7

_{did 13 miles on Pineville/SoCharlotte's McMullen greenway... an interesting mix of dirt, pavement, and boardwalk planks over a swamp?!}

6/14/2009 11:49:55 PM

I've been doing 12-13 miles 2x a week to prepare for a triathlon on the 28th. This will be my first tri and hopefully I'll get through the 20k bike without a hitch.

I'm not a cyclist, but after all this training I just might be hooked!!

6/15/2009 4:57:01 PM

which tri? I am doing the UNC Wellness one in Aug (will be my first) but wouldn't mind watching one at least.

I'm using a mountain bike with slick tires, the bike ride is only 9 miles. I can't afford a bike yet, nor do I want to buy one until I know I want to keep 'try-ing'

6/16/2009 7:25:05 AM

I'm doing Kure beach which is a sprint distance. I borrowed a road bike - it's a little big but I've been riding on it for a few weeks now and it's working out alright. I didn't want to make the investment yet either, but if I really like tris I probably will.

I haven't ever watched a race either, though I have been reading a lot of racer reviews online. Check out https://www.beginnertriathlete.com - I've found it really helpful!

6/16/2009 10:52:57 AM

Oh dear, of all sprints for your first you decided to choose an ocean swim one. Good luck.

A couple years ago, that had such shitty weather and such unpredictable surf that they cut the race into a duathlon for those that wanted to do it.

6/16/2009 11:09:01 AM

can't go just to watch, if it were in town I would

I frequent that website and read the forums a lot.

my first one will be a pool swim. I haven't swam in like 4 years but I can muster 250 yards I think.


again, want to make sure I like all this before getting a bike, wetsuit, and so on. I have been running 40 miles/week and started mountain biking on easy trails with high cadence about a month ago.

6/16/2009 11:20:11 AM

I bought a Specialized Allez Elite today for $200. It just needs a new chain. thats it.


I got an indoor trainer, pedals, gel seat, co2 pump, saddle bag too. Plus a computer that can read cadence= all for $200, which is enough that I think I need to spend $100 to $200 to get it rolling (and I need to get shoes and cleats)

So I'm happy but will be posting questions this week I'm sure. I'm exicted.

[Edited on June 28, 2009 at 8:27 PM. Reason : computer]

6/28/2009 8:18:33 PM

bought wiped out trying to ride with clipless pedals for the first time. forgot how to get them out. soooooooo going to set up the indoor trainer until i get it all down.

6/29/2009 11:54:27 AM

^^ that sounds like a great deal!

6/29/2009 12:38:55 PM

^^ it will become muscle memory pretty quickly. Everyone falls a couple times at first, though. just be sure not to give up and go back to cage pedals.

6/29/2009 12:41:11 PM

^^^ great deal... and lol at falling. It's a rite of passage for clipins. Everyone falls at least once or twice. Hell, I have been riding for a while and got a new tri bike last week. First ride out I had trouble getting my foot out when I was coming to a stop, fell right over.

6/29/2009 1:15:52 PM

I learned quickly that any time im on new pedals to make clipping in and out while cruising around the first priority, not just clip in, ride, and then worry about it when I actually do have to come to a stop.

6/29/2009 1:29:08 PM

I spent about an hour on the trainer getting used to it. Now I think I can do it.

here are some pics.

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r242/cheerwhiner/specialized/

6/29/2009 1:58:15 PM

hey cheerwhiner,

mind if i ask where u got such a good deal? If can get a bike and accessories like that for $200 i've definitely got a new hobby on my hands.

6/29/2009 2:03:54 PM

I have been like a HAWK on Craigslist. I will sit and hit refresh every couple of minutes and JUMP on a deal. I just happened to do it PERFECTLY last night. I had a yardsale on Saturday so I had a wad of cash ready to go.

I mean thats all there is to it. If you are kinda taller, you WILL find something. I am 5 foot 8 so a lot of bikes will be gone quick for my height. I just got lucky. And if I didn't buy it the seller had others in line, and I believe him.

There are usually pretty good deals, but mine was a steal. I mean the lowest price on my trainer is $250 online, and the computer is like $75. So yeah I am MORE than pleased.

I spent $150 today on shoes, cleats, and a chain. So I have EVERYTHING i need for $350.

If you don't know what you are looking at find somebody who does. I happened to know enough to say how much it was going to total out to. Like buying a car, a bike needs to be loved. Mine just needed a new chain.

[Edited on June 29, 2009 at 2:24 PM. Reason : have money ready too. don't miss a deal ]

6/29/2009 2:22:29 PM

Hey cycling nerds,
Give me your opinion on an early 2000s Giant OCR 3 as a beginner road bike. It has an Alex rim wheelset. a cartridge bottom bracket, Selle Italia seat and Speedplay pedals. I just trued the wheelset and repacked the hubs, and plan on replacing the tires with something new. The shifting/headset/cranks/bottom bracket are fine, but the brake pads need replaced and the chain needs a good cleaning/replaced.

Should I keep the seat and learn to ride clipless, when I can find some decent used shoes?

How have you seen this bike ride/disadvantages to aluminum?

(I brought this bike home yesterday from the co-op, I thought $100 pretty reasonable for a used road bike I could do the work on myself. I bought it to do longer and faster training rides on- the Surly LHT is too burly to haul fast on).

6/29/2009 11:39:03 PM

my first century was in the beginning of June, just now got around to posting it.

biking time - 6:15 @ 16mph
overall time - 7:14 @ 13.8mph
max speed - 43.2mph
total calories (est.) - 7,516
total ascent - 8137 ft.

gps data


the hills


me

6/29/2009 11:52:49 PM

probably a good buy on that bike. Chain replacement is better than anything, they are not TOO expensive. If you are not certain, it takes a shop literally 5 minutes just do it. and they usually will do it for free when you buy the chain.

Get the EXACT year on that bike if you can because bikipedia.com has major brands listed going back about a decade and will have every spec on that bike. I did look mine up as soon as I knew what it was, the owner wasn't sure of the year, it is a 2003.

6/30/2009 6:34:19 AM

^ I think I've got enough bike tools around to fix my own chain- and repack my hubs, true wheels, etc.

I'm thinking of doing another triathlon in Sept- the July 12 one slipped away from me because I got too busy in June with school, work and music projects.

6/30/2009 6:54:21 PM

Don't know what distance you want to do but Wrightsville Beach has a nice sprint tri on 9/19. Great course and my brother enjoyed himself last year. I'll be there.

6/30/2009 7:54:54 PM

Good luck getting in to that one

http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=1187

I did it in 06 and it's definitely a nice tri. It was barely wetsuit legal so you could more or less float with one on in the sound side. However, being that it is September, the weather can be somewhat fickle ranging from pretty hot (where it wouldn't be wetsuit legal if that matters) to pretty chilly. I was cold for the first 20 minutes of the bike because it went through some shaded roads but once it got out on the main road and the sun had been up for a little bit the temperature was perfect.

I finished 167 out of 561 men. Swim was a little sluggish and I have yet to become any sort of a runner.

http://www.setupevents.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=event_results&id=854

[Edited on June 30, 2009 at 9:26 PM. Reason : .]

6/30/2009 9:26:04 PM

^ah shit.. I checked it last week and there were still 90 slots. My dumbass didn't register yet. Oh well, I'll probably still go down there. Good excuse to go to the beach.

6/30/2009 10:41:32 PM

forget the triathlons, check out this race starting next week
http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_courseTDF.html

7/1/2009 1:12:17 PM

^^ Yeah, it's a popular race (seems like most of the ones with flat rides and runs are )

I was contemplating doing Triangle this year myself and had some sort of bizarre back popping issue 2 weeks ago and I decided to pass again this year. I was thinking of Wilmington as well until I saw it was full.

7/1/2009 1:18:11 PM

Prospero, where was that century ride? Must be out west somewhere on a plateau to be at that high an elevation without more significant elevation swings.

7/1/2009 8:05:30 PM

I wanna say he is in Colorado.

7/1/2009 10:42:59 PM

After the ride I tried on Tuesday, which should be easy for a seasoned rider, I have a new appreciation for road bikes. Good god. I know that I am in shape, for a runner, but bikes use different muscles for sure.

Watching Tour tommorrow will be more since I have a bike. They make it look easy.


Don't worry not giving up. Got to get in shape with it, use the trainer when I can, and so on. I just have to remember how I got back into running, take it easy , increase gradually.

7/3/2009 7:44:59 PM

^If it gives you any perspective, I used to run a lot in college but have recently taken up cycling. I rode my first century ride a couple weeks ago (actually ended up being 117 miles due to a missed turn and a necessary descent that was not counted as part of the official course mileage). I could certainly tell I had done something the next day, but I was not debilitated. Having achieved that goal with no more lengthy rides planned in the short term, I decided to start running again to work toward a half marathon in September. I ran 5 miles on hills the first day back (which would have been nothing of consequence several years ago when I was in good running shape), and I am here to tell you that I was significantly more sore from that, and for a much longer time than from the 117 mile bike ride (which had over 10,000 feet of cumulative climbing). In terms of cardiovascular fitness, I think they are complementary activities, but different muscle sets, to be sure.

7/3/2009 8:15:21 PM

from what I have read, cycling can make you a better runner but running has no impact on cycling. So there you go.

7/3/2009 9:23:23 PM

going for a ride instead of a run today. Ran 10 miles on Thursday morning and will bike the same route I think twice over today......starting from home.

7/4/2009 5:12:39 AM

Rode the Fabulous 4th Metric Century Bike Tour from Tryon, NC yesterday. Nice ride and good weather. Actually got to descend the Saluda Grade for a change. Finished in about 3:51.



http://www.fabulous4thbiketour.org/

7/5/2009 10:33:10 AM

Yes, I'm in Colorado, the 100 mile century was in Castle Rock, CO just south of Denver... but I live here so the altitude doesn't impact me.

May try to do the exclusive Triple Bypass next year.

Quote :

"The Triple Bypass Bicycle Tour is a 120-mile bicycle ride with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain. And yet, 3,500 riders dare it every year. It starts in Evergreen and climbs over Squaw Pass to Idaho Springs and on into Georgetown. From there it climbs over Loveland Pass to Frisco and over Vail Pass to the finish line in Avon at Harry A. Nottingham Park."

http://www.teamevergreen.org/sites/default/files/TripleBypassRouteMap2009_0.pdf

7/6/2009 1:01:04 PM

I signed up for the Pinehurst Olympic Tri on October 10..because a sprint triathlon wasn't challenging enough. Seriously though, I wanted to do an open water swim tri in fall with a wetsuit, and figured I should survive this one if I just amp do my training from the spring but increased.

Any advice on increasing my distances? I've done up to 6 miles running, and about 2000 m swimming in individual workouts before.

7/6/2009 11:40:08 PM

Spend more time biking? And work on transitions? Also do more sprints (swim, run, bike sprints)

They say biking is like 80% of the triathlon, my wife is doing Chicago Olympic Tri in August.

Think about it, time wise, you spend the most time on the bike. Biggest gains (passing people) are to be had on the bike & running.

[Edited on July 7, 2009 at 1:05 AM. Reason : .]

7/7/2009 1:05:27 AM

the Tri may be won on the bike and run, but it can be lost on the swim. If your swimming isn't up to par, you can lose a lot of time. So if your not a swimmer, or don't plan on excelling at the swim, at least train enough so that you can make 2000m comfortably, and you won't lose too much time.

To run a 10k in a race, you need/should be able to do 10-12 mile long runs.

7/7/2009 8:32:42 AM

exactly why I can't do a tri just yet, my swimming suxs. I need lessons. I will watch the Olympic distance race in Washington NC (parents live nearby) and probably volunteer at an aide station or something.

There is no way I can swim even 400 meters without dying (like NO energy left) but I can bike (mostly) and run no problem. Need to find some duathlons I guess in the meantime. I think I will start swimming in the winter time nd use my bike trainer indoors when its cold (I hate running in the cold but will probably have to)

yeah if you want to do a 10k your long run needs to be at least twice as far. Remember long run should be SLOW not too hard and if you need to stop for water or a gel pack DO IT!

7/7/2009 9:24:10 AM

my point is this, the 1500m swim should only take 26 minutes, +/- 6 minutes, if you can't swim, you shouldn't be doing an olympic triathlon, start with the sprint tri, learn how to swim and work your way up.

the time spent on the bike & run combined is near 2 hours... those 6-12 minutes are going to be easily gained or lost in the bike & run portions.

i'd say yes, it's most def. important to LEARN HOW TO SWIM, and be able to do 1500m comfortably (train up to 2000m continuous, 2500-3000m workouts)

also there ARE tri-clubs out there that will help you with technique, keep in mind, swimming in open water is different than in a pool, you need to work on swimming straight and being able to sight objects mid-stroke.... but i guarantee you that time spent in the pool to shave a couple seconds aren't going to help you nearly as much as time in the saddle or running.

[Edited on July 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM. Reason : .]

7/7/2009 1:39:17 PM

I've been fixing up old road bikes for a couple months now. I have a 1987 Trek Elance which is my baby. It's an all aluminum bike with shifters on the down tube and a Selle Italia saddle. This bike flies, I can do 45-50MPH on slight down hills if I'm really pumping. It was in pretty bad shape when I picked it up, but fixed it quickly (regreased all bearings, steel wooled all the chrome and brakes/derailleur) the only I invested in it was new brake pads. You can easily fix almost any chain with some kerosene, a tooth brush, and some automatic transmission fluid, and it'll last you a couple thousand miles at least.

For around town I just picked up a 1980 Takara Grand Touring, which is a steel frame, but the paint is peeling or scratched in places (which is good because I was nervous about taking my trek out and having it stolen). I payed $60 and invested another $20 in new tubes, handlebar wraps, and new tires. Regreased bearings, steel wooled all chrome/aluminum parts and fixed the chain. It rides beautifully and although a steel frame is a lot less fast, the ride is much much smoother.

My friend just went to good will and we picked him up a Free Spirit Dynasty bike for $25. It's tires chain, and rear cog are pretty shot, but it gets him around town, all we really bought were twist ties because the wiring was held together by string (Also, Performance bicycle doesn't carry wire clips?! What is this?) and we had to buy new rim tape and some WD40. Also we'll probably re-wrap his handlebars in the near future. But I love fixing up old bikes, I'm totally addicted to it.

I'm hoping to get a job as a bike mechanic in the near future at a bike shop, but I have to really work on any high end road bikes. Though I imagine they aren't too much different, just nicer and more expensive.

And to Cheerwhiner, my dad has a specialized allez that he loves. You said yours was a 2003? Does it have the Shimano 105 Shifter/Brake levers? Because if so- you got quite a steal on a bike.

7/8/2009 10:42:20 PM

shimano 105 all over indeed. Yeah and remember that price included the computer, carbon seatpost, aftermarket gel set, spd pedals and oh yeah a new bike trainer

7/9/2009 4:59:56 AM

Wowzer. Shimano 105 derailleur alone is super expensive. You got one hell of a deal.

Although- the joy for me is fixing up old beaten up bikes, not in competitive cycling so I guess I probably wouldn't have taken the deal (unless I wanted to resell for $Profit).

7/9/2009 7:28:17 AM

yeah when I was heavy into RC cars and trucks I got more a joy from wrenching on them rather than racing and running them. I still have a bunch of them that I am going to sell to get $$ for bike stuff.

7/9/2009 9:03:02 AM

Differences between old (and when I mean old, like before 1990) and new bikes, to know as a mechanic:

1) shifters: new bikes usually have "brifters", brakes/shifters in one piece, index shifting, and tend to have more plastic components. Old bikes have friction shifters and are easier to work on, imo.

2) brakes: older bikes take centerpull or sidepull calipers, newer ones are canti or V-brake, or modified sidepull. Also, if you work with mountain bikes at all, there's the whole disc brake thing, someone on here can explain that.

3) cogs: older bikes have freewheels, and newer bikes take freehubs. Each takes a different method to get off. (bench vise vs. chain whip).

4) bottom brackets: Better built older bikes have 3 piece cranks with free bearings, newer bikes have more sealed cartridge stuff. The really high end road bikes now seem to have a different, integrated design.

5) hubs/wheels: pretty standard assembly for non-cartridge hubs, know what bikes will take what 700c size, I'm not familiar with the aero or specialty laced wheels/deeper aero rims, I see mainly aluminum rims with 36 spoke 3-cross.

7/9/2009 9:22:12 AM

Yeah I know a little bit about brifters, never worked on them, but I've oggled them at performance. I still find it hard to believe that high end mountain bikes are using disc brakes, that's just for me. Again I haven't worked with free hubs, but I have worked with free wheels and they aren't too hard to work with, and wheels aren't too hard (except truing them, I haven't really tried my hand at this yet, but I can't imagine it being too too difficult).

7/9/2009 5:51:39 PM

Wheel trueing always makes me cuss. Every time. It's simple to learn in theory, but requires a lot of patience with a really fucked up wheel. Most of the wheels I see at the co-op, are also missing spokes, way out of true, need hubs repacked and have flats, all at once, so trueing doesn't help.

7/9/2009 10:34:04 PM

good deal here http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/1263511230.html would buy if i didn't snag mine

probably will be removed and sold before any of you see it---Fuji with for $200 with some 105 parts 54cm

7/10/2009 5:26:08 PM

Finally caved on the NCSU jersey:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HDT7W2/

My only concern is that when I wear it, it's like I'm representing the University, and I'm certainly not a professional cyclist. I'll have to use careful judgement about what events I break it out for.

7/13/2009 10:41:37 PM

no, not at all. If anything, it's just a conversation starter. When wearing that jersey, you will have more people than you ever imagined riding up and asking you questions about how to get one for themselves, or what your major was, or that they have a kid at NCSU or whatever. Nobody cares at all about your skill level.

7/13/2009 11:56:43 PM

Cool. Just don't want people thinking that I think I'm 1337.

7/14/2009 11:07:01 PM

Cycling jerseys are so fantastically comfortable. I love wearing them, especially while not cycling.

Oh and this seems like a pretty great deal, but it may be gone by the time you all see it.

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/bik/1276138332.html

[Edited on July 18, 2009 at 2:56 PM. Reason : deal]

7/18/2009 2:51:45 PM

Just got this for my birthday

7/18/2009 3:24:18 PM