DREAM BIKE
Could this be the bike on which you carve up the crowd this season? Taking advantage of newly-relaxed UCI frame-design rules, it’s the Orca Aero from Orbea…
ORBEA ORCA AERO M10ITEAMD
£7,299 Aero gains are the name of the game for the new Orca Aero from the Basque brand Orbea. There’s a Freeflow fork that takes advantage of the more relaxed UCI rules regarding frame design, a wealth of integrated tech, and even multiple bottle mounts to minimise drag from the cage and vessel. Prices start at £2,999 and go up to the top-of-the-range £7K model seen here. orbea.com
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART
Over the years I haven’t been honest with people as I’ve always been scared of being stopped doing the sport I absolutely love. But I no longer want to be scared, and would like to share my story as I feel very proud of my achievements and hope to inspire other to pursue their goals and dreams.
I’m 46 and was born with a congenital heart condition. At the age of three, I underwent heart surgery to repair a hole. During which they also removed a valve, which has never been replaced.
In 2011, after watching Ironman Lanzarote I was inspired to try a tri. My first race was the 2012 super sprint in Great Yarmouth. Since then I’ve completed sprint, Olympic and Ironman 70.3 distances. The biggest challenge was Ironman 70.3 Lanzarote – it took me three attempts to complete it but in 2014 I finally crossed that finish line.
Last year I also completed The London Marathon, raising money and awareness for The British Lung Foundation. I ran in honour of my friend who sadly passed away from terminal lung cancer a week after the marathon.
Every two years I have a heart check-up, and my cardiologist is always pleased with the condition of my heart and gives me the okay to carry on with the sport I love.
“As an Aussie who’s just moved over I’m surprised the pools here don’t have speed indicators”
My next goal would be to find a sponsor, after all how can you get the experience and become better without being given a chance? If there’s anyone out there reading this who would like to give me that opportunity please get in touch via 220. Many thanks. Belinda Dawson
220 replies: If anyone would like to help Belinda on her tri journey, please email fao220@220triathlon.com and we will put you in touch.
GETTING TO GRIPS
I’ve just finished reading your article ‘The Making of X-Talon G’ in the April issue, about the latest offering from Inov-8, and I have a couple of comments.
Firstly, I bought some Inov-8 shoes ‘a long time ago’, I only used them a couple of times a year but they’ve been great, providing loads of grip and associated confidence on the rough and slippery stuff.
However, I felt that their cushioning wasn’t sufficient for the ‘on-road’ sections of the run, so I always wear them with neoprene socks. The other point, and it’s related, is that last year I read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, and on the basis of this ‘bare-foot revolution’ I purchased a pair of Topo Fli-Lyte 2’s with a 3mm drop.
Four months later I was diagnosed with a stress fracture in my right fibula. My physio suggested that trying to change my running style after 50 years was perhaps not the best decision. But by getting some inserts I was able to raise the overall drop to about 10mm, which feels much more ‘normal’ for me.
I understand the G235’s have a drop of about 6mm, but I’ve tried my new inserts in my old Inov-8’s and not only appreciate the extra comfort but also haven’t lost any confidence in the grip.
I just thought that some of your ‘older’ readers might benefit from not making the same mistake I did! Ralph Haughton
AUSSIE RULES
I read the March issue’s star letter about swim lane egos (Disheartening Behaviour), but as an Aussie who’s just moved over I’m surprised the pools here don’t have speed indicators to help people find the ‘right lane’.
In Australia we usually have 3-4 lanes for people training hard and at the end a sign saying average time/100m, e.g. 1min/100m, 1:30/100m, 2mins/100m, etc. Why isn’t this done here? Pete Jones
220 replies: Why indeed, Pete?! It would certainly solve a lot 0f poolrelated aggro. Heck, let’s all move to Oz and swim happy!