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