Triathlon - I am hoping to compete in a triathlon next year.

Next year is the Hy-Vee Triathlon. I am hoping to compete in it on a relay team on the bicycle leg of it. If I can get permission to use my recumbent. I have sent an email to the contact person asking about it.


Here is the web site for the event: http://www.hy-veetriathlon.com/

Has anyone ever seen a recumbent used in a ITU or USAT sanctioned race?

USAT rules - http://www.usatriathlon.org/Rules_Officials/rules.htm#5.11

USAT rules - http://www.usatriathlon.org/Rules_Officials/rules.htm#5.11

I've already read the rules form ITU & USAT. There is a link to each one from the evetn web site. Both state I need to get permission prior to using a bike that is differant then what the rules state is allowed.

No worries. Worthwhile then emailing the race organisers and see if they will give permission.

No worries. Worthwhile then emailing the race organisers and see if they will give permission.

Thank you. Have you or anyone else ever seen a recumbent used on the bicycle leg of a triathlon? I know people have used a mtn bike or a hybrid.

My main objective will be to finish. Granted 24 miles is not that far to ride & the route is pretty flat. But winning the relay division would be nice. I am very familiar with the city & the route. I grew up in Des Moines & have ridden in that area a lot. I already have all the training & diet books, etc I need to get ready for it.

I am hoping to create a team from employees of the company I work for & use that as our team name. We have a P.R. dept. who I can contact because they will want to use it as a promoting & marketing tool. And why shouldn't they. They can provide us with the team jersey, etc. The company encourages physical fitness & healthy lifestyles so this can be a tool for them to use to help promote that plus the products & services we offer our customers by the relay team wearing the company logo & colors.


All of this though will be centered on whether or not I can use my recumbent in the race.

I work for the 4th largest telecommunications company in the nation.

I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you use a recumbent in the race. I've seen all kinds of bikes in plenty of events, ecspecially the mtn and hybrid bikes you already mentioned.

Bents are much more aero than uprights. They're generally not allowed in the same events as they have a massive aerodynamic advantage - and people are double-sticklers for that when there's a large prize purse! I'll be surprised if you are allowed to take it - if I were you, I'd do a bit of contingency planning and scrounge up a road bike just in case.

I got an email response about this. I can not use my recumbent in the race. Their reason is it is not recommended or approved due to the number of participants. So it has nothing to do with the aero advantage. But more like a safety concern? What bull****! How dangerous do they think riding a recumbent is anyway?

I sent a response asking for a better explaination. I asked about is it because of a safety concern or a perceived aero advantage.

How dangerous do they think riding a recumbent is anyway?

Triathletes aren't known for their exceptional bike handling skills...so probably more concerned for your safety from the other riders... :)

On a serious note, sorry to hear they won't allow the recumbent.

They don't allow fixies for the same given reason. Still, now you know early, you can track down a road bike and get plenty of time on it.

First I will not ride a road bike. I switched to a recumbent 5 years ago & will not go back to a wedgie. A mtn bike, maybe. But I will only buy one strictly for off road riding, which could also be used in a triathlon.

Second, I emailed the contact person asking why & she forwarded my email to the event director, I have yet to hear back. So I still may be able to ride it.

Hy-Vee is going to be a very large, high profile race. A Continental Cup race if I'm not mistaken. I would be surprised if they let you ride a recumbent.

Recumbents aren't your average bike and I don't think I'd be comfortable racing someone using it. No offense to your choice of leisure riding but think of visibility for both people, coming into and leaving transitions, racking a recumbent in transition, handling, passing, comfort in knowing how your opponents steer/corner/brake and finally the rules.

No offence but if you don't want to go by their rules then don't race in their triathlon. I agree with them about the saftey concern. At the MS 150 in Denver I saw two recumbants cause accidents by the riders not being able to ride a straight line, they were all over the play, I couldn't get away from them fast enough. I don't know if that true for all recumbants but I've seen it more that a few times at different rides I've done.