SBR Utopia Season II - OPEN (Page 144)

I'd still be out there.  My driveway is 300 feet long and I do my dad's driveway next door (also 300 feet long).

Can't remember if I posted this last year, but we had a good 18"+ dumping.  So, like any sarcastic Stravaholic, I of course strapped on the 910 as a joke and went out to snow blow.

I pushed that firkin' thing 1.6 miles up and down our driveway (about 200-250' long).  Felt like Monty Python's, "Sergeant Major marching up and down the square."

If I had to shovel it, I'd just have bought extra milk and eggs and waited for spring...

I did get a KOD, though (King of the Driveway).  Love me some Strava bling!

Matt

Did they swim upstream, too?  

I understand that is one of the most brutal courses around.  Wish I were there!

M

Took a tiny spill yesterday on a muddy corner while riding home.  The good thing about sliding out on a muddy corner is that the mud protects your skin from getting scraped up.  The bad thing is that you're covered in mud...LOL.  My RD didn't get scratched either, but caked in mud as well.

Luckily, I had just got my new EZ Brush (http://www.amazon.com/EZ-Detail-1001-SA-Brush/dp/B002LOP5IA) and it made washing my bike so much better.  For so long I have been trying household type brushes or sponges that just wouldn't do the job well.  This thing works great in between the brakes, in between the chain rings and the frame, under the saddle, on the hubs, and most importantly between the spokes.

I'm off work again today...probably going to do some climbing on the bike then finish up Christmas shopping.

I seriously need to figure out how to travel with all my tri paraphernalia. All my races have been within driving distance, so I've just loaded up the Sequoia (aka, land barge) and gone.

Would anyone mind sharing how they approach flying to a race?  Sort of a tri-travel 101 that has worked for you?  (and, yes, I'll search old posts, too)  

I hit some great locations for work, and often can dictate when I go, so it might be one of those things where I can make the planets align for a cool race more often than not…  Even without that, it would be helpful for me, as I'm going to start the gear purchase cycle for travel (I recall a discussion on bike cases a few months back).

Thanks.

Matt

Marc pretty much covered it.  I have a soft case (Aerus Biospeed) as well that isn't heavy and can easily fit in a smaller rental car or the trunk of most taxis.  I have to disassemble and reassemble the same parts as Marc.  My bag came with some awesome padding to go around all the tubing on the bike and a padded bag for the RD.  

Other than that I make sure that nothing that gets packed in the case can float around and ding things up.  I use velcro straps and some old bike tubes to tie things to the bike (and hope TSA doesn't untie anything).

I keep saying I should make a checklist of things to pack but I never do.  I forgot my crack pipe for Miami.

As Marc said, research the airline bike fees and I would suggest printing a copy to take with you to check-in.  The agents often don't really know the rules and may try to screw you over (I'm looking at you United!).  Granted sometimes they don't know the rules and it works in your favor - in those cases leave the printout in your pocket.  

Hotels within easy walking distance of the race is awesome if you can do it.  Might want to check with the hotel ahead of time to make sure they are ok with a bike in the room.  I've never had a problem in a bigger chain hotel but some smaller places have balked and I know there were some hotels for IM Whistler that wouldn't allow it.  I have a feeling they will change their minds on that one...

The top of my list is to reserve a spot with tribiketransport.com and pay extra for a gear bag (wheel bag included in base cost) and the valet service.  Worth every penny...assuming the race is on their schedule.

This.  Unberlieveably convenient and worth every penny.  You can stuff a lot of crap in the gear bag.  I used them twice this year, will use them twice next year.  Although I've never gotten a quote with the wheel bag included, it's always extra

They don't go to SOS so I am exploring my options, including very likely just renting/borowing a bike in NY.  I's only a 30 mile ride.

If you have to travel with, what Marc/Arend said, especially about printing policies out.  Have to do this with dive hear too.  Another option a friend uses is fed exing his bike box (it's a very expense, british model, $700-800 or so).   But that can get $$$ I hear.

I would love to use Tribike transport.  Unfortunately the nearest drop off shop to me is a 2 hour flight away.  

You need TTTBT.  Transport to Tri Bike Transport

PT last night, wants 6 weeks off running.  That's two more weeks from this Monday.  Then reassess, but I think by that time I'll be good to go.  Pain has gone from a localized spot to more diffuse "sensation."  I know it's the right call, and I'm in this 3+ weeks, might as well be in all the way to have a successful 2014.  But I don't need to explain to this crowd how frustrating it is.  Minor Grrr

Good thing 2014 was my "have fun" season.  Reassessing the sub 5 goal for April New Orleans, thinking might be unlikely now, and I don't want to cram for it (also missing 11 days in Feb due to vacation).  But we'll wait and see.  I've really resisted elliptical/aqua and that may not have been the best approach.  Ah well. 

Swimming has been spotty due to motivation/pool closures.    But am really enjoying my trainer time for some reason, and actually looking forward to it.  Having a good show to watch helps. 

Wheel bag is included in the basic cost of shipping.  I think they do this because they don't allow you to ship with a rear disk wheel on, so they include a wheel bag in the cost.  You pay an extra $35 for the gear bag.  So, between the wheel bag and gear bag you can get a lot of stuff shipped with your bike.  The new valet service is sweet...you don't have to mess with your bike or transition bags until the next morning.

Yeah, i use a disc so do the wheel bag route

That's either changed or not on the west coast.  IM Canada and Miami 70.3 both charged for each bag.  AS well as NOLA 70.3 2014.  I.e., if this link comes through, wheel bag is $20:

http://www.tribiketransport.com/stops.complete?sku%5B%5D=a0LA000000GqpA6MAJ&qty%5B%5D=1

And if I choose one of the two WI shops, still charge.  So you must have some pull

http://www.tribiketransport.com/stops.complete?sku%5B%5D=a0LA000000Gqp9yMAB&qty%5B%5D=1

I wanted to use valet for NOLA but they ony do it for IM distances.

And you apparently can't do a gear bag for international other than US/Canada

Agree!  If tri bike transport (or tri team transport) is an option, it is incredibly convenient.  My only "issue" with it is that you have to drop your bike off a week early (you know, so they have time to transport it to the race site...) and I only own one bike.  I know how to fix that problem (n+1, right?), but haven't done so yet.  That said, definitely considering buying a road bike this year.

I also do have a hard box for transporting the bike if TBT/TTT is not available.  I don't like to use it because 1) it's bulky, 2) it's expensive to fly with, 3) you then have to have a rental car big enough to fit the giant box, and 4) I'm hopelessly bad about taking my bike apart and putting it back together.

Glad to hear your foot pain is moving in the right direction.  Hopefully two more weeks will do the trick.

If you're wanting to aquajog, I have an extra belt that I don't use....just say the word and it's yours.  In fact, I'll be in socal next week and could deliver it to you

Wow - ask and you shall receive…  Many thanks to all for the responses on tri-travel.  Definitely will get me off on the right foot (I'll be looking at cases today).  

Now I just have to register for a couple races (and hope they haven't filled).

Marc, as for cycling in February, I'm planning a trip to… my basement.  It covers the "not too exotic" piece pretty firmly.    Perhaps SoCal, if you want climbing, although I'd be partial to NoCal (and just bring fall weather gear for any cool snaps), as it's varied, pretty and I don't mind cool.  

East coast is tough in February, I think, as by the time you get to the reliable warmth (FL, Gulf Coast, etc.), it's boooooooring from all that I've seen (and I've been in some nasty winter weather as far south as GA in February) or at least flat (there are some nice coastal areas that might be OK for riding, but flat flat flat).

I'm guessing that any place outside of N.A. is "too exotic"?

Matt

Can we make a new rule that people have to say they did intervals at XXX% of FTP, rather than throwing out huge numbers that I'm incredibly jealous of?   It's also helpful to me to know if you did those 3 min intervals at 106% or 120% or 130% or whatever.  Or maybe we could make a different rule that says you only post your intervals in terms of W/kg

As for your run injury, what are you doing to treat it, Marc?  Are you doing PT or seeing someone who does ART or anything?  I'm also dealing with a little bit of a foot issue that feels like the precursor to PF and have been seeing my chiro who does ART -- I think it's helping and will be seeing him again this afternoon.

Wow, you're right Chris.  I must have made my reservations for Arizona and M-T 2013 way ahead of time before the wheel bag charge was put in effect.  Oh well....I put a lot of stuff in my wheel bag - even my full size bike pump - so its worth it.