Chet's Group is out doing it!- Closed (Page 4)

My beautiful wife finished her first 17 mile long run! She is running her first marathon on Feb 6th.  She started running a couple years ago and really only could get light pole to light pole.  She has a half dozen halfs under her belt now.  We have 3 couples going down to run Surf City, all doing the full.  It is so inspiring for me to see how far she has come.  

Great to see you are so supportive of your wife Chet, she is going great guns.

So those of you that are looking for gear, here are some websites I use.  I have found what works for me.  Everyone is different so finding the right gear can be expensive.  I have done a pretty good job staying on a budget.  You don't need to spend a fortune... don't believe the hype.  

www.nashbar.com
www.bonktown.com
www.chainlove.com  (these two are one item at a time until its gone.  Very addicting but good deals)
www.runningwarehouse.com

and Ebay and Craigslist.

 

Michelle - She is great.  We are running a Ragnar Relay for our 10th anniversary... her idea.  I created a monster  I keep catching her looking at triathlon training plans too.  She keeps denying it.

So I've been saving up money for a while now for a new bike.  I've been riding a Trek 1000 aluminum road bike.  Never had it fitted or anything like that.  At the beginning of 2010 I added on some Profile Design Jammer aerobars.  I've had problems with back pain on the bike and after reading through some of the bike fit articles over on slowtwitch and think the cockpit length is too great causing my lower back muscles to become fatigued.  Hmmm....I might have gotten slightly off topic.  To get back to it I'm thinking of a new bike and am debating between tri versus road.  Right now my heart is somewhat set on a Felt S22.  It sounds like it's a good beginner's tri bike at a reasonable price.

Most of my riding is done solo but in the spring/summer I will join a group ride.  I'm thinking the road bike would be better suited for those group rides. 

Any thoughts on this bike conundrum?  What is everyone else riding?  Thanks for any help!

BEER IS THE BEST RECOVERY DRINK!!!!!  

ya'll have an AWESOME mentor.

edit....  oh Chet btw, when the MG triathlon comes up in a few weeks, you're crew better be ready to roll!!!!!  


Edited by fattyfatfat 2010-12-28 7:43 PM

Marc - I ride a Felt Tri and love it.  I only do tri's though.  I have never done a stand alone bike race so the tri bike is right for me.  I have a fairly cheep and heavy roadie that I ride with groups and usually don't have problems keeping up (all about the engine).  Fit could  definitely be the problem for you.

I had a fitting done on my tri bike.  I am so much more comfortable on that bike at 100 miles than i am on my roadie at 30.  It is really about what you are using it for and what feels right.  Ride it before you buy it if you can. That would be my only suggestion.  The bike has to feel right for you.

Whoa! What a totally active group here. Cool.
Taking the day off. Rest day and plan search day. It is snowing here...again..My snowshoes are here, so looking forward for some good mountain training sessions. But for now it's a glass of wine (Menage a Trois- Highly recommeded, just a great table sprit) and searching for a plan.  I can also see that this group is more active than anticipated. It has inspired me to possibly throw some other tri's into the years calendar.

It's only a matter of time now  

Congrats to your wifey.  17 miles is aweome. 

Had an off day on the training plan, so I worked on the second half of my Christmas gift.  Converted our home office into my training room.  Now I can train on my schedule! 

I spent the day turning our spare room into my home office  

Jeff - good luck on finding the right plan.  There are so many out there but worth the search if one fits.

I want a home gym and/or office  

Sheila- You got the expensive part, the bike!  For me it was about 4 items.  Everything else wasn't that big of deal.

Shoes - Asics fit my wide foot and cause less blisters.  A lot of pain getting that figured out.

Cycling shorts - Sugoi RS.  Hands down the best and worth the money on the long rides.

Saddle - Adamo race saddle - I no longer have numbness or pain.

Goggles - Swedish.  No gasket but have never leaked.  Love them.

This doesn't mean these are right for you but once you have these figured out, your golden.

Thanks Chet, I appreciate the recommendations b/c I have no clue.  There is so much info out there it's overwhelming. 

How do I choose the pedals and shoes for my new bike?

Sheila - have JT fit you for shoes and pedals.  They should do a fitting for you after buying the bike from them. Make sure to have them adjust the cleats during the fitting.  I like the Shimano pedals because they are a little wider. 

Head wind makes you stronger!  Tail wind makes you faster!  Wind is our friend.  Good job getting out there today.

Oh, Tri shoes are faster to get on and off.  They have a nice Shimano Tri Shoe there.

Marc - I have never used one mainly due to price.  People swear by them though.  There are so many variables on speed for the bike that being able to track watts enables you to track actual performance.  I don't know a lot about them though.  

Anyone else? 

Is the Adamo seat the one that is split all the way through the horn?

Sheila, also have them show you how to adjust your stuff. It is such a time saver if you want to adjust your cleat, or bike fit. Plus it gets you more in tune with your equipment.

Jeff - Ya that's the one.  It is a llittle wider than a normal saddle and have heard of people having to get used to that.  It is designed for your sit bones.  I was having so many problems with my stock Felt saddle that it was instantly better for me.  I road the ironman in tri shorts and had zero pain.  I am a believer.