The triathlon pooping contest has already been covered in that Other Thread, so yeah, this about sums it up.

We can shut down the 41 now.

Bump for new page.

failed triathlete is an oxymoron

How the picture just above your post could ever be considered a fail is a mystery to me.

WTF...why the little ring?!?

Good when leaving transition to accelerate without a big sprint, and good when coming back in to give the legs a break before running.

You clearly don't know many bike racers.

Why the drops? Why the upwards position? Oh, perhaps she's accelerating. Why didn't I think of that?

Dude, she's THAT hot that she doesn't need any reason to justify anything really ... especially not to simpletons like us.

+100000. Bike racers far, far exceed triathletes in terms of attitude and elitism. That said, I like training with 'em even though they usually kick my butt up and down the block and make me thank them for it.

+1000.

Lucky, lucky saddle.

+1 I never understood the whole naggy wife syndrome since I ride bikes, but being in a relationship with someone who races constantly can get old sometimes. There's some serious training going on, which means coming home after a climbing century, eating and sleeping the day away on a Saturday but also TRAVELING. road races are always in the middle of nowhere and if it's a stage race, well then see you next week. Unless it's a 7 day stage race or something, well then see you in ten days. So ya, hardcore racers are pretty committed, but commitment is rad, that's how things should be done.

I'm guilty of poking fun at Triathletes because those aero bars and sleeveless jerseys...ugh. but really, even a subpar triathlete is a beast. they RUN, people. running? sheet, I only run from scary things. Also, they SWIM in cold ass water for decent distances. So honestly, yes, they may look dorky in their mankinis, sleeveless jerseys and clip on aero bars, but guess what? they can kick our collective asses.

Some people can talk all the sheet they want, but they're not as hard as the dude in the mankini HAH!

Ew

Here is what I don't get about Tri athletes and cycling. Why do so many/all tri athletes use aero bars to train and also in races? Most of their training around here is on roads with lots of cars, winding twisty roads, uphill, downhill, downhills with curves. What the heck advantage do aero bars give them on such roads? They're not doing TT on an isolated fairly straight road. And the races 'round these parts on on those same hilly winding roads. Just the places you don't wanna use aero bars. Is it kinda requirement and clique thing. Tri athlete = aero bars even though the training and competition is on hilly road courses more suited to normal road racing set up?

If I can echo the tri crowd.....aero bars are only good if you are in them. That position (can be) tough to hold for many miles, so riding in them often allows you to ride in them for a long time.

And I do know a few racers.....all not as uppity as the triathletes I know. I feel less judged with that group than a group of triathletes.

It's always a smart thing to train in the position you'll be racing in. Staying low and comfortable for the entire hour an Olympic bike-leg takes is something that takes time getting used to. My mother, Iron-Woman and long-distance cyclist, regularly does her 35km commute on a TT bike - and she's been praised for her position on the bike compared to her competitors, male and female alike.

Whether or not you'll actually benefit from that position during a hilly race is another question, but I assume every up-hill has a down-hill...

Personally, I go for the road bike on hilly tri courses.

Personally I got my first aerobars for my hybrid mainly because I have a very bad back and I wanted a more comfortable position.
The aerobars give me a relaxed position where the weigth isn't being put on my back and wrists but can be supported by my elbows.
If it wasn't for aerobars I wouldn't be able to ride more than about half an hour.
The combination of flatbar with comfy grips, long bended barends and a short gelpadded aerobar with foamy grips on the ends is about the most comfortable setup I ever had on any bike.

Having only one bike for training and racing is likely a big factor, as is wanting to be used to that same bike. Also, not all local triathletes are necessarily going to only race locally.

...

No man wearing an outfit like this is deserving of respect. You could be the fittest, toughest, bad ass athlete on the earth, but as soon as you throw on the sports bra and panties, you're a lame loser tri geek. This applies also for purposely shatting your chamois. Pooping your pants is not sport. Once you cross that line, you should never get laid again. That is all.

On a related note, don't buy used bibs.

How common place is soiling oneself? Is mainly an Ironman thing? Apparently I live a sheltered existance because I have not noticed anything during the handful od sprint triathlons I've been in. Nor have I during any bike or run only events. I do remember seeing or reading about a top level female marathon runner taking care of business while on the move but that was during the 80's I think.

I got a chance to ride with the guy on the left last week, though he was wearing more clothes at the time. He would destroy any of you on the bike, and that's all that matters.

No clue. I've never considered it.

This lady thought differently.

https://www.beginnertriathlete.com/di...150441&start=1

As did this guy.

+1 Wife cant afford two bikes for her tri training. With all the $ spent on her custom fitting switching bars would be futile.