TriSupporter

How many is enough?

Since before winter started, Rianman started his quest for cycling glasses that would keep his eyeballs from freezing in the 24 degree (yes Fahrenheit) weather he loves to ride in. The Rudy Project mask (bottom right) didn't cut it plus he needed clear lenses for night riding. The top row left are his Native glasses and are about 6 years old and beside almost falling apart didn't keep the wind out.

We've been to Dick's to try ski goggles - too bulky and not enough peripheral vision. We went to the scooter store to see what they had. I think the top right is from there (note: not clear). We found a pair on Amazon - those are in the middle, rear. I kind of like those - they look like goggles that the first pilots wore. After pouring over websites with no luck, we finally drove to several local bike shops. What did he come home with? The Infrared Oakely Jawbones with transitions lenses.

 

Let's hope these work because I'm not about to keep looking. The first ride is tonight but it's above freezing so maybe it won't be enough of a test. Regardless, this TriSupporter has put her foot down. No more new sunglasses.

 

Whatever happened to simple tools?

As the sherpa bike mechanic in my house (that's not saying much), I have now been confronted with the third instance of instructions telling me to use a torque wrench. Who the heck has a torque wrench??? I'm already spending a lot of money on these accessories and now I need a special tool? Why can't these come like my furniture--with little allen wrenches and instructions to 'hand tighten'?

The first time I was instructed to use a torque wrench was when installing the XLab Carbon Wings. We gave up and brought Lola to the bike shop to have it properly installed--since I didn't have a torque wrench and we didn't want the whole thing to fall off on a long ride.

The second time was when trying to install a similar product on the road bike. Again, I said 'screw it. Bring it to the shop.' Not only did I not have the torque wrench but I couldn't get my tools into the tight spot needed. Let someone else do it.

Last night, I came face to face with 'using a torque wrench, tighten to 30 pounds'--UGH. This time I was installing the new XLab Torpedo mount which mounts between the aero bars so you can then mount a cage for a traditional water bottle.

Well installing the mount is easy...a small flat piece of carbon and four Velcro straps are all that's needed to get it on the aerobars. The torque wrench comes in when mounting the cage (we chose Chimp) to the mount. Needless to say, it was 8pm at night and although this product has been sitting around the house for over a week, it had to be installed. So, I hand tightened the bolts and told Rianman to hope for the best.

He's on his ride now. Let's hope my hand tighten is something close to 30 pounds of torque.

File this under, Nice try.

So Rianman comes into my office and says, "Hey you know how my shoulders have been hurting? Well Kat says that the 404s are better for absorbing bumps."

me: "You have 404s."

Rianman: "Not in the front."

me: "No, you're not getting 404s for the front."

Rianman walks out of my office.

I call out after him, "Your shoulders hurt cause you ride one hundred and twelve effing miles in effing areo!"

Sorry Zipp - you don't win this time.

And Kat, you're not helping!

iPods: just another piece of equipment

On Sunday, after Rianman's 19-miler in the heat, I took his water bottles and FuelBelt and dumped them in the kitchen sink for their regular spa soak with some Dawn. I figure if it can clean oil-coated sea otters, it can get the goop off all the plastic and stink off the sweaty straps and bands and stuff.

Well on Sunday night, Rianman asked if I emptied the FuelBelt pouch when I washed it.

Me: "No. I never do. It's always got gel packs and cash--why bother?"

Him: "I put my iPod in there."

Me: "Shit."

So on Monday morning I put the Purple Shuffle in a bag of brown rice (it's better for you) in the hopes of drying it out. Here it is before we took it out today.

 

Did it work?

Nope. Another Shuffle Bites the Dust. It's becoming an annual thing lately. A Shuffle a year - just another triathlete expense. They should just start carrying them at the bike and tri shops.

Compression socks not enough?

Okay so Rianman saw these and now wants them. I really hope they are crazy expensive!

Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for your Triathlete

So you've got just a few days to get your triathlete something. Lucky for you there is a lot out there and there is still time to order online and pay an outrageous amount for express shipping. But you're thinking, "What do I get?" Well I've put together a short list of items I think your Triathlete might like...this list is based on experience. Each item has proven to be the most useful of the gifts I've gotten Rianman over the years.

Spin Doctor Pro 3G Workstand

This stand is great. It's really stable and yet packs up easily in case you need to take it with you. Rianman isn't much of a mechanic but the workstand is still useful.

I got it at Performance Bike but they're sold out right now...sorry.

Fizik Arione Tri 2 Saddle

I got this saddle for the Motobecane because the original was, well, beat up. And this one had good reviews. He didn't transfer it over to the Specialized because that a pretty nice saddle.

You can get this at any number of shops including TriSports.

Garmin Forerunner 305 or 405

Rianman got the 305 last year and loves it. People have complained about the 405 but it is the latest so you may want to get that. You can get them just about anywhere both online and on ground.

Winter Gear

This includes gloves with mitten covers for running, base layers from Craft (Rianman's favorite), running and cycling tights that break the wind, full bootie, and a full face mask or hoodie to keep them warm while riding or running.

Stocking Stuffers

You can't go wrong with stocking up on Body Glide, Gels, Salt Tabs, Lace Locks, or even a pair or two of socks and some hand warmers.

So if you haven't filled the stocking or wrapped any gifts, get out there. You've got three days and counting down.

Monday's Episode of Triathlons of Our Lives

The episode opens with Ri-guy sitting around a poker table at the monthly poker night. We sense that the decision hasn't been made as Ri-guy's concentration on the game is off. He leaves that night having lost $8.

Saturday morning begins with an 18 mile run for Ri-guy. With an early start, he's back mid-morning. After he's showered, we see him on the phone and hear, "I really want to get it from you guys--when do you realistically think you can get it in?"

Hmmm...he must be talking to Epic Bike and Sport.

"So can you give me the $250 in equipment credit?"

We next see TriSupporter and Ri-guy leave to get lunch...it's no coincidence they are heading north...away from the big bike and multisport shop down south, away from Trek, his favorite shop, and toward Epic. They stop at Thai Place, sit at the bar to watch the last stage of the Tour while they eat, then make their way to the Bike Shop.

The next scene pans across a bike shop. Ri-guy and TriSupporter enter. Scott and Paul seem happy to see Ri-guy - wonder why?? The order is placed on the computer...it'll ship Monday and arrive on Wednesday. How did they pull that off??? It was going to be 2.5 weeks.

Pedals get picked, new cycling shoes, some more Hammer products and then the deal is made. The fit is scheduled for the following Friday. TriSupporter hands over the credit card with a big sigh, "This had better make you faster."

The last scene flashes a picture of the new ride

A new ride???

At the start of today's episode of "Triathlons of Our Lives", we are presented with a recap of this week's storyline. We find Ri-guy anxiously considering a new purchase. We see him visit several local bike shops (LBS), conduct vast (albeit cursory) amounts of research (all pointing of course to his preference), and we finally see him test ride a smokin' hot, carbon, all DA tricked-out ride in his favorite color combination of black, red, and white.

We pick up Ri-guy's story several hours after the test ride.

We see Ri-guy laying in bed while TriSupporter is in the adjacent sitting room watching late night TV. Thinking he's asleep in preparation for a 105-miler on Friday (for which he took a vacation day), she suddenly hears a faint call out, "Are you awake?" "Yes. You're not asleep?" she asks.

"No," he replies.

Thinking for a moment, she then asks, "Are you thinking about the bike?"

"Yes, I can't decide."

TriSupporter can tell he's having trouble with the decision. Ri-guy always has pre-buyer's remorse, if there is such a thing. She knows he's asking himself a million questions: Why do I want a new bike? Should I get this bike? Should I just get new wheels? Is it too soon to the IM to get a bike? Why do I want THIS bike? Will it really be better? Haven't I shown enough commitment to deserve this bike? Is it wasteful?

She doesn't encourage or discourage; she just says, "Think about it in the morning. Get to sleep."

It's now Friday morning, we can see pouring rain and hear thunder in the background. We see Ri-guy in the kitchen, getting ready for his ride. The clock on the stove reads 4:45 am. But the forecast doesn't look good. He's taken a day off for this--it'd better stop raining. He goes back to bed. Wakes up and the storm seems to have passed. Preps and is out of the house around 7 am on his trusty 3 year old tri-bike Ralphie.

TriSupporter gets a call. Split screen: Ri-guy is at a stop 33 miles into the ride. TriSupporter is working at her desk. He tells TriSupporter, "I'm getting the bike." "Okay." she replies, knowing that over the next 72 miles he will change his mind a hundred times.

The show now fades to black, credits roll.

It's Friday, and today's episode of "Triathlons" leave us only with this question: Will he get the new ride?

Come back Monday...for these are the "Triathlons of Our Lives".