Biking and cycling
Pacing and fueling are two incredibly important aspects to consider when training for any triathlon or endurance race. We’ll go over some average paces for each discipline and general estimates for calories burned so you can get an idea of how to best fuel your body for these hard efforts.
Triathlon bikes can climb hills. They may not be as comfortable as climbing on a road bike, but they are perfectly capable of handling the kinds of hills that the triathlete encounter in most triathlon courses.
However, nothing comes close to the comfort and flexibility of a road bike upgraded with aero bars, especially for entry-level Triathletes who plan to be in the sport for some time or would like to make the most out of the two worlds of cycling and triathlons.
It primarily comes down to three reasons: comfort, protection, and aerodynamics. Taller socks will help protect a rider’s legs from the sun and any debris that might come off of the road. It also protects their feet from their shoes (and, conversely, their shoes will be protected from their feet).
Your bike’s gearing system can make a big difference in how easy or hard it is to ride, not to mention how many gears you’ll be able to utilize. Any bike you buy will come with a certain amount of gears (unless it’s a single-speed, of course).
But more gears doesn’t always translate to “better.” Having more gears means having more components which can lead to added weight for the bike.
Step into any bike shop and you’re bound to see a range of tires on display – and a ton of numbers to go with them. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your wheels or need to swap a tube fast, it’s important to understand what all of these mean so you don’t end up with a flat (or worse).