Subject: RE: 2011 Season-what's your schedule? timkelley - 2010-12-30 10:28 AM Hey Alice. We will probably see each other at TTT. I'm from Cincinnati. Have you done TTT before? What are your thoughts? Any tips? My major concerns are the weather...cold water for the swim and some of the hills on the bike. I have seen various people talk about using tri bike vs road bike, what are your thoughts?
Tim
I have done the HIM portion of TTT, last year. (It's called Little Smokies if you complete only the HIM and not the other races. ) Weather: The water is very cold. There are some good tips and articles out there about preparing yourself for it, and getting your face wet, so your body doesn't instinctually freak out. I had no problem with weather on the bike. Road bike v Tri bike: I went with my road bike, thanks to BT advice, and I'm glad I did. I have a "granny gear" - the little third chain ring up front on my road bike, and I have to tell you, I used EVERY GEAR on that bike. I was even standing up in the smallest chainring in the smallest gear. People were dropping chains right and left and walking up hills. It's no joke. If you have a road bike, get in some miles on it, and take it. Mine is old, it's a steel-aluminum composite, it has Kevlar tires, and carbon NOTHING. In contrast, my tri bike is light, fits me great and has carbon everything. I still will be choosing my road bike again this year. (This advise is meant for people who don't live in hill country. If you already go cycling in WV all the time, you can probably disregard... ) |