"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - I hate triathletes, and a TT report

These guys couldn't hold a predictable straight line if the bike was attached to a rail.

Today's course.. 4 laps of this thing as the bike leg of a team relay, olympic distance triathlon:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1012098

Be careful to look at the two 140+ degree turns around kilometers 4 and 6. Yeah, those were fun x 4. Taking it @ kilometer 4, you got to follow the 140+ degree turn with a left hand 90 degree turn 10 meters later.

So... I YELLED at all sorts of people today. Our local community services running the triathlon doesn't consider cycling a sport to pay attention to, so when they told me there'd be 300 participants today, I had visions of people riding bikes everywhere (I won't call them cyclists.. I refuse to). These people took turns in all sorts of ways, from all points on the curve. One chick looked back at me as I was coming by on lap 3, we made eye contact, and she proceeded to dive from the far left at my front wheel taking a right hand turn. You had folks riding 2, 3+ abreast where I had to get on the other side of the road to get around them. Then, you'd have someone riding down the middle of the road, and I'm left wondering - do I go left or right? Bah.. And, to make it all that much better, since it's laps of the course, you have to come almost to a complete stop to get your arm "swiped" with a marker because with 300 people, there's no other way to count laps. That's also real fun x4.

Last year I rode the 40 km in 1 hr 5 min 45 sec. Respectable enough. I do my 2x20's on this course now and on a good day I could get around 14 minute laps, so I was hoping for a total time of sub 1-hour. It was not to be. Between loads of people on the course, causing all sorts of havoc (and at times a 10-15 second wait to get your arm swiped), I squeezed it out in 1 hr 2 min 2 sec. Power numbers are so abysmally low that I won't even post them. It was a sad, sad effort.

If TT's are gay (which I'm beginning to think they are), the only thing gayer is TT's as part of a triathlon team.

On the up note, I was still the fastest bike on the course today out of all the teams and individual participants. Our team overall crushed all of the other teams, so we got first place with a trophy and a new pair of sunglasses to walk away with.

And how wrong is it that as I'm passing someone I have to come by them and get an eyefull of a speedo'd, non-leg-shaved *****? *shudder*

sweeping generalizations are cool...

Wow, that sounds rough.
I remember passing people in a 120-degree corner in my tri last year. We did two laps, and I got a solid earful from people complaining about my passing. They would have really freaked out if I had started shoulder-checking, like in a crit :rolleyes:

>>If TT's are gay (which I'm beginning to think they are)<<

Come to a large NY Metro Area USCF triathlon. It's like combining a testosterone injection with a trip to the Cycling Schwag Skunkworks. Even the old dudes are fast (some of them).

Dang I should have read this before I joined our clubs Tri team this year. :rolleyes:

All of the people that were my mentors in road racing said I would like enjoy the fun and relaxed atomshere of the Tri vs the rabid intensity of the road racing. By the way they also like cyclo-cross. :)

These guys couldn't hold a predictable straight line if the bike was attached to a rail.

Today's course.. 4 laps of this thing as the bike leg of a team relay, olympic distance triathlon:
h ttp://ww w.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1012098

Be careful to look at the two 140+ degree turns around kilometers 4 and 6. Yeah, those were fun x 4. Taking it @ kilometer 4, you got to follow the 140+ degree turn with a left hand 90 degree turn 10 meters later.

So... I YELLED at all sorts of people today. Our local community services running the triathlon doesn't consider cycling a sport to pay attention to, so when they told me there'd be 300 participants today, I had visions of people riding bikes everywhere (I won't call them cyclists.. I refuse to). These people took turns in all sorts of ways, from all points on the curve. One chick looked back at me as I was coming by on lap 3, we made eye contact, and she proceeded to dive from the far left at my front wheel taking a right hand turn. You had folks riding 2, 3+ abreast where I had to get on the other side of the road to get around them. Then, you'd have someone riding down the middle of the road, and I'm left wondering - do I go left or right? Bah.. And, to make it all that much better, since it's laps of the course, you have to come almost to a complete stop to get your arm "swiped" with a marker because with 300 people, there's no other way to count laps. That's also real fun x4.

Last year I rode the 40 km in 1 hr 5 min 45 sec. Respectable enough. I do my 2x20's on this course now and on a good day I could get around 14 minute laps, so I was hoping for a total time of sub 1-hour. It was not to be. Between loads of people on the course, causing all sorts of havoc (and at times a 10-15 second wait to get your arm swiped), I squeezed it out in 1 hr 2 min 2 sec. Power numbers are so abysmally low that I won't even post them. It was a sad, sad effort.

If TT's are gay (which I'm beginning to think they are), the only thing gayer is TT's as part of a triathlon team.

On the up note, I was still the fastest bike on the course today out of all the teams and individual participants. Our team overall crushed all of the other teams, so we got first place with a trophy and a new pair of sunglasses to walk away with.

And how wrong is it that as I'm passing someone I have to come by them and get an eyefull of a speedo'd, non-leg-shaved *****? *shudder*

while i can appreciate your general sentiment, how about using a less juvenile term to describe your contempt?

It's really fun when the local tri-dorks show up at our pracctice crit...!
Nothing says fun like following a ****** on a tri-bike in the corner at 30 and have him pull his chute to make the corner...

They usually get screamed at until they leave.

Um, we don't allow Tri-bikes (or aero-bars) at our Tuesday Night Crits.

I'd hate to think of the damage those aero-bars could do in a wreck.....

Um, we don't allow Tri-bikes (or aero-bars) at our Tuesday Night Crits.

I'd hate to think of the damage those aero-bars could do in a wreck.....

i'd be more worried by how many of the aero bars would CAUSE a wreck.

Yeah, our weekly training crit is USAC, so no aero bars. Our Tuesday Nighter is unofficiated, but the A racers badmouth the aerobars so much that you rarely see a set. The problem then is that the B group is dominated by aerobars, so it's really tough to break off the front and stay away. I haven't heard of an aero-bar related crash in that group in the 7 years I've been here though -- they only use them up front (which is what shuts down the breaks).

They are slow as snails. I'm not saying they are all slow, I just haven't seen one thats fast.

I see swarms of them every sat and sun on the road here in Miami. Full kit, $5k+ in equipment, always riding in a paceline (whats that all about?), in a 53/12 spinning about 50rpm, and all over the road because they are on the antlers. I'm spinning along in a 42/19 and passing them. I don't get it.

while i can appreciate your general sentiment, how about using a less juvenile term to describe your contempt?

Botto - I think he was using "gay" and "gayer" to refer to how much fun they were having.:rolleyes:

They are slow as snails. I'm not saying they are all slow, I just haven't seen one thats fast.

I see swarms of them every sat and sun on the road here in Miami. Full kit, $5k+ in equipment, always riding in a paceline (whats that all about?), in a 53/12 spinning about 50rpm, and all over the road because they are on the antlers. I'm spinning along in a 42/19 and passing them. I don't get it.

Yeah, I'm not as jaded here, with a large selection of triathletes who can TT in the 27-29mph range. There are plenty of slow tri riders too, but same with road bikers.

Yeah, I'm not as jaded here, with a large selection of triathletes who can TT in the 27-29mph range. There are plenty of slow tri riders too, but same with road bikers.

Yeah the issue is, signing up for a triathlon isn't very intimidating for people new to the sport so there are a lot of slow people. But at a local HIM a few weeks ago, the fastest bike was done at an average just under 27mph for 56 miles, can anyone on this forum do that? Maybe one or two?

Ever been to a rally? Lots of slow 'rallythelets' there.

I will say watching the bike in/out of a large triathlon can be great fun.

this means a lot coming from a guy who doesn't have the balls to sign up to run a full tri. And by the way we don't all suck at cycling and looking at your times for a 40k tt you not the best either. so how bout you stop being so Ignorant and start respcting other peopls sports.

Wa wa waah wah wah wah.

But at a local HIM a few weeks ago, the fastest bike was done at an average just under 27mph for 56 miles, can anyone on this forum do that? Maybe one or two?

What's the catch? Was it all downhill with a tailwind?

Ummm..... You hate 'em? Don't do 'em.

The problem then is that the B group is dominated by aerobars, so it's really tough to break off the front and stay away. I haven't heard of an aero-bar related crash in that group in the 7 years I've been here though -- they only use them up front (which is what shuts down the breaks).

Well, I guess it's good that they self-police them to the front...

But still, I see aerobars, I give a wide berth.

The 'I hate triathletes' statement gets nods of approval from the Road Nazi High Command.

I don't hate triathletes. I don't like triathlons, because they involve running and swimming... That said, I may go do a Half-IM relay in two weeks *shudder*. 56 miles in the TT position is gonna be interesting, kids.

I don't hate triathletes. I don't like triathlons, because they involve running and swimming... That said, I may go do a Half-IM relay in two weeks *shudder*. 56 miles in the TT position is gonna be interesting, kids.

You might consider throwing your old (higher) stem back on for this one...

Should be fun though. My brother-in-law is coming up from Houston to do the half as well.

this means a lot coming from a guy who doesn't have the balls to sign up to run a full tri. And by the way we don't all suck at cycling and looking at your times for a 40k tt you not the best either. so how bout you stop being so Ignorant and start respcting other peopls sports.

First, mine was the fastest of all times on the 40km course yesterday (teams and individuals), so I can't suck at them that bad.

Secondly, you don't know if I've ever done a tri or not based on the fact that I participated as part of a team yesterday.

Finally, spell check would have made your point a little more coherent (oh, and the lower case I, too).

I thought the first post was pretty funny. My panties remain un-wadded.

I thought I'd add a sketchy triathlete story for you: I crashed in a triathlon today. No one was near me. I had a momentary lapse of all bike-handling skills and ate $H!t. Granted I can usually ride the white line in my aerobars and was sitting in 4th place out of about 1000 people, but it was still a little sketchy. I did get bonus points for my euro-creep temper tantrum when I found out my bike was broken so I couldn't finish and threw it across the street into the bushes. :D

So have you done a full tri?

I don't hate triathletes. I don't like triathlons, because they involve running and swimming... That said, I may go do a Half-IM relay in two weeks *shudder*. 56 miles in the TT position is gonna be interesting, kids.

The longhorn? I've pre-ridden it a few times with my gf, and it's a nice course. Although the riding in Austin seems to be nice in general. Funny thing is, a bunch of the dallas people I know going are freaked that it's 'hilly', one is actually bringing a road bike for better gearing. There's one hill at 55 miles that is going to get some people. As a relay you're going to get put in a late wave most likely, so you'll get to pass hundreds of people, should be interesting.

So have you done a full tri?

Have you done a P/1/2 crit?

I did get bonus points for my euro-creep temper tantrum when I found out my bike was broken so I couldn't finish and threw it across the street into the bushes. :D

:(

Frame?

If TT's are gay (which I'm beginning to think they are), the only thing gayer is TT's as part of a triathlon team.

And how wrong is it that as I'm passing someone I have to come by them and get an eyefull of a speedo'd, non-leg-shaved *****? *shudder*

Is this really about bashing triathletes and this race or is this about your homophobia? It seems like you just lurched a little closer to coming out of the closet. Make the jump and leave the tri-bashing and gay bashing off of this message board, PLEASE!

Somebody tell Lance TT's are gay.

http://www.bikeiowa.com/uploads/articles/12_LanceTimeTrial.jpg

Nomad, you do it, Lance is up over 180lbs now, he'd probably snap my neck with one punch.

Somebody tell Lance tris are gay.
http://www.bikeiowa.com/uploads/articles/12_LanceTimeTrial.jpg


It must have been the aero bars. :rolleyes:

Somebody tell Lance Tri's are gay.

He was young. Lots of people experiment. Not that there's anything wrong with that (or being Tri), but he pretty much was straight (cyclist) after that. Look, some of my best friends are tri, and they are good people. They can't help how they are born. :D

It seems the problems everyone has with "triathletes" isn't the fact that they are "triathletes", but rather because they are poor bike handlers and not considerate.


Anyone can be a poor bike handler. And with the nature of triathlons, basically being a TT for the cycling portion, they will not be as good at handling a bike than those of us who race in crits, and by necessity have to know how to handle a bike well.


Also, they are not used to being in group situations where they are constantly being passed. Either they are trying to stay in one spot so you can get around, they are too absorbed in their own world to hear you, or they just plain don't care, who knows, if you are faster, you will find a way around.


So instead of bashing triathletes (which I have done one HIM back in 2005, only to find out I can't run or swim, but I can kind of cycle) bash those who can't handle their bikes. As that seems to be the problem.

It seems the problems everyone has with "triathletes" isn't the fact that they are "triathletes", but rather because they are poor bike handlers and not considerate.


Anyone can be a poor bike handler. And with the nature of triathlons, basically being a TT for the cycling portion, they will not be as good at handling a bike than those of us who race in crits, and by necessity have to know how to handle a bike well.


Also, they are not used to being in group situations where they are constantly being passed. Either they are trying to stay in one spot so you can get around, they are too absorbed in their own world to hear you, or they just plain don't care, who knows, if you are faster, you will find a way around.


So instead of bashing triathletes (which I have done one HIM back in 2005, only to find out I can't run or swim, but I can kind of cycle) bash those who can't handle their bikes. As that seems to be the problem.

Amen brother!

I can't believe I'm being sucked into posting on one of these threads again.

The funniest thing about these sort of posts is that a lot of people think there's a distinct dividing line between "cyclist" or "roadie" and these strange "triathlete" geeks. Me? I'm bi. :D

I did a half IM last weekend on a road bike, no aero bars at all (see the 25% grade thread for visual evidence of why this was a good choice!). Yesterday, I did a century on the tri/TT bike with all of my road racing friends because the road bike wasn't back from last week's trip.

The time trial bike sucked for the century, by the way. I have no idea where we were as I basically stared at my front tire all morning. :)

Somebody tell Lance TT's are gay.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/07/22/early.lance/001088032.jpg

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/07/22/early.lance/001088032.jpg

i just threw up in my mouth a little bit

Just a little?

:(

Frame?

Seat and derailleur hanger. No biggie. Just PO'ed that I couldn't finish.

He was young. Lots of people experiment. Not that there's anything wrong with that (or being Tri), but he pretty much was straight (cyclist) after that. Look, some of my best friends are tri, and they are good people. They can't help how they are born. :D

LMAO :beer:

He was young. Lots of people experiment. Not that there's anything wrong with that (or being Tri), but he pretty much was straight (cyclist) after that. Look, some of my best friends are tri, and they are good people. They can't help how they are born.


LMAO :beer:

That combined with the picture => LMAO

I now feel this explains my own adolescent years spent listening to The Smiths, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode and doing triathlons.

That combined with the picture => LMAO

I now feel this explains my own adolescent years spent listening to The Smiths, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode and doing triathlons.

with your taste in beer and music as a teen i suppose you're not a total loss. what happened?

with your taste in beer and music as a teen i suppose you're not a total loss. what happened?

Haha! Maybe it was the Samsonian shearing of the Flock Of Seagulls '-do? Or me ditching my Mark Mothersbaugh eyeglass frames for contacts?

It's more fun to blame Texas. I blame Texas.

with your taste in beer and music as a teen i suppose you're not a total loss. what happened?

You guys might be alternately surprised or dismayed by this, but one of my best friends, born in 1985 like myself, is a huge fan of The Talking Heads and Depeche Mode.

i'm a junior Bike racer and triathlete so i've done cat. 3 equivalent crits and have done a Oly. distance tris.

You guys might be alternately surprised or dismayed by this, but one of my best friends, born in 1985 like myself, is a huge fan of The Talking Heads and Depeche Mode.

one out of two isn't bad.

one out of two isn't bad.

I think The Talking Heads blow, myself. He cannot be convinced otherwise.

i'm a junior Bike racer and triathlete so i've done cat. 3 equivalent crits and have done a Oly. distance tris.

Equivalent?

i'm a junior Bike racer and triathlete so i've done cat. 3 equivalent crits and have done a Oly. distance tris.

Unless you've done Cat 3 races, you haven't done the equivalent of a Cat 3 race. Sorry.