| Without a doubt the bike-equipment you choose can | | | | out with. Its VERY important to have the tension set |
| greatly influence the outcome of your first Ironman | | | | just right. You want to be able to get into them |
| Triathlon. | | | | easily, yet not have your foot snap out at the worst |
| However, don't believe for a moment that the more | | | | possible time.(Like climbing a hill for instance). If you |
| expensive the bike, the easier and faster your bike | | | | ski, its sort of the same idea as ski bindings. Just |
| split will be. The most important factor--and one that | | | | keep experimenting with it until you have to give |
| is often overlooked--is having the bike you choose | | | | your ankle a fairly quick, sharp twist for your shoe to |
| sized just for you. Most bike outlets will supply this | | | | come away from the pedal. That way you know its |
| service. I just can't stress how important this is. A | | | | not set to loose. Also, make sure the bike has |
| proper fit means you will be getting full use of the | | | | forward momentum when twisting out of the pedal. |
| proper muscle groups and will have a smooth, circular | | | | If you are almost stopped you could fall right over. |
| pedal stroke. Most importantly, it can make for a | | | | BOTTLE CAGES-Personally, I carry 4 water bottles. |
| much more comfortable transition into the run. | | | | One inside the handlebars with a flexible plastic straw |
| Also, when you consider it, there's not much point in | | | | so I can drink without removing the bottle, one in the |
| spending thousands of dollars more for a bike | | | | standard position on the frame, and a two bottle |
| because it is a pound or two lighter when you're | | | | cage behind the seat. The water bottle on the frame |
| going to be packing five pounds of water and food | | | | and the two behind the seat were for my |
| on it for the race. For your first Ironman I would | | | | replacement drink...Gatorade etc. The bottle with the |
| suggest a good reliable mid-priced bike. You can | | | | plastic straw was water. It has a top that snaps |
| always upgrade if you choose to continue on with | | | | open, but stays attached and at aid stations I can |
| the sport in the following years. | | | | just refill it with water if needed. When I wanted a |
| Here's something to think about. In 1984, on a | | | | replacement drink, I would take it from the bottle on |
| brutally hot and windy day during the Kona Ironman, | | | | the bike frame. When it was empty I would switch it |
| there were two cyclists under the 5 hour mark. Dave | | | | with a full bottle from behind the seat. If I thought I |
| Scott was 5:11 and went on to run a 2:53 marathon | | | | would need more than three bottles of my |
| and ultimately won the race. My point is, pretty well | | | | replacement drink, I would leave one or two at the |
| any mid-range priced bike you buy will be 10 times | | | | special needs station. |
| better than what these guys raced on that day. | | | | ***If what you normally use for a replacement drink |
| Think about it. Aerobars would have been HUGE that | | | | is being supplied on the race course, then you can do |
| day. There was no such thing. Everyone had the old | | | | away with the two bottles behind your seat and just |
| toe clips. The bikes were MUCH heavier. The tires | | | | keep changing the bottle on the bike frame at the |
| were nowhere near as good as we can get now. | | | | aid stations. Most of the time it was garorade or |
| There is just no comparison. | | | | something else I didn't use and I would just bring my |
| Ultimately your training and overall preparation---your | | | | own. |
| athletic ability, and your courage are equally important | | | | HELMET-You can't race without one, so just find one |
| ingredients to a successful Ironman bike ride. | | | | that is comfortable, fits you well, and meets all |
| Its about more than just the bike. | | | | safety standards. Remember, if its too loose, it will |
| PROFILE BARS- I don't believe they've invented an | | | | fall over your eyes when you lean forward into the |
| Ironman race yet that has no wind. Profile bars are a | | | | profile position and that will drive you crazy. Also |
| "must" to reduce wind resistance and conserve your | | | | make sure it can be done up and undone easily. |
| energy for the upcoming marathon. If possible, try | | | | SUNGLASSES-This is one piece of bike-equipment |
| and have your shift levers mounted at the very | | | | you MUST have for your Ironman training and racing. |
| front of your profile bars where your hands meet. | | | | And I don't really care if they cost $2.99 or $299. |
| That way you're not sitting up or reaching down to | | | | Just make sure you wear sunglasses to protect your |
| shift gears. I have something called "swift shifters." | | | | eyes. Say you're going downhill at 40 mph. And the |
| They are just perfect for the Ironman bike leg. | | | | bee coming towards you is travelling 25 mph. when |
| CYCLE COMPUTER-Some bike computers have way | | | | he hits your unprotected eye. That could be REALLY, |
| too many functions. All you need is cadence, speed, | | | | REALLY SERIOUS!! Always wear sunglasses and a |
| and an odometer to tell how far you've gone. That | | | | helmet. Sun or not!! I found that yellow tinted |
| way you're not forever pushing buttons to find the | | | | sunglasses are excellent for overcast days. |
| proper setting. | | | | I can think of at least 8 or 10 times over the years |
| CLIPLESS PEDALS AND SHOES TO FIT-These were | | | | that something has hit my sunglasses hard enough to |
| just a great invention. They are so easy to get in | | | | do lots of damage if I my eyes were unprotected. |
| and out of and allow for a much smoother and more | | | | Hopefully these few tips will help you in your bike |
| economical pedal stroke than the old clips we started | | | | equipment choices. |