| When I first started cycling, all I wanted to do was | | | | On the day itself, there were all types of bikes being |
| to reduce my weight and improve my fitness. I | | | | used in the event. Most were triathlon bikes. I have |
| wanted to have a way of burning calories without | | | | read that tri-bikes provide the most speed with the |
| hurting my knees. So I tried cycling and it seems like | | | | least effort. In other words, in an endurance event, it |
| an enjoyable sport with minimal impact on the knees. | | | | offers a competitive advantage as it is the most |
| However, it didn't take long before I got hooked on | | | | energy efficient. Energy can be saved for the run |
| cycling! In fact, I loved it so much that I started to | | | | that is to take place after the bike ride. |
| go out almost everyday for at least an hour or so | | | | I was riding a low end aluminum road bike without clip |
| just to cycle. After about 6 months, the cheap | | | | pedals, and I noticed that these high end bikes were |
| mountain bike that I had didn't seem challenging | | | | simply flying past me! The riders looked so at ease |
| enough. So I upgraded to a road bike. I found that I | | | | while riding their bikes and overtook me as if I was |
| enjoyed riding the roadie even more! The bike was | | | | standing still. |
| able to go faster, and the ride was certainly more | | | | After the event, I went back to do some research |
| fun and enjoyable. | | | | and discovered that there is a huge difference |
| When I got my first road bike, it didn't really cross | | | | between low end road bikes and higher end bikes. |
| my mind to join an event with it. But then the | | | | The fastest bikes you can do for are triathlon bikes |
| opportunity came up and I joined a local community | | | | that are made completely from carbon. These are |
| ride. Nothing competitive. It's just a fun ride. I did | | | | aerodynamic machines that are engineered to |
| 40km with my road bike and road at an average | | | | perfection for speed. They are also the lightest road |
| speed of 32 kph. | | | | bikes you can find. Also, carbon has a unique |
| The next event I joined was slightly more | | | | characteristic - it's stiffness offers tremendous |
| competitive. It's a duathlon that was participated by | | | | power transfer capabilities. No wonder these guys |
| mostly fitness buffs. The event was a real eye | | | | seem to power away without much effort! |
| opener. | | | | |