the person behind the bear? (Page 2)

Hey Tough Guy:

I would like to retract my earlier statement that this was funny stuff.  This is a site for mostly non-elite, average, MOP and BOP triathletes trying to do their best and excited about the sport.  There is a lot information here and most of us know it comes from non professional sources, but still provides us with useful advice and information.  Some people here, excluding myself, are VERY knowledgeable about their sport, such as the Bear and a number of others. 

Take a look at various professional coaches in any sport.... how many of them do not look like they could participate in that sport???  A lot of them.

We also (or at least I do) have a lot of fun on this site.  I thought this was the case with this thread.  It seems I was wrong (as usual).  I don't think there is anyone on this site who TRIES to be a "know-it-all", but again average people who are trying to help out others.

IMHO (in my humble opinion)

Gary

This might turn me in to a lightning rod, but here it goes.

I think both the Bear and Tough Guy are getting a bit of a bum rap.  My personal opinion is Bear is blunt and can be abraisive in this medium to some, possibly because people can't see body language, etc..., but ultimately, his advice/comments have been accurate if sometimes confrontational, in nature. I just had a conversation about sun glasses....

Tough guy  (and I don't think it is a guy, by the way) posted what I thought was a funny poll (it wasn't perfect as there were no references to peanutbutter, camisoles, athenas, momma, trains...er, nevermind...).  It is my opinion that it started out that way, a somewhat funny poll, but it offended and grew.  In trying to justify, Tough guy's example provoked more and he got defensive which is understandable considering the number of people who piled on.....  I think that this is not necessarily what/who tough guy is and we should give him/her a break. 

What????????????

There's video?

Oh, I agree completely.  Definately a fake persona.  That is why I was saying I didn't think it was a guy at all....

Got to agree with most everyone else.  Bear's comments are direct, to the point, and sometimes confrontational ("Do you really need that much bike?" comes to mind), but they have a point and are definitely knowledgable.  The question I quoted was a legitimate one for TriMom.  It boiled down to "Are your technique, experience, and fitness levels high enough that you'll be able to benefit from a $2500 bike in way that you couldn't with a $1800 bike?"  As beginners, many of us probably wouldn't even notice the difference between bikes of that level, and if we did, it would be in the range of tenths of a mile per hour.

If I were to assume that Bear was a 55 year old BOPer, that hardly means I wouldn't want to take training or technique advice from him.  Where he finishes doesn't mean anything to me, it's how close he is to his personal potential.  If he's right at it, that means his technique and training are very good.  Like it or not, everyone one of us has a max.  Perfect form, perfect training, and perfect equipment are NEVER going to get me qualified for, let alone make me win, IM Hawaii.  I simply don't have the genetics or the time for it.  Does that mean that after ten years of training and instruction that I won't have gained the knowledge to help someone else get there?  Someone who finishes MOP on the bike split while riding a $500 road bike is sure qualified to give me advice on technique and training.  It's pretty clear that with a good tri bike, he'd be near the top.

As for your example of the gym: I've seen plenty of gym rats who were in good muscular shape who have absolutely HORRENDOUS form on their lifts and are just an injury waiting to happen.  The huge numbers of hours they put in is what gives them results, not their knowledge or technique.  If the fat guy knows what he's talking about and can communicate that effectively to me, I'll take him.