Question:

I suppose, then, it’s just *my* personal preference and a few misguided TV execs who would choose to watch TV coverage of the top runners as opposed to hoards of back-of-pack.  Perhaps at the Super-Bowls we should have more panoramic views of the grandstands and less of the game. Jennifer Funny how the Ironman Triathlon coverage spends *most* of it’s time on human interest stories, not the elites.  

I’ve never seen the Ironman television coverage, and am therefore ignorant  of the television focus. However, I suspect that a substantial amount of the coverage is dedicated to the ultimate winner(s) — possibly even *most* Of course you could *never* be wrong.

My preference is a question of wrong or right??  I don’t follow you. (Example "I prefer diet Coke"  "You’re wrong!!")  What’s wrong? My preference? I simply, first, stated my preference (I prefer to watch the ones in competition to win.) and second, I noted that typical TV coverage focuses on those who win in the competition.   Presumably, TV execs believe (correctly or incorrectly) that the viewing audience and Ad dollars prefer coverage of the winners to the coverage of the masses. Am I wrong on the last presumption? Jennifer

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suppose, then, it’s just *my* personal preference and a few misguided TV execs who would choose to watch TV coverage of the top runners as opposed to hoards of back-of-pack.  Perhaps at the Super-Bowls we should have more panoramic views of the grandstands and less of the game. Jennifer Funny how the Ironman Triathlon coverage spends *most* of it’s time on human interest stories, not the elites. I’ve never seen the Ironman television coverage, and am therefore ignorant of the television focus. However, I suspect that a substantial amount of the coverage is dedicated to the ultimate winner(s) — possibly even *most*

You suspect wrong.  The last Ironman broadcast (and most in the past) conisist of maybe 50/50 elite/human interest but probably closer to 35/65. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Of course you could *never* be wrong. My preference is a question of wrong or right??  I don’t follow you. (Example "I prefer diet Coke"  "You’re wrong!!")  What’s wrong? My preference? I simply, first, stated my preference (I prefer to watch the ones in competition to win.) and second, I noted that typical TV coverage focuses on those who win in the competition. Presumably, TV execs believe (correctly or incorrectly) that the viewing audience and Ad dollars prefer coverage of the winners to the coverage of the masses. Am I wrong on the last presumption? Jennifer

You also inferred crowds show up for the elites.  Well at the Gasparilla Distance Classic here in Tampa, the crowds have actually increased the last couple years since award money was discontinued.  Not even the overall winner gets $1, thus no elites show up.  And even still the crowds increase? I use to live in Chicago and both ran and attended the Chicago Marathon. People lining the course could careless about the elites.  If they cared so much, wouldn’t they all leave once the elites had passed by? Chris

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  CBC has the best coverage that can be seen in the US.  Even US sports channels (like ESPN) have really rotten coverage.  During Boston last year they showed the men’s and women’s leaders, and the top US male only when he happened to be in the lead pack.  I spent a great deal of time running with or near the lead AMerican women, but they were never televised (and only once did I even see a motorcycle come back and film them).  Seems like the American public would take at least as much interest as how our own best are doing as the foreign elite… Andy Hass

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The popularity of these events is linked to the human interest value they generate.

I agree to a certain extent when it comes to marathons and Iron Man competitions. OTOH, the networks have put so much emphasis on human interest stories in Olympics coverage over the years that it makes me want to throw up just to think about it. I want to watch the competitions. I could care less about the participants’ sob stories. — Robert

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You also inferred crowds show up for the elites. Well at the Gasparilla Distance Classic here in Tampa, the crowds have actually increased the last couple years since award money was discontinued. Not even the overall winner gets $1, thus no elites show up. And even still the crowds increase?

When I lived in Tampa,  I always wanted to run Gasparilla.  I haven’t even heard of it in the past few years.  I personally have no desire to run it now that the elite runners wouldn’t be there.  I’m more of a fan of the sport than a competitor.   The crowds that you mentioned aren’t fans of the elite sport of running. They are there to watch their friends run or take part in a fun activity.  I don’t see anything wrong with that, but that’s not what I want to see. I use to live in Chicago and both ran and attended the Chicago Marathon. People lining the course could careless about the elites. If they cared so much, wouldn’t they all leave once the elites had passed by?

That’s exactly what we did at Chicago.  We followed the elite runners for over 15 miles, catching them at different points.  I usually watch the Columbus marathon up to 3:00 hours and then leave.  If I were at the finish line of the New York or London Marathons, I would stay until the top 10 or so females finished.  I don’t like it when television coverage shows the top American runners, because they are waisting time that could be spent on the front runners.  I hate all of the human interest stories, even the ones on the elite runners.  I just want to watch the lead runner for 26.2 miles.     Troy

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Every year sports are covered. including Marathons.  haven’t  2 hours. I have trouble sometimes ridding a bike 26.2 miles in 2 hours. "unless lots of mosquitoes"

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I’ve never seen the Ironman television coverage, and am therefore ignorant  of the television focus. However, I suspect that a substantial amount of the coverage is dedicated to the ultimate winner(s) — possibly even *most*

It seemed to me that a majority of the Ironman coverage was on the elites and that was all I wanted to see.  I get sick of the human interest stories in the Olympics and at major competitions.  I love to see marathon finishes like the 1996 men’s Olympic finals where the top 3 men finished on the track at the same time.  The winner was in doubt for a long time and to me, that is a thrill. David Olsen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Of course you could *never* be wrong. My preference is a question of wrong or right??  I don’t follow you. (Example "I prefer diet Coke"  "You’re wrong!!")  What’s wrong? My preference? I simply, first, stated my preference (I prefer to watch the ones in competition to win.) and second, I noted that typical TV coverage focuses on those who win in the competition. Presumably, TV execs believe (correctly or incorrectly) that the viewing audience and Ad dollars prefer coverage of the winners to the coverage of the masses. Am I wrong on the last presumption? Jennifer

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The TV stations put on what they *think* will sell ads. It has nothing to do what the viewers want to see.

This statement makes no logical sense.  Advertisers buy ads based on what people watch.  if no one watches the show, it will not sell ads.  therfore, if they are selling ads, its because the ad people believe its what the viewers want to see. Bruce

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As I look up at some of the Ocean State back in the 1980’s and the Long Island Marathon run within a week of the Boston,the dedication to Marathoning has dropped just like the stock Markey. I could set a pace and if neccessary increase or decrease over the 26.2 miles. It’s not like the 5K or 10K where you HAVE to go out as fast as you can, sometimes to find yourself watching everyone from aside. Besides that there over in such a short time, and you really don’t have all the chances you might have in the Marathon to test and wear out your fellow runner. You trained hard but you got the thrill and the chance to test yourself, your training and your desire. Heck, ABC doesn’t even carry the NYC anymore, you got to have cable. That tell’s you right there on the stage of USA running.

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Heck, ABC doesn’t even carry the NYC anymore, you got to have cable.

NBC carried "highlights" of it.  I don’t think you got anything more if you had cable (at least not in the US), there was better coverage on the foreign feeds.

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Heck, ABC doesn’t even carry the NYC anymore, you got to have cable. NBC carried "highlights" of it.  I don’t think you got anything more if you had cable (at least not in the US), there was better coverage on the foreign feeds.

Yep.  The whole thing was live in England. — Brian Wakem

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NBC showed 5 hours of coverage for the past two NYC Marathons.   It was just on the NBC New York Channel.   Troy

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I watched the 2001 NYC marathon on TV (here in Washington) and it was an hour which is not enough time to show both the leaders and the rest of the runners celebrating not only life but probably a highlight in their own lives.  Needless to say most of the coverage was on the elite. I think that’s sad. I forgot which world class marathoner said it but he (she) said (and I paraphrase) "If it wasn’t for the six hour plodders no one would care about the elite. People are interested in a 20,000 runner event. If it where just 20 of us racing through NYC to see who would win the crowds would be home".  I think there is a lot of truth in that. The elite get the coverage because of the six hour plodders and unfortunately, ABC only has about 40 minutes to cover the race. It should be three times that with less time on the elite. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As I look up at some of the Ocean State back in the 1980’s and the Long Island Marathon run within a week of the Boston,the dedication to Marathoning has dropped just like the stock Markey. I could set a pace and if neccessary increase or decrease over the 26.2 miles. It’s not like the 5K or 10K where you HAVE to go out as fast as you can, sometimes to find yourself watching everyone from aside. Besides that there over in such a short time, and you really don’t have all the chances you might have in the Marathon to test and wear out your fellow runner. You trained hard but you got the thrill and the chance to test yourself, your training and your desire. Heck, ABC doesn’t even carry the NYC anymore, you got to have cable. That tell’s you right there on the stage of USA running.

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. The elite get the coverage because of the six hour plodders and unfortunately, ABC only has about 40 minutes to cover the race. It should be three times that with less time on the elite.

ABC had zero minutes on the race.  It was NBC that had the minimal coverage.

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Sorry, but that really wasn’t my point. Doug Burke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – . The elite get the coverage because of the six hour plodders and unfortunately, ABC only has about 40 minutes to cover the race. It should be three times that with less time on the elite. ABC had zero minutes on the race.  It was NBC that had the minimal coverage.

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<< Needless to say most of the coverage was on the elite. I think that’s sad. Sad?  Similarly, tv covers NBA games, not pick-up games.  Major league not little league.  Concert pianists not school recitals.  They choose the people who excel not because of a moral judgement but rather a financial dicision: the viewing audience perfers it. << I forgot which world class marathoner said it but he (she) said (and I paraphrase) "If it wasn’t for the six hour plodders no one would care about the elite. I believe that whoever said it was clueless.  Crowds turn out for the Tour de France, for the Olympic qualifying races, for the Head of the Charles boating events, each of which feature only the top athletes of their event.  Why would a marathon featuring a national or world class field be different? Jennifer

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Heck, ABC doesn’t even carry the NYC anymore, you got to have cable. NBC carried "highlights" of it.  I don’t think you got anything more if you had cable (at least not in the US), there was better coverage on the foreign feeds.

The whole thing was live on New York TV – of course you had to be in NY or get NY tv on satellite. Bruce

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<< Needless to say most of the coverage was on the elite. I think that’s sad. Sad?  Similarly, tv covers NBA games, not pick-up games.  Major league not little league.  Concert pianists not school recitals.  They choose the people who excel not because of a moral judgement but rather a financial dicision: the viewing audience perfers it.

Probably true. But, the attraction of the public non-runners to an event like the NYC marathon is that it is a world class event in which the average guy or gal can be a part of. The man on the street wants to see the person who is just another average citizen running in the same event as the elites (even if they are 2 hours behind!). In other sports, like baseball, you are not going to see the Yankees invite people down from the stands to pinch-hit in the ninth inning against Nolan Ryan. The popularity of these events is linked to the human interest value they generate. After all, do you think that most New Yorkers really give a rip about running as a sport the other 99.999% of the time? Something else lures those thousands of people out onto the sidelines. The TV stations put on what they *think* will sell ads. It has nothing to do what the viewers want to see.

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[snip] After all, do you think that most New Yorkers really give a rip about running as a sport the other 99.999% of the time?

The Milrose Mile packs ‘em in at Madison Square Garden each year.   The TV stations put on what they *think* will sell ads. It has nothing to do what the viewers want to see.

I suppose, then, it’s just *my* personal preference and a few misguided TV execs who would choose to watch TV coverage of the top runners as opposed to hoards of back-of-pack.  Perhaps at the Super-Bowls we should have more panoramic views of the grandstands and less of the game. Jennifer

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] After all, do you think that most New Yorkers really give a rip about running as a sport the other 99.999% of the time? The Milrose Mile packs ‘em in at Madison Square Garden each year. The TV stations put on what they *think* will sell ads. It has nothing to do what the viewers want to see. I suppose, then, it’s just *my* personal preference and a few misguided TV execs who would choose to watch TV coverage of the top runners as opposed to hoards of back-of-pack.  Perhaps at the Super-Bowls we should have more panoramic views of the grandstands and less of the game. Jennifer

Funny how the Ironman Triathlon coverage spends *most* of it’s time on human interest stories, not the elites.  Of course you could *never* be wrong. Chris

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Question:

I am not doing a triathlon, I am just looking for a site for some help on a new bike. I won’t go into detail about what I am looking for as I do not think that it would fit this newsgroup.  BUT can anyone recommend an information newsgroup for cyclists?   I am buying a new bike in the next week or so, and I could really use some information and other’s opinions. Thank you! Kristin "Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans."    - John Lennon –

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I am not doing a triathlon, I am just looking for a site for some help on a new bike

Try rec.bicycles.marketplace Before you buy.

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Question:

Mike,  I’m a sports doc/orthopod  so blood pressure and cholesterol are not my game but as a triathlete I feel your pain!  First ask your buddies who they use or try the phone book under sports MD/internist.  We are not all arrogant but many are – sorry!  Still, I think if you try again and explain your goals they will understand. You are definately at your max HR.  Use the Maffetone method to determine an aerobic zone and really stick to it during your base building – even if you have to walk – it’s good for you! The results will not be immediate but they WILL happen if you give it time and effort – in fact I bet your cholesterol level goes down (with diet and weight loss) and presto! There goes another payment for drugs (maybe even your BP pill)!  BTW – a younger well trained doctor tends to have more time and be more sympathetic but that’s my opinion. Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182.  Thanks, Mike

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Geoffrey,         Your system has a virus.  Your post was accompanied by another post, with an identical header, containing only the attached file "happy99.exe" This is the "dropper" for the W32/Ska.A virus.  For details and how to deal with it, please see: http://www.umich.edu/~virus-busters/ska.html To everyone else,  it goes without saying not to open the attachment.

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They both took my pulse and the trainee read it out (50-something). The battle-axe said "no it’s 80-something"…  I told her my pulse was NEVER 80-something sitting around, and that the trainee was probably right. Bad move. The hefty angel of mercy then decided to do the insertion of the needle.  I don’t know HOW she did it, but it burned like crazy the whole time it was in there.  Lucky for me us endurance athlete types like pain…  ;-)

Once the ordeal, and hence her powers of retribution were over, you should have let that pain motivate you to "educate" her as to her folly, in terms that grew increasingly harsh in proportion to any resistance, and possibly to point out this lack of competence to her superiors. Forty years ago when my mother was in nursing school, they taught her that athletes may often exhibit vital signs that, in a less fit person, might be viewed as incompatible with life.  When I had my motorcycle accident, as soon as the EMT’s took my vitals, they asked, "do you run?" and when I ansered yes, they became noticeably calmer.  There is no excuse for health care personnel in today’s climate of exercise enthusiasm not to be aware of such things.  In addition to a low pulse rate, you’ll probably find that your resting blood pressure is quite low.  As a worker in blood collection, one of that nurse’s mission critical skills is to unambiguously recognize shock in all patients, and thus her ignorance is a show stopper.

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I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182.  Thanks,

I remember going in for a 30-year checkup to undergo a "stress test". My SO (now wife) insisted on it and set up the appointment, but with a decidedly non-athletic doctor. I thought it was going pretty well when he put all the EKG pickups on my chest and put me on a treadmill.  He turns it on and walks out of the room, telling the nurse "call me when he gets to 120". BUT, the pace he set was a very slow jog…  I just trundled along for about 5 minutes.  Finally Herr Doktor returns and asks the nurse "why didn’t you call me?" She just shrugged and pointed at the HRM, which IIRC was still reading around 100. In the end, I got about as much "stress" as an easy recovery workout. Waste of time (and money) IMHO (though NIMHMO). Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/ Home of the $695 ti frame

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I was in hospital in 1986, before my Tri days but I was in good shape anyway. First thing in the morning a nurse comes and takes my pulse, she then pages a Doctor as it was 39… Phil

| | I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on | Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m | nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m | pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182. Thanks, | | I remember going in for a 30-year checkup to undergo a "stress test". | My SO (now wife) insisted on it and set up the appointment, but with a | decidedly non-athletic doctor. | | I thought it was going pretty well when he put all the EKG pickups on | my chest and put me on a treadmill.  He turns it on and walks out of | the room, telling the nurse "call me when he gets to 120". | | BUT, the pace he set was a very slow jog…  I just trundled along for | about 5 minutes.  Finally Herr Doktor returns and asks the nurse "why | didn’t you call me?" | | She just shrugged and pointed at the HRM, which IIRC was still reading | around 100. | | In the end, I got about as much "stress" as an easy recovery workout. | Waste of time (and money) IMHO (though NIMHMO). | | Mark Hickey | Habanero Cycles | http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/ | Home of the $695 ti frame

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I went in for a checkup and the nurse took my pulse and said (and wrote down) 98.  I couldn’t convince her she counted wrong and it was 49, she doesn’t see that very often… she just thought she mistimed it, I guess.

I had the same thing happen to me once when I was giving blood.  There was a trainee nurse, and a cruiserweight supervisor nurse. They both took my pulse and the trainee read it out (50-something). The battle-axe said "no it’s 80-something"…  I told her my pulse was NEVER 80-something sitting around, and that the trainee was probably right. Bad move. The hefty angel of mercy then decided to do the insertion of the needle.  I don’t know HOW she did it, but it burned like crazy the whole time it was in there.  Lucky for me us endurance athlete types like pain…  ;-) Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/ Home of the $695 ti frame

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I went in for a checkup and the nurse took my pulse and said (and wrote down) 98.  I couldn’t convince her she counted wrong and it was 49, she doesn’t see that very often… she just thought she mistimed it, I guess. John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was in hospital in 1986, before my Tri days but I was in good shape anyway. First thing in the morning a nurse comes and takes my pulse, she then pages a Doctor as it was 39… Phil | | I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on | Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m | nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m | pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182. Thanks, | | I remember going in for a 30-year checkup to undergo a "stress test". | My SO (now wife) insisted on it and set up the appointment, but with a | decidedly non-athletic doctor. | | I thought it was going pretty well when he put all the EKG pickups on | my chest and put me on a treadmill.  He turns it on and walks out of | the room, telling the nurse "call me when he gets to 120". | | BUT, the pace he set was a very slow jog…  I just trundled along for | about 5 minutes.  Finally Herr Doktor returns and asks the nurse "why | didn’t you call me?" | | She just shrugged and pointed at the HRM, which IIRC was still reading | around 100. | | In the end, I got about as much "stress" as an easy recovery workout. | Waste of time (and money) IMHO (though NIMHMO). | | Mark Hickey | Habanero Cycles | http://www.cynetfl.com/habanero/ | Home of the $695 ti frame

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I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182.  Thanks, Mike

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I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182.  Thanks,

i hope you were training when you hit that hr.  are you in an hmo?  my wife and i are, and so when this sort of thing happens– which it has on occasion– i just call the plan administrators or whomever answers the phone when you call the number on the card where it says "cardmember services." i basically tell them more or less what you just told us.  then they find me a doctor.  i go in and if he gives me any of that shit i walk out and call the cardmember services people again and tell them that i guess they misunderstood me last time and perhaps i can explain it to them in terms that they can understand, etc., etc.   our primary care physician is a runner, he is fabulous, he "gets" what we are trying to do with our lives, and if the situation arises that we need to be referred to a specialist he will find us a likeminded gal or fellow who’ll take care of us properly. slowman

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I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182.  Thanks, Mike

There’s no "right" physician to see.  Certainly, you need someone who knows about high blood pressure and high cholesterol; since exercise is an important treatment arm in these two diseases, most physicians will be able to advise you on this.  However, those that are interested in strenuous exercise (i.e., multisport) may be more empathetic.  I’m an internist, who is also a triathlete; some of my patients have chosen me because of this. Best advice is to look around, talk to your friends, and see if there is any physician in the area that stands out.  Finding the medical director of a local race may be another place to start. Good luck. Richard Ling, M. D.

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Funny thing about some in the medical profession, they seem to be in the only profession that doesn’t realize that you are paying them and in essence they are an employee of those they serve.  Call it arogance.  Or call it, just a bad business practice.  Either way, those attitudes are taught(unwittingly perhaps)during medical school.  If you had an apprentice learning system you may have a more humbling and more understanding profession. Funny how emptying bed pans for years before you become a doctor can change your attitude about what the healing process is all about.  At any rate, the solution to your problem is simple, fire the meer mortal and provide no references.  (Behold the power of consumerism – unless you belong to the anti-thesis of capitalism – an HMO or a form socialized medicine).   fwiw – Joe I’m a relative newcomer and train for Tri’s but at the same time I am on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medication.  My Doctor looks at me like I’m nuts.  I need to talk/see someone who understands what we do to see if I’m pushing too hard.  I’m 38 years old and today hit max hr of 182. Thanks, Mike

Before you buy.

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Question:

They have a hot pink short. Their mailing address is: Florida Running and Triathlon, 8640 Tansy Dr., Orlando, FL 32819 USA and the phone number is 407-352-9131. Good luck and good running! You won’t be missed in these shorts! Chuck

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Hi, I’m looking for a pink running short. It seems very hard to find. I would prefer a satin short, but everything else would be ok. I’ve been in all the sport shops around here and have been surching the internet to find a shop which would sell it, but with no success. A pink short looks so common, but … Maybe pink isn’t "in" anymore. Does someone have the address of a shop (on internet would be easier) that sells them ? Thanks in advance.   Floris.

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Question:

Anyone have any recommendations for places to stay for the Lake Geneva triathlon?  I want to take the family up to make a weekend out of it. Scott Hoffman

The race is held around Fontana, home to the Abbey Resort.  This is a very nice complex, with a spa, pool, sauna, weight room, etc.  There are other resorts also, specifically Interlaken Resort, Grand Geneva and the Cove, as those which come to mind.  There are numerous hotels/motels in the area as well.  If you need more info. let me know and I can get you more specifics (I live in Lake Geneva). Tom Larwa

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I did this race last year and brought my wife and small child (4 months at the time).  Great town for families and friends to spectate.  We stayed at the resort in Fontana (name – can’t remember).  The place is only 5 min. walk to the strat/finish area.  

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Anyone have any recommendations for places to stay for the Lake Geneva triathlon?  I want to take the family up to make a weekend out of it. Scott Hoffman

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Question:

Merry Christmas to all of you who have become my silent friends this last year. You’ve kept me company on long business trips, given me an alternative to hotel-room television, forgiven me of my rants and my verbosity, and encouraged me in my journey. All the best to each of you during the holidays and in the coming new year. Rick Denney Take what you want and leave the rest.

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Lurking and learning . . . Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all! Wally Bloomfield Reston, VA

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Merry Christmas to all the GREAT people I have met in the triathlon world and THANKS to all the people who have given me advice and help. I might be young but almost everyone has treated me as an equal and not just a kid:-)                D.J. Mosiniak

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I  nominate Eric’s poetic effort as Post of the Year. How fun!!! Katherine Williams The 1997 Triathlon Sourcebook – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Twas the night before Christmas and all through the net Not a RSTer was lurking, not even Tri-Vet The stockings were hung by the CompuTrainer with care In the hope that QRman soon would be there The triathlons were nestled all snug in their beds While the roads of Kona danced through their Heds When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter Tri-Baby sprang from her bed to see what was the matter       (We will keep this clean and not discuss what she was        wearing or who also might have been in the bed.) When what sight through her bedroom window should leak But a PowerWing-V and eight drafting Tri-Geeks With a little old driver so lively and tan She knew in a moment it must be Dan-the-Man And then a strange sound was heard in the dark The splishing and splashing of a mass swim start As she drew in her head and was turning around Down the chimney on an Avocet seat he came with a bound He was dressed all aero from his head to his foot And his body was marked with his number and age group A bundle of goodies he had flung on his back He looked like C. Crawford penalizing the pack His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry His Jet Stream was empty, his heart monitor was a flurry An IMH application he held tight in his teeth And the disclaimer – it encircle his head like a wreath! He spoke not a word, but went straight to his feat And filled all the stockings, with Gu and Triathlete A PR bar over here, swim fins for Tri-Buster Tri-Dork was getting the new Shimano 9-Speed cluster For Rolf Arands it was a new Speedo swim suit And Carlos de Navarra – a Longjohn to boot Applications for Mrs’s T’s and bike cases galore Tri-Bop got a Kestrel,   Tri-Weasel componet’s were Sun-Tour                                               (My Apologies) Cycling computers were spread all around But donuts and cookies were not to be found And laying his finger aside his Timex You could tell he wanted some much needed rest But I heard him exclaim, ere he rode out of sight "No drafting No drafting, and let IMC be a fair fight!!"

Response:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the net Not a RSTer was lurking, not even Tri-Vet The stockings were hung by the CompuTrainer with care In the hope that QRman soon would be there The triathlons were nestled all snug in their beds While the roads of Kona danced through their Heds When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter Tri-Baby sprang from her bed to see what was the matter         (We will keep this clean and not discuss what she was          wearing or who also might have been in the bed.) When what sight through her bedroom window should leak But a PowerWing-V and eight drafting Tri-Geeks With a little old driver so lively and tan She knew in a moment it must be Dan-the-Man And then a strange sound was heard in the dark The splishing and splashing of a mass swim start As she drew in her head and was turning around Down the chimney on an Avocet seat he came with a bound He was dressed all aero from his head to his foot And his body was marked with his number and age group A bundle of goodies he had flung on his back He looked like C. Crawford penalizing the pack His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry His Jet Stream was empty, his heart monitor was a flurry An IMH application he held tight in his teeth And the disclaimer – it encircle his head like a wreath! He spoke not a word, but went straight to his feat And filled all the stockings, with Gu and Triathlete A PR bar over here, swim fins for Tri-Buster Tri-Dork was getting the new Shimano 9-Speed cluster For Rolf Arands it was a new Speedo swim suit And Carlos de Navarra – a Longjohn to boot Applications for Mrs’s T’s and bike cases galore Tri-Bop got a Kestrel,   Tri-Weasel componet’s were Sun-Tour                                                 (My Apologies) Cycling computers were spread all around But donuts and cookies were not to be found And laying his finger aside his Timex You could tell he wanted some much needed rest But I heard him exclaim, ere he rode out of sight "No drafting No drafting, and let IMC be a fair fight!!" — Eric    May anyone who is offended by this scald their tongue on hot eggnog.

Response:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the net…

 - snip rest of hilarious RST Nite Before Christmas poem – This comes from the man who doesn’t have enough time to swim more than 1000 yards per week?!?!  Eric, now if you could only apply the same amount of energy to a more aquatic environment you could be a MOP instead of BOP swimmer! This was GREAT (perhaps second only to Stephen Irish’s poem from July) – and I actually did ask for GU to be put in my stocking!!                                                         / -hug

Response:

Commercialism creeps into Xmas in the weirdest ways. RB P.S. There is no way TriDork is getting a 9-speed cluster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Twas the night before Christmas and all through the net Not a RSTer was lurking, not even Tri-Vet The stockings were hung by the CompuTrainer with care In the hope that QRman soon would be there The triathlons were nestled all snug in their beds While the roads of Kona danced through their Heds When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter Tri-Baby sprang from her bed to see what was the matter    (We will keep this clean and not discuss what she was     wearing or who also might have been in the bed.) When what sight through her bedroom window should leak But a PowerWing-V and eight drafting Tri-Geeks With a little old driver so lively and tan She knew in a moment it must be Dan-the-Man And then a strange sound was heard in the dark The splishing and splashing of a mass swim start As she drew in her head and was turning around Down the chimney on an Avocet seat he came with a bound He was dressed all aero from his head to his foot And his body was marked with his number and age group A bundle of goodies he had flung on his back He looked like C. Crawford penalizing the pack His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry His Jet Stream was empty, his heart monitor was a flurry An IMH application he held tight in his teeth And the disclaimer – it encircle his head like a wreath! He spoke not a word, but went straight to his feat And filled all the stockings, with Gu and Triathlete A PR bar over here, swim fins for Tri-Buster Tri-Dork was getting the new Shimano 9-Speed cluster For Rolf Arands it was a new Speedo swim suit And Carlos de Navarra – a Longjohn to boot Applications for Mrs’s T’s and bike cases galore Tri-Bop got a Kestrel,   Tri-Weasel componet’s were Sun-Tour                                            (My Apologies) Cycling computers were spread all around But donuts and cookies were not to be found And laying his finger aside his Timex You could tell he wanted some much needed rest But I heard him exclaim, ere he rode out of sight "No drafting No drafting, and let IMC be a fair fight!!" — Eric   May anyone who is offended by this scald their tongue on hot eggnog.

Response:

Question:

Hi All: Well, I can substantiate that the recently reported bird attacks have moved to the St.Simons Island, GA area. . . . It was THE BIRD. A red-winged black bird, specifically. The same kind that has attacked other runners further north! Coincidence? I think not!!

Nesting red wings are also much more numerous and seem to be more aggressive than usual in my part of rural Southwestern Ontario. The back road where I usually get attacked by one red wing now is patrolled by at least four dive-bombing males. The two "scientific" explanations the deep thinkers give for natural aberrations around here are "global warming" and "stress." Dunno if that explains the blackbirds but I’m sure both are excellent excuses for my inability to run any faster.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All: Well, I can substantiate that the recently reported bird attacks have moved to the St.Simons Island, GA area. I went on a 8-miler across the causeway at 5 p.m. Sunday (heat index at 95+, no shade, 2 high bridges  - my punishment for not having a very good triathlon on Saturday). As I was passing some bushes, I felt a hard slap on the back of my head. My first thought was that some runner I knew had just caught me and was playing around, but of course there was no-one there…… It was THE BIRD. A red-winged black bird, specifically. The same kind that has attacked other runners further north! Coincidence? I think not!!

Jeez. Now I have another reason to fear running in Madison’s Arboretum. The red-winged black birds are thick as flies in there (and the flies aren’t much fun either…honking ones that dive bomb runners and bite them). Although I must admit I feel more threatened by the huge glossy crows. They perch in groups up in the trees and start cawing (that a word?) as runners go by…it’s like they’re looking for fresh meat. doomed, Julia

Response:

Hi All: Well, I can substantiate that the recently reported bird attacks have moved to the St.Simons Island, GA area. I went on a 8-miler across the causeway at 5 p.m. Sunday (heat index at 95+, no shade, 2 high bridges  - my punishment for not having a very good triathlon on Saturday). As I was passing some bushes, I felt a hard slap on the back of my head. My first thought was that some runner I knew had just caught me and was playing around, but of course there was no-one there…… It was THE BIRD. A red-winged black bird, specifically. The same kind that has attacked other runners further north! Coincidence? I think not!!

Response:

Question:

       BOTH PLACES, THILLY.

Ooooh .. that felt good. How?  Mavic ZAP. Yes, they may be techno geeky stuff, but the reality is:

Don’t you come from Melbourne Paul?  Doesn’t it rain all the time in Melbourne?  Isn’t it true that Mavic zap can be renamed as"mavic crap" when it rains and water gets in and stuffs everything so you have to finish the ride in your 13? Grant Queeensland, Australia

Response:

[hack] I had a tete-a-tete with someone on the newsgroup [snip] I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.

I’d say you can put’em wherever you want…. Rozanne may even be willing to help you insert them! I mean INSTALL them.  :) D Emerging Technology Services    - innovative mechanical product development    - software application development/management

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But surely there are only two choices: STI or bar-end shifters on your areo bars. Ok, STI is the way to go if your cycling in traffic, want to win bunch sprints, or be King of the mountain. AHA!!!  Richard, I do believe you have scored a bullseye (so to speak!)…  yes, indeed… it doth appear that the Good Prince (that would be the Git in question) is hard at work making the ascension to the King of the Mountain throne!  But for us mere mortals who actually downshift to go up said Mountain, bar-ends on the aero’s make more sense. But why not STI instead of bar-ends for the Git?  The enigma continues…. Roxanne

If we are putting the shifters on the C2s, why not just put the brakes up there too! TriRef

Response:

While I’m talking about gripshift, I have seen something called a barrel worm(or something worm, or worm something) in the mail order catalogs that’s supposed to go with the gripshift system but they don’t say what it’s for.  Is this supposed to be a retrofit to fix the above problems?

Oh my, I hope the marketing team from the company that makes the  **** Bassworm **** isn’t reading that.  At least you got the worm part. The ‘worm is designed to overcome the wimpy (I believe that’s "whimpy" for you yurrupeans) light action rear derailleur springs in the newer Shimano units (‘95 and up).  This spring pulls against the shifter, and moves the RD toward the smaller cogs.  Once your cables are slightly worn, you can end up with more drag in the cable housing than your poor little Shimano spring can overcome.  End result = slow and sloppy shifts into the small cogs.  The Bassworm overcomes this problem by adding a bit of pre-tension to the rear end of the cable, which allows the wimpy spring to act like a virile and manly spring (hey, it’s a known fact that springs are male).   Another alternative (which I install on all the MTBs I build) is a Powerspring, which just fixes the design problem at its source. Woof!

Easy for you to say.   Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles

Response:

ton’s of stuff mercilessly hacked out and thrown away! If we are putting the shifters on the C2s, why not just put the brakes up there too! TriRef

On a rare, very rare, serious note, when braking, the weight shifts to the front wheel, being in the aero postion and hard braking is something I wouldn’t want to practice. I have an allergy to road rash. In a light braking situation I simply sit up and let the wind do something useful for a change. Even if an "endo" isn’t the result, the extra weight over the front wheel is gonna cause instability. I’d much rather have my hands on the bullhorns and fingers on the brakes. Braking occurs almost exclusively before corners (if you’re braking on the straights, you’re never gonna reach the podium) so being on the bullhorns ready to have a fast and stable turn ready to pull hard while exiting the corner is my plan of attack. I wouldn’t suggest brakes on the aerobars for anyone other than the Git. TriDork

Response:

  Don’t you come from Melbourne Paul?  Doesn’t it rain all the time in   Melbourne?  Isn’t it true that Mavic zap can be renamed as"mavic crap"   when it rains and water gets in and stuffs everything so you have to   finish the ride in your 13? Now hold on there sonny … them’s fightin’ words .. See my other post about the ZAP, I’ve never had trouble in Melbourne with them and yes – Melbourne is atrocious right now (on its way to a record wet). With over two years of solid use (it’s my training AND racing bike) I’d never had to come home on either extreme. For those who care to remember the one and only Sorrento triathlon two seasons back, yes I swam that on the bike quite successfully.  My Cateye computer did the deadfish roll though and so did the on line event computer system. —   Woof!

Response:

  If Mavic could get its Zap shifters to work these questions would end.   You could have shift buttons on the aero and bull horn bars! I’ve received some queries about ZAPs, so I’ll try to cover all bases with one post. First, for those who don’t know – they’re an electronic rear gear changing system.  The user end is a pair of two position rocker switches (with a spring return to centre), much like F1 racers (drive one every other weekend) and some Porsches (I try to run over them with my F1) have on their steering wheels.  When you want to go up a gear, you depress (or click?) one side of the switch. When you want to down, you depress the other.  The implementation end –     A "microprocessor" (what’s wrong with a standard resistor table and     other passive components?) which is embedded in your bar end (replaces     the cork wrap plug thingy).     The "microprocessor" drives a solenoid (?) on the rear derailleur which     effects a gear change. All in all – VERY smooth.  If you keep the rocker switch held down, it will traverse through the gears, but I hardly (if ever) use that feature.  It purportedly changes gears in 0.1 sec – I’ve never timed it, but it’s definitely FAST and sure. The standard setup is designed so that you place one switch under one brake hood (where you’d have your fingers if you were struggling up a hill) and the other almost where the bar meets the stem (where you’d rest your hands if you were drafting in a peloton in a non aerobar race).  They were obviously designed with roadies in mind as the neither lead (switch) will reach any (aero) bar end.  A home brew extension solved this problem. OK, problems.  Yes, I’m aware that Mavic stopped producing them until they solved their ‘problem’.  That’s OK for them, but I bought the system well over two years ago when they first came out.  I previously had Ultegra STI’s (the system which integrates with the brake levers), and used to get really annoyed when I wanted to change gears while aero.  Changing gears when aero became a disincentive, not good from my point of view (I’m a fastish spinner). What problems have _I_ had?  Over the two years, I’ve had to replace the front rocker switch for two different reasons:     (1) Once when I had a flat and decided to get off the main road before         dismounting.  This meant doing a left at the next intersection.         The turn caused the tyre to roll off the wheel, and I consequently         ‘rolled’ off the bike (I crashed).  One of the crash impact points was         the front (tip) of the aerobar, where sits one rocker switch.  Ouch.         It was replaced – free, within a week.     (2) Halfway through a triathlon this year.  My death grip on the aerobars         stressed the cabling under the cork wrap to the point of failure (I         broke the leads).  Thankfully, it only took be about two minutes of         swearing before I realised the other set (under the hood) still worked.         I had the switch replaced – free, even though I can still use the         original (just a bit old soldering and heat shrink needed). Apart from that – no problems.  OK, I don’t go to the snow covered bronchial heights reached by the TdF gentlemen (which is where I think problems arose), but I haven’t (yet) even had a flat battery.  This is one thing I dread, as it does stick to one gear when the electronics _do_ play up.  It also had a problem (initially) of zipping to an extreme gear (biggest) upon selection and then screaming back to the smallest with the next.  I think that was due to finger trouble during installation (not me!!). To summarise, I’d say the ZAP style of system _is_ the future, and I’m not surprised that Mavic (hasn’t LOOK taken them over?) is taking their time over it.  They have a gold mine, just as Shimano had one (and still do) when they came out with their nifty systems.  Once out though, there will be no contest, as, IMHO, they ARE the best (the concept, ie).  Why else would Porsches and F1 racers have them? —   Woof!

Response:

But surely there are only two choices: STI or bar-end shifters on your areo bars. Ok, STI is the way to go if your cycling in traffic, want to win bunch sprints, or be King of the mountain.

AHA!!!  Richard, I do believe you have scored a bullseye (so to speak!)…  yes, indeed… it doth appear that the Good Prince (that would be the Git in question) is hard at work making the ascension to the King of the Mountain throne!  But for us mere mortals who actually downshift to go up said Mountain, bar-ends on the aero’s make more sense.   But why not STI instead of bar-ends for the Git?  The enigma continues…. Roxanne  

Response:

Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn,writes: I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.  There, I’ve said it… Myles, Myles, Myles, you troublemaker you! The idea of bar end shifters is to keep you in the aero position.

stuff snipped Roxanne is right! (Of course she is, since we both have the same new bike and new setup, and everyone knows that people who have just bought a new bike are always dead certain they have the perfect item.)

Well it’s unanamous then! QR’s  at 20 paces it is then. Gripshift on the C2’s and brakes on the bullhorns, just like God intended. Living in gods country, I assumed the Clown Prince (the Git) would have already realized this. I just got mine installed fitted and adjusted last night and am rearing to test the setup tonight. It sure felt good in the basement when I tried it last night. Brian Sullivan

TriDork

Response:

   But surely there are only two choices: STI or bar-end shifters on your    areo bars. Ok, STI is the way to go if your cycling in traffic, want to    win bunch sprints, or be King of the mountain.  (snip)    But why not STI instead of bar-ends for the Git?  The enigma continues….    Roxanne   These two choices are not exclusive – you can get bar-ends that are indexed.  My commuter/rain bike has indexed shifter on bullhorn bars which work great.  Why not use brake lever STI? because it is more common to mount the brake levers under the bars, facing forward. Why do I use bullhorn bars on a bike without aerobars, now that I think about it I’m not sure, to avoid getting to comfortable? If Mavic could get its Zap shifters to work these questions would end. You could have shift buttons on the aero and bull horn bars!

Response:

As for the rear shifter this should be mounted on the aerobars in my opinion because you can remain aerodynamic whilst making smaller shifts.

In a recent conversation with a Tri-geek I was arguing that I rarely make any kind of shifts whilst on the aero-bars, and I make lots whilst on the bulls.  I may occasionally make some whilst aero, but it’s only about 4 inches to reach the shifter, and I can do it without altering my body position, or removing my elbow from the elbow pad.  I reckon this is better than the effort requried to change on the aeros whilst climbing, specially when you’re invariably trying to haul on the bars – quite hard if you have your hand off them to reach the aero-bars. Mind you, I AM a very weird person with an even weirder riding style/position, so don’t listen to a word I say…. Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, P O Box 913, DUNEDIN, AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND). e-mail:

Response:

  I think you’ve mixed up "big ears" and his trademark "woof" with   TriGit.  Both are antipodeans. Paul (big ears) goes woof and the   Git is a dog, so it’s understandable how you got it confused.   As for me? TriDork’s bark is worse than his bite. (fellow   antipodean too, just to confuse things further). Hmm .. No wonder my Ears are red.  I was being besmulched.  Oh well, now that I’ve picked up on this thread, I might as well settle this business about where you stick your shifters.         BOTH PLACES, THILLY. Ooooh .. that felt good. How?  Mavic ZAP. Yes, they may be techno geeky stuff, but the reality is:     You need to change gears in the aero AND non-aero position. I’ve had numerous comments from people about how smooth I am in changing gears – I ALWAYS appear to be in the right gear (except when I need to change rings – Geez I hate changing rings!!).  People seem to think I’ve been a roadie for years. Then my boosted ego takes a well deserved beating.  They find out that I’m using the ZAP system.  I make no bones about it.  They’re wonderful:     If I’m in the aero position – I WANT TO STAY THERE.     If I’m cranking up a hill, the last thing I want to do is risk a stupid     crash (or any semblance of rhythm) by stretching out to the aerobar tips. Arguments about _which_ position is best are superfluous, you need them in both places.  It’s amazing how fine gear tweaking when you’re aero can give you a break on others.  The same is the case when climbing. Take it from someone who’s only been seriously pedalling for three years. I only have one real bike (OK, and an MTB) – which is my training and racing vehicle. —   Woof! ™

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I think you’ve mixed up "big ears" and his trademark "woof" with   TriGit.  Both are antipodeans. Paul (big ears) goes woof and the   Git is a dog, so it’s understandable how you got it confused.   As for me? TriDork’s bark is worse than his bite. (fellow   antipodean too, just to confuse things further). Hmm .. No wonder my Ears are red.  I was being besmulched.  Oh well, now that I’ve picked up on this thread, I might as well settle this business about where you stick your shifters.         BOTH PLACES, THILLY. Ooooh .. that felt good. How?  Mavic ZAP.

. . .   Woof! ™

My humblest and sincerest apologies to Tri-Git, Tritanium Man and TriDork.  I’ve studied the posts, the sigs, the handles and what-not and I think I’ve finally got it straight:  you’re all insane! ;] If I had realized that W__f! was trademarked, officially or unofficially, I certainly would have obtained permission, and even paid royalties before barking out of turn.  This simply out of respect for Paul.  However, on the flip side, a 1k/40k/10k will forever be known, and refered to, by me as an Olympic distance triathlon. As for Paul’s ZAPs, I thought Mavic stopped production of them because of a slough of reliability problems?  I thought they sounded like the best thing since index shifting and was slobbering and salivating about getting some until I read lots of bad press about them.  Please explain. —    Stacy J. Hills    Code 8222, Bldg 116                  Phone: (401) 841-4504    Naval Undersea Warfare Center        FAX:   (401) 841-2223    Newport, RI 02841                    DSN:   948-4504

Response:

OK, so in a psot asking if anyone had a set of bar-end shifters for sale, I expounded the virtues of having said bar-end shifters (hencewith known as BES) on the ends of one’s BULL-HORNS (anyone wincing?).  The whole point of the post was to obtain a set of BES, but I had a tete-a-tete with someone on the newsgroup (who shall remain nameless, called Roxanne) who felt quite strongly (in much the same way as she smells ) that the place for the wee wangery things was on the end of her aero-bars – presumably the bar-end shifters should go there too. After some heated debate, and some juvenile quibbling over semantics, a few literary left-hooks and a super-whammy-styled in-your-face upper-cut, we came to no conclusion cos we started talking about something else which was actually intersting. ANYWAY…she pointed out that there would unlikely be further debate on RST on this point, cos the subject (ie WTB) was not one everyone would read.  Mebbe this one isn’t either.  Who knows? I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.  There, I’ve said it… Anyone care to share their prejudices in this respect? Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, P O Box 913, DUNEDIN, AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND). e-mail:

Response:

I reckon that you could put your bar end shifter for your front shifter on the end of your "bull horn" bars.  How often do you need to shift when in or out of your big ring whilst in the aero position?  Often you want to make this shift when cresting a hill – it would be easier to do this with the shifter on the end of a bull horn?   As for the rear shifter this should be mounted on the aerobars in my opinion because you can remain aerodynamic whilst making smaller shifts. Grant Schofield QLD, Australia

Response:

Myles Not to add more confusion to this discussion, but i am presently installing a  set of syntace bullhorns and clip on aero bars to my bike, and as analternative i will be using mt bike above bar thumb shifters and mounting them on the aerobars. These are much cheaper then the bar end alternative, and they also have the advantage of being able to place them anywhere on the bars. TriRef

Response:

I reckon that you could put your bar end shifter for your front shifter on the end of your "bull horn" bars.  How often do you need to shift when in or out of your big ring whilst in the aero position?  Often you want to make this shift when cresting a hill – it would be easier to do this with the shifter on the end of a bull horn?   As for the rear shifter this should be mounted on the aerobars in my opinion because you can remain aerodynamic whilst making smaller shifts. Grant Schofield QLD, Australia

I have seen this setup on Ray Browning’s bike.  He has the rear shifter on the aero bars and the front shifter on the down tube. This makes more sense than putting it on the end of a bullhorn. Regards, Carlos Torres de Navarra

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, so in a psot asking if anyone had a set of bar-end shifters for sale, I expounded the virtues of having said bar-end shifters (hencewith known as BES) on the ends of one’s BULL-HORNS (anyone wincing?).  The whole point of the post was to obtain a set of BES, but I had a tete-a-tete with someone on the newsgroup (who shall remain nameless, called Roxanne) who felt quite strongly (in much the same way as she smells ) that the place for the wee wangery things was on the end of her aero-bars – presumably the bar-end shifters should go there too. After some heated debate, and some juvenile quibbling over semantics, a few literary left-hooks and a super-whammy-styled in-your-face upper-cut, we came to no conclusion cos we started talking about something else which was actually intersting. ANYWAY…she pointed out that there would unlikely be further debate on RST on this point, cos the subject (ie WTB) was not one everyone would read.  Mebbe this one isn’t either.  Who knows? I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.  There, I’ve said it… Anyone care to share their prejudices in this respect? Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, P O Box 913, DUNEDIN, AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND). e-mail:

Wait a minute!!!  What happened to the Woof!  Wasn’t there supposed to be a big Woof! in there somewhere.  Maybe I’ve got Tri-Git mixed up with someone else which wouldn’t surprise me since everyone seems to be jumping on this Tri-something handle bandwagon. Seriously, my new bike has GripShift on the ends of my Profile AirStrykes while my old bike had bar-end shifters at the end of my one piece aerobar. I like the airStryke/bullhorn combo much better than the one-piece, but I like the Gripshifts less than the barend shifters.  This is mainly because of the long throw on the the gripshift which I’ve been told has been fixed in subsequent models(really helps me, doesn’t it).  With all the work it takes me to shift with the gripshift, I can’t imagine having barends on the bullhorns would upset thing anymore than they already are. While I’m talking about gripshift, I have seen something called a barrel worm(or something worm, or worm something) in the mail order catalogs that’s supposed to go with the gripshift system but they don’t say what it’s for.  Is this supposed to be a retrofit to fix the above problems? Woof! —    Stacy J. Hills    Code 8222, Bldg 116                  Phone: (401) 841-4504    Naval Undersea Warfare Center        FAX:   (401) 841-2223    Newport, RI 02841                    DSN:   948-4504

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I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.  Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn, Wait a minute!!!  What happened to the Woof!  Wasn’t there supposed to be a big Woof! in there somewhere.  Maybe I’ve got Tri-Git mixed up with someone else which wouldn’t surprise me since everyone seems to be jumping on this Tri-something handle bandwagon. Woof!   Stacy J. Hills

I think you’ve mixed up "big ears" and his trademark "woof" with TriGit.  Both are antipodeans. Paul (big ears) goes woof and the Git is a dog, so it’s understandable how you got it confused. As for me? TriDork’s bark is worse than his bite. (fellow antipodean too, just to confuse things further). TriDork p.s.   GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

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While I’m talking about gripshift, I have seen something called a barrel worm(or something worm, or worm something) in the mail order catalogs that’s supposed to go with the gripshift system but they don’t say what it’s for.  Is this supposed to be a retrofit to fix the above problems? Woof!    Stacy J. Hills

Gripshift makes this contraption called a Bass Worm that is fitted onto the rear cable guide to allow for smoother shifting.   I was experiencing sloppy shifting with my bar ends, and the Bass Worm attachment smoothed it out completely.  The device also helps prolong the life of the cable because it encases it in some kind of rubber tubing.  Sorry for the lack of a clear description, but this thing isn’t that easy to describe.  It really does not look like much but it works. Regards, Carlos Torres de Navarra Coral Gables, Florida

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While I’m talking about gripshift, I have seen something called a barrel worm(or something worm, or worm something) in the mail order catalogs that’s supposed to go with the gripshift system but they don’t say what it’s for.  Is this supposed to be a retrofit to fix the above problems? Woof! —

   Bassworm.    It’s a spring device that fits  the derailleur cable housing & the chainstay. Seems intended for an unfamiliar mtn bike problem, but I don’t think it makes any change in the amount of throw/rotation of the shift knob required to make a shift.    You’re thinking of Paul (Cheers-Big-Ears [Myles taught me that], itu-suspecting, hair-trigger, don’t-make-me-get-up, bite-the-hand-that-doesn’t-feed-ME, don’t-even-think-about-evading-the-issue, Tritanium Man, zero-tolerance-for-bullshit) Menon.    Spoink! [Sound of monitor turning off] Kurian Davis

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I have Grip Shifters on the end of my aerobars.  They are placed so that they are in my hands while I’m in the aero position.  Since I try to stay aero as much as possible, even when climbing all but the most severe hills, the shifters are exactly where I need them.  However, shifting is a problem when I’m riding in the drops- I tend to weave all over the road as I STRRRRETCH to shift.

That’s what I wanted to avoid, specially when I tend to only shift when I’m on the horns – never really WANT to on the aeros….which brings me to an interesting convo I had with another Tri geek, to the extent that I have a completely different riding style to everyone else – I tend to get out of the saddle and hammer up medium hills in the same gear I was in on the flat.  I think the way I have my bike set up allows me to do that without rooting my legs for the run.  Who knows. The only bullhorns that I have are hanging on my wall and actually came from a bull.  I don’t think that putting bar end shifters on them would do me any good unless I could find a stem large enough to mount them on my bike.

I have a spare skull you could use….then all you’d need is footpegs… Cameron

Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn, Dept of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, P O Box 913, DUNEDIN, AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND). e-mail:

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I have Grip Shifters on the end of my aerobars.  They are placed so that they are in my hands while I’m in the aero position.  Since I try to stay aero as much as possible, even when climbing all but the most severe hills, the shifters are exactly where I need them.  However, shifting is a problem when I’m riding in the drops- I tend to weave all over the road as I STRRRRETCH to shift. The only bullhorns that I have are hanging on my wall and actually came from a bull.  I don’t think that putting bar end shifters on them would do me any good unless I could find a stem large enough to mount them on my bike. Cameron

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Tri-Git, aka Myles Cockburn,writes: I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.  There, I’ve

said it… Myles, Myles, Myles, you troublemaker you! The idea of bar end shifters is to keep you in the aero position. If you want to shift from the bull horns, use STI. Much more effective. When you on your bullhorns, which should be rarely, you can easily reach up to the BES on the aero bars and make a change. Roxanne is right! (Of course she is, since we both have the same new bike and new setup, and everyone knows that people who have just bought a new bike are always dead certain they have the perfect item.) Brian Sullivan

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someone on the newsgroup (who shall remain nameless, called Roxanne) who felt quite strongly that the place for the wee wangery things was on the end of her aero-bars – pres=

umably the bar-end shifters should go there too. ANYWAY… I WANT TO PUT MY BES ON THE END OF MY BULL-HORNS.  Nyah.  There, I’ve said it… Anyone care to share their prejudices in this respect?

Well, the roadies I cycle with almost dis-owned me when I put bar end shifters on the ends of my aero bars. But why the hell would you want to put them on the end of you "bull-horns", (which is I assume US-talk for handlebars. Bull horns is a really confusing term, because if your talking say OX,Bision,Sheep horns, then sure, they look like handlebars. But antelope,deer,elk,bull horns look more like aero bars to me.) But surely there are only two choices: STI or bar-end shifters on your areo bars. Ok, STI is the way to go if your cycling in traffic, want to win bunch sprints, or be King of the mountain. But put them on the end of your areo bars, then when your racing, down on the bars, the wee wangery things are right in your hands – hey presto!, tri-version of STI! How often do you brake in a 1/2 IM? Twice? How often do you change gears? Heaps. So put the levers where your hands are. Richard no handle, no sig….

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Question:

Yes there is a duathlon at Caesar’s Creek State Park on April 21 – distance is 2m/20m/20m.   The two runs are rolling hills; the 20m bike is pretty hilly.  It is put on by Health and Fitness Promotions, the same people who do the Powerbar Challenge Series all summer long in Ohio.   You can find their number in the race calendar of Triathlete.

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Try e-mailing Shannon Kurek (the director of the powerbar races) for more info.  The Health and Fitness races I’ve done in the past have been extraordinarily well run and at a good price too.

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Anyone know of Duatholons being held in or close to Central Ohio in March or April of this year? Thanks!

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Question:

I noticed that Bill Katovsky is no longer listed as Editor-in-Chief.  For that matter, nobody is.  Anybody got the poop on what happened and on who Triathlete’s next illustrious leader will be? Cory H.

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<<I noticed that Bill Katovsky is no longer listed as Editor-in-Chief.  For <<that matter, nobody is.  Anybody got the poop on what happened and on who <<Triathlete’s next illustrious leader will be? there is no current editor-in-chief.  i think the magazine looks good this issue, the writing is well-crafted, and the colors, printing, and layout are nice.  nice art direction.  but the person on the masthead with a historical perspective on the sport is missing.  and the longer one has been in the sport, i think the more painfully missing this is. qrMAN

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Hey QRman, I’ll bet you like the layout and art direction, what with Spencer gleefully clutching his Kilo splashed all over the cover! Dr. Todd N. Kenyon Key Biscayne, FL

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<<Hey QRman, << <<I’ll bet you like the layout and art direction, what with Spencer <<gleefully clutching his Kilo splashed all over the cover! I like the outside, have a few problems with the inside. QRman

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<<I noticed that Bill Katovsky is no longer listed as Editor-in-Chief.  For <<that matter, nobody is.  Anybody got the poop on what happened and on who <<Triathlete’s next illustrious leader will be? there is no current editor-in-chief.  i think the magazine looks good this issue, the writing is well-crafted, and the colors, printing, and layout are nice.  nice art direction.  but the person on the masthead with a historical perspective on the sport is missing.  and the longer one has been in the sport, i think the more painfully missing this is. qrMAN

Not to mention the Quintana Roo Kilo on the cover!!!!!!!

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