February 27th, 2010 — Biking, Swim Bike Run
A good part of understanding your triathlon training and performance is having a grasp on the lingo. Here is a guide to cycling terms that you should know in order to get the most out of your experience.
Derailleur - When gears are shifted on a bike, the derailleur is the mechanism that changes which gear sprocket the bicycle chain is on.
Devil Take the Hindmost - Devil take the hindmost is a race type in which the last rider across the finish line in each lap of the course is eliminated from the race, this type of race is also known as a miss-and-out.
Disk Wheel - A disk wheel is a spokeless solid wheel used for its aerodynamic properties, mostly in time trials but also in other types of races.
Domestique - The domestique is a rider in long races who has the responsibility to retrieve items such as water and food to pass along to their teammates from the support vehicle.
Draft - Drafting is a way to decrease a cyclist’s wind resistance by riding closely on the tail of another cyclist.
Drops - On handlebars that are turned down, the drops are the lower portion.
Echelon - An echelon is a formation used by groups of cyclists not competing with each other. By riding in a diagonal pattern with each rider downwind of the one in front of them the lead rider lowers the wind resistance of the whole group. To spread out the extra effort, members of the group take turns riding in the lead.
Field - In a race, the field refers to the main mass of riders.
Field Sprint - A field sprint usually occurs towards the end of a section of a long race, it is when riders within the main group.
Fixed Gear - Seen in track bikes, a fixed gear is what is known as direct drive, where the rear cog is linked to the chain ring, with this configuration a rider cannot coast as the pedals will spin whenever the bike moved.
Flyer - A flyer is when a lone rider makes an unexpected attack.
Force the Pace - Forcing the pace involves speeding up to force the rest of the group to speed up as well.
Full Tuck - The full tuck provides an improvement in a riders aerodynamics by having the rider assume a crouching position.
Gap – The gap is described as being the amount of time that is between riders or between groups of riders. This can also refer to working to increase a lead and widen that gap.
Granny Gear - Used for making difficult inclines, the granny gear is a name for a mountain bike’s lowest gear.
Hammer - To hammer is to ride at the very limit of an individual’s capabilities, or to ride extremely hard.
Hammered - To be hammered is to be completely exhausted.
Photo credits: Futurilla
Originally posted 2009-10-29 03:20:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
The Right Biking Gear Makes All the Difference Many people when riding a bike believe the right biking gear means nothing more than having a good bike and a water bottle. What many people find is that when they upgrade to gear which is actually designed to increase performance that they will actually be able to ride longer...... -
Triathlon Cycling Terms Continued Here is the final installation of our glossary of triathlon cycling terms and definitions. Team Pursuit - This is a type of race that is similar in nature to the individual pursuit style of racing, however instead there are two different teams, each of which is made up of four...... -
Cycling Glossary Continued Handicap - Handicap races are quite popular in Australia, in them, the racers start at different points on the track based on their performance. âScratch Menâ are the fastest of the riders, and start at the traditional starting line and âout markersâ are the rest of the riders and depending...... -
What to Pack in Your Bag for a Triathlon You have probably spent months if not years preparing for the upcoming triathlon race, so in all honestly, the last thing that you need right now is to have your mind wandering to things that you may have forgot. Why worry about whether or not you forgot something, when putting...... -
A 10k Training Program Which Works So, you have signed up for your first 10k race. You are nervous about how you will perform in the race. This is understandable. This is why you are looking for the best 10k training program to get started the right way. The good news is there have been a......
Online Stores
February 24th, 2010 — Biking, Swim Bike Run
A good part of understanding your triathlon training and performance is having a grasp on the lingo. Here is a guide to cycling terms that you should know in order to get the most out of your experience.
Aero Bar – An aero bar is a type of handlebar that juts forward to increase aerodynamics by allowing the rider to assume a lower profile.
Attack - An attack is a tactic to pass another rider, or a group of riders with an abrupt burst of speed, it can also be used as a verb, meaning to try to make an attack.
Biff - In cycling terms, the word biff is used in order to describe a crash.
Block - Blocking is a method of breaking up a chase through slowing down the cadence of the pace line. This can be performed by a single ride or by a group of riders working together. This action is generally used as a way to protect the position of a teammate that is in the lead.
Bonk - The term bonk refers to the state of exhaustion that can be caused by a lack of food while doing a particularly long stretch worth of bike riding.
Break Away – A break away is when a rider makes a successful attack and pulls ahead of the main group.
Bridge - Bridging is the action of leaving one group of riders to catch up to another group of riders farther ahead.
Bunny-Hop - Bunny-hopping refers to jumping over an obstacle with the bike without dismounting.
Cadence – Cadence is the rate at which a cyclist is pedaling, this is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM) of one of the two cyclist’s feet.
Chain suck - Chain suck is the unfortunate occurrence when the bike chain manages to get jammed in between the chain stay and the rear wheel.
Chase - A chase is an effort, most often by a group of cyclists, to catch up with another group of riders that is ahead of them. Often, the group being chased is making a breakaway.
Chasers - Chasers are cyclists that are actively involved in a chase or chases.
Circuit – Like a lap in track racing, a circuit is one trip around a track that will be run through more than one time during a road race.
Circuit race - A circuit race is a race with multiple laps, known as circuits, in which the course is at least two miles long.
Cleat - A cleat is an attachment on the soles of specialized cycling shoes that connect the shoes to the pedals using an opening in the pedal.
Criterium - A criterium is a race held on a track of a mile or less in length with multiple laps.
Cross Country – A cross-country bike race is a type of mountain bike race that crosses over jeep roads, trails and other types of difficult terrain, requiring that the bicyclists competing have a certain level of skill in order to participate.
Photo Credits: /charlene
Originally posted 2009-10-26 03:16:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts - What to Pack in Your Bag for a Triathlon You have probably spent months if not years preparing for the upcoming triathlon race, so in all honestly, the last thing that you need right now is to have your mind wandering to things that you may have forgot. Why worry about whether or not you forgot something, when putting......
-
First Triathlon Fashion for Women Dressing for your first triathlon can be a challenge. It's easy enough to dress to go running, but you'll be cycling and swimming, too, so do you choose one outfit for all three races, or change each time? The time you take between events counts toward your overall time so...... -
What Type of Bike to Get for a Triathlon There are a number of really important considerations to make when it comes to preparing yourself for your triathlon. Fitness and strength are two of the most important factors that are going to influence your performance as a triathlete, but the next important area where improvements are capable of being...... -
Gear Up for your First Triathlon When it comes to packing in preparation for your triathlon race, it is best for you to break all of your necessities down into four different categories. This way, you can focus on each of the categories one at a time. One example of breaking your categories down is to...... - Cycling Glossary Continued Handicap - Handicap races are quite popular in Australia, in them, the racers start at different points on the track based on their performance. âScratch Menâ are the fastest of the riders, and start at the traditional starting line and âout markersâ are the rest of the riders and depending......
Online Stores
February 4th, 2010 — Biking, Clothes and Gear, Running, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips
It is obviously quite important for you to have a really good pair of shoes that you can run in when you are going through the closing stage of a triathlon – But equally important is making sure that you have a solid pair of triathlon shoes that is also going to get you through the bicycle leg of the competition as well, otherwise you may end up doing more harm than good before ever realizing it.
Fundamentally, cycling shoes for a triathlon are like regular cycling shoes however they have been modified in some way. The corresponding rules are going to apply with a single difference, in that it is really truly and seriously fundamental for you to be able to get in and out of your shoes as quickly as humanly possible. This is not a factor for any traditional types of bicycle shoes and so many top cyclists accidentally opt for shoes that are hard for them to remove such as shoes that have hard plastic soles for example.
The most crucial thing that you should be looking for when it comes to choosing any type of cycling shoe, whether you are participating in typical road races or in a triathlon race, is a sole that is solid. This is going to make sure that there is not any dampening, as dampening is capable of leading to an overall loss of power. A sole that is made out of carbon is perfect, but this tends to be a deluxe type of option that not everyone can opt for unfortunately. If your budget is not going to permit that you purchase carbon shoes for your triathlon race, then you are going to want to choose a conventional style plastic sole shoe instead.
You are also going to want to have a shoe that is slightly tight, but not overly tight in the heel and in the toes, as well as a shoe that offers an overall snug feel for your entire foot in general. There shouldn’t ever be any wiggle room to speak of in your shoe because this is going to leave you with a loss of power and a movement of the foot that is less efficient, not to mention the eventuality of a blister, and who wants one of those?
You are probably already going to have spent a lot of money on your triathlon gear including your bike and your helmet and your clothing. If you want your shoes to look just as nice, believe me, we understand. Still, make sure that you are choosing the right shoe more than just the most attractive one for the best possible results on race day or even simply while you are training in preparation for race day.
Photo Credits: richardmasoner
Originally posted 2009-10-06 03:17:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
More Cycling Glossary Terms A good part of understanding your triathlon training and performance is having a grasp on the lingo. Here is a guide to cycling terms that you should know in order to get the most out of your experience. Derailleur - When gears are shifted on a bike, the derailleur is...... -
Real Reasons for Warming Up pt 2 Unfortunately, a warm up is not something that you can simply gloss over when it comes to preparing for a triathlon. This two part series seeks to look at why. We were talking about abnormal ECG changes, right? These abnormal changes in the ECG were not related to fitness level...... -
Preparing For your Triathlon With the Right Gear Most people who are facing the concept of their first triathlon are wondering what type of gear and equipment will best suit them. Depending on your skill level, your budget and what equipment you currently own, your needs for the right gear will certainly be difficult. Assuming that budget is...... -
Preventing Injuries While Triathlon Training pt 2 Preventing Injuries when Running Running is actually the sport of the three that is most capable of causing injury. Running injuries are unfortunately quite rampant, and most runners have certainly received a fair share of running injuries. Here are some tips to improve your technique and your gear so that...... -
Making the Most Out of Competition by Running for Charity Charity is alive and well in the modern culture. This is seen in the donation drives as well as the charitable events which are held every day. For those who are into running, there are many ways you can do your part by running for charity. While some people will......
Online Stores
January 2nd, 2010 — Biking, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips
There are a number of really important considerations to make when it comes to preparing yourself for your triathlon. Fitness and strength are two of the most important factors that are going to influence your performance as a triathlete, but the next important area where improvements are capable of being made is your triathlon equipment. You are obviously going to complete your race a lot faster when you have a bicycle that is specialized for your triathlon. If you want to go faster and move further, no matter what your level of expertise is, a triathlon specific type of bicycle is going to benefit you significantly.
When it comes to money, you need to understand that a triathlon bike is going to require a larger investment from you. In general on average, the power that is produced in order to pedal a bike on a flat road will involve 60 percent worth of rider drag. This is a place where you can gain some truly awesome performance gains. If you are really serious about performing in a triathlon, then you are going to need to choose the right type of equipment, which should be the best and the most efficient and effective equipment that you can possibly afford for the purpose of your triathlon cycling needs.
Road bikes or road bicycles are typically going to be designed to allow for comfort for cyclists that want to compete over longer distances. The triathlon bicycle on the other hand is generally designed to suit other distances that are relatively shorter in nature, meaning that comfort is capable of being compromised in exchange for an increase in speed. This is one of the most fundamental differences that exists between bikes intended for triathlons and those that are intended for the road.
The shorter that the distance of the triathlon is, the more aerodynamics and weight will come into play. For a sprint triathlon, for example, or a 20k, comfort is going to be far less of a factor than if you are dealing with an Ironman which is significantly longer in terms of distance. When it comes to an Ironman triathlon, comfort is going to become significantly more important to offering you continual high quality performance over a longer period of time.
When you are looking for a bicycle to serve your triathlon needs, you should be considering the distances that you are going to be competing for and then correlate this number with the budget that you think you have available for this purpose. It is highly recommended that you consider purchasing a used bike for your triathlon needs if your budget is tight. You can choose a higher quality bike and buy it used, and get it for a much better deal. If you scrimp on a new bike you may end up with a bad choice, and a bike that simply is not meeting your needs on the course.
Photo Credits: jimmyharris
Originally posted 2009-09-03 03:46:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Train for Your First Triathlon Determine What Your Goals Are Figure out how long you want your first triathlon to be. How you start your training for your first triathlon will depend largely upon you and what shape you are in. Do you want to do a half sprint, a full sprint, or an Olympic...... -
Triathlon Nutrition Tips When it comes to triathlon competitions such as the Iron Man, fitness alone is not going to be guarantee enough that you are going to win. It is absolutely vital that you develop good nutrition habits as well. This is one of the most important parts of planning for the...... -
Triathlon Tips Which Really Work Competing in a triathlon is one of the most challenging experiences you can hope for. This is why so many people look for good triathlon tips. This is because while many will be happy just to finish, others would like to move up in the rankings as they compete in...... -
Curious About What is Involved in Training for a Triathlon? For people who are not professional athletes but are still interested in training for a triathlon, the concept of training ahead of time might seem like a lot of impossible work with no guarantee of any rewards. In reality, training for a triathlon is something that is well within your...... -
Swimming Equipment for Triathlon Training Unlike running or biking, swimming does not have nearly the high tech gadgets, but you will need some gear, possibly more than you would initially think. Your swimsuit should not be difficult, as in the end they are all basically the same. Your swimsuit needs only to cover you without......
Online Stores
December 24th, 2009 — Clothes and Gear, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon Tips
Throughout our existence, one of the deciding factors in who survives and who doesn’t has been technology. It is the innovation of technology that has allowed us to push ourselves to new horizons along the way. In all aspects of our life, having the right gear and equipment is absolutely essential in guaranteeing our success in many ways. If we want to meet goals, meet deadlines, get up on time, go to bed on time, achieve the requirements of our jobs and stay healthy and happy in lives, we need to make use of the newest and best gadgets and technology. In triathlon training, this is also true, because we can attain victory when we utilize the right triathlon gear. This is so true that it can be said that having the right gear will literally be what makes or breaks your ability to do well in a triathlon competition because it will improve your ability to train and your ability to succeed during the actual competition as well.
In 1912, the world’s fastest man was a gentleman named Don Lippincott, who ran the 100 meter dash in a total of 10.6 seconds. Now that nearly one hundred years have passed, the same distance can be run in 9.69 seconds by Usain Bolt, and he hardly broke a sweat as he tore through the previous world record. So what is the difference between these two men? They are obviously both hardworking, hard training men, so what made them unique from one another? In all honesty, the only thing that separates these two men from one another is the progresses in technology.
The same technologies capable of separating and shaping entire nations and their histories is also more than capable of determining which athletes have a competitive edge in championships and tournaments and competitions such as the Ironman or even the Tour De France. Modern runners are benefiting from fine-tuned running shoes that provide the optimum level of stiffness for optimizing their unique mechanical energy produced by the ankle, creating a faster print and more spring in the step for example.
Cyclists on the other hand are benefiting from finely tuned road bikes that are durable and yet extremely light as a result of construction from cutting edge metal alloys that allow for them to ride faster and faster still, breaking more and more records for speed as they go along. The merging between science and sports has birthed an insane amount of new products that create incredible athletic performance. For those who are not incorporating brand new technologies into their competition, this could potentially mean the distinction between making history and becoming history.
Triathlon athletes that really want to be competitive need to go out and buy equipment that is triathlon specific such as a bike specifically for triathlons, which offer altered geometric configurations in comparison to typical or traditional road bikes.
Photo Credits: Dawn – Pink Chick
Originally posted 2009-08-25 03:32:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts - Preventing Injuries While Triathlon Training pt 2 Preventing Injuries when Running Running is actually the sport of the three that is most capable of causing injury. Running injuries are unfortunately quite rampant, and most runners have certainly received a fair share of running injuries. Here are some tips to improve your technique and your gear so that......
-
Tips for Swimming in the Triathlon Swimming in the triathlon is different from any other kind of swimming. There are tips which will allow you to perform well in this portion of the competition without sapping all of your energy. This is important seeing as you will still have two kinds of competition to engage in...... -
Real Reasons for Warming Up pt 1 There is too many times where an athlete will show up late to a workout and just jump right in on whatever is happening, swimming, running or riding without any kind of a warm up. There are other athletes that are so pinched for time that they end up skipping...... - Preparing For your Triathlon With the Right Gear Most people who are facing the concept of their first triathlon are wondering what type of gear and equipment will best suit them. Depending on your skill level, your budget and what equipment you currently own, your needs for the right gear will certainly be difficult. Assuming that budget is......
-
Running in a Triathlon Triathletes have a bigger challenge than just the cyclist, the swimmer or the runner since they have to compete in all three sports consecutively. Very often, an athlete will excel at one or two parts of the competition but have room for improvement in the third, and this will very......
Online Stores