Duathlon Questions

[NeverlandClub23]

Ok, I've been looking into duathlon's over the past few days (not ready for a tri, my swimming consists of floating on a tube in a pool with a drink in my hand ) and have found one next March I may be interested in doing.

My biggest question is how do I stay out of everyone else's way? I really just want my first time to be about getting a feel for it and not pissing any of the more serious competitors off. I figure since you run first most of the elite runners/cyclists will be gone before I get to the transition area. Are transition areas chaotic?

Any tips or advice? I'm a leisure bike rider right now, doing about 20-25 miles a week. I do have a pretty nice "male" bike as my brother was really into biking and he "had" to have a nice bike and I got it when that phase was over (bike's maybe 3 years old). It's made of, I think, titanium? It's really light. Should I get a "girl's" bike? How much would a sufficient bike be? I want something good but I'm not looking to do an Ironman anytime soon .

Oh, also I have a Garmin Forerunner 305. Is the bike accessory worth buying?

Any books, websites, resources I should check out? Thanks for any help!

 

[cewait]

First, don't worry about being in every one else's way. As you said the run will sort the race out. The real competitors will be at the point. Just run your own run. Once in transition, grab your helmet, starp the strap and grab your bike and head for bike out (exit). There is a mounting line that you have to go past before getting on the bike. Go just a little past the line and to the side of the area. Hop on and ride.

Duathlons - like tris - have cycling rules. All riders by rule should ride to the right hand side of the course. By doing that you are out of most everyone's way on the bike. You may come upon a rider who is slower. You cannot stay close behind that rider for more than a few seconds. So as you approach, glance over your left shoulder, move to the left and yell on your left to the rider you are over taking. Once past, come back to the right side of the course. Once you come close to the finish - last quarter mile shift to a slightly easier gear so you are spinning the pedals. This will help in the first bit of the run. Look for the dismount line. Hold your kine as you stop and dismount. Once off run to your transition spot and hang your bike.

From there its a run to the finish

As far as the Garmin bike setup. You will not need it for the DU but it will really help in traiing to have the reading of your speed, cadence and HR on the bar. The added benefit of the bike setup is the nifty soft velcro closed wrist strap. It beats the heck out of the rubber one on the 305. I say go for the kit. It is easily installed. as I remember 4 zip bands and a screw on the magnet... a little adjustment and you are done. The Garmin will self calibrate for your wheel diameter once it senses the gear working on the bike and your are good to go.


Added-

Your question about the bike. Your bike should fit you. If your brother is around the same height you should be ok. I would take your bike to the local bike shop and have them set you up on the bike. Even small little adjustmnets can make a huge difference in comfort and or power

 

[Duanerice]

Ditto what Charles said. If you are slower just stay to the right. You won't be in anyones way.

Make sure the bike fits and go for it. I've seen beach cruisers, mountain bikes and very expensive tri bikes on the same course. Just go have some fun.

I bought a $9 holder for my Garmin. I actually have it on the stem of my bars. I didn't get the cadence monitor, just wanted my Garmin strapped to my bike. Eventually I'll get the cadence thing but not right now. I already have the Velcro strap, replaced it the first week I got the Garmin.

Since this is your first, go out and have some fun!

enjoy,
Duane

 

[crewmatt]

I was petrified in my first tri about biking, you'd be surprised how much room you actually have. People are generally very considerate, I mean every so often you have the one exception. The garmin accessory could be useful, but you could also just get a biking computer that you connect directly to the bike, I use one, it cost me like 35 bucks (got a good deal on it tho). So see which is more economical but still does everything you need. I'd say the one thing you def want to make sure to have is cadence and speed. The cadence really helps you stay in a specific zone and not overspin or overgrind.

the most important thing on the bike would be comfort, if the frame is an appropriate size for you and you've made the adjustments you want I dont see any need to get a new bike right away. If you start getting serious about it and really want to scratch the last little bit of performance out of your bike you can look to get a specific girls bike. Depending how hardcore you want to go I'd say you would be looking anywhere from like 800 dollars if you shop in the off season and buy last years model, to 9,000 if you want a full custom setup. Realistically you'd probably be looking at 1200-1500 for a carbon fiber bike with reasonably good components if you shop november/december.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Thanks so much everyone for the great advice! It's been very helpful!!