Question:

Tri Zombies 3216 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA  90404 (310) 315-1485

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tri Zombies I think are in Santa Monica either on Wilshire or Santa Monica Blvd.  www.trizombies.com  ? hi, im along wilshire boulevard and im looking for a place to buy a cycling shoes or a triathlon specific cycling shoe. Im also lookinf for an aerobar. anybody know a place near here where i can get one with a reasonable price. pls help! satoyski

Response:

Try Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica also.   2501 Broadway Santa Monica, CA  90404 310-829-1836 hi, im along wilshire boulevard and im looking for a place to buy a cycling shoes or a triathlon specific cycling shoe. Im also lookinf for an aerobar. anybody know a place near here where i can get one with a reasonable price. pls help! satoyski

– Posted from cust.64-52-12.067.ip.eurekawest.net [64.52.12.67] via Mailgate.ORG Server – http://www.Mailgate.ORG

Response:

hi, im along wilshire boulevard and im looking for a place to buy a cycling shoes or a triathlon specific cycling shoe. Im also lookinf for an aerobar. anybody know a place near here where i can get one with a reasonable price. pls help! satoyski

Response:

Tri Zombies I think are in Santa Monica either on Wilshire or Santa Monica Blvd.  www.trizombies.com  ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi, im along wilshire boulevard and im looking for a place to buy a cycling shoes or a triathlon specific cycling shoe. Im also lookinf for an aerobar. anybody know a place near here where i can get one with a reasonable price. pls help! satoyski

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Question:

I was wondering if anyone had experience riding a Hed jet/deep combo in rainy weather?  Do the wheels pick up water in the rims?

they pick up a bit.  if that’s a concern for you and you’re thinking of a new set, i’d consider hed3 or hed alps, because they’re foam filled and displace the area in which the water would sit. or any other wheelset you might want that had either honeycomb or foam insides. slowman

Response:

I was wondering if anyone had experience riding a Hed jet/deep combo in rainy weather?  Do the wheels pick up water in the rims? they pick up a bit.  if that’s a concern for you and you’re thinking of a new set, i’d consider hed3 or hed alps, because they’re foam filled and displace the area in which the water would sit.

Wouldn’t that make them just like those  Campy Ghibli (sp?) wheels? <G Tom

Response:

I’ve drilled small (1/16") drain holes (4/side) just above where the carbon meets the rim (be careful not to drill into the actual rim) This has solved the problem of the rim filling during a race/ride.     Another solution a friend used was to dab and work in a (very) small amount of silicone sealant around the hole where the spoke enters the fairing. Hope these solutions help…..

Response:

I was wondering if anyone had experience riding a Hed jet/deep combo in rainy weather?  Do the wheels pick up water in the rims?   Thanks, Craig

Response:

I did a 1/2 Iron in Stony Plain (Great White North Triathlon) last year and it rained. Well…rain, I think, is a conservative word. I did get quite a bit of water in the fairing on my hed wheels, mostly on the deep back. I didn’t feel like it affected the handling of the bike but it did, by definition make the wheels heavier. Bottom line, I would have something else if I knew about it. -Andrew I was wondering if anyone had experience riding a Hed jet/deep combo in rainy weather?  Do the wheels pick up water in the rims?   Thanks, Craig

–  C i s c o  S y s t e m s   Andrew F. Halperin        ||        ||         Systems Test Engineer, VTC        ||        ||         V: 720-562-6380       ||||      ||||        Boulder, CO

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Question:

The specifications for bicycles are aimed towards standard frames – I don’t think recumbents will pass.  The front to center (chain ring axle to front axle) distance probably rules them out.  But I’ve never taken a tape measure to a recumbent. See USAT rule 5.11 and 5.12. Larry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have never seen this question before.  Can you ride a recumbent in a triathlon?  If you can’t, why? Thanks John Zarling

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unmitigated audacity to write: I have never seen this question before.  Can you ride a recumbent in a triathlon?  If you can’t, why?

        Good question. I don’t remember any regulations about it but what would you do when you reach a steep hill? With a road or tri bike, you just come out of the saddle and crank.         Ken K. Chairman, Department of Redundancy Department

Response:

I think I remember reading in the USAT rule book, where it says that recumbents are not allowed. I guess as long as it is not a USAT sanctioned race, it is up to the director.  I would call the director before showing up with your bike at a race. BTW, recumbents can climb hills. Fellow weekend recumbent rider, Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have never seen this question before.  Can you ride a recumbent in a triathlon?  If you can’t, why? Thanks John Zarling

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I have never seen this question before.  Can you ride a recumbent in a triathlon?  If you can’t, why? Thanks John Zarling

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Question:

Walter,         You might want to try checking the RaceDates web site http://www.racedates.com — Wayne P. Langan                 TEL 973.386.2964 Applications Engineer           Lucent Technologies             FAX 973.386.6503 http://blda.web.lucent.com/~wpl (Inside Lucent Only)

Response:

Hi, I’ve been trying to find an Olympic distance race to do around the end of May somewhere in the tri-state area, or at least within a relatively easy driving distance from NYC.  I don’t want my first triathlon in 5 years to be the one where I’m trying to qualify for the Canadian National Team (AG 25-29), which is at the end of June.  Anyone? Walter R. Strapps

Response:

Hmmm…there’s not much in the way of triathlons at the end of May around NYC let alone Olympic Distance Tri’s. I only know of two around this time of year, but one is already filled (Columbia, MD), and one is in the middle of June (Mighty Montauk Tri). On the second week of June there is the sprint tri in Harriman (http://www.nytc.org), but that’s about it. I know of no other tris at the end of May or beginning of June. Sorry, but I think this time is slim pickin’s compared to other times of the year in the tri-state area.                           |26      | IMC’96: 10:36:37          |   Fe   |   IMNZ, IMC ‘99 IMC’97: 10:42:53          |        |                  "THE BEST ELEMENT OF RACING"

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Question:

Anybody can simply ride up to a stop sign, forget to unclip and fall over. It takes real expertise to ride up to a stop sign, unclip the curbside foot perfectly, then shift your weight ever so slightly so that you fall away from the unclipped foot…….into traffic. "The stupidity of your action is directly proportional to the number of people watching." Mike "TriBop" Tennent Remove "nospam." for email reply WebRunner Running Page http://www.webrunner.com/webrun/running/running.html My Model Railroad Page http://www.webrunner.com/webrun/srr/

Response:

"The stupidity of your action is directly proportional to the number of people watching."

I do quite a bit of skiing and mountain biking with a friend.  He is a better skier, and pushes me there and I am a stronger mountain biker and usually push him a bit.  He often says to me "Why did you ride THAT, now I’m going to have to try".  Anyway, we were riding up at Whistler when we came across a large gravel pit.  We were at the top of it.  There was a steep section probably about 40-50 feet in distance, which led into a large pool of water, probably about 30 feet in distance and looked to be about 1 foot deep.  There was also a group of about 10 people out hiking at the far end of the pool.  For some unknown reason, Ed suddenly goes for it.  He is skidding and sliding and generally looking like he is losing it all the way down the slope until the last couple of feet when he miraculously pulled it all together and calmly peddled through the puddle to the cheers of his spectators.  I thought to myself I’ll show them how its really done (I’m sure you can guess where this is going). Off I start down this steep descent, butt behind the seat, stomach resting on my saddle, I’m in perfect control.  As I approach the end of the descent, I use a little too much front brake, my front wheel goes perpendicular to the rest of my bike as I use my bike as a pole vault to get a nice launch out into the puddle.  I enter head first, and fully submerge.  I get up to a round of laughter from all the spectators, particularly Ed.  I think the dog was even laughing. Craig. IMC ‘97 11:27:57

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Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.) <Susan’s aft water bottle story snipped OK, I’m game for public humiliation.

Me too. A couple of years ago I did a duathlon that was based at the velodrome, Manukau City.  The transition area was in the centre of the velodrome. (Incidentally, this is a nice venue – flat sheltered area with a grandstand for spectators)  T2 – bike to run transition expected you to stop at the middle of the straight, dismount and cross the track to the t-area.  This was my first race with clipless pedals and I came to a stop, failed to unclip and crashed over the edge of the (concrete) track. I ended up head down the slope with the bike still attached to my feet.  I looked up (or down at my feet) to see "hundreds" of spectators peering down at me – this severely traumatized my ego. (OK – maybe a dozen spectators).  I picked myself up and continued – bleeding hip under the bike shorts – sore knee.  To preserve what was left of my dignity, I raced the second run hard and refused to limp thus maintaining my usual BOP postion. Jeff — |At work:        Phone: +64-9-424 5388      Fax:    +64-21-785 097 | |   Program Development/Client Support      Mobile: +64-21-635 185 | |   Aspect Systems Ltd                                             | |   Specialists in software for Real Estate and Human Resources    | |At home:                                   Phone:  +64-9-424 0336 | |   Husband, Dad, Grandad                                          | |   Enthusiastic but slow triathlete                               | |   Justice of the Peace                                           |

Response:

Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.)

I am able to ride my bike into the freight entrance of my building and ride the elevator up to my office. Two winters ago, I come cruising in and clicked out of my  left pedal.  I put my foot down on a freshly, (and quite shiny I might add) waxed floor.  My foot did not stop but instead kept sliding, bringing the rest of me with the bike still attached to my right foot down on the floor.  Besides the embarrassement of falling on your ass in public, I pancaked my front wheel.   The guy who rebuilt my wheel and his wife certainly thought this was funny, as they cracked up.  Maybe it was the way I was waving my arms. jack

Response:

I bought the cheapest pair of Time clipless pedals I could find. They’re plastic and look like they have the half-life of a mayfly. You have to really want to unclip from them. Coming to an "T" intersection, I find a cop directing traffic. There’s no stop sign or stoplight. His hand is up halting traffic from my direction. Big question pops into my mind. "Do I really have to stop — I mean I’m a bicyclist and it’s a T intersection." The Cop knows that this is running through my mind, and just focuses his STOP hand at me with a cold blank stare -amlost daring me to go by. A moment of hesitation at 0.000345 MPH, and I feel my self tipping over. Our eyes are locked. I go down with a crash, and I still cant get out of those Time’s. The cop is still staring at me. "Hey buddy! You alright?!" he says with an evil smile. Yeah right. He was laughing his ass off at me.   That moment haunts me every time I come to a stoplight. Wolfgang – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.) In 1995 for my first 1/2 IM race, I borrowed a behind-the-seat double bottle cage for the first time, the day before my race.  On race morning, I decided to take the bike for a little spin after setting up in transition.  Wonk!  On swinging my leg over the seat to mount, I slammed my thigh into the unfamiliar obstacle *really hard* (it protruded maybe 4 inches above seat level).  I resolved to take this into account next time.  Of course, I completely forgot about it, not once, but twice during the race – mounting after the swim, and again after a pottystop.  I finished the day with three lovely overlapping bruises.   Susan Hall                             (__)       _   Dalhousie University                          .’  `.   IMC’96 12:14 / IMC’97 11:33                  ’"                                                       .       (  )   Triathlon Nova Scotia Homepage               ‘-| )__| :.     http://is.dal.ca/~susanhal/tnshome.html        | |  | |  ’.

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Oh, the bike on the roof rack is the stuff of nightmares. Once, I pulled into a Jack-in-the-box for a fajita pita and came to a comfortable stop at the window. I paid the tab and got my food. That’s when I remembered the bike, and the roof over the drive-through window. I looked up, and the saddle was clearing the roof by a half inch, tops. The people behind me must have though I was Mr. Cool. On a training ride out to McKinney (about 25 miles north of Dallas), we have a series of small-but-steep hills known as the sisters. I ground my way to the top of the first hill and then extracted my bottle to take a drink on the way down. Of course, I dropped the bottle trying to stick it back into cage while coasting. So I stopped at the bottom of the hill and unclipped my left foot. The bottle very politely rolled down the hill to meet me, and I leaned down to the right of the bike to pick it up. Oops! Leaned too far, and over I went. The worst part is when some well-meaning citizen drives up and asks "ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?" This is not what the embarassed cyclist wants to hear, unless the injuries are truly severe. My usual answer is something like "Yes, dammit, go away!" The loss of cool is, after all, worse than the loss of blood. I’m reminded of George Carlin’s description of a cat who runs into a plate-glass window, not seeing the glass, and then walks away coolly as if nothing happened. He tells us to look behind the couch to find our cat convalescing. Or, much earlier, Sid Berman telling us about looking out the plane window (as I am doing right now) and seeing an engine on fire, and being unwilling to scream "FIRE!" because you’d rather die than embarass yourself. He claims that airplane wreckage shows the bottom half of people, still strapped into the seatbelt with the legs crossed nonchalantly. And then there’s the time I attempted a small creek crossing on the expert loop (foolish of this novice) of a mountain bike trail. The front wheel entered the small ditch (which turned out to be just the same size and shape of the wheel, and stuck as if it had suddenly become rooted to the ground. My face hit the dirt so fast I never ever saw the approach. It was stick-BLAM! The very definition of a face plant, and greatly entertaining to my riding buddies, one of whom was my girlfriend at the time. But the resulting two black eyes really impressed my clients. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve got a pedal story.  Any mountain bikers out there?  I was riding one day with some new mtb clipless pedals, the kind with elastomers instead of springs.  It was quite muddy that day, since we were traveling mostly on washed out fire roads.  As my bike, body, and pedals accumulated more and more grime, it became progressively harder and harder to clip out.   Through one particularly technical stretch, I lost my balance and attempted to click out with my right foot.  No luck.  My right shoe was frozen to the pedal.  Fortunately I was moving slowly, so I "gently" fell over on my right side – uninjured, except for the ego.  I lay there on the ground for several minutes, because my left foot wouldn’t click out either!  I ended up completing the ride with my stocking feet resting on top of my shoes, which were still clipped in.  My riding partners were less than sympathetic.  I took a lot of abuse that day.   I’ve still got the pedals if anyone wants to buy them.  Practically unused. John

Rick Denney Remember–free advice is worth what you pay for it!

Response:

 Here’s two, one funny one serious… One: On a training ride I approached an intersection with a stop light.  I decided I didn’t want to clip out and saw a convenient traffic sign, so I thought I would just lean on it until the light changed.  Poor choice… the sign was new in the ground and as a result it S-L-O-W-L-Y tilted over.  I tilted too.  I had Speedplays, which you probably know take 18 degrees rotation to unclip.  By the time I tried to twist out I was too close to the ground.  I had to lie there and take the darn shoe off before I could get up, dust off my bruised ego, and consoled myself with the fact that there were only a dozen or so cars that saw this. Two:  I had rebuilt a bike and was ready to take it for a test ride.  As I pedaled off, I saw someone I know walking so I slowly pedaled and talked for a while.  Decided to show off by sprinting away.  Bad idea, I had forgotten to screw in the right clipless pedal and it snapped off just as I jumped on it (you know, out of saddle and all).  I went down hard on a concrete road, banged up my elbow and ankle and had some good road rash on my shoulder and butt.  Fortunately, I had put on my helmet because I could feel it absorb the impact.  Later inspection showed it to have cracked and I’m sure it saved me from being a vegetable.

Response:

Greetings…what better way to de-lurk than a horribly embarrassing anecdote? My clipless "rapid descent" took place in front of my kids! We were out for a family ride, and I had my new clipless pedals on my MTB when we hit a sandy patch-I had just turned to my son to say "Be careful as you turn your handlebars, becaus……splat! Down I went! Needless to say, this was hysterical for a 6 and 8 year old! Thanks for having me relive the trauma! Andrew G.

Response:

I had just bought my first "real" bike with clipless pedals and was not accustomed to them yet. I was coming back into town and there was this 4 way stop which I must admit that I would usually be able to cruise up to and see that no traffic was coming the previous times (it was not a neavily travelled area).  This time there was traffic and a station wagon with a couple of kids sitting in the back were right in front of me. Since I had gotten cocky with my ability to balance and hoping that the traffic would clear if I gave it a little more time.  As I approached the wagon, I realized that my plan was flawed and that I needed to stop.  Well this calculation took longer than I had.  I was going very slow and could not clip out.  The next thing I knew, I was falling over like the guy on his tricycle on "Laugh-In". After realizing that I was not hurt, I looked up and the kids in the wagon were almost in tears with laughter! I could do nothing but laugh with them!

Response:

I’ve got a pedal story.  Any mountain bikers out there?  I was riding one day with some new mtb clipless pedals, the kind with elastomers instead of springs.  It was quite muddy that day, since we were traveling mostly on washed out fire roads.  As my bike, body, and pedals accumulated more and more grime, it became progressively harder and harder to clip out.   Through one particularly technical stretch, I lost my balance and attempted to click out with my right foot.  No luck.  My right shoe was frozen to the pedal.  Fortunately I was moving slowly, so I "gently" fell over on my right side – uninjured, except for the ego.  I lay there on the ground for several minutes, because my left foot wouldn’t click out either!  I ended up completing the ride with my stocking feet resting on top of my shoes, which were still clipped in.  My riding partners were less than sympathetic.  I took a lot of abuse that day.   I’ve still got the pedals if anyone wants to buy them.  Practically unused. John

Response:

You know, when all the blood in your body is going to your muscles…and none to your brain, it’s not that hard to imagine.  I have a story, unrelated to clipless pedals, but embarassing nonetheless. It was after my second duathlon (before I did any triathlons).  I was coming back from the Lehigh Valley to the Philadelphia area, and my girlfriend needed to stop at the Mall for something.  If you know anything about the King of Prussia Mall, you’d know about the beautiful parking garage they built a few years ago. I had my bike on my car (roof rack…parking garage…getting the picture???).  I realized the problem about 5 nanoseconds too late…BLAM! The bike slammed into a yellow "warning" sign.  The rack was actually ripped off my car, and slid back about two feet, leaving nice gashes in the roof of my car.  Luckily, I had a relatively inexpensive steel-framed bike (which I still use as my generic road bike).  So, there’s a little wrinke in the frame and a few scrapes in my car.  It could have been alot worse. You can stop laughing now… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.) In 1995 for my first 1/2 IM race, I borrowed a behind-the-seat double bottle cage for the first time, the day before my race.  On race morning, I decided to take the bike for a little spin after setting up in transition.  Wonk!  On swinging my leg over the seat to mount, I slammed my thigh into the unfamiliar obstacle *really hard* (it protruded maybe 4 inches above seat level).  I resolved to take this into account next time.  Of course, I completely forgot about it, not once, but twice during the race – mounting after the swim, and again after a pottystop.  I finished the day with three lovely overlapping bruises.   Susan Hall                             (__)       _   Dalhousie University                          .’  `.   IMC’96 12:14 / IMC’97 11:33                  ’"                                                       .       (  )   Triathlon Nova Scotia Homepage               ‘-| )__| :.     http://is.dal.ca/~susanhal/tnshome.html        | |  | |  ’.

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Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.)

OK, I’m game. In what was only my third year in this sport, when the BLTS was alive and well, I went down to do the race in Delaware. It was a flat, fast course, but with a couple of hairpin turns. Anyway, I was cruising through the course when I might have took the turn too fast. I was going through fine when I hit a ditch in the road. I lost control of the bike; the last thing I saw was this huge tree in the far corner of the road right in front of me… Luckily, I was still leaning into my turn at the time. The bike hit head on, but I fell through the side of the tree. What wasn’t so lucky was that I landed in a huge thorn bush. I got up, too a casual check of my body, saw it bleeding in places and told myself "I can finish this race" (I was thinking stupidly at the time). I got to the bike, and saw my fork turned into an "s" and my wheel turned into a potato chip. Anyway, I got picked up and transported to the medical tent so they can treat my wounds and pick numerous thorns out of my hands. My first accident, I’ll never forget it… "Iron" Pete Priolo IMC’96 – 10:36:37    IMC’97 – 10:42:53 1998 Schedule so far… Gulf Coast Tri – May 9 – unconfirmed IMC’98 – August 30 – unconfirmed

Response:

Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.)

This has happened to me twice! Coming off the bike in the Mount Snow (Vermont) Triathlon (it is a kick ass hilly ride) I spotted a volunteer who showed me to my bike spot. I racked my bike and asked the volunteer which way to run. She looked at me and asked, in a deadpan voice, "Aren’t you going to take off your helmet?" The second time it happened was Montauk (New York). I was using pedal platforms and was concentrating so much on just hopping off my bike and running (I come from the running side of triathlon) I forgot my helmet! I was about 100 yards into the run before I realized it was still on my head. I took it off and passed it to a lady rollerblading and asked her to bring it back to the transition. Well, I got my helmet back after a race volunteer asked me if I had heard him yell "You have your helmet on!" It gets more interesting because I was listenting to the stories at the awards cerimony when a lady told the story of some idiot runner passing off his helmet to her. I think I’ll stick to just plain old running where all I need is a pair of shoes. Andrew Heiz

Response:

Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.) In 1995 for my first 1/2 IM race, I borrowed a behind-the-seat double bottle cage for the first time, the day before my race.  On race morning, I decided to take the bike for a little spin after setting up in transition.  Wonk!  On swinging my leg over the seat to mount, I slammed my thigh into the unfamiliar obstacle *really hard* (it protruded maybe 4 inches above seat level).  I resolved to take this into account next time.  Of course, I completely forgot about it, not once, but twice during the race – mounting after the swim, and again after a pottystop.  I finished the day with three lovely overlapping bruises.   Susan Hall                             (__)       _   Dalhousie University                          .’  `.   IMC’96 12:14 / IMC’97 11:33                  ’"                                                       .       (  )   Triathlon Nova Scotia Homepage               ‘-| )__| :.     http://is.dal.ca/~susanhal/tnshome.html        | |  | |  ’.

Response:

Any takers for a new thread on this topic? (Looking forward to some clipless pedal stories, I know there are a few of those around.)

<Susan’s aft water bottle story snipped OK, I’m game for public humiliation. My most dramatic clipless pedal fiasco took place about two seasons ago and was broadcast on the public airwaves. I was riding alone and approached a construction zone with a lane closed and one of those guys with a handheld radio and sign on a pole that says "Stop" on one side and "Slow" on the other. Needless to say, he displayed "Stop" for me. I’d been riding clipless for four years at that point, so I can’t claim inexperience. It was simple brain fade; I just forgot to unclip. Not even a last-minute panic. I just came to a stop and slowly toppled toward the shoulder. Unfortunately, the shoulder was a sea of mud, into which I summarily plopped–still clipped in. The good part was that it was a very soft place to land. I quickly unclipped and became a biped again–no real damage. Not so good was the pattern of mud that started on the right side of my helmet, continued again at my right shoulder and down my upper arm, picked up again above my pelvis and continued from there unbroken along thigh and calf to my foot. It was as if someone had painted one side of my body NC mud red. As I collected what little dignity I could and started to work on the explanation that would be required of me back the office, the lane monitor raised his radio and spoke into it: "You aren’t going to believe what this bicycle guy just did. Check him out when he comes through." He did. David Schoonmaker

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Question:

I don’t know about taking the little one out as a newborn, but if you can wrap ‘em up papoose style and pad the seat so that they’re snug, it might work.   Just remember that infants can’t support their heads.  I took my oldest out for a spin at about 6 mos. and the only reasons I didn’t try sooner were our cold climate and my in-laws old-fashionedness! Good luck. I TRI

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I also know a pregnant triathlete. She needs a stroller and  the most useful thing I found on the "net" was a FAQ on jogging strollers. I found it at:         http://www.math.uio.no/faq/misc-kids/joggers/part1.html         http://www.math.uio.no/faq/misc-kids/joggers/part2.html I sent it off to her without really reading it but it looked pretty good. Hope you find it helpful. Kevin Mitchell – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Stephen Collins) writes: Alli, my fellow triathlete and partner in life is soon to have a baby (YAY!!!!!!  I’m gonna be a Daddy!!!!!!), but wants to get back into training ASAP after the birth. The question we have is (not being able to get a decent answer in Australia) – do BabyJogger (or their competition) make a stroller/pram that suits babies from more or less Day 1? We want: – pneumatic tires – brake – carry space -whatever else Thanks in advance! Steve C in Sydney, Australia Steve, congratulations!  I don’t know about special requirements for a new born – but I had my son out in the standard Yakima BabyJogger after his third week of life.  Just wrapped him up well for both warmth and to provide enough bulk so he wouldn’t roll around too much/fall out.  Never had a moments trouble – except for new parent paranoia i.e. checking on him to make sure he was alive about every half-mile! Good luck!  Enjoy! Bob J Largo, FL

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(Stephen Collins) writes: Alli, my fellow triathlete and partner in life is soon to have a baby (YAY!!!!!!  I’m gonna be a Daddy!!!!!!), but wants to get back into training ASAP after the birth. The question we have is (not being able to get a decent answer in Australia) – do BabyJogger (or their competition) make a stroller/pram that suits babies from more or less Day 1? We want: – pneumatic tires – brake – carry space -whatever else Thanks in advance! Steve C in Sydney, Australia

Steve, congratulations!  I don’t know about special requirements for a new born – but I had my son out in the standard Yakima BabyJogger after his third week of life.  Just wrapped him up well for both warmth and to provide enough bulk so he wouldn’t roll around too much/fall out.  Never had a moments trouble – except for new parent paranoia i.e. checking on him to make sure he was alive about every half-mile! Good luck!  Enjoy! Bob J Largo, FL

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The question we have is (not being able to get a decent answer in Australia) – do BabyJogger (or their competition) make a stroller/pram that suits babies from more or less Day 1?

If you’re talking about taking a newborn out immediately, forget it! Your baby won’t even be able to raise its own head.  All the experts told us to wait SIX months before using the jogger.  A baby initially has nothing to support it fagile neck (and body).  Being the creative tri-geek dad, I used a rolled towel as a neck brace for my son and had him going at THREE months.  Even with that brace, it was probably still too early.  They’re just so small and helpless….and they grow-up fast enough.  Just be patient and enjoy being a new daddy (oh, your mileage is going to suffer, but it’s worth it!). Don

Response:

Alli, my fellow triathlete and partner in life is soon to have a baby (YAY!!!!!!  I’m gonna be a Daddy!!!!!!), but wants to get back into training ASAP after the birth. The question we have is (not being able to get a decent answer in Australia) – do BabyJogger (or their competition) make a stroller/pram that suits babies from more or less Day 1? We want: – pneumatic tires – brake – carry space -whatever else Thanks in advance! Steve C in Sydney, Australia PS.  The Ultimate Triathlon Link List will be back online soon – I promise! |               Stephen "Trib" Collins                | |      Techlink Analyst/Programmer – Tech Pacific     | |      55 Mentmore Avenue ROSEBERY NSW Australia      | |      Phone +61 2 93816618   Fax +61 2 99186699      | |     TRIATHLON!    o  "The best view of one’s        | |            __o   <|  soul is from beyond the       | |          _ < _  _   edge, looking back."          | |   __^o_ (_)/ (_)  /                                 |

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Question:

Don’t ever be afraid to bestow your wisdom on us. RST is a conversation. Sometimes we talk about serious things, sometimes we show off, sometimes we explain things in enough different ways to make it finally understandable to those who need it. Sometimes we want the facts, and other times we’re more interested in intangibles. Sometimes we make fun of each other and ourselves. Sometimes we bore each other. And, yes, we occasionally offend each other (though absolutely not in this case). As much as I travel, the interaction found on these pages, including the flames I’ve received (and deserved), has become important to me. RST has taken me away from hotel-room TV’s, and I’m grateful. For that reason, I could never be offended by anyone who speaks with your authority, even when they shoot me down in well-deserved flames. But in this case, your precision complemented my accuracy quite usefully, and I didn’t want anyone to be confused. Best Regards.

…much snippery… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rick, You are absolutely right. Mr. Shin did not state that he had IT band problems. I inferred this from his post (including the subject title), but this may or may not be the case. I agree with you that saddle positions that are either too high or too low can both cause knee problems — different specific problems — but affecting the knee nonetheless. I hope you were not offended by my posting. I am often hesistant when I feel the need to clarify or elaborate upon a question, out of fear of offending someone. — Mark A. Jenkins, M.D Visit the SportsMed Web –http://riceinfo.rice.edu/~jenkins

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Don’t ever be afraid to bestow your wisdom on us. RST is a conversation. Sometimes we talk about serious things, sometimes we show off, sometimes we explain things in enough different ways to make it finally understandable to those who need it…

<snip No worries mate. I have actually been a regular on r.s.t for 3 or 4 years now, so I am familiar with its dynamics. I love r.s.t., and try to do my best to contribute. More newsgroups should be like us. There are differences of opinion, to be certain, but the discussions are, for the most part, well thought out and polite. I have found some of the best triathlete friends here; people from all over the world.  R.S.T. is great! I just wish I could clone myself to answer more of the e-mail and posts. My apologies to those of you whom I have not had the time to reply. I assure you it is not from want or interest. I get some great questions.                Sincerely,                            Mark — Mark A. Jenkins, M.D Visit the SportsMed Web –http://riceinfo.rice.edu/~jenkins

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I heard that if you cycle with a incorrect size bike, it screws up your IT band. I have very bad knees now, and I don’t know if it’s from running, or if it’s from cycling. I have a 54cm Cannondale r200, and I’m 5′10. Is that my size? —                                        – David Shin —            

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Depends on your leg length. But, unless you have a very long torso and very short legs, that bike should be at least within adjustment range. I’m 6′0" and ride a 58, which is a little less than the two inches between us. My legs are long, and this bike is the smallest acceptable frame size for me (which is what I want). Saddle height is a bigger issue for you. If your hips are rocking side to side as you pedal, then your saddle is too high. Most people, however, make the opposite mistake, and set their saddle too low. That’s murder on the knees, and it is more likely your problem. Go get Greg Lemonds Complete Book of Cycling. He has an excellent section on bike fit. His recommendation is at the upper end of the solution space, but in arguing for his approach he describes everyone else’s also. If you have long legs, you may need a mountain-bike seatpost to get the right saddle height. Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I heard that if you cycle with a incorrect size bike, it screws up your IT band. I have very bad knees now, and I don’t know if it’s from running, or if it’s from cycling. I have a 54cm Cannondale r200, and I’m 5′10. Is that my size? —                                        – David Shin —

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I heard that if you cycle with a incorrect size bike, it screws up your IT band. I have very bad knees now, and I don’t know if it’s from running, or if it’s from cycling. I have a 54cm Cannondale r200, and I’m 5′10. Is that my size? —                                        – David Shin — Depends on your leg length. But, unless you have a very long torso and very short legs, that bike should be at least within adjustment range. I’m 6′0" and ride a 58, which is a little less than the two inches between us. My legs are long, and this bike is the smallest acceptable frame size for me (which is what I want). Saddle height is a bigger issue for you. If your hips are rocking side to side as you pedal, then your saddle is too high. Most people, however, make the opposite mistake, and set their saddle too low. That’s murder on the knees, and it is more likely your problem.

I agree that a 54 cm frame is probably too small for a 5′10" inidvidual, but I would like to politely point out that while a saddle position that is too low can indeed cause overuse knee pain (e.g. patello-femoral syndrome), it is not the culprit behind IT band friction syndrome (ITBFS) in cyclists. The cause may sometimes be a saddle that is too *high*. The bike fit abnormalities in ITBFS are, 1) a saddle position that is too high or too far aft, or 2) cleats that are too far internally rotated (toe-in). The training related issues are, 1) too much, too early 2) too much hill work or low rpm "grinding" With respect to other causes, ITBFS is much more common in runners than cyclists. I have some information on my web page about causes and cures for runners with ITBFS which may be helpful. The above information comes from the medical literature which I have been compiling for a book that I am writing. I also treat, and consult for, a variety of recreational and professional athletes; including video analysis and biomechanical assessment. I hope this helps.                         Mark — Mark A. Jenkins, M.D Visit the SportsMed Web –http://riceinfo.rice.edu/~jenkins

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Mark, your discussion is very insightful and helpful, thanks. But Mr. Shin did not say that HE suffered from problems with his iliotibial band. He just said he had crappy knees. I was warning him that saddles excessively high OR low can cause knee problems. You discussion clarified the specifics most usefully. Of course, I’m no doctor, I’m just a clydesdale engineer with crappy knees, and my comments were based on experience:-)       I heard that if you cycle with a incorrect size bike, it screws up your IT   band. I have very bad knees now, and I don’t know if it’s from running, or   if it’s from cycling. I have a 54cm Cannondale r200, and I’m 5′10. Is that   my size?   —                                          – David Shin — ..snip…   frame size for me (which is what I want). Saddle height is a bigger   issue for you. If your hips are rocking side to side as you pedal, then   your saddle is too high. Most people, however, make the opposite   mistake, and set their saddle too low. That’s murder on the knees, and   it is more likely your problem.  I agree that a 54 cm frame is probably too small for a 5′10" inidvidual, but  I would like to politely point out that while a saddle position that is too  low can indeed cause overuse knee pain (e.g. patello-femoral syndrome), it  is not the culprit behind IT band friction syndrome (ITBFS) in cyclists.  The cause may sometimes be a saddle that is too *high*. ..snip…

Response:

Mark, your discussion is very insightful and helpful, thanks. But Mr. Shin did not say that HE suffered from problems with his iliotibial band. He just said he had crappy knees. I was warning him that saddles excessively high OR low can cause knee problems. You discussion clarified the specifics most usefully. Of course, I’m no doctor, I’m just a clydesdale engineer with crappy knees, and my comments were based on experience:-)   I heard that if you cycle with a incorrect size bike, it screws up your IT   band. I have very bad knees now, and I don’t know if it’s from running, or   if it’s from cycling.

Rick, You are absolutely right. Mr. Shin did not state that he had IT band problems. I inferred this from his post (including the subject title), but this may or may not be the case. I agree with you that saddle positions that are either too high or too low can both cause knee problems — different specific problems — but affecting the knee nonetheless. I hope you were not offended by my posting. I am often hesistant when I feel the need to clarify or elaborate upon a question, out of fear of offending someone.                      Best wishes                                     Mark — Mark A. Jenkins, M.D Visit the SportsMed Web –http://riceinfo.rice.edu/~jenkins

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Question:

I’m an amateur triathlete in search of a new bike.  I have a tendency to get a bad back and am interested in finding a comfortable bike which isn’t too stiff.  I also have a budget:  would like to buy just a frame and fork for under 1200. Are beam bikes the answer?  What about a lower end beam bike such as the softride windsheer?  Even though the lower end beam bikes have stiff aluminum frames, is it just the seat tube material (or in this case, the beam) which matters for comfort? Experts, please write back! Katie Licht

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I’m an amateur triathlete in search of a new bike.  I have a tendency to get a bad back and am interested in finding a comfortable bike which isn’t too stiff.  I also have a budget: …

I once had a Softride.  I got it in hopes of helping my  back problems.  There is no question that the beam works.  I could literally ride over manhole covers while staying in the saddle.  The problem was– it didn’t solve my back problems. I went to a Quintana Roo Kilo and I believe the combination of the forward postion, SHORTer top tube and Syntace aerobars made the critical difference for me. In the past I’ve ridden a Schwinn, Miele SLX, Kestrel, Softride and QR.  All the bikes with the exception of the QR (and Softride) were designed for a traditional road position.  Note: the Softride can be most definitely setup in the forward postion as well (I just didn’t do it).  I’ve had back troubles with all the other bikes since they were all setup in the traditional road geometry. Whatever you decide to do, I would recommend seriously consider setting up the bike in a forward geometry (78 deg seat angle with the proper top tube length etc…). FWIW, I’ve ridden a sub-53:00 40K (at altitude). Pat Brug Los Alamos, NM

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Question:

I recently got a flat on a Comp GP.  The bike shop I go to considered it a loss and replaced it with a new tubular.  I asked them to save the old one for me because I thought I had seen an ad for tubular repairs.  A quick look through Inside Triathlon revealed an outfit called Tire Alert.  I sent the tire to them, they replaced the tube, sewed it back up, and sent it back for only $20.  Not bad! George Franklin

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If you have a flat tubular, try sending it to Tire Alert.  They run ads in Inside Triathlon.  For $20 they replace the tube, stitch it up, and return it.  Not a bad deal if you just flatted a new Comp GP. George Franklin

 I’ve used Tire Alert before they provide good service. Buttttttt the point is $20 bucks plus the inconvienence of mail etc. whilst a clincher your out a tube patch or at worst a new tube. I still dont see the tubular advantage. Again, just my two cents. Cheers, Bernie Sher

Response:

If you have a flat tubular, try sending it to Tire Alert.  They run ads in Inside Triathlon.  For $20 they replace the tube, stitch it up, and return it.  Not a bad deal if you just flatted a new Comp GP. George Franklin

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I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some. Makes you wonder if we should be concerned that this is how someone working for Congress spends their time, or if we should just be grateful that at least he’s not sitting around thinking up ways to spend our tax dollars.

 :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-) Dear Mr. Jaimison: Thank you for contacting me regarding one of my staff.  Sure enough, after I heard of your concerns, I found the lazy bastard wasting all his time on the net.  Nevermind that I sometimes make him work until midnight; I pay him w/hard earned money of folks like you and I expect him to do work his ass off.  You will be happy to know that I fired the SOB (but the union made me take him back later). {{{fyi, seriously, we’re not allowed to join a union.}}}} Concerned that this may be a wide spread problem in my office, I expanded my investigation.  To my great dismay, I found my staffers making personal calls (one even said she was returning a call from her kid’s school, but she did not fool me for a second), using the copy machine for favorite recipe in the newspaper, using government pens and paper for making a grocery list, etc.  Most of these abuses of taxpayer money seems to be occuring during the workers’ breaks and lunch time, but I want you to know that I am a strong opponent of ANY public improprieties. I sought council with one of my highest campaign-contributors (as you know, the higher their contribution, the more important their opinions), and I learned that this is a big problem in the private sectors as well.  He said he was amazed to find, while browsing through the rec.golf.ceo’s.with.too.much.time.on.their.hands newsgroup from his office, that some of his employees were chatting away on the group using company computers — and THEY WERE NOT EVEN CEO’S!!!! Therefore, I have introduced S.666, the Stop Government and Private Sector Waste and Kick All Employees’ Ass Who Do So Act.  I have already received full endorsement from all of my corporate campaign contributors (as well as some nice gifts for my wife and a getaway vacation for myself to the red light district of Amsterdam — mind you, it’s all legal over there). Once again, thank you for bring this important matter to my attention. I will do all I can to push S.666 forward. Sincerely, Pete’s Congressional Bossdude  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-) In case anybody missed the smilies, this has been a tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic, using-stereo-types-but-some-are-true-to-certain-extent-remarks joke.  

Response:

I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some.

Makes you wonder if we should be concerned that this is how someone working for Congress spends their time, or if we should just be grateful that at least he’s not sitting around thinking up ways to spend our tax dollars.

Response:

….  You should be able to change a flat tubie much quicker than a flat clincher, with just a little practice.

Sure you can.  As long as you only have one flat you’ll be okay.  It takes a bit longer to patch a tubular than a clincher. Tom

Response:

I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some. Question arises — how do you fix a flat, especially on the road?  I read the thread on glueing a new tire on and someone even suggested waiting an hour after applying an initial layer of glue over the rim strip!!!  Do you gotta carry a spare tire and glue the sucker on and throw away the punctured one?  Thanks for sharing your knowledge.  Pete

Pete, as a long time tubular user let me tell you they are one hugh pain in the ass. I wish I had gone with clinchers years ago. Yes tubulars are a bit more comfortable and lighter, but the positives end there. You might be able to change one quicker in a race but anything short of a 1/2 IM and you may as well take your time since you’ll be out of the money anyway. When you’re out on a training ride and flat you almost must head back to the barn or risk a long walk incase you flat again. You could carry more than one spare but that is entirely to cumbersome. Repairing a tubular is a pain unless you’re a decent seamstress. mOst folks either toss them or send them to a repair shop. Proper glueing is a mess and entails more than one layer of glue and some "experts" indicate overnite drying. No I don’t glue a spare after I flat. There’s usually enough glue on the rim to keep the tire on. Actually its the inflated tire that contributes more toward keeping the tire on the rim. I could go on but for my two cents, go with clinchers. Cheers, Bernie Sher

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some. Makes you wonder if we should be concerned that this is how someone working for Congress spends their time, or if we should just be grateful that at least he’s not sitting around thinking up ways to spend our tax dollars.  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-) Dear Mr. Jaimison: Thank you for contacting me regarding one of my staff.  Sure enough, after I heard of your concerns, I found the lazy bastard wasting all his time on the net.  Nevermind that I sometimes make him work until midnight; I pay him w/hard earned money of folks like you and I expect him to do work his ass off.  You will be happy to know that I fired the SOB (but the union made me take him back later). {{{fyi, seriously, we’re not allowed to join a union.}}}} Concerned that this may be a wide spread problem in my office, I expanded my investigation.  To my great dismay, I found my staffers making personal calls (one even said she was returning a call from her kid’s school, but she did not fool me for a second), using the copy machine for favorite recipe in the newspaper, using government pens and paper for making a grocery list, etc.  Most of these abuses of taxpayer money seems to be occuring during the workers’ breaks and lunch time, but I want you to know that I am a strong opponent of ANY public improprieties. I sought council with one of my highest campaign-contributors (as you know, the higher their contribution, the more important their opinions), and I learned that this is a big problem in the private sectors as well.  He said he was amazed to find, while browsing through the rec.golf.ceo’s.with.too.much.time.on.their.hands newsgroup from his office, that some of his employees were chatting away on the group using company computers — and THEY WERE NOT EVEN CEO’S!!!! Therefore, I have introduced S.666, the Stop Government and Private Sector Waste and Kick All Employees’ Ass Who Do So Act.  I have already received full endorsement from all of my corporate campaign contributors (as well as some nice gifts for my wife and a getaway vacation for myself to the red light district of Amsterdam — mind you, it’s all legal over there). Once again, thank you for bring this important matter to my attention. I will do all I can to push S.666 forward. Sincerely, Pete’s Congressional Bossdude  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-) In case anybody missed the smilies, this has been a tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic, using-stereo-types-but-some-are-true-to-certain-extent-remarks joke.

Excellent……. Sam

Response:

I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some. Question arises — how do you fix a flat, especially on the road?  I read the thread on glueing a new tire on and someone even suggested waiting an hour after applying an initial layer of glue over the rim strip!!!  Do you gotta carry a spare tire and glue the sucker on and throw away the punctured one?  Thanks for sharing your knowledge.  Pete

You carry a preglued spare, but dont throw the flat one away, it can be fixed. On the road you just simply pull off the old tire , and place the new one on the rime the remaining glue should be tacky enough, but dont corner hard. One tip for quick removal that i use is to leave a one inch section of rim unglued 180 degrees from the valve, this gives you a good place to start to rip the tire off quickly during a race. When putting on new tubulars, before applying any glue, the new tire must be stretched by placing it on the rim inflating and letting it set for a day. then apply glue to the rim and the tire, let dry, then place a fresh layer of glue on the tire and install. Hint ..wear old clothes if it is your first attempt with this, ( i also wear gloves) TriRef

Response:

I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some. Question arises — how do you fix a flat, especially on the road?  I read the thread on glueing a new tire on and someone even suggested waiting an hour after applying an initial layer of glue over the rim strip!!!  Do you gotta carry a spare tire and glue the sucker on and throw away the punctured one?  Thanks for sharing your knowledge.  Pete

Just carry a previously glued tire with you.  Then, simply peel off the old one, stretch the spare over the rim, center (more or less, if you’re in the middle of a race), inflate and go.  You should be able to change a flat tubie much quicker than a flat clincher, with just a little practice. Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/

Response:

I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some. Question arises — how do you fix a flat, especially on the road?  I read the thread on glueing a new tire on and someone even suggested waiting an hour after applying an initial layer of glue over the rim strip!!!  Do you gotta carry a spare tire and glue the sucker on and throw away the punctured one?  Thanks for sharing your knowledge.  Pete

Response:

I don’t know diddly about tubulars, but am thinking about gettin’ some.

Question arises — how do you fix a flat, especially on the road?<< You carry a spare tire.  Fixing it is time consuming and chancey. I read the thread on glueing a new tire on and someone even suggested

waiting an hour after applying an initial layer of glue over the rim strip!!!<< I would second that.  So, you’ll want to "pre-glue" the spare tire and corner carefully until you can get back home to do it right. Do you gotta carry a spare tire<<

Yes, you gotta.  : ) and glue the sucker on and throw away the punctured one?<<

There are two kinds of tubulars (mainly): sew-ups, and glue-ins.  If you are patient and resourceful, you can remove the rim strip of a sew-up; expose the seam; break the seam and repair the leak.  Then, replace the seam with heavy duty thread designed for this purpose and glue the rim strip back on.  The process takes my about an hour per tire.  As you migh guess, a leak that "hides" tends to cause you to trash the whole tire. Glue-ins are almost always a total loss, once they have been punctured. In fact, most folks don’t even try to repair tubulars (of either kind) at all.  My success rate with repairs has been about 50%. In any case, this is something you do in the comfort of your own home – - beverage optional.

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Question:

Dear Chuck Rucker In November I subscrived Triathlete ONLINE. I was very surprised when I received the bank notice saying that subscribing Triathlete had cost me $95.95. Why is that ? You say that it should cost $36.95 PLUS $29 (outside North America). Outside North America doesn’t include Europe ? This is my third email to you, hope you can answer this one Paulo Ferreira de Sousa

Response:

Dear Chuck Rucker In November I subscrived Triathlete ONLINE. I was very surprised when I received the bank notice saying that   subscribing Triathlete had cost me $95.95. Why is that ?   You say that it should cost $36.95 PLUS $29 (outside North America).   Outside North America doesn’t include Europe ? This is my third email to you, hope you can answer this one Paulo Ferreira de Sousa

Even if you subtract the extra $30 from the $96, the price you are paying still looks a little high if you are purchasing the US edition.  My subscription renewal for the US edition is $27.95 for one year. (I don’t pay $29 for overseas mailing, of course.)  Is your edition a European edition?  Does it cost more? In the January 1996 edition, there is a subscription card offering one year at $24.95 plus $27 extra for foreign subscriptions.  Something doesn’t add up here in this case.   If you’re paying by credit card, don’t pay for this charge if you don’t agree.  If you pay for the shipping, I’ll just send you my old copies. Might be a little delayed, though!   But that would be one less subscriber on the Simmons Report to show advertisers.

Response:

Dear Chuck Rucker In November I subscrived Triathlete ONLINE. I was very surprised when I received the bank notice saying that subscribing Triathlete had cost me $95.95. Why is that ? You say that it should cost $36.95 PLUS $29 (outside North America). Outside North America doesn’t include Europe ? This is my third email to you, hope you can answer this one Paulo Ferreira de Sousa

Paulo, The math works out for a two-year subscription, which is what the ONLINE offer is for.  However, if you don’t really want a two-year subscription, then you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Good luck! Cameron

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