4 Reasons Triathletes need a Road Bike

I'm of the belief that you can never have too many bikes.  A quick look around our garage is evidence of that.   If you are familiar with The Rules, then you know the correct number of bikes one should own is always n+1.  If we had more room, I think there's a good chance we'd have more bikes.

When I started in multi-sport back in 2003, I bought a $500 used road bike.  It didn't quite fit me but it did the trick.  After a few races, I knew I wanted a triathlon bike (aka a TT bike).  Especially since I was planning on doing Ironman.  So after my first season of racing, I sold my $500 road bike and bought myself my first triathlon bike.  Ironically I didn't end up using that bike for my first Ironman, I ended up using a road bike with aerobars because I was totally freaked out about not having enough power to climb on my TT bike (I did Ironman Lake Placid).  Yup, after I bought that fancy new TT bike, I ended up buying ANOTHER road bike about 6 months later.   Do you see a pattern here?

I kept that road bike until 2015 when I sold it.  I put a LOT of kms on that bike.  I looked forward to riding it at the end of every triathlon season.  It signified riding for the sake of enjoyment vs. having to ride with a specific purpose.  I purchased another road bike just before I sold that one.  It may surprise you to know that I do about 70% of all my riding on that bike.   Yup, 70%.   I'm chalking that up to riding with a cycling club, although I've done a fair bit of indoor riding on it as well.

So, why do I think you need to hang on to that road bike?

1.  Position.  The geometry on a road bike is much more upright than a TT bike.  Spending all that time in aero (forward flexion) isn't always the best if you have any sort of lower back or neck issues.  

2.  Bike handling skills.  Yes, TT bikes are meant to go fast in a straight line but that doesn't mean you should neglect learning how to ride a bike.  In my experience, better bike handling skills generally equals more confidence on the bike.  This can translate to faster bike times simply because you're not afraid to descend, or you don't need to unclip to turn around a pylon in a race.  Road bike geometry allows for much better handling across the board from cornering to climbing.

3.  Develop better all around leg strength.   TT bikes put you in a more aggressive, forward position.  So you are situated on the nose of your saddle vs. sitting ON your saddle.  This changes the angle of your hips into a more quad dominant position.  That's not to say that you're not using your hamstrings BUT, one of the important things on a TT bike (aside from aerodynamics) is to help save your legs for the run.  By utilizing your quads more, you "save" your hamstrings for the work they're going to have to do on the run.  On a road bike, because you're in a more seated position and your hip angle isn't as closed in, you will effectively use more of your leg muscles while riding.

4.  Safer to ride in groups.  See #2.   Because road bikes handle better and lack aerobars, they are much better suited to group riding.  And when I say group riding, I mean riding in a pack.  I know most triathletes don't ride in a pack but we do ride in groups, especially in the off season.  Have you ever tried drafting off someone in a group ride on a TT bike?  I did once and it was terrifying.  on my road bike, I can ride beside someone comfortably and not feel like I'm going to swerve into them if I take my hands off my handle bars.  There is a reason most cycling clubs don't allow TT bikes on club rides.

So all of you folks that are thinking about getting rid of your road bike when you upgrade to a TT bike, you may want to think twice.  Your trusty road bike deserves just as much love as your shiny new TT bike.

~ Coach PK

2016: Year of the Bike

As a triathlete, most of the time I train with other triathletes, especially when it comes to riding.  Pack riding was something that didn't really appeal to me, mainly because in a race, you can't draft so why on earth would you train like that?  It should be just you and the open road.  Right? 

I have since learned the error of my ways.  Thanks to the suggestion of my wonderful husband (who is right more often than I give him credit for),  I have finally seen the light.  I wanted to improve my riding skills all around and that just wasn't happening on the trainer or on my weekend rides.  I had to get outside and ride with other people, specifically with other CYCLISTS.   4 years ago, in an effort to improve my running, I joined a run group do to speed work, and it paid off in spades.  Running with a group wasn't a big leap for me.  It's just me and my feet on the road, chasing other people.  It was "safe".  Adding a bike to the mix meant adding a significant amount of speed, which I generally love, but preferably when I'm on my own and I don't have anyone around me.  I've watched the Grand Tours for years, I've seen what happens when people crash.  It's scary shit.  There is an element of trust that is necessary when riding in a pack.  It's a bit challenging when you don't know the people you're riding with.  All you can do is hope that they call out any obstacles or potholes and they know how to ride their bikes.  Communication is key.  This is something I've started to learn the more I've ridden.  Especially now that's it's pitch dark on our morning rides.  Call out everything.  Assume nothing.  I learned this on my first ride out with Morning Glory.  Roadies sometimes have the reputation of being somewhat elitist so I was a bit nervous that first ride but it was such a great experience that I joined the club the very next day.   The club is very inclusive and everyone has been very encouraging. 

I used to be skittish around other riders and would sit at the back of the pack. On my first few rides it was more because I couldn't keep up but the more I rode, the more I gained in speed and confidence.  While I'm nowhere near to being one of the stronger female riders in the group, I have improved in leaps and bounds and I am gradually climbing my way up the Strava standings.  I no longer hang out at the back of the pack.  I'm happy to get up in the middle of the pack and work to stay on someones wheel.  I'm actually able to hang on to several of the guys wheels now.  On the rare occasion, there have been a few guys that I have dragged around. 

I still have a ways to go in terms of my descending and cornering skills but those are improving exponentially.  I've learned to stop overthinking things and trust my bike and my gut.  I no longer ride the brakes around the more open turns.  I let the bike do it's thing.  I do have to remind myself to pedal so I'm not caught out when everyone else accelerates on their way out of the turn.  That's what I did today and I actually hung on to group 3 for 3 laps before I fell off the back on the last climb.  Hills are still my trouble spot but thanks to advice from my colleague and top notch rider, Tom Nesbitt, I am getting better at getting up them.  I am watching and learning and asking questions so I can put things into practice on my next ride.  I am in full on sponge mode, soaking up every ounce of knowledge I can.  Today's ride was proof that I am starting to see that next level that I was looking for.  It gives me huge amounts of hope and confidence that next year is going to be AWESOME.  Especially when I see things like this happen for the second time in the span of a week. 

I am still a relative newbie to all of this so I know I have a long way to go, but I'm really enjoying the journey.  There is something really special about these early morning gut busting sessions and I know I'll miss them come the winter months.  I'm going to have to up my Pain Cave game over the winter so when I emerge in the Spring, I'm that much stronger.  

While running still owns the top spot in my heart, cycling is now a very close second.  I think the fact that I'm wearing long funky socks and obsessing over bib shorts and matching jerseys is proof enough that I've drank the Kool Aid. 

Look out, 2016 is going to be the Year of the Bike.

The Changing of the Guard

Thursday night's chilly run workout was a smack in the face reminder that fall is just around the corner.  As if Starbucks ads for their infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte wasn't reminder enough...but I digress.  I'm making it sound like I hate fall.  While I'm always sad to see the end of summer, I really do love fall.  It has to be my favourite season.  G cringes when I say that.  He hates fall.  For him it means that winter is coming and he really hates winter, as do I.   Guess we should probably think about living elsewhere, ha ha.  Maybe one day. Who knows.

While I'm not always a fan of the cooler temps and chilly mornings, I do love the change in the quality of the air in the fall.  I feel like I can breathe better and my body just seems to perform more efficiently when it's cooler out.  There is no heat to sap my energy and push my heart rate higher than it needs to be.

Fall also sees the end of my triathlon season.  There are 2 races left in the race series I race in and I usually like to participate in the last one in Lakeside but this year, after doing 7 triathlons over the course of the spring / summer, I decided to pass on it.  I am all tri'd out, ha ha.  The end of tri season means that Scotty is heading to the basement and it's Little Red's turn to come out and play.

What?  You don't have names for your bike(s)?

Yes folks it's the traditional fall changing of the guard.  Scotty gets relegated to the trainer in the basement and Little Red finally gets some road time.  I love riding my road bike.  It's so much more comfortable than my tri bike.  I don't feel like I'm on a rocket ship, getting ready to blast off.  I can cruise around in an upright position and enjoy my surroundings, ha ha.   It also forces me to use my hamstrings more which is a good thing considering I'm a runner.   Fall rides are one of my favourite things.  Nothing beats loading the bikes up, driving out the country and checking out the fall colours at a leisurely pace, maybe stopping for a coffee somewhere along the way.  That's a civilized way to spend a Saturday.  No pressure to keep up a certain pace, just enjoy the ride.

Sounds like a fun way to spend a Saturday don't you think?