OiPolloi's Group - FULL (Page 3)

For the Money I think version #1 would be best.  I've heard the same info regarding installing short bars to road geometry.  I've seen a lot of people ride with those exact bars.  The second option looks like they'd work too, but I'm not sure...plus they're $100 more.

If you're not in a hurry to buy, and want more info, you should post this question in the Gear forum.  Maybe someone out there has use them and has a better recommendation.

hanson1427 - 2007-01-11 5:25 AM Thanks, At least my wife will be glad one of us looked at the price! Now to find some. Any recommendations for online bike shopping sites. I think I have heard of performance bikes. Is there like a 'big-3' that you mostly look at. Thanks yet again. Ryan

You're welcome Ryan.

The "big 4" I shop from are....
1) Performance Bike
2) Nashbar
3) Colorado Cyclist
4) All3Sports (triathlon gear store)

I've shopped at all four stores for years.  All of them are reputable and honest.

Happy shopping!

Maia mentioned in her training log that she is suffering a little knee pain and thinks it might be related to a bike FIT issue.

Here's a few basic things to look at regarding proper bike fit...

Saddle Height:  When seated properly on the saddle your downward stretched leg (pedals should be in 6 & 12 o'clock position) should be ALMOST straight, but with a small bend.  If you unclip your foot and place the HEAL of your foot on the pedal Spindle your leg should be straight.  Your body should not tilt to one side or another.

Saddle Fore & Aft:  With your cranks in the 3 and 9 o'clock position the middle of your forward knee bone should be plumb with the spindle of your pedal.

For more details Google "bike fit" or visit this web site.

Note:  Poor bike fit is the #1 cause of knee pain.  So if you're feeling anything out of the ordinary in your knees, get it fixed immediately before it becomes a real problem.

Wow Jason.  That is powerful.  Sounds like an amazing man.

God rest his soul.

Great stuff Lesley Ann!  Thanks for sharing.  Sounds like you found a good group and a great swim coach.

I'm going to visit the web sites you posted and see how they differ from the T.I. dvd I have.  Sounds like what you experienced and T.I. have a lot in common.

Great work!

I like the idea of putting a face to a name, but I'm the same way...I'm a bit shy about plastering my face on the internet.  The best you'll get from me are the photos I have in my Album area on BT. 

Now, how about everyone else either post photos in this thread or place some in your personal Album.

Guess what! It's almost the end of January. Well, one week left on Wednesday. 

So...what happened to the picture idea? Does getting dressed up in a funny costume count?

We might have talked about this already, but who on here has yet to do their first race? For the experienced folks - any memories to share about your first race (what not to freak out about, what not to forget, registration issues, yada, yada)?

I've been doing a lot of bike shopping recently. Well not really shopping because I haven't bought anything yet. But almost everyone tells me about falling on a ride. One friend told me about how her feet came right out of her shoes as they stayed attached to the pedals! I don't mind falling. I used to play rugby and I'm quite friendly with the ground, but going at HIGH SPEEDS?! My question is, is it guaranteed...this falling business?

Hi Maia,
Yes!  February is right around the corner and Spring is soon to follow.  This is a good time to get your MIND as well as your body for your season of Triathlon.  This was a very good topic to start Maia, so I'll be the first to share my experience.

First race:  It was a Sprint distance (pool swim) triathlon.  Although I had trained quite a bit in all three disciplines, I had not yet learned how to swim very well.  As the race grew nearer I realized there's a chance I won't be able to swim the entire 500 yards so I practiced "pool running" as a recovery option, if on race day I panic and can't swim the entire distance.  I'd rather "run" in the pool than stand at the end gasping for air and burning time.  So race day came.  I was all ready to go.  My heat started at around 7:10 AM.  I got in my lane of the pool and BANG the gun sounded.  The first length went fine, but I wasn't relaxed or breathing.  On the return length I started sucking in water.  As I turned for the second of 10 laps I ran out of air and had to stand up.  I began "pool running" with short bursts of strokes in between.  This was good enough to get me through the swim portion and even lap my lane partner.

Out of the pool and onto my bike.  PAYBACK Time!  I hammered the bike portion, passing everyone in the field and even catching the "Competitive" group, which started ahead of us Age Groupers.  After the bike and onto the run I did OK, but suffered calf cramps about one mile into it.  They eventually subsided and I continued on and finished.  My finish time was around 1:24, which put me in First Place in the AG'ers (age groupers) category.  My first podium finish! 

What I learned?  Practice as you race.  Always have a back-up plan in place, as I did for the swim.  That way if things don't go as planned you aren't left stranded or giving up.  You can never do too many Run-to-Bike Bricks.  When I trained for the rest of my triathlons I always followed a Bike day with a short run.  Even if its just a mile.  During the other races I've done I passed a lot of people who were cramping and limping after the bike-to-run transition (T2). 

What not to forget?  Practice your T1 and T2 transitions during your training.  Have your bike helmet, sunglasses, gloves, etc all laid out when you start your ride.  And, have your running shoes, water, gel, etc laid out as you will in your TA (Transition Area).  Believe me, a lot of people don't think through or practice their transitions as much as they should, and you can always pick these people out of the crowd.  I've seen people do the Run portion of a triathlon with their bike helmet on, OR take off running without their Race Number, only to have to turn around and go back and get it.  Rules are that you can't finish the race without your number.....and, what you leave the transition area with you must keep with you.  You can't toss anything away during the race or hand off to anyone else.

Falling from the Bike:  Yep.  Everyone has to have at least ONE minor crash.  Typically its when you first learn to use Clipless Pedals.  You pull up to a stop sign and go to put your foot down but forget to "twist" the foot out and BAM....you go down.  Bruised Ego is all.  Falling at Speed is uncommon.  Just don't get close enough to other riders that you risk brushing their wheel.

Pictures:  Funny costume or not, it would be nice to put a face with the names.  Either post the pics here in this forum or in your personal Album.  You can see my ugly mug in my album. (race photos from my ironman).

Hello everyone!

Great first tri story! Pool running seem like a good technique. Wonder if there's ocean running...  Think anyone's cheated on a tri by scuba-ing under everyone? LOL

Questions:
*I've heard rumors that we can't use headphones like mp3s in tris. True/false?\
*There's a biathlon (swim-run) March 4. The full distance is 1.5K swim 10K run. I'm pretty confident about the swim, but I haven't done a 10K yet since I just started training a few weeks ago. There is also a Sprint distance 750m swim and 5K run (but no finishers medal ). I want to finish comfortably but don't want to feel like I should have done more. I'm really bad at telling how long it takes to train for something. The event is 5 weeks away and registration ends on 11 Feb. What do you guys think?

First of all, thanks for burning my retinas with that bright green type-font. 

You are right.  Headphones, MP3 players etc are all strictly prohibited in all races, particularly in triathlon or cycling events.  The general rule for ALL group events is No headphones, even in marathons or shorter foot races.  There might not actualy be stipulated rules against wearing headphones in a foot race, but its just common courtesy not to wear music while competing.  In the USAT guide book it spells out the "laws" against wearing such devices.  Exact quote: No headsets, radio and/or headphones are allowed as per Section 3.4(1) of USAT Competitive Rules.

I think the 10k run is well within your reach Maia and think you could do the 1.5k / 10k biathlon.  Since you're such a strong simmer already I would cut back your swim focus and increase your LSD (long slow distance) Run.  5 weeks is plenty of time to get your run distance up to a 10k, even if you follow the 10% rule, which is not to increase your weakly LSD by more than 10%. 

Suggested training:  Do four Runs a week at Pace.  See below....
Week #1: 2- 5k @ pace.  1- 4k Intervals.  1- 6k LSD.
Week #2: 2- 5k @ pace.  1- 4k Intervals.  1- 7k LSD.
Week #3: 2- 6k @ pace.  1- 4k Intervals.  1- 8k LSD.
Week #4: 2- 6k @ pace.  1- 5k Intervals.  1- 9k LSD.
Week #5: 2- 7k @ pace.  1- 5k Intervals.  1- 7k LSD. Rest 1-2days, then race.

The day of the race watch your time splits and shoot for negative splits on the second 5k portion.  This will reserve your effort so that you finish strong.

How does that sound? 

Ah ha!  Our group IS alive!.....or at least some of us are.  Thanks for sparking the fire under group OiPolloi.

To answer you question about aero bars and "real tri bikes".  First of all, ANY bike you do a triathlon with is a REAL triathlon bike.   But I know what you're saying.  There's a physical and physiological benefit about riding in an Aero position.  First and foremost it places your body in a more aggressive posture that utilizes a different muscle group than straight up road or mtb riding position.  This position saves your legs for the run.  Secondly, the aero position is just that, Aero.  In this position you expose less of your body to wind.

Drawbacks of Aero:  If you're new to riding aero, practice as much as you can before you enter a race.  You basically stear with your elbows, which is a whole new feeling.  It takes a while to get used to.  If you're not properly set up in the aero position then its going to be painful.  Painful on your neck, shoulders, back and BUTT.  A proper fit and you'll be more comfy than in a road position.

Adding aero-bars to a road bike:  Not a problem.  You may have to make adjustments to your saddle angle, height, fore/aft.  Ideally you should have a qualified person adjust your Fit after adding aero bars.

What to buy:  Whatever is in your budget.  Profile Design makes a few different types of bars and are usually less expensive than other manufacturers.

Good to see the group up and around.

Everyone sound off!  Let me know how you're doing

I'm here I'm here I'm here!!!

Ahhh...I've seriously been slacking on the training this week. Not because I've been lazy, but because I'm so BUSY! The gym closes at around 10pm and I usually get home between 9 and 10 so it's a tight squeeze. I'm going to have to find ways to train without the gym. BUT I did get my BIIIIIKEEE!!! I was so determined about giving it a custom paint job. I figured I'd take it across the border to Malaysia and get it done cheap. Apparently it's quite expensive. Well I don't know how much it costs if I brought it myself, but if I go through a bike shop it's a few hundred dollars. I wanted to paint on some cherry blossoms in black. Oh well. I'm just going to practice by decorating my water bottles. I will post pictures as soon as I get the chance. Hopefully after I go for a ride this weekend so you can see how pretty the bike is in the sunlight! It's a metallic aqua frame with black wheels, handlebars, and seat.

It was so funny riding around on it for the first time in the parking lot. It's soooo different from the bikes I've riden. Super light and ... sensitive? I felt a little unstable on it and my toes just barely touch the ground when I stop so I'll have to be careful with that. The guy who made it buys the parts directly from the manufacturer in Taiwain (the same parts that get sent over to the US/Europe to be branded, sent to Singapore, then sold at many many times the price) and puts it together for you exactly as you want it. I decided to get an aluminum frame, carbon fork, and a Shimano Ultegra groupset. It's a Fusion bike. I think the website is www.fusioncycle.com

I'm so excited to get out there again! I met up with a woman from the Singapore Women's Cycling Team and she's going to be my buddy for a morning ride on Saturday. Hopefully I won't wipe out!!

Maia,
Congratulations on the new bike purchase.  I can't wait to see what it looks like.

Describing the feel of the bike as "sensitive" is accurate.  Road bikes, with their narrow tires and steep angles do make the feel very sensitive.

When does the weather in your area allow you to get outside and train?

It has started to slow down with the rain so I'm going to try to get out and train on the bike.

I signed up for my first event. It's a sprint distance biathlon on March 4. The first tri is in April, but I'm not sure if I can make it because I'll be traveling.

So....I decided to ride my bike around the parking garage last night to get a feel for it. A few questions for you bike experienced folk:

*My elbows and palms (thumb area) ache from the pressure put on them. Am I not sitting right? Is the fit not right? Is this normal and I just have to get used to it?
*I was riding up the ramps of the parking garage and had some problems with shifting. If I shifted into the lowest (ehh...the biggest ring on the back wheel) gear the chain would pop off. I figured out that to avoid that I need to shift to the smaller ring on the cranks before reaching the lowest gear. Then when coming out of the hill if I don't shift to a higher gear before changing to the bigger ring on the cranks the chain would come off too. Is this normal and I just have to learn to shift correctly? Do I need to somehow tune the shifting mechanism?

That's all for now. Yah, where did everyone go!? We should make an oipolloi tri group logo. Heheh.

gentle_storm - 2007-02-17 12:53 AM OK. I think I finally figured out how to get a picture on here. This is me and my husband. I don't have any digital pics of us sporting any gear .

Try again!