FA0 220
Your emails & pictures
A PLAN IN PLACE
Seven years ago I left the Royal Marines a fairly fit individual. Triathlon had always fascinated me and was an itch that I should have scratched but didn’t. So, present day, seriously out of shape, topping the scales just shy of 28 stone, I’ve taken the plunge and signed up for Ironman Wales 2019. I’d just like to thank you guys for all the info on gear, up-and-coming events, letters from other beginners, the list goes on…. I have a plan in place for a number of events over the next year and have already purchased some kit. So thank you! Rob G
220 replies: All the very best, Rob. Please do let us know how you get on!
WEATHER WOES
My 2018 race season came to a disappointing end: soaked through, freezing cold and shivering uncontrollably by the side of the road an hour into the bike leg of the Hever Castle Gauntlet.
Undoubtedly, I’d made mistakes, but my DNF came about because I was never able to dry out or warm up following the swim – I even struggled to take off my two swim hats, let alone my wetsuit in the rain and single-digit temperatures.
I’ve always struggled with the cold but I had a hat under my helmet, gloves and a supposedly ‘foul-weather’ jacket to try and beat the elements. But all this went on top of a soaking tri-suit and cold limbs; I finally called it a day when I could no longer hold the bike steady on the flats.
The saying ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes choices’ may well be true, but when kit reviews typically focus on lightweight comfort and breathability, could we not have more focus on racing in British conditions at either end of the season? Additionally, something that I’ve never seen in a review is the garment’s ability to deal with the cold, wet rider inside it. This is very different from dressing for the cold and wet on a training ride when you start dry and warm. Euan Brown
220 replies: A well-raised point, Euan, and something we will endeavour to highlight in future reviews.
WAR OF THE ROSES PT2?
With the recent rise to prominence of the Bury cycling twins, Adam and Simon Yates, it’d be great to get them together with those proud Yorkshiremen, the Brownlees, in a cross Pennines ride. They could show each other their favourite rides of their youth and discuss sibling rivalry and cooperation in competition. Obviously we’d all love to see a 2up TT War of the Roses style but that might be pushing it! As they say up here (“the North”) ‘shy bairns get nowt’ so I thought I’d put it out there. Andrew Hawthorne
“Could we not have more of a focus on racing in British conditions at either end of the season?”
MAN VS DOG
Having read your trail tips in the last issue [36 Ways to Smash Duathlon, October issue], and the suggestions of trail, MTB and duathlons to keep active over the winter, I’d like to add a fourth possibility – cani-sports.
It’s a rapidly-growing winter sport, and caters for all levels and experience. A trained up and fit dog will pull like a train, so much so that both my 5k and 10k PBs are dog-assisted.
There’s also bikejor [riding a bike with dogs pulling you], very useful if you like your mountain biking at road-bike speeds! To top it all off, I’ve just returned from a canine multisports weekender, taking part in an aquathlon and the swim leg of a relay tri. While, for some, it’s a fun activity with the dog, for others it’s good, hard racing over the off-season, with four-legged athletes! Tom Moore
220 replies: While cat-lovers outnumber dog-lovers on 220, we’re tempted to switch allegiance just to give this a go! Thanks for sharing, Tom.