| Without a doubt the bike-equipment you choose | | | | to be able to get into them easily, yet not |
| | | | have your foot snap out at the worst possible |
| | | | time.(Like climbing a hill for instance). If |
| can greatly influence the outcome of your | | | | you ski, its sort of the same idea as ski |
| first Ironman Triathlon.However, don't | | | | bindings. Just keep experimenting with it |
| believe for a moment that the more expensive | | | | until you have to give your ankle a fairly |
| the bike, the easier and faster your bike | | | | quick, sharp twist for your shoe to come away |
| split will be. The most important factor--and | | | | from the pedal. That way you know its not set |
| one that is often overlooked--is having the | | | | to loose. Also, make sure the bike has |
| bike you choose sized just for you. Most bike | | | | forward momentum when twisting out of the |
| outlets will supply this service. I just | | | | pedal. If you are almost stopped you could |
| can't stress how important this is. A proper | | | | fall right over.BOTTLE CAGES-Personally, I |
| fit means you will be getting full use of the | | | | carry 4 water bottles. One inside the |
| proper muscle groups and will have a smooth, | | | | handlebars with a flexible plastic straw so I |
| circular pedal stroke. Most importantly, it | | | | can drink without removing the bottle, one in |
| can make for a much more comfortable | | | | the standard position on the frame, and a two |
| transition into the run.Also, when you | | | | bottle cage behind the seat. The water bottle |
| consider it, there's not much point in | | | | on the frame and the two behind the seat were |
| spending thousands of dollars more for a bike | | | | for my replacement drink...Gatorade etc. The |
| because it is a pound or two lighter when | | | | bottle with the plastic straw was water. It |
| you're going to be packing five pounds of | | | | has a top that snaps open, but stays attached |
| water and food on it for the race. For your | | | | and at aid stations I can just refill it with |
| first Ironman I would suggest a good reliable | | | | water if needed. When I wanted a replacement |
| mid-priced bike. You can always upgrade if | | | | drink, I would take it from the bottle on the |
| you choose to continue on with the sport in | | | | bike frame. When it was empty I would switch |
| the following years.Here's something to think | | | | it with a full bottle from behind the seat. |
| about. In 1984, on a brutally hot and windy | | | | If I thought I would need more than three |
| day during the Kona Ironman, there were two | | | | bottles of my replacement drink, I would |
| cyclists under the 5 hour mark. Dave Scott | | | | leave one or two at the special needs |
| was 5:11 and went on to run a 2:53 marathon | | | | station.***If what you normally use for a |
| and ultimately won the race. My point is, | | | | replacement drink is being supplied on the |
| pretty well any mid-range priced bike you buy | | | | race course, then you can do away with the |
| will be 10 times better than what these guys | | | | two bottles behind your seat and just keep |
| raced on that day. Think about it. Aerobars | | | | changing the bottle on the bike frame at the |
| would have been HUGE that day. There was no | | | | aid stations. Most of the time it was |
| such thing. Everyone had the old toe clips. | | | | garorade or something else I didn't use and I |
| The bikes were MUCH heavier. The tires were | | | | would just bring my own.HELMET-You can't race |
| nowhere near as good as we can get now. There | | | | without one, so just find one that is |
| is just no comparison.Ultimately your | | | | comfortable, fits you well, and meets all |
| training and overall preparation---your | | | | safety standards. Remember, if its too loose, |
| athletic ability, and your courage are | | | | it will fall over your eyes when you lean |
| equally important ingredients to a successful | | | | forward into the profile position and that |
| Ironman bike ride.Its about more than just | | | | will drive you crazy. Also make sure it can |
| the bike.PROFILE BARS- I don't believe | | | | be done up and undone easily.SUNGLASSES-This |
| they've invented an Ironman race yet that has | | | | is one piece of bike-equipment you MUST have |
| no wind. Profile bars are a "must" to reduce | | | | for your Ironman training and racing. And I |
| wind resistance and conserve your energy for | | | | don't really care if they cost $2.99 or $299. |
| the upcoming marathon. If possible, try and | | | | Just make sure you wear sunglasses to protect |
| have your shift levers mounted at the very | | | | your eyes. Say you're going downhill at 40 |
| front of your profile bars where your hands | | | | mph. And the bee coming towards you is |
| meet. That way you're not sitting up or | | | | travelling 25 mph. when he hits your |
| reaching down to shift gears. I have | | | | unprotected eye. That could be REALLY, REALLY |
| something called "swift shifters." They are | | | | SERIOUS!! Always wear sunglasses and a |
| just perfect for the Ironman bike leg.CYCLE | | | | helmet. Sun or not!! I found that yellow |
| COMPUTER-Some bike computers have way too | | | | tinted sunglasses are excellent for overcast |
| many functions. All you need is cadence, | | | | days.I can think of at least 8 or 10 times |
| speed, and an odometer to tell how far you've | | | | over the years that something has hit my |
| gone. That way you're not forever pushing | | | | sunglasses hard enough to do lots of damage |
| buttons to find the proper setting.CLIPLESS | | | | if I my eyes were unprotected.Hopefully these |
| PEDALS AND SHOES TO FIT-These were just a | | | | few tips will help you in your bike equipment |
| great invention. They are so easy to get in | | | | choices.Hopefully my 20 years of triathlon |
| and out of and allow for a much smoother and | | | | experience can help you prepare for your |
| more economical pedal stroke than the old | | | | first ironman triathlon.The name of my site |
| clips we started out with. Its VERY important | | | | is "Ironstruck". |
| to have the tension set just right. You want | | | | |