A few questions from a NEWBIE

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Ok I will admit I am embarrassed to announce that I am riding a bike made by GMC but it does me great for riding 40 miles on the weekends. The gears on the handlebars bother me, the size of the wheels bother me and the fact the bar scoops down resulting in me only being able to get one small water bottle in there bothers me. When I bought it I didn't have a lot of money and I just desperately wanted a road bike. Guess we all need to start somewhere, right?

Oh actually I did my 1st tri this past Sunday. It was indoors though but FUN!

Whoops!  Congrats!! 

No worries!! I'm sure outdoor is VERY different. IE I didn't get kicked arse from elbow in the pool

Greetings Neighbor

I too am a newbie, not even doing my first tri until this fall (unless I just cant wait any longer) so dont really have any advice. I've been kinda looking at lake temps on line though, and I think you will be wanting a wetsuit (lake Wa hardly ever gets above about 68).

As for a bike, I've purchased from Bicylces West and Greggs and think either would find the right bike without breaking the bank.

What tri are you doing in Aug? Im doing Kirkland in Sep.
shane

I'll give you my two cents! Given this is your first triathlon, your first objective is to just go out and have lots of FUN! Just enjoy it! Be prepared to laugh .... at others and yourself.....I know I did as I fell over in the transition area trying to get out of my wetsuit.

I will go off of the first week's focus of a triathlon plan I'm on. During the first week, the plan provides an assignment to learn as much about the triathlon course as much as possible. It may answer many of your questions.

1) Wetsuit or not?: I'm guessing that your triathlon is in your home state of Washington. If it is an ocean swim, the water may be a little cool given the ocean currents. If it is in a lake, it may be cool due to the source of the water (mountain snow melt or mountain springs). Water typically below 70 degrees maybe wetsuit worthy or recommended.

2) Current bike or upgrading? Try your bike out on the bike course. Test it out. If you are comfortable on your bike, then don't lay out gobs of money. My local bike shop owner actually refused to sell me a high end bike in case that it ended up as wall decoration in the garage. You can always upgrade later was his response. (I did upgrade ..... three bikes ago!)

If you finally decide that you need a new bike, you can get many solid performance bikes for $1000 or less. GIANT has a nice bike line (OCRs) that begin at the $700 range. BUT, biggest recommendation before you buy a bike, test ride as many bikes as possible. OCRs worked for me as my first bike, but they may not be a good fit for you.

Good Luck and HAPPY triathlon racing!

Unless you are part penguin or polar bear, you need a wetsuit. My first triathlon (Issaquah, May 2003) was my first experience with open water swimming in Washington. Even with a wetsuit (and 99/100 were wearing wetsuits), I could hardly breath in the 65 degree water. You can rent if you can't afford to buy just yet.

My first bike was a $950 2001 Trek 1500 road bike. Tiagra components, aluminum frame. I had 2700 good miles on that bike, including four triathlons. There are many good bikes in that price range, and a few good ones cheaper.

Edited by brucemorgan 2007-04-25 1:00 AM

Hello there. I'm doing the Danskin Women's Tri. I didn't get to do it last year as I injured my back. I'm also considering doing the Federal Escape in July. It's run by the same people that organized my Sunday race.

Bicycles West is so close to me. I've just never gone in yet. I think I'll check it out this coming Saturday. Thank you!

Good luck to you.

Can you recommend somewhere I could rent? Please. I'd so appreciate that. Thanks again.

I believe Speedy Reedy in Seattle rents wetsuits. If not, they could probably recommend a shop that does.