Another closet beginner - Metro Detroit, MI area

Welcome to BT!!! 

Sounds like with your other interests you are definitely nuts enough to do a Tri and you'll fit in well at BT. 

I'm brand new to the sport too, started training for a 5k last summer and then a sprint tri program in December.  You'll be amazed at how fast you build up your endurance and performance by following a plan.  Use your logs on here, you'll get lots of inspires, and you'll be able to track your performance. 

As for a bike, if you do decide to get one (I did) go with a road bike to start.  Everyone I knew into tri's steered me away from a tri bike as a newbie.  So did all the local bike stores.  With a road bike you can ride better in groups and have better control of your bike (brakes, balance, etc).  You can always just put slick tires on your mountain bike for your first 1 or 2 races if you aren't sure about the purchase.

Other's might disagree, but that's the advice I got when I purchased.  If I start doing HIM or IM races then a Tri bike might be more appropriate. 

Cheers and welcome aboard!!!

Well with the mountain bike, you can get outside a little bit earlier, and not have to worry so much about all the crap left on the streets when the snow starts to melt away.

 I have an old hybrid and plan to upgrade some of the components like peddles, gears, etc...  I told myself if I do the first few tri's of the summer then I will invest in something more before the last one in September.  That way I will have time to play with it before the snow hits, and will know that it will not just be another relic in the garage.

Heck, I could do it on a tricycle and my times probably would not change that much.  Not now anyway.

Now the question is, how do I go to the LBS to buy components and NOT walk out with a brand new bike?

Good Luck on your new "crazy" hobby.

Welcome to BT!!!  Glad you're taking the plunge into tri; and good luck trying to hide the training from your family for a couple months. Heh.

I'm also from MI, Detroit area...we've got a pretty active crew in Michigan, especially when race season cranks up.  There are some fantastic events locally, especially for first timers (look into Big Fish, it's a perfect 'first tri' race).  We also get together for training when schedules work for us, sometimes at Stony, Kensington, or Pinckney...keep your eye on the Michigan forum for specifics!!

Enjoy the swimming at LTF, too...it's a life saver in the cold temperatures.  I'm there 5 times a week - or more - til it thaws.  Hope you have fun digesting all the knowledge on the site...best of luck throwing together a plan, and beginning a lifetime of tri-gear accumulation.   

welcome to bt!

i did motor city as my first tri last year and rode my mountain bike. i didn't get a new bike until last week because i wanted to make sure that i was really into the tri thing. and there were a lot of people on mountain bikes at motor city! if you decide to stay with the mountain bike, just put some road tires on it. it will help speed and costs very little!