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1st Sprint Tri, But Now Filled With Dred!!!

Hi Everyone

I'm a 40 years old Tri virgin and have signed up to do the London Sprint Tri and training has been going really well and have stepped iup recently and have completed a practice tri over all disanstances a couple of time now, however started reading loads of posts on here today and dred has come over me as my bike a very cheap mountain bike and will be using this on the day.....I know I won't be able to compete with all the state of the art bikes (as shown in Bike Porn) but very powerful cycler so just need reassuarnce that me on my old mountain bike won't stick out like a sore thumb!!!!....considering getting some tribars but not looking to change my bike until I know it's the sprot for me

Some reassurance please..............anybody!!!

Comments

  • jacjac Posts: 452
    You won't be the only one on a mountain bike.
    Yes, there will be some bling but you won't be alone.
    You could put some slicks on your bike and maybe some tri bars but just go out there and enjoy your first tri.
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    don't be put off by the bike porn, so many of those are ridden by people without a clue but with deep pockets. it's about the engine not the bike, so don't envy them, pity them. pity them even more when you cruise past them

    relax, enjoy the race and finish with a bit smile. with any luck you'll have a great time.

    as jac has said, if you want to gain a bit of speed on the mtb then slick tyres are a great cheap way of achieving it.
  • SkidsSkids Posts: 6
    Jac & Ris thanks for the reassurance and the advise.....what do they say all brass and no knickers!!!

    I have confidence in my fitness to be sure that I won't be embarrased and now have those bling machines in my sights and lets see if they can keep up with the power of the Skids!!!

    Training been going well and hoping to do a couple of OW swims before the day....wet suit arrival permitted.

    One last thing, would you suggest getting a tri suit?

    Skids
  • md6md6 Posts: 969
    Skids as Jac and Ris have said a set of slicked tires and you'll be good. Not too sure aerobars would be a huge help on the mountain bike (but i stand to be corrected).
    re a tri suit, maybe just get some tri shorts, and wear a cycle top for bike and run, that'll be more versatile, cheaper and save time in T1 or 2/save your arse on the bike.

    If you know you can do the distances that a great starting point, just get there, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy your first tri! If you are in London - try and head to the Serpentine lido for some OW (ish) practice in the wettie, i think its about £4 a pop and is open every day over the summer...
  • SkidsSkids Posts: 6
    Thank for the advise md6, with regards teh OW swim was planning to go to either Lakeside, Thurrock or Fairlop Waters as live in Essex.

    Really looking forward to it and will hopefully lead to more and has got me so fit just gettinng ready for it and have lost 4 stone on the way!!!

    Doing this one for charity, Anthony Nolan, but once that's done any other will just be for pleasure....which I'm sure it will be!!!
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Well good luck!

    My first tri was on an MTB with knobbly tyres and I seriously couldn't understand why these people were passing me when I was pedalling just as fast

    Don't worry about the bling, the people with bling have to live up to it - you do what you have to do, enjoy it and then you will be a triathlete Huzzah.

    If you can borrow a set of road wheels/tyres that would be great but hoenstly don't get worried by it.

    You have done the distances so you know you can do it and will have even done a couple of OW swims. Practice on T1 and T2, more haste less speed.

    I have seen an MTB with aero bars by the way.

    So once again good luck and let us know how you get on.
  • dhcmdhcm Posts: 67
    DId Blenehim last year with a friend. He rode a mountain bike, I had a road bike. His time was quicker and he passed loads of guys on road bikes.

    Did it again this year. Both rode road bikes this time. Same time as each other, but both alot faster than last year.

    So if you are good cyclist, you will be fine and have fun going past people on nicer bikes. But if you get a road bike for the future, even a cheap one, you will be alot faster still.

    Good luck!
  • RobRoss74RobRoss74 Posts: 1
    No need to be worried.

    I just did my first tri on a very cheap, heavy hybrid. and my mate used a MTB complete with gnarley tires and lots of mud.

    We both finished the ride easily AND got plenty of satisfaction passing people on "proper" bikes but without the legs...

    I might upgrade for next season though....
  • SkidsSkids Posts: 6
    Thanks again for the comments and now really looking forward to 7th August.....stangely enough especially the cycling!!!!
  • BmanBman Posts: 442
    Hi, in case you are thinking of using a cycle top afer getting out of hte swim, id recommend using one you know you can get on easily when wet. Took me over a minute to get my cycle shirt on during my first tri (before jumping on my MTB bike too). Good luck!
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    that reminds me, i must tell my brother to do that at his first tri. should be a laugh watching him wrestle into a technical tee in t1...
  • ZacniciZacnici Posts: 1,385
    Ah but that's only if you don't do what I did on my first tri in T1 - have a good towel rub down, towel around waist, trunks off, shorts on, apply sunscreen, put on top, only took me 4 minutes or so
  • shadowone1shadowone1 Posts: 1,408
    Ris's post brings back memory's from the thread a while back.

    We all posted on about the evils of telling new comers what to do and involved the evils about t-shirts out of the pool etc......
  • risris Posts: 1,002
    yep, that was a fun thread.

    i'm going to tell him that he needs to shower and change between each discipline. that should slow the little beggar down a bit.
  • You really have nothing to worry about.

    The bike upgrade is nice if you intend to carry on competing. I did my first one on my hardtail MTB with slick tyres. Very satisfying passing the carbon frames and aero bars.

    I had the same concerns when I did my first race, rows & rows of good looking tri & road bikes, I finished 10th, proof that it's not the kit its the person.

    You have probably read that the bike only account for 15% of the aerodynamic drag, the other 85% is down to rider position. Just get that head low and keep it there.

    You are also less likely to suffer a puncture with MTB tyres

    Best of luck
    Pete
  • AvoneerAvoneer Posts: 174
    Bit late now - think he's done it!

    Any update skids?

    Pat...
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