Question for H, M and J: Why do pro triathletes ride in groups during races? Is it to draft? They should be treating it like a TT and riding at their own pace which would mean drafting or riding in groups would not be an issue. If you were riding at the same speed as someone else you'd likely leave T1 at different times and never be near the other person. But it seems they strive to ride in groups. How did that become the goal? If you're stronger, you'd have to slow down and you'd be wasting time. If you're slower, you'll be riding harder than you should and will either blow up or have a horrible time on the run. So I guess it's about drafting. There needs to be a wholesale change in how the athlete approach the bike portion. It seems they need GPS transponders feeding back to a central computer that monitors their position relative to one another and their speed. If they're within 50 m of another athlete, they should always be moving by at least .1 mph relative to one another. If the person behind is closer than that and not moving relative to the other for more than 10 seconds, then they're disqualified. If they remain within 50 m for more than 2 minutes, they're disqualified. If they remain within 20 m for more than 30 sec, they're disqualified. Let the computer handle it.
re: kit for mechanicals - don't listen to youtubers or pros (if this is their advice!) Tubed: PATCH! PATCH! PATCH! (Parktool the best) - and maybe carry a spare tube for catastrophes. 15 years of commuting and training (~6k mi/year) and I've never replaced an inner tube on the road. Tubless: sticky darts, sidewall patches (old tire/tube cut offs) needle/thread and a spare tube for catastrophes - here I'd carry it for sure though with the other bits I've again - NEVER used the tube!
As a cyclist turned triathlete many years later, I learned to quickly change a tube, for example, over time. i also learned to build an entire bike and maintain it over the years. Saves a lot of time and money when you can do everything on your own.
#gtncoachescorner I have a question about clipon tri/aero bars. I've not used them before as I'm still relatively new to triathlon, but I want to do a 70.3 next year. I've put my road bike on the turbo for winter so I can get some good training in, and thought this would also be a good way to practice holding an aero position. There seem to be so many options for clipons though! Do you have any general advice about what I should look for/avoid, when buying clipon bars? (I'm aware I'd need to change the setup of my bike a bit to account for the new position :)) Thank you!!🚴♀
The only reasonably fast tires in 650b are Conti 5000s. There are no others. I'm not sure why gravel was brought up. That has nothing to do with most triathlons or TT bikes.
650b is pretty popular in the gravel world. So, it speaks to the long-term viability and industry support of the size: it's in common use in large swaths of the cycling world.
#gtncoachescorner A couple of times I have had to cut my planned longrun of 18k in the morning short, and ended up doing for example 9k in the morning and 9k after work. When I do this my legs feel so much more fresher at the end of the day. On a purely physical level, does 9k+9k in zone 2 in a day have roughly the same effect as 18k zone 2? On a mental level I do a lot of long runs throughout the year so I dont really need to practice that part of it.
#gtncoachescorner Question regarding blood sugar levels dropping during swimming at certain times of the day. I have a particular issue when it comes to swimming and my blood sugar level dropping. This typically ONLY happens when i swim later in the day, between 4pm and 5pm (even though i have eaten a good breakfast and lunch), if i go and attempt to swim anything over 2km, my blood sugar drops - i get slightly shaky and if i leave it, the area around my mouth starts tingling and gets slightly numb, and i literally have to eat a banana to feel normal again. Here is where is becomes tricky if i swim first thing in the morning (5am) without eating anything other than dinner the night before i can easily swim approximately 4km (like this morning). I do not have sugar issues / not diabetic, also this does not happen if i run or bike (unless i really have no eaten most the day) .... it is really confusing me?
Max HR is really not that interesting. The anaerobic threshold and FTP are much more interesting with regards to planning your training. Reaching true max HR is almost impossible for most mere mortals, since it takes a really hard effort. Often muscle fatigue sets in before people reach true max HR.
Have another question you need an answer to? Leave them under any GTN video with #gtncoachescorner and we will try to answer!
Can't wait for the Mark and Heather maximum heart rate video. With a smug James looking on, no doubt... 😊
I love coaches corner. I probably won’t do another tri event for a while, but the topics are really interesting!
Always great advise plus banter on GTN. A great show
Thanks for answering my question. I know I need more practice changing tyres, maybe something for the cold wet nights in front of the telly.
the off-season question is what i needed, thank you!
Some great advise there guys!!
Love this channel!
Keep up the great work👍
Question for H, M and J: Why do pro triathletes ride in groups during races? Is it to draft? They should be treating it like a TT and riding at their own pace which would mean drafting or riding in groups would not be an issue. If you were riding at the same speed as someone else you'd likely leave T1 at different times and never be near the other person. But it seems they strive to ride in groups. How did that become the goal? If you're stronger, you'd have to slow down and you'd be wasting time. If you're slower, you'll be riding harder than you should and will either blow up or have a horrible time on the run. So I guess it's about drafting. There needs to be a wholesale change in how the athlete approach the bike portion. It seems they need GPS transponders feeding back to a central computer that monitors their position relative to one another and their speed. If they're within 50 m of another athlete, they should always be moving by at least .1 mph relative to one another. If the person behind is closer than that and not moving relative to the other for more than 10 seconds, then they're disqualified. If they remain within 50 m for more than 2 minutes, they're disqualified. If they remain within 20 m for more than 30 sec, they're disqualified. Let the computer handle it.
re: kit for mechanicals - don't listen to youtubers or pros (if this is their advice!)
Tubed: PATCH! PATCH! PATCH! (Parktool the best) - and maybe carry a spare tube for catastrophes. 15 years of commuting and training (~6k mi/year) and I've never replaced an inner tube on the road.
Tubless: sticky darts, sidewall patches (old tire/tube cut offs) needle/thread and a spare tube for catastrophes - here I'd carry it for sure though with the other bits I've again - NEVER used the tube!
Even the GP5000s are still available in 650b. Not promoting them, just correcting misinformation😅
looks like you have fun at work
let’s get that max heart rate vid going!
Please do a podcast so we cam listen while training! ❤️
James, does your work as an Eddie Redymane impersonator interfere with your triathlon training? Or would you say those two roles are complementary?
As a cyclist turned triathlete many years later, I learned to quickly change a tube, for example, over time. i also learned to build an entire bike and maintain it over the years. Saves a lot of time and money when you can do everything on your own.
From my own experience I can suggest not to follow Canyon size suggestion and go for the bigger size… same with Cube.
#gtncoachescorner I have a question about clipon tri/aero bars. I've not used them before as I'm still relatively new to triathlon, but I want to do a 70.3 next year. I've put my road bike on the turbo for winter so I can get some good training in, and thought this would also be a good way to practice holding an aero position. There seem to be so many options for clipons though! Do you have any general advice about what I should look for/avoid, when buying clipon bars? (I'm aware I'd need to change the setup of my bike a bit to account for the new position :)) Thank you!!🚴♀
The only reasonably fast tires in 650b are Conti 5000s. There are no others. I'm not sure why gravel was brought up. That has nothing to do with most triathlons or TT bikes.
650b is pretty popular in the gravel world. So, it speaks to the long-term viability and industry support of the size: it's in common use in large swaths of the cycling world.
#gtncoachescorner Do you have any tips for learning to ride TT bike in crosswinds?
#gtncoachescorner A couple of times I have had to cut my planned longrun of 18k in the morning short, and ended up doing for example 9k in the morning and 9k after work. When I do this my legs feel so much more fresher at the end of the day. On a purely physical level, does 9k+9k in zone 2 in a day have roughly the same effect as 18k zone 2? On a mental level I do a lot of long runs throughout the year so I dont really need to practice that part of it.
#gtncoachescorner Question regarding blood sugar levels dropping during swimming at certain times of the day.
I have a particular issue when it comes to swimming and my blood sugar level dropping.
This typically ONLY happens when i swim later in the day, between 4pm and 5pm (even though i have eaten a good breakfast and lunch), if i go and attempt to swim anything over 2km, my blood sugar drops - i get slightly shaky and if i leave it, the area around my mouth starts tingling and gets slightly numb, and i literally have to eat a banana to feel normal again. Here is where is becomes tricky if i swim first thing in the morning (5am) without eating anything other than dinner the night before i can easily swim approximately 4km (like this morning).
I do not have sugar issues / not diabetic, also this does not happen if i run or bike (unless i really have no eaten most the day) .... it is really confusing me?
Max HR is really not that interesting. The anaerobic threshold and FTP are much more interesting with regards to planning your training. Reaching true max HR is almost impossible for most mere mortals, since it takes a really hard effort. Often muscle fatigue sets in before people reach true max HR.
I've got the canyon with 650B wheels and it's been rapid.