bcagle25's Endurance Ninja's - Closed (Ninja school is in session) (Page 16)

I can't imagine buying a bike without riding it.

When I started tri bike shopping I was very disappointed shops with only a few new tri bikes weren't even offering rides, since the often proprietary seat post would have to be cut. Was not amused.

Had to find larger shops with demos and certainly glad I did since riding a tri bike was even more different than I'd been prepared for.

If this is not your first tri bike, and if you know what you prefer in terms of long and low or short and compact, then you make be one of the few who can order successfully online. I know I couldn't.

Endurosport is likely the best known tri shop in the area, lots of fun toys there and some very skilled staff.

I still like Impala in Richmond Hill, they have some good bike guys. They also carry Cervelo (I'm biased) and Giant.

Seems like everyone is having some great training going on right now. I just booked a solid 11 mi run and was able to pull myself out of a sluggish warmup, then hit a 15 min intervals of increasing intensity.

As for the weather, this will be our first look at spring with no temps below 40. I feel that we here in La Crosse, WI have been isolated into some sort of snow bubble around the state. Madison, Milwaukee and virtually everywhere else got pounded. Heard of some tornadoes popping up too. 

Did my first indoor triathlon yesterday(10' sw, 20' bike, 15' run). Went good for the most part but I think I rode my spin bike incorrectly. Swam 700 yds, bike 8.31 miles, and ran 2.1. The reason I think I biked wrong was just about everyone biked between 9-12 miles and I was almost dead last on the bike, top 3 on the swim and run. This never happens on the bike for me, usually I am a solid MOP'er. I felt like I was putting in a good effort, HR was up, effort level was up, but I guess I was slow? it was my first time on a spin bike ever so maybe I had my resistance wrong. Noticed everyone was bouncing in their saddles and I was very controlled so maybe there is a different way to ride those bikes? 

What am I missing on this?

I buy a lot online, but at the LBS for bikes is one thing I find very important. You get to know the staff, they get to know you, so its more personalized. You also haver a great chance to build a solid relationship with them, thus you will get better deals and just have a trusting relationship. They will usually include the fit into the purchase too. With you being 4 hours away might change it a bit. If you are a good mechanic with bikes, then that should give some more lee way towards the online option.

OMG, well done, both from a mental and physical performance. How are you feeling prep wise for Boston now?

It will interesting to see what weather Mother Nature throws at Boston for the marathon.  I live about 3 mi from the halfway point, and go to watch the race every year I can (great motivator!); I hope to run it someday.  Hopefully the weather is nice; we've had an incredibly mild winter here.

Finally settled on race one for the year; the Boston Run to Remember half marathon, 12wks out.  Looks like a great race course, and I have wanted to do a half (outside of a tri) for a while.  Hope everyone's weekends are going well!

That had to take some serious mental toughness, put that workout in the confidence bank to be withdrawn when needed in Boston.  Great job!