General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Any benefit? Rss Feed  
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2009-06-24 9:54 PM

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Fort Wayne, IN
Subject: Any benefit?

So one of my new gifts over the winter was a new pull behind bike trailer.  I have a two year old daughter and my wife thought it would help everyone's sanity if I just took her with me on some of these rides.

Tonight, as I'm slaving away trying to do 16 MPH with a 35 pound weight on the back of the bike, I wondered, is there any training benefit to pulling the extra weight?  I'm hoping it's kind of like running with a paracute or something.

Anybody have any experience with some gains from that or does anyone think there is benefits to be had from that?  Or am I just getting my daughter out of the house for 30 or 45 minutes?



2009-06-24 10:00 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Subject: RE: Any benefit?
Any sort of resistance training will have positive effects on your speed. That being said, even if you don't get anything out of it, at least you're spending time with your daughter doing something you love.
2009-06-24 10:02 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Subject: RE: Any benefit?
Careful not to injure yourself pushing too hard.
2009-06-24 10:02 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Any benefit?
I've done it a lot.  I don't put it on my tri bike (it wouldn't fit anyway, but that's not the reason...).

I don't know that I've seen any benefits that hard training sans trailer wouldn't induce by itself, but hopping onto the bike after towing two children (=70 pounds together) makes me feel like I'm flyin'!
2009-06-24 10:38 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Elite
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Evergreen, CO
Subject: RE: Any benefit?
Think of it as hill-less hill repeats.  It's gotta be good for you, and for your kids, and for your wife.  Everybody wins
2009-06-24 11:25 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Subject: RE: Any benefit?
And your heart will soar when your daughter realizes you're going up a hill and need encouragement, "go Daddy go, you can do it"


2009-06-24 11:27 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Subject: RE: Any benefit?
your biking,
your biking hard,
your spending time with your family,
and i am sure your wife will love you for it,

you win
2009-06-25 4:09 AM
in reply to: #2241451

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Master
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Subject: RE: Any benefit?
You're riding. You're with your daughter. You're modeling an active lifestyle. You're probably going to the park or for ice cream. You're giving your wife a break? In a year or two, she'll graduate to the trail-a-bike. Many benefits.
2009-06-25 7:37 AM
in reply to: #2241451

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Subject: RE: Any benefit?
I used to do pull my son behind me often. When I started racing mountain bikes I realized that I didn't train as much as the next person, however, I was still very competitive. I would do it about 3-4 days a week for about 16 miles. I kept him occupied by giving him a water gun, ice chest with juice pouches, toys, and ice to play with. If I got tired I would have him start shooting me to cool me off and he got a kick out of the reactions. Those were the days. He was 3 and 4 when I did that. He is now 11.

2009-06-25 7:47 AM
in reply to: #2241451

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Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida
Subject: RE: Any benefit?

Sounds like a universal consensus. I have a 2 and a 1 year old.  So that's 65 lbs.  That makes for a tough ride, but it's definitely fun. 

2009-06-25 1:01 PM
in reply to: #2241451

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Fort Wayne, IN
Subject: RE: Any benefit?
Thanks for the feedback.  I couldn't agree more about all of  the mental and family benefits, which is why I'll continue to do it regardless.  My question was more about the physical benefits, which it sounds like people think there may be some.

Confirms that I can now tell my daughter, "HTFU, get in the trailer, we're going to the park"


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