Two questions

[fopianki]

Hi folks, I'm new to this site...I usually hang out at the 50+ site. I'm an avid marathoner/triathlete/adventure racer/cyclist. I have two totally unrelated questions. First, I'm entered in my first Xterra triathlon (Torn Shirt triathlon in Michigan, June 24th). Has anyone participated in this event before that can tell me a bit about it? For instance, considering that it is Michigan, should I wear a wetsuit? How technical is the bike course?, etc. Second...one of my sons decided he wanted to start doing triathlons with me...so I gave him my tri-bike (Softride) and plan to use my new Serotta for now. I need to get some aerobars for the Muncie Endurathon in July...any recommendations on the best clipon aerobars?
Thanks Frankp

[rplong]

Hi folks, I'm new to this site...I usually hang out at the 50+ site. I'm an avid marathoner/triathlete/adventure racer/cyclist. I have two totally unrelated questions. First, I'm entered in my first Xterra triathlon (Torn Shirt triathlon in Michigan, June 24th). Has anyone participated in this event before that can tell me a bit about it? For instance, considering that it is Michigan, should I wear a wetsuit? How technical is the bike course?, etc. Second...one of my sons decided he wanted to start doing triathlons with me...so I gave him my tri-bike (Softride) and plan to use my new Serotta for now. I need to get some aerobars for the Muncie Endurathon in July...any recommendations on the best clipon aerobars?
Thanks Frankp

Hey Frank,
I have no idea about water temp in Michigan around late June, so your guess is as good as mine. It certainly wouldn't hurt if you have one already. Maybe you can rent one? If you don't have one, try to check the lake temp from previous years or email the race director to see what kind of insight she/he could have.

As far as clip-ons go, I used a profile design one piece thing for about 3/4 of the season last year. It worked well in conjunction with my fast forward seat post. If you get bars, you have to think about how your position will be changed and how far you will be reaching forward with your upper body. If I had thought about this before hand I would have gone with a little set of jammers to put on my road bike instead of the full blown bars. I bet you are fit pretty well on that Serotta right now...

[fopianki]

Thanks for the advice...I'll check into a rental...or also check into buying a suit since I figure I'll need one eventually. Could you tell me what you mean by jammers? (forgive this old man's ignorance) Frank

[rplong]

they are a shorter pair of bars, such as these:

http://www.profile-design.com/2006_product_pages/aerobars/jammer_gt.html

or

http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=736