Nervous about the bike part

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2009-08-19 7:08 AM

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Subject: Nervous about the bike part
Of all the things I'm worried about in my first tri, it's the transitions, getting kicked in the face during the swim, and how to not get a penalty for drafting during the bike.  I understand that you can't draft, but when there are 500+ people in the event, how do you ride 3 bike lengths apart without taking WAY too long to finish the bike part of the event.  I have this mental picture of everyone biking in a line 3 bike lengths apart.    Frown

I was a competitive swimmer, ran lots of road races years ago, so those parts are a no-brainer for me, but the bike has me more nervous than I probably should be.  Can anyone enlighten me how the bike part of the race looks?  Do people ride in packs, or do you have to pass on the left and ride in a line? 

Sorry if it's a dumb question!! 

2009-08-19 7:18 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part

I was also nervous about the bike before my first tri.  However, it was never an issue.

Even though there are 500 people in your race you won't all be starting at the same time.  You will start in waves if it is open water or speed order if it is a pool swim.  By the time you are getting on your bike it will be well spaced out.  The only time it was an issue for me was my third tri where there was a 16 year old girl obviously unaware of the drafting rule.  I was 3+ bike lengths behind the gal in front of me when this teenager cut right between us.  I obviously had to drop back so I didn't appear to be drafting but after a moment I passed them both.

And don't forget it's not like you get penalized immediately, you have several seconds to drop back.

2009-08-19 7:20 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
The only dumb question is the one you do not ask.

the swim usually goes off in waves, by gender and age group. in those groups you have the sooper fast, the fast, medium and slower swimmers, add on top of that everyone has different ways and times to do Transition, and you will find that you will be with a dozen or so peeps as you start your bike.  Ride right, pass left, it is the overtaken riders responsibility to not draft off you. if you get passed, fall back 3 lenghts as soon as safely possible. It is fairly easy in MOST races to not draft, some races it is just unavoidable, but we all do our best to follow the rules set in place.

Good luck in your first Tri!!!
2009-08-19 7:27 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Hello

Sunday during my race I was passing all the people (well a few) that had smoked me on the swim.  During the ride one girl and I passed each other about 3 times each but never drafted and started talking with each other playing tag. 

It was not really an issue because most of the people on Tri-bikes blow past you and you try to pass those in front of you.

Kevin
2009-08-19 9:01 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Yeah..dont stress about it. As long as you are aware of it, its a non-issue. And remember, you have 15 seconds to make the pass, so you can be on someone's wheel for 10 seconds or so, then make your pass. Once you get even with them, its really their responsibility to fall back, not yours to get ahead of them by 3 lengths (penalty shifts from "DRAFTING" on you to "OVERTAKEN" on them). Seems unfair doesnt it? Its not though...and if you want to avoid having to drop back, DONT GET OVERTAKEN

It will probably motivate you more than make you nervous once you get out there. Dont stress about it, and ..remember to have some fun out there. Good luck!
2009-08-19 9:20 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part

Explain "fall back" to me please?  I wasn't planning on touching my brakes during the ride. 

2009-08-19 9:32 AM
in reply to: #2357724

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Pector55 - 2009-08-19 10:20 AM

Explain "fall back" to me please?  I wasn't planning on touching my brakes during the ride. 



if a rider overtakes you, you are required to fall back 3 bike lengths to avoid an overtaken penalty. simply coast for a second, no need to touch brakes, if the person passing you is going faster than you, that is all it should take.

if you catch them on the next hill or where ever and overtake them, it is the same responsibility for them.

basically you dont want to jump on the persons wheel that just passed you, like you would in a bike race or paceline.

hope that helps

2009-08-19 9:33 AM
in reply to: #2357724

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Pector55 - 2009-08-19 9:20 AM

Explain "fall back" to me please?  I wasn't planning on touching my brakes during the ride. 



Once you're passed ("overtaken"), you cannot immediately re-pass, but rather must exit immediately out the rear of the draft zone, i.e., fall back at least three bike lengths, before you can repass. Here's the applicable rules section:

g. Being Overtaken. When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been "overtaken" within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist.

2009-08-19 10:19 AM
in reply to: #2357467


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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Just don't intentially hang on somebodys wheel. 
2009-08-19 10:43 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Essentially you do your best to not draft.  On a long flat course this may be next to impossible to do for the entire course.  On a hilly course it is much easier to make sure you are never in a position where you are drafting.  All anyone expects is that you do your best to judge the situation and try not to draft.  
2009-08-19 10:49 AM
in reply to: #2357764

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
the bear - 2009-08-19 10:33 AM
Pector55 - 2009-08-19 9:20 AM

Explain "fall back" to me please?  I wasn't planning on touching my brakes during the ride. 



Once you're passed ("overtaken"), you cannot immediately re-pass, but rather must exit immediately out the rear of the draft zone, i.e., fall back at least three bike lengths, before you can repass. Here's the applicable rules section:

g. Being Overtaken. When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been "overtaken" within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist.



ooh. I definitely violated this on the weekend. I was riding along quite happily when a guy passes me and pulls in only about a half a bike length ahead of me and starts to slow.  I was very annoyed as I thought he shouldn't have passed me if he was going to slow down and was causing me to draft him! erg. So i just passed him.  About five minutes later he does the same thing!  So i passed him again and i didn't see him again ... he looked like he was hurting.
Will remember this and review the OAT rules better for my next race  (as I am not in the US but we probably have similar rules)

2009-08-19 11:03 AM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Drafting is a fairness issue to be aware of, but the rules I see way too many beginners violate are the blocking and position rules which say you must keep to the right except when passing, and you must not obstruct other participants. This is more of a safety issue than a fairness issue.

Further, if you're not passing, stay all the way to the right so as to allow at least two cyclists to pass you within a lane, and even if you're passing someone stay as close to the right as you safely can, leaving enough room for a third, faster cyclist to pass you.

As a poor swimmer and decent cyclist, I can't tell you how many times in the last three races I have been that third cyclist and had to scream (politely, of course) for folks to get over to the right.

Applicable sections:

d. Blocking. Cyclists who have established the right of way must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant.

f. Position. Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all cyclists shall keep to the right of the prescribed course unless passing.

2009-08-19 2:08 PM
in reply to: #2357760

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Rudedog55 - 2009-08-19 10:32 AM
Pector55 - 2009-08-19 10:20 AM

Explain "fall back" to me please?  I wasn't planning on touching my brakes during the ride. 



if a rider overtakes you, you are required to fall back 3 bike lengths to avoid an overtaken penalty. simply coast for a second, no need to touch brakes, if the person passing you is going faster than you, that is all it should take.

if you catch them on the next hill or where ever and overtake them, it is the same responsibility for them.

basically you dont want to jump on the persons wheel that just passed you, like you would in a bike race or paceline.

hope that helps



It definitely helped.. thanks.  There was no way in heck I was going to intentionally slow down ;-)
2009-08-19 3:52 PM
in reply to: #2357467

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Subject: RE: Nervous about the bike part
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and the clarification.  I feel much better! 
Jen
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