BRAND newbie with a bike question

there are a fair number of racers w/ hybrids and MTB's so you won't be laughed at.  I saw 3 full suspension MTB's at my race yesterday.   If a hybrid is going to better for your back, you'll enjoy the race (and experince) more than if you had a TT or road bike that hurts.  You can always get a road bike in a few years if you keep up w/ the sport and feel that the bike event is holding you back.

Do whatever is comfortable for you and don't worry about it.   I was going to use my MTB for the first couple of races but biking is my strong event so I wanted every advantage I could get.  So I found a good roadie/tri bike online for a good price.  Also I know that if I quit doing tri's, I s/b able to sell my roadie and recoup most of my money that I spent to buy it.  So for me it was worth the investment. 

Again, for you, your race and your training/workout goals, you'll be fine.  Many ppl here start w/ hybrid's and MTB's

Dude, I even saw a mountain bike at my first half iron race. No kidding! You'll be fine.

The only thing I wanted to add is that there is no reason to wait until 2010 to race. You could be ready for a sprint this year, but really 2009 would not be pushing it at all.

I recommend finding a super sprint (short short race) and get out there on your hybrid. Racing is fun and it does so much towards helping you feel exciting about training and getting out there and getting fit. There are all shapes, sizes, ability levels and ages at these events. Trust me, you will not be the only whatever you are out there.

And triathletes are very encouraging. I've never been to a race where a newbie wasn't encouraged and cheered for and patted on the back. Because the thing about tris is that there is something for everyone.

Good luck!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!  I was terrified to go into the bike shop today, but the saleswoman was really helpful.  She even offered to hold onto the bike as I tried it if I was nervous about getting back on.  I thanked her, but decided to brave it.  After a few wobbles, I was off.  It's true...you don't ever forget. 

Maybe I will set a goal for 2009.  I live in Maryland, and I see that there are a number of short events.  I currently have a lot of weight to lose (I'm 210 now), but am strong.  I think my previous training will help.  I used to race the 500 free (but preferred 100 back and 200IM).  I can't race it anymore, but just swam one continuously the other day.   I can walk/jog 3 miles (that's how far I walk my dogs).  Biking...well, we'll see.  Maybe 2009 isn't so far-fetched...

I was 200 (Jan 2006)when I started marathon training..... About 4 months later I started Tri training, and did my first tri in Aug 2006 at roughly 150 lbs or so.

My husband did his first tri at about 280 ish.

I've seen lots of people 200 lbs + out there racing. Don't put it off. Trust me, the high from racing will carry you through a lot of workouts you might otherwise not feel like doing. The race is the reward for the hard work!! Look at my before and after pics..... Lots of us on here.

KathyG lost 100 lbs during her journey and just finished an Ironman. I'll be racing my first one on 9-7.

Life's too short to put things off for too long.  

I vote OCTOBER 2008.  Go for it!  You can do a sprint swim...once a swimmer, always a swimmer.  You might not have the speed you used to, but you can surely complete the distance.  I was brand new to the bike in January (very similar to you, had no been on a bike since banana seat and streamers in elem. school), so I picked a tri for my first one that had a flat bike course. That way you can literally go as slow as you want.  And as for the run.  You can already walk 3 miles, so you've got that covered.  Who cares if you walk?  I just did my first tri a month ago where I ran the whole thing. Nobody else cares if you walk.

 Imagine how empowering it would be if you found on 2 months out and YOU DID IT!  Talk about jump starting your goals.  Go big!

Congrats, you got me to quit lurking and post

DON'T sweat it.  I would agree with the Oct  2008 sprint  suggestion.  If you can find a super sprint, that would even be better.

There have been (no, I'm not kidding) 300 Lb+ ladies on mountain bikes for the past three sprint and shorter Tris that I've been in this year.  I'm not talking one or two, there've been six to eight for each race.

 I've yet to see anyone laughed at for any equipment related issues.  Come to think of it I've not seen anyone laugh at anyone else on the course.  It's a triathlon, either you're doing it or you're not that's all that matters.

2010 is a long way off.  You can definately make your goal in 2009.

I have a Cypress.  It is a good tooling around bike but for serious exersize, group rides, triathlons, distanse rides, the road bike is so much better and actually I am more comfortable on my road bike. 

So if you want to have a "tooling" around the neighborhood bike, it is fine, but if the biking or tri bug bites you, you will want a road bike quickly.

If you are stuck on something other than a road bike to start, I would just get something cheaper. 

You won't be laughed off the course. 

Another vote to look for a super sprint this year.  You'll see all kinds of bikes, and all levels of fitness out there.  At the very least, consider volunteering at a race this fall, and see for yourself.

Get the hybrid, ride around town lots to get comfortable handling the bike.  Do your first few races with it.  By then (mid 2009) you will be infected with gear envy, and want to get a road bike.  You will keep the hybrid, for the tooling around town and short errands.  Then you will start to think about getting into an offroad tri, or maybe just going on a slightly more technical trail ride. Maybe the fall folliage tempts you to the trail.  So you will need to get a true mtn bike. By the end of the 2010 season, you will say to yourself "I think I should get a tri-bike to really pick up speed". You will of course keep the other bikes, since one is for bopping around town, one is for technical riding, one is for training and group rides, and one is for racing in tri's.

Remember, as several people in various places have said, the correct number of bikes is n+1, where n= the current number of bikes.

Welcome.

I have a friend who bikes (ALOT) with a flat-bar bike (like what you're talking about).  I'm pretty sure he's done a century or two with his. 

You'll see all types of bikes at most triathlons.  I wasn't the only one on a mountain bike at my first tri (granted, there weren't many of us).  I saw people riding beach cruisers, complete with handlebar baskets, at an all-women's tri in Naperville.  You won't have the oldest or crappiest bike at the race, so start training and sign up!