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Event Info |
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
8:00 am
Baker Park in
Maple Plain, MN
Sprint Distance: 500 yd swim/15 mile bike/5K run
Learn more at ywcawomenstri.org or
Register Now!
Forward This Email!
Be sure to forward this email to
anyone interested in participating or
volunteering!
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Hot Dates |
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For more details, visit the Schedule page.
Sat, April 26: Minnesota Tri Club presents Your First Tri clinic at Midtown YWCA
Mon, May 12: Gear West Tri Club presents Your First Tri clinic
Mon, June 2: Entry fee increase
Mon, June 2: Registration for summer sessions classes opens (run and tri classes)
Week of June 16: Summer session classes begin (including tri classes at Baker Park!)
Sat, June 7: Gear West Run presents My First Tri clinic, women only.
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What You Are Saying |
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"I am doing the tri for personal growth. This will be my first tri and I am excited to push myself and know that I
can complete this event with the support of my friends and family."
- Krysten (28, Mpls)
"I want to show my grand kids that age is relative and that they can be active and older."
- AnnLiv (66, Edina)
"I have run women only races and am very excited to be able to have a tri with women only. I think it is empowering to see a group of women all working to achieve a common goal."
- Toni (54, Mpls)
"My friends and I ROCK!"
- Martha (45, Golden Valley), Holly (41, Mpls), Cheryline (45, Mpls)
"I have been doing triathlons for over 10 years, but I am "re-entering" the arena after having 2 kids.
I am very excited for an all-women's race in Minnesota and I couldn't help but sign up!"
- Leigh (34, Mpls)
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Early Bird Rate & Registration Drawing
Register before June 1, and get the early bird rate PLUS be
eligible for the early registration drawing to win:
- Tyr Transition Bag from Gear West Bike & Triathlon
- Moving Comfort Jog Bra from Gear West Run
- Free massage from the YWCA!
Register Now!
Training: What about the bike?
Typically we would have started with swimming for more sport-specific conversation,
but we have been receiving a number of questions about bikes and related gear.
Here are some helpful notes to get you on two wheels now that spring is here!
Here are four kinds of bikes that you might see at our triathlon:
- Triathlon/Time Trial bikes. Built for aerodynamics and top speed. Before getting one of these bikes, you probably want to know that you are ready to make a commitment to the sport. Or money is no obstacle. You might find some good closeout or intro tri bikes in the $1-1.5K range or spend as much as $5-8K or more!
- Road bikes. Usually classified as performance (racing or dedicated training) or touring (casual rides, tours). Many triathletes start on a road bike and stay on a road bike (maybe add clip-on aero bars eventually). There are lots of good options in the $700-1200 range for a first bike.
- Hybrids. Kind of a cross between a mountain bike and a touring bike. Might be called a "city bike" and will be more upright than a road bike.
- Mountain bikes. Built to go off-road on trails, these bikes are tougher and heavier. If you are going to use a mountain bike for a triathlon, switch the knobby tires for smoother and narrower tires (sometimes called slicks).
You can do a triathlon on almost any kind of bike! So, if you already own one, feel free to use it.
If you opt to borrow one from a friend, please take it to a bike shop that is experienced in bike fitting
to be sure it will fit you correctly and be safe and comfortable.
If you plan to buy a new bike, the main question to ask is how will you use it?
Will it be for training and racing or family rides and errands?
Finally, the most important thing is to train and practice on the bike you will be riding on race day. When form meets function and you are comfortable on your bike, you will want to ride it no matter what the activity or purpose. And that's the goal!
Other important bike gear to consider:
- Cycling shoes and clipless pedals. Cycling shoes have a stiff sole and deliver more power to the pedal. Running shoes will cause a loss of power because they flex when you push the pedals and will leave your feet more fatigued for the run. Cycling shoes will have a cleat on the bottom that snaps onto the pedal (instead of having toe clips/straps wrapped around your foot). To beginners this may feel a bit scary but is actually more comfortable and safer when you get used to them. Practice clipping in and out on a bike trainer, spin bike or while riding in an empty lot.
- Helmet (never ever ride without one)
- Good pair of cycling shorts. WORTH the money for a good pair.
- Cycling gloves are not as crucial as other items on this list but can make training more comfortable.
- A pair of shatterproof sport/cycling shades that provide good eye coverage will help keep bugs and wind out of your eyes. Wind in your eyes can be fatiguing. You may also find that they help you stay focused. You can buy shades with different color tints for different light conditions, e.g. clear or yellow for overcast and dark for sunny days.
- A floor pump for keeping your tires pumped up.
- Chain lubricant.
- Flat tire fixings and a saddle bag would be good but you would have to know how to change a flat. Good to learn. But if that is not something that interests you, be sure to always carry a cell phone and some money. In fact, always carry a cell phone anyway!
- Bottle cages and water bottle.
- A bike "computer" to measure distance, speed and time.
Seem like too much to remember? A quality bike shop like Gear West Bike & Tri will make it easy. They know what triathletes, beginners or veterans, want and need.
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