| In preparing to take on the challenge of a | | | | |
| first Ironman, I believe far too many | | | | I had my best bike leg ever and my first |
| athletes put too much emphasis on the bike | | | | thought was to fix up the old bike and keep |
| they choose to purchase for the event. | | | | racing it. However, I let my bike supplier |
| | | | talk me into buying a fancier, newer model |
| Somewhere along the Ironman trail, many | | | | that was so much lighter that I would go even |
| athletes have come to believe that the | | | | faster. I never, never matched my fastest |
| lighter, and more state of the art the bike, | | | | bike ride over the next 10 years. Even on |
| the faster they will finish the bike leg of | | | | bikes valued 10 times more than my old |
| the Ironman. | | | | standby. It was probably the biggest single |
| | | | mistake I made in my 20 year Ironman career. |
| Nothing could be further from the truth. For | | | | I should have gone with my very first |
| example: You could put one athlete on a | | | | instinct. |
| $10,000 bike and have him train without the | | | | |
| aid of a proper diet or without paying | | | | For some reason, a bike will just suit you. |
| attention to proper hydration choices and | | | | It suits your style, ability and "fits" you |
| repacement drinks and the Ironman will spit | | | | like that favorite pair of runners. When this |
| him out like a cherry pit somewhere around | | | | happens, hang on to that bike. If you have |
| mile 80 on the bike course. | | | | to, save it mainly for races and get a second |
| | | | bike for the bulk of your training. That way |
| Take another athlete and put him on a $800 | | | | your race-day bike will last you for years. |
| reliable, average weight, used bike fitted | | | | |
| with proper pedals and aero bars. Then have | | | | I've raced on more than one high-end bike |
| him pay particular attention all training | | | | that I was just never comfortable on, no |
| year to proper diet, hydration, and raceday | | | | matter how light and fast they were supposed |
| fueling techniques and somewhere around mile | | | | to be. At first it may seem cool to be the |
| 80 of the same course he will call out "nice | | | | recipient of envious gazes from fellow |
| bike" as he passes athlete number one who is | | | | triathletes when they see you on your bike |
| in for a very long, painful day. | | | | the week leading up to the race. You are the |
| | | | bike "king". |
| Don't get all wrapped up in taking out a | | | | |
| second mortgage so you can buy that "special" | | | | Believe me, its not so cool when these same |
| bike that is 6 ounces lighter than anything | | | | athletes pass you out on the course with |
| on the road. After all, you're going to be | | | | those dreaded words left in their wake. "Nice |
| loading 5 pounds of water and food and gear | | | | bike." |
| on the thing before you even get out of | | | | |
| transition. This is not your normal bike | | | | Every time you hear that, you will want to |
| race. If you were just racing a bike century | | | | sink further and further into your bike seat. |
| and that's it, then that might be a different | | | | You will wish you were on a $250 beater. At |
| story. But that's not the nature of this | | | | least that way you reason, you would have an |
| beast. | | | | excuse for getting passed over and over |
| | | | again. There is nowhere to hide out there. |
| First of all you've most likely been bashed | | | | |
| around for an hour or so in a wild | | | | To save yourself a ton of embarrasment and |
| free-for-all swim and for most of that time | | | | humiliation, be sure that your ability |
| your heart-rate has been racing out of | | | | matches the bike you ride. |
| control. Plus, you still have a full marathon | | | | |
| to consider after you get off the bike. | | | | All my bikes are gone now, except for one. |
| | | | That same old bike is in my living room on a |
| Your bike is just a small part of the Ironman | | | | wind-trainer and if I decide to do this |
| equation. Don't get too wrapped up in light | | | | amazing race once again, when I turn 60, four |
| and fancy and expensive. I know, I've done | | | | years from now--it will be on a very special, |
| that. | | | | 16 year old bike. |