| Author |
Topic: Newbie Question Amnesty |
purple hayes
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-30-2007 02:03 PM
   
quote:
Originally posted by Dougie Fresh:
2) What kind of chainring/cassette combo should I look for so that I can go downhill faster (not "pedal out" at 25mph) but still be able to climb hills well? NH is hilly. Do I want a compact setup?
90 RPMs with a 53/12 will have you riding @ 31 MPH. 53/11 will have you at 34 MPH at 90 RPM. 120 RPM with a 53/12 will have you riding @ 45 MPH. You should be able to hold 120 RPM for at least 30 seconds. Not too many hills around here that are steep enough to keep me at 45 MPH for more than a couple of seconds.
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TriBob
Moderator of Multisport Training |
posted Apr-30-2007 02:17 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Dougie Fresh:
1) Why am I so slow?2) What kind of chainring/cassette combo should I look for so that I can go downhill faster (not "pedal out" at 25mph) but still be able to climb hills well? NH is hilly. Do I want a compact setup? 3) I have two babies. Where did they come from? 4) Why is the sky never blue but kinda white/gray and rainy?
1) extra 'ie' in your name
2) 39/53, 11-23
3)Making Babies: The Science of Pregnancy by David Bainbridge
4)Peterson First Guide to Clouds and Weather by John A. Day, Vincent J. Schaefer, and Roger Tory Peterson ------------------
Takes Q's, Kicks A's
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Tamster
Member |
posted Apr-30-2007 02:23 PM
Why does my bike wobble when I get up to 27 mph going downhill?Do you guys ever have bad training days mentally? Where you go home after and think "What in the world am I doing" or worse? Tam
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HarryLime
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 02:42 PM
TriBob,Thanks for all the helpful advice. Now I need to start doing some bricks, get a new bike pump, and buy some tri shorts. A few follow-up questions: (1) What types of stores sell trishorts (e.g. running stores)? I'd prefer not to buy them online just yet b/c I'm always btw a large and a medium and would like to try them on first. (2) For a tri, how do you know where you're supposed to set up your stuff for the transition area? Do I just find an area and lay a towel down w/ my stuff on it? Will my bike be near my stuff? (3) Should I bother getting a USAT membership if I'm planning on only doing 1 tri for this year (but will hopefully do a few next year)? (4) Do you wear your bike jersey during the run or switch to a t-shirt or tank top? (5) How many sprints did you guys do before your first Oly? How many Olys before your first HIM or IM? (6) Also, any reason why tris seem to be so much more popular than dus? Thanks again. My Profile
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TriBob
Moderator of Multisport Training |
posted Apr-30-2007 02:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Tamster:
Why does my bike wobble when I get up to 27 mph going downhill?Do you guys ever have bad training days mentally? Where you go home after and think "What in the world am I doing" or worse? Tam
1)It is a well recognised problem with bicycles at high speed. There is nothing wrong with the bikes � any bike can do it given the right circumstances. It has to do with the dynamics of forward motion and the gyroscopic forces of wheels. It happens rarely with MTBs because these generally operate on rough surfaces, at moderate speeds using knobbly tyres. All these factors militate against frame resonance, which is the culprit. The smoother everything is, the more likely it will happen. It is said that the shivering of a cold road rider can set it off because human shivering is very close to the natural resonance of a bike frame! The explanations and physics behind this are really fascinating but the important issue to us is: - WHAT DO YOU DO IF IT HAPPENS? Concentrate now, the highlighted bits are the ones that you must remember. All articles broadly had 2 recommendations: - 1. UNWEIGH YOUR SEAT � that is, stand up on the pedals for a moment or two The tremor from the front ultimately causes the frame to increasingly oscillate (wobble). The rider�s weight on the seat acts to maintain these wobbles as an anchor point for them. If you take your weight off the seat, the wobbles dissipate. An analogy I see, which further illustrates the principle, is that of an arrow fired into a tree. The arrow quivers (just like your bicycle frame when it gets the shakes) If you could suddenly take the tree away from the arrow (allow me a little latitude here) the quivering would stop because the arrow is no longer anchored to the tree. The bike frame similarly stops quivering when you remove its anchor point by rising off the seat! 2. SQUEEZE YOUR KNEES/LEGS TIGHTLY INTO THE TOP TUBE - that is, stop it vibrating. I have a problem with the second method. My top tube is too far below my knees to do this, although I could get the calves of my legs against the top tube.
2) Yes, usually a sign you need some rest. Physically and mentally. Both are important. Built in off-seasons help; but, sometimes you need to take a few days off.
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Takes Q's, Kicks A's
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TriBob
Moderator of Multisport Training |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by HarryLime:
TriBob,Thanks for all the helpful advice. Now I need to start doing some bricks, get a new bike pump, and buy some tri shorts. [b] A few follow-up questions: (1) What types of stores sell trishorts (e.g. running stores)? I'd prefer not to buy them online just yet b/c I'm always btw a large and a medium and would like to try them on first. Check running and bike shops. Both are starting to carry tri clothes. (2) For a tri, how do you know where you're supposed to set up your stuff for the transition area? Do I just find an area and lay a towel down w/ my stuff on it? Will my bike be near my stuff? Most races label racks in bib # ranges. Some even specific spots on the rack. Put a towel down next to your bike to claim space for your stuff. Put shoes, hat, etc on your towel. (3) Should I bother getting a USAT membership if I'm planning on only doing 1 tri for this year (but will hopefully do a few next year)? From a cost point the one day license would be cheaper for one race. But, you would start to get the newsletter and a sticker for your car. It goes back into the sport and helps support some charities as well. (4) Do you wear your bike jersey during the run or switch to a t-shirt or tank top? Try and wear the same outfit the whole race. They sell try tops; but, you can wear what you want except your birthday suit. That is a DQ offense.
(5) How many sprints did you guys do before your first Oly? How many Olys before your first HIM or IM?
Depends on athletic background. If you are not in a rush, moving up one distance per year will keep you from over training. (6) Also, any reason why tris seem to be so much more popular than dus? This could be a can o' worms. My guess is cyclists and runners can be purists. If you break out of that mindset, why not add swimming. Thanks again. My Profile[/B]
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DawnT
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:09 PM
(1) What types of stores sell trishorts (e.g. running stores)? I'd prefer not to buy them online just yet b/c I'm always btw a large and a medium and would like to try them on first.
>> Most bike shops will carry some tri shorts (at least the ones around me do).(2) For a tri, how do you know where you're supposed to set up your stuff for the transition area? Do I just find an area and lay a towel down w/ my stuff on it? Will my bike be near my stuff?
>> Most tris have the transition area broken down by age group. Find your age group and just grab a free spot. The earlier you get there, the better. Your bike will be on the rack and your transition stuff will be immediately beside it. Make sure you figure out where your spot is from where you'll come in after the swim and where you'll come in after the bike. (3) Should I bother getting a USAT membership if I'm planning on only doing 1 tri for this year (but will hopefully do a few next year)?
>> Can't answer this one. (4) Do you wear your bike jersey during the run or switch to a t-shirt or tank top?
>> I usually switch because I like something tight during the bike and something looser on the run. If it's a wetsuit swim, I wear the top I'll have on the bike under the wetsuit since it's one less thing I have to put on. Otherwise, I place the top on top of my helmet in the transition area so I make sure I put it on before my helmet when I get there after the swim. (5) How many sprints did you guys do before your first Oly? How many Olys before your first HIM or IM?
>> I did 2 sprints before my first Oly; 1 Oly before my first HIM; two HIM before my first IM (training for that now). (6) Also, any reason why tris seem to be so much more popular than dus?
>> For me, it's more of a challenge to train for all 3 sports.
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tithers
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:11 PM
If I pee in my wetsuit in IM FLA, will it leak through the bottoms of my legs whilst I swim, or will it explode all over the wetsuit stripper when he/she takes my clothes off?
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TriBob
Moderator of Multisport Training |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by tithers:
If I pee in my wetsuit in IM FLA, will it leak through the bottoms of my legs whilst I swim, or will it explode all over the wetsuit stripper when he/she takes my clothes off?
Your fine as long as your not wearing Depends. ------------------
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melonella
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by tithers:
If I pee in my wetsuit in IM FLA, will it leak through the bottoms of my legs whilst I swim, or will it explode all over the wetsuit stripper when he/she takes my clothes off?
It'll form this ginormous bubble in the wetsuit that everyone will be able to see. <kidding>  It'll drain. If not during the swim then during the run at the halfway mark or into T1. [This message has been edited by melonella (edited Apr-30-2007).]
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tithers
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:21 PM
I imagine depends would cause much chaffing...I can post pics about what chaffing does to Tithers' legs...anyone wanna see?If I did wear depends I suppose it would be ok to pewp.
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cocarrie
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:22 PM
Ok, here's another completely newbie question...Is there one transition area (ie. go back to same place for swim-bike and bike-run) or two separate transition areas? Thanks again for answering all of these!
Carrie
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TriBob
Moderator of Multisport Training |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cocarrie:
Ok, here's another completely newbie question...Is there one transition area (ie. go back to same place for swim-bike and bike-run) or two separate transition areas? Thanks again for answering all of these!
Carrie
Most races there is one transition. Some point-to-point have two. You put all your stuff in a bag in T1 and they bring it to the end of the race. ------------------
Takes Q's, Kicks A's
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mplatzke
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:57 PM
Do you wear tri-shorts for a full IM? Or at some distance do you switch to a full-padded bike short? I did my first brick yesterday and it was my first time in tri-shorts. Not sure I'd want to ride 112 miles in them.Mike
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pcsronbo
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:59 PM
Posted for someone else. I swear!- Why should I NOT train hard ALL the time?
- How can I possibly get faster if I train at a lower heart rate?
- Why do I need food during excercise over 60-90 min?
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DawnT
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 03:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mplatzke:
Do you wear tri-shorts for a full IM? Or at some distance do you switch to a full-padded bike short? I did my first brick yesterday and it was my first time in tri-shorts. Not sure I'd want to ride 112 miles in them.Mike
Most IM's have a changing tent - one for women and one for men - so that you can do a complete change between each sport. I'm actually more comfortable in my tri shorts when on aerobars than in full bike shorts.
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TriBob
Moderator of Multisport Training |
posted Apr-30-2007 04:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by pcsronbo:
Posted for someone else. I swear!- Why should I NOT train hard ALL the time? You are in an aerobic sport. You need to train aerobically. Physiological adaptation only happens at the aerobic level. Primarily neuromuscular and capillary development. - How can I possibly get faster if I train at a lower heart rate? See #1. You become more efficient at oxygen transfer. - Why do I need food during excercise over 60-90 min?
Muscles can only store a limited amount of glycogen. It needs to be replaced for longer events during the event itself. If not, you enter a catabolic state. Not good. ------------------
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purple hayes
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 04:41 PM
How many bugs can I swallow on the bike before I should get worried?
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jroden
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 04:46 PM
Why do French Canadians use curse words related to church objects when swearing in races? Tabarnack!!!!
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mbannon
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 05:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by purple hayes:
How many bugs can I swallow on the bike before I should get worried?
You need a bug guard. http://www.kropserkel.com/lecter.htm
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IMgomie
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 05:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mbannon:
You need a bug guard. http://www.kropserkel.com/lecter.htm
Nooooooooo! We're talking about ph here. He needs to tie a plastic bag around his head. Make sure it's air tight, ph, so none of those little critters get ya'!!! Trust.Me.
Muahahahahaha
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picchk
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 05:19 PM
I just ordered the book "The Triathlete's Training Bible" by Joel Friel. All of the reviews I've come across have rated the book quite highly. Your thoughts? Anything I should be aware of as a beginner while reading?
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DawnT
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 05:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by picchk:
I just ordered the book "The Triathlete's Training Bible" by Joel Friel. All of the reviews I've come across have rated the book quite highly. Your thoughts? Anything I should be aware of as a beginner while reading?
Use it as a source of information - not necessarily a bible of exactly what you need to do right now. Some of the info may be intimidating at first, but it will come in handy in the future as you develop as a triathlete.
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IMgomie
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 05:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by picchk:
Anything I should be aware of as a beginner while reading?
Beware of papercuts!!
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kristine25
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-30-2007 05:57 PM
I am no good at physics at all. Can someone explain to me why the smaller chain up front the easier the pedaling and why the smaller chain the back for harder pedaling. The mechanics make no sense to me.
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