by a former Michigan player.  Can you help me with the name?  Thanks.

Response:

I think it was "If I Don’t Six."  At least it had "six" in the title somewhere.  Hope this helps. Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not a triathlon post, but this is such an erudite group perhaps someone can help. I’m looking for the name of a book that came out a year or so ago — a novel, critical about big-time college sports, about the varsity football program at a fictional midwest university, by a former Michigan player.  Can you help me with the name?  Thanks.

Response:

Question:

I have never been involved in Triathlon sporting activities and therefore know nothing about it, except that which one can find within the pages of certain magazines. I have also seen it on video, usually in the early hours on TV. My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs.

You mean "age groups"?  The answer is "yes". — Tri-Baby                                      _                                   –    o      ’             –  __o       –    </_  `     ‘         –    <         – __/    /o_         – (()) (())        -  / "Real triathletes don’t draft." http://www.stanford.edu/~brooksie *New to triathlon?  Check out Hulaman’s Simple TriTips:  http://www.hulaman.com/triathlon/tritips.html    

Response:

My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs. Richard Corbett

Normally triathlons divide you into 5-year age groups, and then divide you by gender. So you have men/women under 20, 20-24, 25-29, etc. I’m not sure how high it goes… maybe 70+ is the highest? There is also an "elite" division for pros, and sometimes Athena/Clydesdale division for heavier athletes. Vanessa

Response:

YES, it certainly does. Age groupers are the heart and soul of triathlon. Triathletes are a very competitive bunch and it is within the age groups that they find their measure and their glory. No triathlon can exist without age groups and without age groupers. An offshoot of the running boom which also uses age groups, triathlons are a people race. Unlike any other sports, triathlons allow you to realize your potential within a realistic framework. Age groups allow for feedback of competitive desire and the thirst to move up. If the emphasis were just on the overall winners, than triathlon would lose a big part of its appeal.

Response:

Treemoss, you are destined to become the next president of the United States of America. I can add nothing to that comment except "Hail to the Chief" or, as we say in England "Long Live The King". Richard Corbett

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – YES, it certainly does. Age groupers are the heart and soul of triathlon. Triathletes are a very competitive bunch and it is within the age groups that they find their measure and their glory. No triathlon can exist without age groups and without age groupers. An offshoot of the running boom which also uses age groups, triathlons are a people race. Unlike any other sports, triathlons allow you to realize your potential within a realistic framework. Age groups allow for feedback of competitive desire and the thirst to move up. If the emphasis were just on the overall winners, than triathlon would lose a big part of its appeal.

Response:

Two finishers at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in San Francisco on June 5th: Tyler Clayton age 12 Bill Bell age 76. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have never been involved in Triathlon sporting activities and therefore know nothing about it, except that which one can find within the pages of certain magazines. I have also seen it on video, usually in the early hours on TV. My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs. Richard Corbett

Response:

I have never been involved in Triathlon sporting activities and therefore know nothing about it, except that which one can find within the pages of certain magazines. I have also seen it on video, usually in the early hours on TV. My question is this: Does the sport have age splits. I ask this because my experience has been in both Athletics and Orienteering and in the latter sport they most certainly do going up in competitive class levels from men/women 10yrs to 75 yrs. Richard Corbett

Response:

Question:

Just as I

Question:

I was wondering if any of you know of any triathalon in the Milwaukee or Wisconsin area. Or if there is anyone in the area who has competed in a

Response:

Try the Southeastern WI Triathlete Club. 6536 48th Ave. Kenosha,WI 53142. — As always, we’re trinharder. Mark Alan Petersen & Beth Mackey Petersen               "It is more important to do your best than it is to be the best."

Response:

Question:

Has anybody out there done the Minnesota Border to Border?   Am interested in doing it, but the  price seems a bit high.   $400 for two people and it looks like all they provide is 4 evening meals, maps, and a finishers award.   Is it true they don’t provide any food or water stops during the week??  Also, how tough is the 50 miles in a canoe?   I saw they can rent you a racing canoe; what do the charge for that?   Any advice would be appreciated.

Response:

Has anybody out there done the Minnesota Border to Border?   Am interested in doing it, but the  price seems a bit high.   $400 for two people and it looks like all they provide is 4 evening meals, maps, and a finishers award.   Is it true they don’t provide any food or water stops during the week??  Also, how tough is the 50 miles in a canoe?   I saw they can rent you a racing canoe; what do the charge for that?   Any advice would be appreciated.

I haven’t done it personnally, but a friend of mine has done it 4X. $200/person doesn’t seem high at all for a 4 day event.  I’m sure there are a lot of county fees (for police/sheriff) services that they need to pay… The 2 person team is a relay format.  While you are riding your bike (your teammate is going along in a car/van).  You can switch off any way you like– so you need to do some strategizing.  One of my former girlfriends used to drive a support vehicle for my friends team.  She was definitely burnt by the end.  You probably want a van so you can stretch/sleep on your rest break. With this said, maybe one of the hardest parts is finding someone who’ll drive the support vehicle for you. 50 mi of canoeing is tough.  You need to be in tremendous shape and have pretty good technique.  On most recreation canoe trips, you do good to get in 20-25 mi a day.  My friend’s team spent lots of time training for the canoe portion.  You should call the race director and find out what some of the canoe splits were from last year. Regards, Pat    W.Patrick Brug, Ph.D.  _-           -_    Los Alamos National Lab -__       __-                                       /    cis:      72410,3372        /  

Response:

Question:

For those of you who are wondering how many years down the road it will be before we finally get current on our product pages, all the wetsuit pages, triathlon bike pages, and parts packages pages are finished. This includes prices, gifs of the bikes, so on and so forth.   I felt I needed to do this soon, as all the Special Editions and Kilos, and parts packages, get sent out to our dealers this week and next. If you’ve been to our website at all recently, realize that you’ll have to reload the pages, depending on which version of Netscape you’re using (my 2.0 beta 4, or whatever it is, caches everything, and I have to constantly reload or I miss new pages).  You still might have trouble, it seems to me Netscape 2.0 is bug city.  So "reload" if you think you’re not getting the current page. OBTW, one of my retailers said that somewhere on this newsgroup someone had written that the new Kilo was considerably heavier than the more expensive Kilo Private Reserve.  I didn’t read that myself, but in case I or anyone else wrote something like that, I weighed them today, and the Kilo is 2 ounces heavier than the Kilo PR, so they are awfully close in weight.  I think the difference is in the seat tube, the Kilo has a slightly thicker seat tube to support its front derailleur braze-on (the Kilo PR has a braze-on which goes on more laboriously, but allows us to use a slightly lighter tube). Wow, I think that’s it.  Oh yeah, the Hutchinson 23mm 26" clincher tires are in stock, so your dealer has no excuse for not having them. http://www.webcom.com/rooworld/index.html One more thing.  You used to need a ~ before the rooworld.  Now you don’t.  And, having the ~ can sometimes screw up your viewing of our website, i.e., you get the source document coming up instead of the page the way its supposed to be viewed.  So I’d be obliged if you’d change your bookmark. QRman

Response:

Hi!  My name is Janet Gates and I work at WVU in Morgantown, WV.  I am very interested in the Special Edition QR.  I hade my locat bike shop call the main factory and the person said that they were sold out, could go on a waiting list but gave no estimate of time it would take, and was very "smart" with the bike shop as far as answering questions about the bike.  Could you please help me locate a QR special edition.  I have tried calling different dealers that are advertised in all the magazines, but no has been able to help.  I really wanted to go to a QR bike, I really like your products.  I have used a QR weatsuit for years and love it.  I really appreciate all your help. Thanks,                 Janet – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For those of you who are wondering how many years down the road it will be before we finally get current on our product pages, all the wetsuit pages, triathlon bike pages, and parts packages pages are finished. This includes prices, gifs of the bikes, so on and so forth.   I felt I needed to do this soon, as all the Special Editions and Kilos, and parts packages, get sent out to our dealers this week and next. If you’ve been to our website at all recently, realize that you’ll have to reload the pages, depending on which version of Netscape you’re using (my 2.0 beta 4, or whatever it is, caches everything, and I have to constantly reload or I miss new pages).  You still might have trouble, it seems to me Netscape 2.0 is bug city.  So "reload" if you think you’re not getting the current page. OBTW, one of my retailers said that somewhere on this newsgroup someone had written that the new Kilo was considerably heavier than the more expensive Kilo Private Reserve.  I didn’t read that myself, but in case I or anyone else wrote something like that, I weighed them today, and the Kilo is 2 ounces heavier than the Kilo PR, so they are awfully close in weight.  I think the difference is in the seat tube, the Kilo has a slightly thicker seat tube to support its front derailleur braze-on (the Kilo PR has a braze-on which goes on more laboriously, but allows us to use a slightly lighter tube). Wow, I think that’s it.  Oh yeah, the Hutchinson 23mm 26" clincher tires are in stock, so your dealer has no excuse for not having them. http://www.webcom.com/rooworld/index.html One more thing.  You used to need a ~ before the rooworld.  Now you don’t.  And, having the ~ can sometimes screw up your viewing of our website, i.e., you get the source document coming up instead of the page the way its supposed to be viewed.  So I’d be obliged if you’d change your bookmark. QRman

Response:

Hi Janet! We have a large assortment of frames sizes in the new Special Edition that have just come into stock.  We would love to talk to you if you will call us at 800 FLY BIKE. Our prices are probably the best out there right now. We have the parts to build you a QR SE complete from $1195 up to whatever you’ d like to spend. Call us soon as there are’t many shops that have these SEs and they are going fast. Ask for Bill (the owner) or Rich and tell them you put up a post on the newsgroup! Val (aka QRTOO)

Response:

Question:

Tjis year’s entry form states some gibberish about how "many athletes are trying to persuade our staff to make the new course permanent".  I included a note with my entry saying that the old course is WAY better, and most of the triathletes that I know prefer the old course.  I encourage other entrants to do the same.

Agreed, although you may be overstating the case just a tad (did I say TAD?). After all the swim and run are still the same  And the new bike is a perfectly challenging course technically speaking; it just doesn’t remotely compare in scenic quality and "character" to the old one. Now if they could mow the field where the transitions occur… And replace the BBQ with edible food… But seriously, folks, it’s a great race! I hope to be there again this year. Steve Patt, Stevens Creek Software   http://alumni.caltech.edu/~slp/tad.html (The Athlete’s Diary home page)   ftp://alumni.caltech.edu/pub/slp (Information and demo copies)

Response:

: Sorry, I don’t have a longjohn for sale, but I did just get back from Donner : Lake last week.  Having pieced together the race course from various postings : and email, I concur with your "bad-ass" assemssment.  Leaving the lake, you : get on Donner Pass Road and take the overpass, crossing Interstate 80.  Down : a block to the stoplight, you take a left up Northwoods…this is a long, : steep climb while you’re still wobbly from the swim.  You continue straight : on Northwoods (all uphill) for probably 3 miles, then take a right turn : (don’t know the exact street) to get to Alder Creek Road.  This is a total : blast (at least on the way out…all downhill).  Watch out for a bumpy road : in spots…mega-potential for pinch flats.  When you get to 89, do a U-turn : and head back up the hill.  It’s a long climb, but you ain’t seen nothing yet. : Once you’ve made it back along Alder Creek the real climb begins up Skislope : Way…now this is a climb!!!!  On a mountain bike in the lowest gear I hit a : new max HR, VO2 max, and any other max there is.  It’s all steep climbing. : Once you’ve made it to the top (if you make it to the top!), there’s a flat : ridge then it’s all downhill along Skislope to Northwoods again and back to : the lake. : This year there’s both a road and mountain bike division.  I don’t see how : anyone does this on a road bike with standard gearing.  For a flat-lander : like myself, I think I give the mountain bike a try. I went to high school in Truckee and know those roads fairly well.  If that’s really the course, you’re looking at about 3,000 feet of climbing in about 25 miles or so.  If I was just going out for a ride I use a 39×21 on those roads, in a race I would probably opt for a 39×23.   Northwoods is kind of a bitch and Skislope isn’t exactly flat either.   The racer who does well on this bike course will be smart enough to NOT peg his or her HR monitor at their AT riding along Donner Lake towards the climb up Northwoods, same thing for the return up Alder Creek towards Ski Slope.  I’d want to check out the course and think REALLY HARD about where and when I was going to go hard.  You could lose a truck load of time on the two big climbs if you are going too hard when you hit them.   I’d also keep in mind that those two main descents (off of Ski Slope and Northwoods) are REALLY fast.  You can hit 50 easy.  Things happen really fast at those speeds and I’d have to call somebody who descends on those roads at those speeds on the aerobars an idiot.  Please trust me on this one.  Keep your hands close to your brakes, you’ll still go plenty fast.   I’m actually kind of amazed that they’re going to send a group of triathletes with a WIDE race of bike handling skills down these two roads in a race.  Coming off of Ski Slope is a subdivision with kids, dogs, cats, adults in cars, driveways, etc.  I’d be really careful there.   Northwoods doesn’t really have any driveways, but it’s a 50 mph descent that has a stop sign at the bottom! It’s a great ride.  Have fun, enjoy the view, but WATCH YOURSELF! — Kevin Metcalfe Davis, CA

Response:

Tjis year’s entry form states some gibberish about how "many athletes are trying to persuade our staff to make the new course permanent".  I included a note with my entry saying that the old course is WAY better, and most of the triathletes that I know prefer the old course.  I encourage other entrants to do the same. Notes: Make sure your tires are pumped up quite high – there were many        pinch flats due to the terribile road on the return on Donner        Pass Road.        Watch for gravel on the downhills on Alder Pass, and at the        bottom of the 50 mph downhill.        While the old course has a road closure on the big downhill,        this one does not.  Grumpy cars try to hog the road on the        Northwoods downhill. Oops, I guess that sounds pretty negative.  Actually, this is an awesome race.  But it’s much safer and better racing on the old bike course.  *   |       *   *     *                                                           * /|  *    *     *        Eric Roseme                                          *  /|   *     *       *    Hewlett-Packard, Information Networks Division       *//|\     /   /    *     Eric ROSEME / HP6600/E0                               ///|\ *      \          (408) 447-2711                                          |       *  // *                                                                            \                                                                               \                                                            

Response:

[description of Donner Lake bike course deleted]

I hope I’m not blowing Kevin’s cover, but Mr. Metcalfe is what I call a Really Good Cyclist ™.  When he says "such-and-such climb is a bitch", we have to understand the real difficulty of said climb.  Unless he’s taking into account the mere mortal status of most RSTers. Ken

Response:

— both of detailed course descriptions and downhill warnings deleted.– The course descriptions "sound" exactly like last years course.  Is this the case?  I would also heed the warnings about the downhills. On the 2nd to last downhill (before Northwinds) I hit 52mph. Of course, that’s when I decided I shouldn’t be looking at the computer. On Northwinds with the stop sign at the bottom; watch out, your brakes may be a little spongy for the last downhill. John (lets see if I can hit 55mph, well… maybe I don’t want to do that)K.

Response:

Kevin Metcalfe writes… I’d also keep in mind that those two main descents (off of Ski Slope and Northwoods) are REALLY fast.  You can hit 50 easy.  Things happen really fast at those speeds and I’d have to call somebody who descends on those roads at those speeds on the aerobars an idiot.  Please trust me on this one.  Keep your hands close to your brakes, you’ll still go plenty fast. I’m actually kind of amazed that they’re going to send a group of triathletes with a WIDE race of bike handling skills down these two roads in a race.  Coming off of Ski Slope is a subdivision with kids, dogs, cats, adults in cars, driveways, etc.  I’d be really careful there. Northwoods doesn’t really have any driveways, but it’s a 50 mph descent that has a stop sign at the bottom!

Yes they are steep and fast descents, and the road, since it is frozen over every year is apt to have holes here and there, so caution and brakes are recommended. However, this will be the second year this bike course is used and last year the course went very smoothly. Change of Pace will be out there Saturday and will go over the course a final time, sweeping the loose gravel and ensuring risk areas and potholes are marked. But common sense is always the overiding factor in avoiding injury. I have race both bike courses (the previous up old donner pass and the new course) and although nothing compares to the beauty of soaring down donner pass with donner lake at your feet, but I think the new course with its many climbs, long and short, is a better challenge. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend this years festivity (I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage bliss on Saturday). Uh oh I can here the muttering now. "What’s your problem Jon, the race is on Sunday, party all night Saturday, hop in the car at 4 AM and race, c’mon, are you a triathlete or not…?". Sorry folks.. See ya there next year…         … have fun … jon .. —                                !_!                               (o o)    | Jon Christopher Moens           o  |  Hewlett Packard Company      |    | Tel: (707) 577-5308    _ <_   _  |  1400 Fountaingrove Parkway   |    |               ___^o_  (_)/(_)   /  |  Santa Rosa, CA  95403        |

Response:

Racing at Donner Lake in Truckee, Ca. July 16. I asked for info on course, etc. about a month back and found out it is essentially bad-ass. I know that even today there is snow in them hills, so the question is-does anyone have a clue how cold the water will be in a month?….Also, I own a longjohn w.s., if I need a fullsuit, does anyone have one for sale? (5′11”  173lbs.) Gracias, Bob at this location Larry Miles OM/PD KLPX/KTKT/KEKO Tucson   with WWWeb location   http://biz.rtd.com/klpx 520/622-6711 520/623-6261  fax

Response:

Larry; Coming from Tucson, I guess you have a problem with cool water.Donner is one of the best swims anywhere!  Very clean, and clear, and if you have any time at all the day before you can get acclamated. There is a race for swimmers only there every year at about the same time.  It’s three times as long; and no wetsuits allowed!  It’s surviveable.  Don’t worry about it.  I hear they changed the bike course for this year.  That’s the hard part! pete smillie   g’s husband.

Response:

Racing at Donner Lake in Truckee, Ca. July 16. I asked for info on course, etc. about a month back and found out it is essentially bad-ass. I know that even today there is snow in them hills, so the question is-does anyone have a clue how cold the water will be in a month?….Also, I own a longjohn w.s., if I need a fullsuit, does anyone have one for sale? (5′11”  173lbs.)

Sorry, I don’t have a longjohn for sale, but I did just get back from Donner Lake last week.  Having pieced together the race course from various postings and email, I concur with your "bad-ass" assemssment.  Leaving the lake, you get on Donner Pass Road and take the overpass, crossing Interstate 80.  Down a block to the stoplight, you take a left up Northwoods…this is a long, steep climb while you’re still wobbly from the swim.  You continue straight on Northwoods (all uphill) for probably 3 miles, then take a right turn (don’t know the exact street) to get to Alder Creek Road.  This is a total blast (at least on the way out…all downhill).  Watch out for a bumpy road in spots…mega-potential for pinch flats.  When you get to 89, do a U-turn and head back up the hill.  It’s a long climb, but you ain’t seen nothing yet. Once you’ve made it back along Alder Creek the real climb begins up Skislope Way…now this is a climb!!!!  On a mountain bike in the lowest gear I hit a new max HR, VO2 max, and any other max there is.  It’s all steep climbing. Once you’ve made it to the top (if you make it to the top!), there’s a flat ridge then it’s all downhill along Skislope to Northwoods again and back to the lake. Most of the snow is already gone, except at the higher elevations.  Only up along Skislope Way was there any signficant snow, though the weather was plenty warm for wearing just a jersey and shorts. This year there’s both a road and mountain bike division.  I don’t see how anyone does this on a road bike with standard gearing.  For a flat-lander like myself, I think I give the mountain bike a try. Hope to see you there. Niels Bauer | Department of Computer Science  | ___o_   __o    < | Phn: (409) 845-0269  | | Texas A&M University            | ~~~~~~ _ <_  / | FAX: (409) 845-8578  | | College Station, TX  77843-3112 |       (_)/(_)      | Off: 329 H.R. Bright |

Response: