Austin Texas Triathlon News, Reviews, Events

Tips from Brandon Marsh: Triathlon Training in the New Year

2012-01-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

New Year's resolutions last about as long as a snowman in July. A couple of days into January, you're feeling motivated…ready to quit coffee, climb Mt. Elbrus, file your taxes early, clean out your garage, and maybe take up sailing, to boot. But after the first few weeks of trial and tribulation, it's often all too easy to shelve those lofty goals until next year.

We asked Brandon Marsh, professional triathlete and coach, the best way to start the new triathlon season, from how to set goals and stick to them to finding the right balance in training. Read below for his responses.

What's the best way to go about setting realistic goals?

Look at past years' performances and set specific goals for swim, bike, and run improvements. These can be pace, power, or just making sure you get out the door and focus on your key workouts more.
Evaluate you realistic training time, and adjust your goals and expectations accordingly. Improvement will come from training "smarter," training "more," and from the additional year that you have in your legs!
Try to focus goals on performance as opposed to times or placings...courses differ even year to year. Conditions are variable, so even if the course is the same, comparing a time year to year may not be the best thing, and you cannot control who else shows up at the race. Control the controllable.

How often should I race? What's the best way to put the race season into perspective?

I like to have two pretty key races close together (unless they are IM events). That way you are not putting “all of your eggs in one basket.”
The amount of racing you decide to do will probably depend on your personality. With the focus so many have on IM distance events, a lot of athletes miss out on the fun of racing just for fear of missing a long ride or run.
It helps to realize why you are doing the sport. Is it your job? Is it a stress reliever? If so, try not to allow triathlon to just create more stress. The season is long, so treat it as a long race and pace yourself!

After the off season, when should I start ramping my training back up again?

Ramp the training back up whenever you feel ready or at least get started with training again when you feel ready. Maybe you feel sick with yourself that you've taken so much time off or eaten so much junk or put on a few pounds. Or maybe you have started to "miss" the training. Those are good indicators that it is time to get going again.
“Off season” can be a bit of a misnomer for some. A lot of triathletes put in a run focus and end with a marathon in the early spring or late winter. I say do the training but don't run the marathon if you need a run focus. Whatever your “off season” is, it's a good idea to find a loose structure that you can maintain and try to stick to it without being too psycho!

What are some tips for finding the right "balance" in training? How do I find the right mix of volume vs. intensity, frequency vs. duration, and time devoted to each sport? How do I know when more is beneficial and when more is going to get me hurt?

This really is an individual question as no two athletes are the same. Typically, the injuries that triathletes get are overuse type injuries, and typically they show themselves while running. But, generally I like to encourage athletes to have two key swims, bikes, and runs each week. If you have more time, fit in additional easy workouts around those six key sessions.
Try to run more frequently, and keep the runs shorter and easier for a while. Begin to add to one run until you reach 60+ minutes. Then start adding to a second run so that you have two key runs a week.
For cycling, most athletes will be able to handle a little bit more intensity and volume. But, I think that for some a bit more intensity...especially in the winter/indoor months…can go a long way. This can also help us in Austin where it is really easy to be really fit all year. So, you might have one ride that has some shorter efforts and another with longer efforts.
The swim, same as riding, especially since no one likes getting in a pool when it is cold. Make the sessions count. Put in a good effort when you swim. Don't just get in and float around. Work on your stroke in warm-up and cool-down, but get after it in your main sets.

What are important things I shouldn't forget to incorporate in my training?

Mainly don't forget to vary your training. We will all gravitate towards workouts we like, but don't neglect doing the ones that you don't particularly like or that challenge you every once in a while.
Do some of the small things. Personally, I like to do some TPTherapy work in the evenings in front of the TV. I like doing some very basic planks and core work, but you don't have to go out and buy the latest gadget (TRX for example) to make it work. Just a few minutes of those two things can help keep you ahead of the injury game.
Since most of us have pretty "sedentary" jobs, get up and walk around a bit just to not be sitting all day.
Keep it fun, and keep it social when you need to. That will help your longevity in the sport more than the latest training fad.

For more info on "Team Marsh," coaching, and more, visit www.team-marsh.com

The Cervelo P5 Unveiled: Simply Faster!

2012-01-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

The Union Cycliste Internationale, ruling party of all things bike racing, has been busy "clarifying" rules pertaining to bike design for most of its history. Frames and bike parts deemed legal for years are often found, quite suddenly, to be illegal. Recent victims have included the Specialized Transition, P4 water bottle, Cervelo seatposts, and the much-loved Vision time trial bars.

Growing weary of the changes and restrictions, which strike many as arbitrary and superficial, triathletes have campaigned for bikes that do not adhere to UCI rules, since most triathlons allow for much more design freedom. Bike makers have begun to answer the call. Spy pictures of a UCI-illegal "Illicito" from Quintana Roo have surfaced. Specialized had a brilliant release of the Shiv Tri, with Craig Alexander's Kona win as a fitting introduction. Now Cervelo has released their offering, the P5, which features a UCI-illegal fork, seatpost, and front end. But don't fear, roadies – there's a UCI-legal configuration as well.

Full details on the aerodynamic advancements have not been released yet (a whitepaper is coming) but the Cervelo website hints at the P5 being "30 seconds faster over 40k." It's not known if they are comparing the P5 Tri with the P4, but if so that would represent a significant leap forward, given that the P4 was already among the fastest, if not the fastest, bike on the market. The time savings implies that Cervelo may have trimmed another 75 grams of drag from the P4 to the P5, which would make it a complete outlier among bikes today.

Two Versions - UCI-Legal and Triathlon Specific

The Cervelo P5 frame is a completely UCI-legal and optimized shape. Several design features will appear similar to other recent super bikes such as the Scott Plasma 3 and Cannondale's prototype (currently being referred to as "the new Slice"). This is no accident, as the distinctive seat tube and head tube shapes are a logical consequence of the UCI's tube shape rules. Cervelo claims to have gone the farthest in maximizing these rules, resulting in deeper tube shapes in these regions than any other frame. The UCI-legal frame allows Cervelo to offer the bike in two configurations, one for triathletes and one for roadies. Those with the coin could even switch between configurations depending on the race. The UCI-illegal frameset comes with the following UCI-illegal bits to reduce drag even further:

A deeper, UCI-illegal fork that integrates with the Magura hydraulic aero brakes
(~4 seconds per 40k time savings)
An aerodynamic, UCI-illegal front end cover for the front brakes
(~3 seconds per 40k time savings)
A seat post allowing a more forward seat position adjustment
A custom, UCI-legal integrated aerobar, the 3T Aduro

Given that forks, head tubes, and aerobars sit up front hitting clean air, these changes should make for fairly large drag reductions compared to the UCI-legal frameset. The 3T Aduro offers the most potential advantage with its integrated design, adjustability, and water bottle mounting features. Fortunately, it's UCI legal, so roadies can use it too, though it doesn't come standard on the UCI-legal bike. Below you can see the P5 in three configurations, the standard UCI-legal bike with Magura aero brakes, the UCI-legal bike with a standard brake caliper, and the all-out triathlon setup (click to zoom):

Fit

The P5 frame features a bit more stack than the P3 in order to better accommodate the typical triathlete position. Those who prefer super low positions are not out of luck, however, as Cervelo assures the aero-minded that their 3T Aduro bar in X-Lo configuration allows lower positions than could be achieved on a P3 or P4. They claim the P5 allows more than enough adjustment to accommodate the entire Garmin team's positions, including Aero God Dave Zabriske. Cervelo has provided a stack and reach chart to aid in sorting out their new integrated aerobar system (below). When using the 3T Aduro bar, large stack adjustments are made with the 3 different configurations (X-Lo, Low, High-V). Fine tuning of the stack is done with under-stem spacers shaped to match the integrated stem.

P5 Features

BBright - Stiffness and weight +Click For Details
- Standard on Cervelo's S5 and R series bikes, the P5 is now the first TT bike to be offered with BBright. The BBright bottom bracket takes advantage of otherwise unused space on the non drive side by using an asymmetric shape to increase stiffness and reduce the weight of the frame. Additionally it allows cranksets to improve stiffness and/or weight as the non drive side crank arm can be straighter. In the end, the BB+Crankset system as a whole can be designed stiffer and/or lighter. The P5 will ship with Rotor 3D cranksets, and BBright cranks are currently available from SRAM, FSA, and Tune as well. Many other cranks can be made to work with adapters if desired.
Dropped Down Tube - Integrates with fork and front wheel +Click For Details
- A feature carried over from the P4 is the dropped down tube. Cervelo combines an integrated fork that fits neatly into the frame and a dropped down tube that hugs closely to the front wheel. The design maintains an airfoil leading edge along this curve around the front wheel, rather than a cutout, which would add drag whenever the wheel is not pointed exactly straight ahead. On the Tri version of the P5, the UCI-illegal fork integrates seamlessly with the aero brakes for a beautifully integrated front end.
Storage and Hydration - Carry water, food, and tools +Click For Details
- -The P4's integrated water bottle solution proved to not be very popular. The P5 has thus moved to the solution found on the S5, a truncated airfoil shape on the downtube that directs air around your water bottles, reducing the aero penalty of carrying a standard or aero water bottle.
  
  -The P5 features mounting bolts on the top tube behind the stem, allowing for seamless and secure attachment of accessories of your choice, such as the P5 specific bento box from Dark Speed Works and a very slick, upcoming product from TorHans as well, to be released soon.
  
  -The P5 offers a "HiddenPocket™" compartment behind the BB to store a Di2 Battery, and could perhaps be used to store a multitool or other small items as well with some modification (though rear wheel removal would be necessary to access it).
  
  -The 3T Aduro aerobar includes mounts to place a water bottle between your aerobar pads, a hydration solution shown to often reduce drag significantly.
  
  -A interesting bolt is visible on top of the BB area that may be present to allow integrated flat kit solutions to be mounted. TorHans is working on a product to fit seamlessly into this area, details to come soon.
Magura Hydraulic Brakes - Optimum aero and stopping power +Click For Details
- This offering is a first for tri bikes. While the P5 will happily accept normal cable actuated brakes, the tri frameset and both complete bike offerings come with the new Magura hydraulic TT brakes. Magura has been building some of the best mountain bike brakes for years. Cervelo worked with Magura to design a road bike brake and brake lever that was as aerodynamic as possible. The hydraulic setup allows for an extremely aerodynamic brake, with all cables hidden from the air, without sacrificing stopping power or modulation. The brakes easily allow new wider rims to fit, offer easy adjustment and quick release, and have a 5 year warranty on fluid loss. Total weight is only 495 grams for the RT8 version, which includes the Cervelo-designed aero brake levers, and fluids. Those who don't wish to use the hydraulic brakes can still use any brake they like, as all mounting points are completely standard.
Easy Maintenance - Easy traveling, wheels fit, standard parts +Click For Details
- While the front end of the P5 appears very proprietary, the entire bike can use normal parts at all locations. The front brake mount can accept any standard brake, the rear brake can accept standard calipers, and standard stems and aerobars can still be used. Assembly of the bike for travel is perfectly normal and requires no special tools or extra time. The Magura brakes allow for great aerodynamics without the usual difficulty of adjustment and wheel changes associated with center pull brakes. Cervelo also says that all current wheels on the market, including the extra wide wheels from Zipp and HED, fit in the P5 frame.
The 3T Aduro - Integrated, adjustable, fast +Click For Details
- Included in the UCI-illegal frameset is the 3T Aduro aerobar. This is available in three configurations (X-Lo, Lo, and High-V), offering a wide range of stack to suit any rider. Cervelo claims that all three configurations are essentially identical aerodynamically, so there is no penalty for those who need more stack. Stack can be fine-tuned with integrated fork spacers, and reach is adjustable in a 5cm range. See the stack and reach chart above in the fit section for details. Cables are routed through the bar completely internally, never seeing the light of day as they enter the frame under the cover of the integrated stem. The Aduro also features a clever bottle mount system, so zip ties are no longer required to "torpedo mount" a bottle between your arms. The Aduro is not included in the UCI-legal bikes, but it is UCI legal, so roadies looking for the fastest setup may want to pick this up too. The X-Lo configuration of the Aduro features a very low stack, which allows for aggressive positions even though the P5 frame stack is higher than the P3 and P4. Cervelo also claims this is the fastest aerobar they have ever tested, and they have tested the much lauded Ventus and USE Tula.

Specs, Pricing, Availability - ATC expects stock to begin arriving in March

Four configurations of P5 are currently offered, framesets and complete bikes in "TT" and "Tri" configurations. Details and pricing follow:

Trim	Includes	Gruppo	Price
TT Frameset	UCI-legal fork and seatpost, mechanical rear aero brake	N/A	$4,500
TT Complete Bike	3D Rotor BBRight Cranks, 3T Aura Pro Aerobar, Magura Hydraulic Brakes +above	Dura-Ace/Ultegra	$6,000
Tri Frameset	UCI-illegal fork and seatpost, hydraulic brakes, 3T Aduro Aerobar	N/A	$6,500
Tri Complete Bike	Rotor 3D BBRight Crankset +above	Dura Ace Di2	$10,000

More Info

2012 Ultra Provocatorio Invitationale Race Report

2012-01-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

by Missy Ruthven

The Ultra Provocatorio has a very unique race format in that teams of five compete together in somewhat of a time trial for roughly 100 miles…and the race route is not revealed until 45 minutes before the start. This is the second year for this event put on by our friends of Team Wooly Mammoth.

I was the only one on my team to have participated last year so the duties of team captain went to me. Ideally we would have our five ladies of Team Snapple ATC all together, but that was not to be this year; so we added two guys (Mike Minardi, Andy Maag) to our team of three ladies (Missy, Marla, Leah).

Last year I believe this race was advertised as a five person team time trial (but not allowed to use TT bikes, helmets, etc.)…this year it was advertised more as a team “fondo," which translates to “team fun event." Since none of us had ridden 100 miles in recent memory (and one of us had never ridden 100) we went in with the “let’s make this a good training day" approach. Thankfully the weather was on our side as it was a beautiful sunny day with cool temperatures and not much wind.

Team captains got the cue sheets (race route, it was only 94 miles!) 30 minutes before the start with race officials making sure to point out important items on the cue sheet…such as the three sections of “off-road” which they termed “pave” on the cue sheet.

Our team went over the cue sheets/race route and the first thing Andy says is “how do we get across the water? Swim or boat?”. The cue sheet took us over Lake Austin…and not on a bridge…and we were to complete the last 20 miles on some serious hills (like last year). Race officials didn’t say anything about the water crossing; they just insisted that we make it to the checkpoint at 74 miles. This was going to be an adventure!!

We taped the cue sheets to the top tubes of our bikes and started the event… Teams left every 2 minutes, 24 teams total. We had to be conservative in the beginning as there were a lot of turns and we had to consult the cue sheets quite a bit so we didn’t get off course. Then we had the three sections of off road…mostly packed dirt with small rocks…8 miles. We made it through this pretty well as we weren’t the fastest, but we also had zero flat tires (many people had flats in these areas!!!). We were like the tortoise in "the tortoise and the hare” story. Miles 30-75 we got in a good rhythm. Mike led mostly, Andy took the back mostly, the three ladies all stayed in the middle and shouted out directions - me with page 1, Marla with page 2, Leah with the most accurate odometer.

We had gone south towards Lockhart, crossed I-35 in Buda and wound our way through Old San Antonio Rd to southwest Austin (Escarpment, Southwest Pkwy, Barton Creek Blvd). At mile 75 (after climbing Barton Creek Blvd!) we stopped at the rest stop and were informed that there was a course change and that we would not be crossing the water in a boat as planned. Mixed feelings. Though I like the idea of a boat being part of the event…I didn’t know if my legs would like sitting for a bit and then climbing big hills for the last 20 miles. So, after refueling we took off for the hills of West Austin for the last 10 miles (Bee Caves, 360, Westlake, Toro Canyon, High Road, some super steep neighborhood streets I had never been on, Stratford, Rollingwood).

We finished at Austin Tri-Cyclist where there was food, beverages, and a lot of discussion about the day. We had a great time!! We all rode solid!! I would do this again!! From the talk I was hearing at the after party it seems everyone felt the same.

Take Your Triathlon Training up a Notch: Camp Multisport

2012-01-09T23:03:00.000-08:00

Beautiful scenery, mild temps, rolling hills, and the crystal clear Frio River... The Texas Hill Country is the perfect place to hone your swim-bike-run skills before the peak of tri season. This winter and spring, Big Pistachio will host three multisport camps in Concan at the Seven Bluff Cabins.

Coaches Siri Lindley, Brandon Marsh, Susan Farago, Claudia Spooner, Rosemary Hohl-Chriswisser, and David Garza will lead daily workouts and conduct hands-on clinics, lectures, and active workshops. During your three days of training, you choose which workouts and seminars to attend, with options ranging from Brandon Marsh's "Confidence in the Water" and Susan Farago's "Altitude Training – How to Race at Altitude and Live at Sea Level" to David Garza's "The Fourth Discipline – The Art of Transition."

Erin Truslow, founder and owner of Big Pistachio, was inspired to host the camps after a visit to the venue. Situated on 48 acres, Seven Bluff Cabins includes over 1,000 feet of Frio River frontage lined with towering cypress trees and live oaks. "It's just so amazingly beautiful, so peaceful and calm," Truslow says. "Every time I'm there, I can't help but think about how I'd like to stay there for a week and swim, bike, and run."

The Frio River, slow-moving and spring-fed, is roughly five-feet deep in most places, which makes it ideal for swim practice. But since "Frio" is the Spanish word for "cold" (by all accounts, a fitting name), participants are encouraged to bring a long-sleeved wetsuit. Rentals will also be available. Truslow says that the camps take a unique approach – instead of a structure promoting a single coach working with a specific team or group, Camp Multisport offers up to five coaches per camp and caters to both individuals and teams. Benefiting from the coaches' different methodologies and expertise, athletes have the rare opportunity to "try out" several coaching philosophies at one time.

Camp Multisport featuring Brandon Marsh (February 24-26) is open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level athletes. Based in Austin, Brandon Marsh is a professional triathlete and coach; this camp is a good fit for those looking to set a new PR.

Camp Multisport NO BOYS ALLOWED! (March 2-4) is a women's only camp coached by women, and is particularly well-suited for first- or second-year athletes.

Camp Multisport featuring Siri Lindley (April 5-8) is open to all intermediate, advanced, and professional athletes, as well as coaches. Lindley, a two-time World champion, coaches age-group and professional athletes, including Mirinda Carfrae, Leanda Cave, and Luke McKenzie.

To learn more about Camp Multisport, visit the website or contact Erin Truslow (512-517-8118, erin@campmultisport.com).

Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas from ATC

2011-12-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

Bike computers
Running/cycling socks
Sports watches
Ornaments made from repurposed race medals
Peanut butter (plus spoon)
Sunglasses
Saddle bags
Speed laces
Embarrassing race photos, framed and enlarged
Water bottles
Multi-tools
Bike lights
A chainring tree topper
Bright pink bike tassles
Inspirational, self-recorded trainer videos
Flat kits
Mini-pumps
Fancy skewers
Superfast latex race tubes
Energy bars and gels
A month of professional coaching
Running shoes
Goggles
And if all else fails...perhaps a Cipo-style tiger print speedsuit?

Happy holidays from Austin Tri-Cyclist!

Meet the Team

2011-12-16T09:55:00.001-08:00

by Kat Hunter

ATC Women's Racing becomes Snapple-ATC Racing in 2012

In June 2011, Austin Tri-Cyclist put together a team of some of the fastest female triathletes and time trialists in Austin. We raced as "ATC Women's Racing" in the shop jerseys, competing regularly in the Driveway Series, as well as a handful of late-season road races. For all of us, it was a learning experience. Though most team members were experienced and accomplished cyclists, crits and road races were a new format.

Getting a small, dedicated women's cycling team off the ground isn't as easy as it sounds. But thanks to the investment and support of our sponsors, spouses, and friends, we're excited to begin racing in 2012 as Snapple-ATC Racing. Our roster for 2012 includes former Division-1 runner Leah Soro, ATC's shop owner and former professional duathlete Missy Ruthven, top-ranking amateur triathlete and runner Marla Briley, Maggi Finley of the acclaimed Snapple Tri Pro/Elite team, and myself.

Check out our new website, snappleatcracing.com, to learn more about the team.

Special thanks to our sponsors, the Snapple Tri team, Austin-Tri Cyclist, Performance Wellness, The Law Office of Bradley Houston, Texas GSP Rescue, and B&W Truck, Trailer & Machine Shop, and to Kent Snead, Gray Skinner, Don Ruthven, Dustin Finley, Adam Stroobandt, and Jack Mott for their support and enthusiasm.

Upcoming Winter Events

2011-11-08T18:19:00.000-08:00

Temperatures are routinely below 80 degrees, it's dark by 6pm, and the next Driveway Series crit is more than 100 days away...we've officially entered the "off season." For some athletes, it's a period of welcome, extended hibernation. Others desperately take up new pursuits in an effort to assuage their grief. But before you go pro at channel-surfing and needlepoint, add a little multi-sport excitement to your winter calendar:

Nov 20, Sunday - Natural Bridge Caverns Duathlon - North of San Antonio

The "world's first cave duathlon," featuring a run that starts 180 feet below the surface inside Natural Bridge Caverns, this event is in its second year. A variety of race distances are offered, as well as off-road and on-road categories:

Cave Bear: 2-mile run/15-mile bike/2-mile run
Sabertooth: 2-mile run/12-mile OFF-Road bike/2-mile run
Woolly Mammoth: 5k run/26-mile bike/5k run
T-REX: 5-mile run/26-mile bike/2-mile run ( Very challenging 1st run)

Redemption Race Productions hosts fun, laid-back events and provides great food and unique trophies (for this race, geodes!). Participants also receive a complimentary cave tour with registration.

Nov 19-20, Sat-Sun - Dirty Du - Rocky Hill Ranch near Smithville

You'll need your mountain bike for this one! The original Dirty Du is a 5k trail run/12-mile mountain bike/5k trail run. The run is off-road and technical, with lots of rocks and hills, and the bike course is 80% single track and 20% Jeep track. Win cash prizes if you can beat the course records, currently held by the likes of Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis.

Nov 26, Saturday - Poultry-N-Motion 5k & Duathlon - Waco Tx

This inaugural event, billed as the perfect opportunity to "work off your Thanksgiving Day bird," is a 5k run/9-mile bike/2-mile trail run. There's an option to do just the 5k run, as well. The post-race party will include music, food, and awards.

Dec 10, Saturday - Hell of a Du - Helotes, TX

Sick of being run down? Maybe this is your chance to lurch across the line still in the lead! This is a race for the uber-bikers. The race starts and ends with a 3.5-mile run, but in between is a 26-mile bike course featuring a 7-mile climb. Participants can enter age-group categories or the elite wave, which is eligible for prize money.

Dec 18, Sunday - Du Boerne in December - Boerne, TX

Only 30-40 minutes northwest of San Antonio, this event starts in Boerne City Park. The race is a 5k run/25k bike/5k run with a cross-country run course and a low-traffic bike course.

Nov 26, Saturday - The Austin Beer Mile - Circle C Park

Yes, it's still multi-sport - running and chugging! This is an unorganized, free event. Bring your own beer! Donations will be accepted for a family friend with MS.

Cycling Events

Nov 12 - Tour Das Hugel - Austin, TX

100+ miles of Austin's toughest hills, including over 10,000 feet of climbing... If that's not enough to convince you, read more about why you should not attempt this ride.

Nov 26, Dec 10, Jan 14 - Winter Crits- Fort Worth, Tx

Sponsored and promoted by The Racing Post, this crit course is 0.6 miles and wide, safe, flat, and fast. Lots of categories, $20 entry fees, and cash awards 5 places deep in ALL categories.

If you'd like to suggest other Nov/Dec multi-sport events to add to our calendar, email us at info@austintricyclist.com

Austin Bike Lawyer Brad Houston

2011-10-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

by Kat Hunter

You wouldn’t think a grown man, a man with three kids and 21 years of practicing law, would talk about his childhood bike like it was a Ferrari. But Brad Houston will extol the virtues of the 1966 Schwinn Stingray at length, from its banana seat and five gears to the butterfly handlebars and stick shift.

“I remember riding that bike thinking I was the king of the world,” he says. An unexpected gift from his father when Brad was in fourth grade, the bike was cutting edge in its time, and a whopping $72.

In today's world of $2,000 carbon frames, electronic shifting, and custom paint jobs, the Stringray might not seem quite as impressive. But when cycling becomes an integral part of a person's life as an adult, the memory of that first shiny cruiser stands out.

Most Austin-area cyclists know of Brad Houston even if they've never met him face to face – in addition to running a law practice that specializes in helping injured cyclists, he sponsors eight local cycling teams and the Driveway Series, and is also the founder and organizer of Gruppo VOP, an informal cycling association currently in its twelfth year.

Brad's no cat 1, however. In fact, he'll be the first to tell you he's not an elite racer. He simply enjoys riding, and his involvement in the cycling community arises partly from a sense of obligation, since nearly 80% of his clients are cyclists, but more importantly, from a love of the sport. Whether it was the childhood joyrides, college commute, experimentation with triathlon, influence of friends, or some combination of all his experiences on two wheels, for Brad Houston, cycling has never lost its shine.

In a sport in which we so often celebrate and admire the elite riders who cross the finish line at the front of the pack, it's important to also recognize the contribution of the individuals who are its backbone and heart, turning what some people would call a "hobby" into an all-consuming lifestyle, in many cases giving back as much as they take from it.

Love of the Law

Few lawyers who specialize in cycling cases begin on that track. Brad started out in business, majoring in Petroleum Land Management and Real Estate at the University of Texas. His interest in law had been discouraged by his professors and mentors, who told him that since he wasn't planning on practicing law, then law school wouldn't be a wise investment. So when he decided to go to the California Western School of Law in 1987, six years out of college, it was a departure from all the advice he'd been given.

Brad's turning point was a triathlon gone wrong – he'd been competing in tris for three years, and hoped to qualify for the 1986 national triathlon championships at a regional event in Houston. The swim buoys on the course hadn't been weighted down properly, however, and with the strong winds and ocean currents, what was supposed to be a 1.2-mile swim turned into a 2-mile swim. Swimming was his weakest event, and Brad missed qualifying by several places.

"I was so angry that I'd spent that whole season training and getting ready," Brad says. "I'd been thinking about going to law school for eight years. I knew that if I put as much effort into law I was going to have a better return on my time. So I decided that day after the race, at the race site, that's it, I'm going to law school."

Despite his original intent to return to land management and real estate after graduating, during the three-year law program he soon found himself on the "conveyor belt" at a big firm. "It was really interesting, but I just knew it was no way to live, billing hours and keeping track of every six minutes of your life," he says. "Funny, I look back at the lawyers back then who were in their mid-50s. Most were overweight and looked like they had hypertension, like they were about to have a heart attack, and they were on their second marriages and were talking about how they liked their partners better than their wives. So I kind of developed an exit strategy."

Now 53 years old, Brad has worked in many areas of law. In addition to real estate and commercial litigation, he has served as assistant county attorney and assistant district attorney for Travis County. In 1996, he opened his own personal injury practice, and there, he says, is where he found his true calling.

That year, Brad took his first cycling case, representing a client who was an expert mountain biker. On a training ride, the cyclist had gotten into a road rage situation with a delivery truck driver. The two were stopped at a traffic light, and when the cyclist rode ahead, the driver intentionally clipped him with the truck's side view mirror. The cyclist managed to stay upright, but was badly bruised, later discovering he'd also sprained his back. He had passed a police officer prior to the incident, so rode back and reported the crime, then biked himself to the ER.

The employer of the truck driver, a national grocery store chain, refused to pay the cyclist's hospital bills, and the case went to trial. The jury voted in the cyclist's favor, and a judgment was granted against the employer. Brad says that he'd like to claim it was his brilliant lawyering that did the trick, but admits it didn't hurt that the mountain bike racer had the look and demeanor of Steve McQueen.

"It wasn't a big judgment but it was vindication for him," Brad says. "He goes and tells the biking community that Brad Houston is Perry Mason."

Brad now focuses almost exclusively on cycling cases, representing competitive cyclists, recreational cyclists, triathletes, and bike commuters. The majority of cases are settled out of court, he says, though they vary widely in scope. For the most part, he takes only serious injury cases, but offers a free 1-2 hour consultation to help those with simpler cases navigate the claims process. He also plans to create a step-by-step information packet for certain types of cases that don't require full legal representation but are still very complex – for example, accidents that involve property damage and contusions but no broken bones.

Brad says he has never regretted the decision to concentrate on representing cyclists. "I've become friends with almost all of my clients and I get to talk about cycling with them, about their bikes and components... It's just so much more fun than most law jobs. And the thing that really makes it good for me is what makes anybody's job good for them – it's satisfying. I get a lot of satisfaction taking someone who's vulnerable, someone who doesn't know the claims process or the legal process, and representing them to make sure they don't get taken advantage of by an insurance company."

"A lot of my clients have really, really bad things happen to them. My job is to minimize the financial impact, and as best as I can, try to make a positive out of it. They shouldn't be in debt because of somebody else's mistake."

Gruppo VOP & Local Teams

Gruppo VOP predates email. In 1999, Brad started filling up a business card in tiny print with the names and numbers of cyclists who were interested in weekend rides. He would call them the night before and say when and where the ride was starting. With a little time and the advent of email, the rides' popularity grew. At one point, 340 people had requested to be on the email list. In an attempt to stave off the spam filters, Brad was sending out batches of emails, and relaying the details of a single ride would take him as much as half an hour.

Rides now start five times a week from the end of Brad's driveway, most well attended. He says Gruppo VOP has been one of his favorite hobbies for the past 12 years. He credits its success to two factors: The first, that he's a tough taskmaster. The latest a VOP ride will start is 3-4 minutes behind schedule. And the second, that the ride is completely inclusive. Gruppo VOP is not a competitive team, but a training group. Brad says that is what has made the group unique, the fact that many different teams can ride together and feel welcome.

"We have riders from Team Brain and Spine, Joe's Pro Bikes from San Antonio, Austinbikes, Austin Nationals, Wooly Mammoth... VOP is so non-exclusive that you become a member even if you don't want to become a member, and you can never quit," he says. "All you have to do is ride with us once to be a member, and there are never any dues or assessments."

Brad also sponsors eight competitive teams, which currently include Violet Crown (the team for which he races), Austin Flyers, Austin Nationals, Wooly Mammoth, UT Cycling, Team Brain & Spine, Super Squadra, and Snapple-ATC Racing.

Sponsoring local teams wasn't exactly a business decision, Brad says, though some clients might prefer a lawyer who shares their passion for the sport. Competitive cycling is a niche group, and with many of the teams he's sponsored, he's had no direct connection with his law practice, no referrals or related cases.

The first team he sponsored, roughly five or six years ago, was a women's team. "Team Joy Ride" later became the Austin Flyers. "I've got two daughters, my Mom's kind of a women's libber, and my wife came up through Title IX and was a trailblazer in girls' high school sports in the 70s. I felt I needed to support women's sports."

The other sponsorships, naturally, seemed to follow. Team Brain and Spine, Super Squadra, and Snapple-ATC Racing are new additions for 2012. "My kids may not go on vacation this year," Brad says, laughing.

You might wonder if sponsoring so many competitive teams might offend different factions. When it comes to the world of bike racing, is it possible to have your finger in too many pies? Well, when you're the Perry Mason of cycling, perhaps not.

Addendums!

To join Gruppo VOP on a training ride, visit Brad's website for details – contact him by email or ask around for current times, as they change by season. Until daylight savings ends, the weekday rides start at 6:45am, the Saturday ride starts at 7:30am, and the Sunday ride starts at 8am.

For an overview of issues affecting cyclists, check out Brad's 2011 "Laws of the Street" article.

Aero Helmet Reviews LG Vorttice, LG Superleggera Giro Advantage 2, Giro Selector

2011-10-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

By Jack Mott and Adam Stroobandt

After increasing training volume and quality and improving your position on the bike, an aero helmet is the next best bang for your buck. Their teardrop shapes and reduced vents lessen drag as wind pounds into your head and over your back. Even when you tilt your head down and point the long tail of an aero helmet straight up, you are still producing less drag than a road helmet. There isn't much of a downside apart from looking a bit strange. Just put one on and save around 30 seconds per 40k. Simple! But which helmet is best? Well that depends, as usual. Austin Tri-Cyclist takes a look at four models we carry and breaks them down for you. Even better – to celebrate the 2011 Longhorn 70.3 race all in-stock aero helmets are on sale 20% off list price for race weekend!

What's in a Helmet?

The most important consideration in choosing an aero helmet is how well it fits your body and position. You want a helmet whose tail fits closely against your back, and one that is no larger than it needs to be. Pick the smallest size that fits you comfortably, and spend a moment to determine how well it fits against your back. Customers are welcome to set their own bikes up in our fitting center and see how different helmets look on video.

Visors can improve aerodynamics, but many riders prefer to use their own sunglasses. All of the helmets in this review allow you to remove the visor if you don't want it. Ventilation can also be a big concern for some in the Texas heat. Vents will reduce the aerodynamic advantage of a helmet, but if you don't want them, you can always put some packing tape over the vents for cooler days or for shorter events. None of these helmets differ in their weight enough to be a performance concern, but less weight could be a comfort advantage for some riders.

The Lineup

Model	Weight (w/o visor)	Visor	Ventilation	List Price
Louis Garneau Vorttice	433g (medium)	included	Yes	$250
Louis Garneau Superleggera	345g (small)	optional	Yes	$170
Giro Selector	419g (small/medium)	included	Minimal	$275
Giro Advantage 2	375g (small)	none	Yes	$160

Louis Garneau Vorttice

The top-of-the-line aero helmet from LG is the most distinctive-looking option. They seem to have thrown every aero geek idea in the book at this helmet: dimples on the front, vortex generators in the middle, and a Trek Speed Concept style truncated airfoil on the rear. LG claims that all of these features reduce drag, and that this has been tested in the wind tunnel, though actual data has not been made public. The truncated shape on the back of the helmet may prove advantageous to riders who do not hold their head very still, or tend to look down much of the time while racing. We found this helmet to be easy to put on and adjust. It was one of the heavier helmets in the comparison, but only by a few grams. A UV protective visor is included in the price but may be removed if preferred.

Louis Garneau Superleggera

The word "superleggera" is Italian for "superlight" and this helmet does not disappoint on that front, coming in as the lightest helmet in the comparison. These weight savings are not likely to win you any races, but they may keep your neck more comfortable if you struggle with that issue. Dimples are still featured on the front, as well as a few vents. Otherwise the shape is more conventional. The Superleggera is a solid helmet that is also easy to put on and adjust. A visor is not included but may be purchased separately.

Giro Selector

This helmet is the most expensive and seemed to be the most complex, as well. The adjustment mechanisms are extensive but not simple. The helmet covers much more of your face and ears than others, and wraps very tightly against it. The helmet can take a while to put on, and may not be the ideal choice for triathletes looking to get out of T1 as fast as possible. Time trialists should give it a serious look, though, as it probably has the best aerodynamic pedigree of the bunch. Another interesting feature is the bottom of this helmet can snap off and be replaced with a lower profile one, allowing you to customize the fit of the helmet against your back. This helmet is currently the helmet used by pro team Garmin Cervelo, Tour de France TTT champs, who take their time trialing very seriously. A visor is included with this helmet.

Giro Advantage 2

This helmet is the simplest and most affordable helmet in our comparison, but is still a wind tunnel tested product that has been worn by TT champs such as Dave Zabriske. This helmet was a breeze to put on and adjust and should work well for triathletes. There is no mechanism for a visor to be installed so sunglasses are not optional. If you prefer wearing your own eyewear anyway, save some money and give this helmet a try.

Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Race Report October 2, 2011

2011-10-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

by George Schmitz

Photos by Andrew Wolfe of PhotoWolfe.com

This past weekend was the final race of the Lifetime Fitness series in Dallas. Race morning was surprisingly cold for a Texas triathlon but warmed up by T1 when the sun came out, and it was perfect weather the rest of the day. The swim was an in-water start. Previous years was a diving start off the boat dock, but low water levels this year discouraged a head-first entry. The course was an out, across, and back counterclockwise wetsuit swim and mostly smooth except for some choppy water between the 1st and 2nd turn. The last 50 meters was knee-deep mud and waist-deep water, making it tough to swim or run through.

The swim-out led athletes around the Hilton on the Harbor and into the parking lot transition. The bike-out was a short but steep hill right out of the gate to get to the street. The bike course was a cut-and-dry lollipop loop with just enough wind to play mind games with you, but had PR potential and ended with a fast downhill mile. Once in and out of T2, the course went out the same T1 hill and leveled out but remained uphill for the first 1.5 miles. The last ~1.5 miles to the turnaround were mostly flat. After the turnaround it was a guaranteed negative split with the long downhill finish.

The finish line chute wrapped around the hotel, promising a tunnel of cheering spectators. Cold water, tables of food, and Andy Potts welcomed finishing athletes.

Another must-do race (driving distance from Austin) in the books, and a comparatively fast course to end the season with satisfaction.

Full Results

2011 Texas State Road Race Championship The Fort Hood Challenge

2011-09-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

by Jack Mott

Photography by Lee McDaniel

For the past few years the Texas State Championship has been held at Ford Hood, a military base that provides a course completely closed to traffic. Negotiating this race location is not always easy, as security measures are very strict, but the payoff is huge. A closed course means no center-line rule is required, which improves safety and also prevents many controversial penalties. Additionally, the race raises money for the Association of the United States Army.

The course at Fort Davis is a 33-mile loop, which is traversed between 1 and 3 times depending on the race category. It is among the hillier routes in the area, which makes for tough, exciting races.

Women's Cat 1/2, and Cat 3 Races

As often happens in women's racing, due to low numbers, the Cat 3 women were started along with the Cat 1/2 race (though the races were still scored separately). This has the downside of suddenly changing the tactics and nature of the race. On the bright side, it means that a handful of women don't have to suffer through 66 miles by themselves. The only perfect solution to this dilemma, of course, is to get more women out there racing next time. And there's plenty of incentive, ladies! Money and fame to be won, beautiful pictures to be had, great scenery, a killer workout, drama, glory, and pain! What more could you want?

Desiree Ficker

Another surprise was in store – pro triathlete stud Desiree Ficker was in attendance for the Cat 3 race. She would certainly be an outlier in power production for the category, so the other girls would need to be clever to get to the finish ahead of her. What they did not know, was that Desiree had run in a 16-mile running race that morning, and won it!

The 1/2/3 race was 66 miles, two laps of the hilly Fort Hood course. The temperatures were already over 100 degrees, with no shade available to escape the heat of the sun. One would think this would cause the race to start conservative and slow, but Lauren Robertson and Kaelly Simpson of the Metro Volkswagen Cycling Team had other plans. From the gun the two were taking turns launching attacks up nearly every hill on the course. Power file data from the race shows sustained 500+ watt efforts with peaks over 800 watts just to hang on to the lead pack on the first lap!

The aggressive tactics of the Dallas Metro team shelled almost the entire race off the back. Eventually only Sheri Rothe of the Austin Flyers, Kat Hunter of Austin Tri-Cyclist Women's Racing, Desiree Ficker, and the two Metro girls remained, with a $100 prime awaiting at the end of the first lap. When they neared the line, Lauren pulled up in front of her teammate, perhaps to help lead her out, but Kat pulled to the left (the wrong side it turns out, as it was windward) and shot ahead to take the Cat 3 prime, while Lauren collected the Cat 1 prime ahead of Sheri. The girls all grabbed a bottle or two in the feed zone, staffed by an enthusiastic crew from Comanche Racing, but it would not be enough water to deal with the extreme heat.

The women detour down a dirt road

If the story of lap 1 was huge attacks, the story of lap 2 was surely unexploded bombs and cyclocross racing! The power peaks were down this lap but the drama surely was not. In the middle of lap 2, the leading women encountered a military police officer who told them they could not continue down the road. An "unexploded ordnance" had been sighted near the race course by one of the police officers manning the corner. The whole race stopped there for a moment as the lead car negotiated with the MP. The options were to turn around (confusing given that the rest of the field behind were able to use both lanes of the road) or take a dirt road detour around the danger radius. The lead women were starting to get anxious at the delay, worried that they would lose their lead. The women made the call to head down what was referred to as the "tank road," about a mile of dirt and rocks. No doubt many racers had picked their lightest, most aerodynamic wheels, and most supple, fast tires for this big race. Fortunately everyone made it through the dirt without incident. Nobody fell, nobody flatted, and nobody was exploded by any bombs at all.

Back at the finish line, spectators were hearing the news about the bombs, and military helicopters were flying overhead. Like typical bike racers, most of us were more concerned about the race being interrupted than anyone's safety. Everyone was relieved to hear that the lead pack had made it through. We began congregating at the finish line where we would pick up bits of news overheard from the officials race radio. At one point, we heard, "We need two Gatorades at the Iraqi Village ASAP!" News trickled in that it was Desiree Ficker, who was now on the way back in one of the race vehicles, suffering from severe dehydration and/or heat stroke. We also learned that Sheri Rothe had lost contact with the lead group, leaving only Kat (Cat 3), Kaelly (Cat 3), and Lauren (Cat 1) at the front. Lauren now had her own victory all but assured, and she was working hard to get her teammate a win as well.

and then there were three

Finally, in the distance we saw the three girls approaching. Lauren went to the front, setting a strong pace to lead out her teammate, with Kat having to hold 250 watts in the draft for a minute and half to stay on the train. Around the 200m sign, Kat moved left and threw down a 650-watt surge to come around the Metro girls and get the Cat 3 win, just a few bike lengths ahead of Kaelly. Lauren eased up, a hard day's work completed, the new Cat 1/2 State Champ, and well deserved!

Men's P/1

Gray Skinner, Stefan Rothe, Brant Speed

On the men's side a small breakaway group survived to the end, consisting of Stefan Rothe, Logan Hutchings, Gray Skinner, and Brant Speed. Logan Hutchings would be first across the line, but not being a permanent resident was not eligible for the award of Texas State Champion, which went to Stefan Rothe. Brant Speed followed in 2nd place with Gray Skinner in 3rd for Team Austinbikes, making for a complete podium sweep by the city of Austin!

Other exciting news

The men's 4 race was won in dominant fashion by Kevin Girkins of Team Concept Racing. However, as he crossed the line he was so excited with his performance he let loose a primal scream which included a four letter word – right in front of the officials. Profanity is against USAC rules and the officials decided that the punishment would be relegating Kevin to 6th place. Let the record reflect, however, that while Kevin's situational awareness needs development, he crushed that race, and won it. Kevin has since apologized publicly and accepted his relegation with class. Good work Kevin, you will be back!

Sir Christoph Trickey of Team Wooly Mammoth recovered from a tough day in the Cat 2 race on Saturday by consuming two beers, and returned on Sunday to take 2nd in the 35-39 age-based championship.

Newcomer Ash Duban, sporting the Desiree Ficker kit she designed, fought off an aggressive ATC Women's team to win the Women's Cat 4 championship for Comanche Racing. The ATC women were all present at the front of the race, taking 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th place in their first season racing together.

Links and Info

Go to Lee McDaniel Photography for more great race photos.
The Racing Post has more details on the race, venue, and military contributions.
Official results up at TXBRA.org

Thank you to Fort Hood, Copperas Cove, and everyone who helped make the race happen!

The 2011 Savageman Triathlon America's Hardest Half

2011-09-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

by Jack Mott

The Savageman Triathlon Festival is a two-day event located in the very northwest tip of Maryland in the Appalachian mountains. The name comes in part from the Savage River, which you descend down to at the start, and Big Savage Mountain, which you must climb up ... twice. Mostly though, this race is called Savageman because it is the hardest half in the world, with a bike course that Dave Scott, six-time Ironman World Champ and 6th overall this year, described as "the most relentless bike course I have ever seen."

Savageman is a much more intimate experience than your average WTC race. The field is very small at around 500 brave competitors, and the event is nonprofit, with all proceeds going to the Joanna M Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. Despite the smaller number of competitors, the race has first-class support. Every turn on the bike course is manned with volunteers and signs, and dangerous spots on descents are marked. The course is closed to traffic, except to a few locals who live on the route heading to church. There are fully stocked hand-ups with water, HEED, gels, and Coke all over the course. Two of the climbs even offer a real Tour de France experience with insane fans screaming at you in crazy costumes.

Every year there are a few big names that show up to take on this course, including uber bikers Bjorn Anderssen and Philip Graves (current bike and overall course record holder). This year we were all treated to "The Man," Dave Scott, who was taking the challenge at 57 years of age, as well as US Olympic medalist Susan Williams.

Savageman features a 30-mile triathlon on Saturday and a 70.0 event on Sunday. Participants who do both are recognized as having completed the Savage 100. Your trusty ATC embedded reporter was signed up for the main event, the Savageman 70.0!

The Swim

Luckily, course architect Kyle Yost has not yet figured out how to make the swim uphill, so the water was completely flat, making it the only flat part of the entire race.

The 1.2-mile swim takes place at Deep Creek Lake State Park. The course is a simple rectangle with a huge inflatable turtle and swan marking the two 180-degree turnarounds. The morning was a bit cool, about 50 degrees, so we stood on the beach shivering in our wetsuits, wondering if we were going to freeze on the bike. The water was cool but not at all uncomfortable in a wetsuit, however, and we found we were warmer in the water than we were out of it.

My wave was the third to go. The swim was uneventful for me, with just a single punch to the head, and no lake water swallowed – not bad! I got out of the water in exactly 30 minutes, a good swim for me and 8th in my age group.

The Bike

Holy $%!!& This is the most beautiful bike ride I've ever beenon, the most fun bike ride I have ever been on, and the 2nd hardestbike ride I have ever been on (Austin's Tour Das Hugel has it beat, but onlybecause it's twice as long).

Half a mile into the ride you get a taste of what is to come with "Toothpick," which is just a quarter mile long but steep enough to get your attention. Following that is about 5 miles of rolling hills where you can really hammer and take advantage of your aero gimmicks if you brought them. I went fairly hard here because I knew that coming up I would get a long rest on the roughly 10-mile descent down to the Savage River. This descent is very fast and fairly technical. There is certainly time to be saved by previewing the descents and being brave. You could also die, so be careful! Nothing in Austin can prepare you for descents like this, zooming through a tunnel of forest at 40mph, carving switchbacks at the limit of adhesion, figuring out ways to pass other cyclists without putting anyone in danger, all of it very thrilling.

Once you've descended down to the Savage River, you cross over the bridge and head into the town of Westernport, a tiny community much of which is out on the side of the road, or on their porches to watch the race (and the carnage).

As you turn left onto Rock Street, you get a clear view all the way up to "The Wall," and it takes your breath away. Stretching before you is about a quarter mile of smooth, steep road that has you in your easiest gear and your heart rate rising. Beyond that, the white surface of The Wall rises up in the distance, appearing completely vertical. The gradient, which peaks at 31%, is so ridiculous that even the road surface itself has been giving up over the years, making for a crack- and bump-filled surface that adds extra challenge. Go too slow up The Wall, and the bumps and cracks will take you down.

Photo by: Mark Neubauer, Hagerstown MD

One must also plan the approach carefully, so that no one is around to crash into you, a common occurrence.

Those who can clear the wall without falling off or walking their bike up are rewarded by having a brick engraved with their name placed into the road surface. Compact cranks and granny cassettes are recommended, even if your name is Dave Scott. The one bright spot here is the amazing Tour de France experience. Race spectators are bused in to Westernport and they line the road with cowbells and costumes and are screaming at you all the way up. Thankfully, a decent swim and speedy descent put me ahead of the crowds so I had a clear shot at the wall. I took it nice and easy on the approach then went straight up the right side as hard as I could – success! The Brick would be mine!

Unfortunately your reward for clearing the wall is another 2.4 miles of climbing at 6% average gradient to the top of Big Savage Mountain, with the last bit kicking up to 21% just for fun. Following this is another 25 miles, alternating between harrowing descents and vicious climbs. Many find the hardest stretch to be Killer Miller, a 1.3-mile slog peaking at 22%, coming at mile 40 after your legs have already died. But the crowds and costumes line the road once again for extra encouragement! Along the way the roads are dotted with sarcastic signs such as: "How is that aero equipment working for you?" placed on a 20% pitch.

Around mile 45 the serious climbing finally ends and you get a beautiful stretch of rolling hills where you can put your tri bike and aero helmet to good use for the first time in about 2 hours. I had paced things well so far and still felt good here, so I pushed hard up the rollers to keep the speed up and came into transition with a final bike split of 3 hours, 17 minutes, 8th in my age group once again.

The Run

All of my attention and planning had been focused on the bike course, so all I knew is that the run had some hills too. I wasn't sure what to expect. The run course is two loops, and each loop has two steep uphill sections. The first is asphalt that loops around the park campgrounds, and the second is a rocky trail, Fire Tower Road, that goes straight up, turns around, and straight back down.

I kept a sustainable pace and just kept jogging. Running is my weakest event and I don't think I actually passed anyone except a few people who blew up and had to walk. So at least I had pacing going for me! The downhill portion of the trail run is a bit tricky, so I was careful not to fall or snap my ankle. Around the middle of my first lap, Dave Scott runs up alongside me on his second lap. "Hey Dave!" I said. After our hellos I welcomed him back to racing, and he simply replied, "It's painful!" and then he motored away from me to finish 6th fastest overall. It was surreal to be running alongside "The Man" for a moment, as if I was part of the "Iron War."

I started feeling pretty worn out on the second lap and any uphill sections were almost as slow as walking, but I kept on jogging. The final half mile I managed to put in a strong kick to finish in 6 hours and 6 minutes, 12th in my age group. Everything went perfectly for me, and I was thrilled to get my brick and make it through the race safe and strong. I immediately found my way to the free ice cream. Never before have I eaten an ice cream cone so fast!

Epilogue

I cannot recommend this race highly enough. It is simply perfect. This area of Maryland is beautiful, the atmosphere of the crowd and athletes is amazing, the volunteers and race management are top notch. Savageman is not an easy place to get to, being a 2-hour drive from any major airport, but if you ever travel to do a triathlon, this should be the one you do. Big thanks to Kyle Yost for creating this event and helping to keep it alive. More thanks to all of the volunteers who kept us on course and fed, as well as the fans who cheered us on.

Bike Setup

This is one of those races where people will argue endlessly about whether a tri bike or road bike is the best option. Take note that the course records and overall winners for men, women, and masters have consistently been athletes riding with full aero gear, including disc wheels, aero helmets, and tri bikes. The rolling sections and downhills absolutely allow you to gain time. The cool temperatures mean that aero helmets have no overheating penalty (you will appreciate the lack of vents). The one caveat is you need to be comfortable descending and climbing on your tri bike. If you are not, bring the road bike, and play it safe. Narrow front tires are not a great choice here due to the cracks and bumps on The Wall and the technical high speed turns on descents.

Most importantly, bring appropriate gearing. Even if you win Cat 1 road races a 39x25 setup is going to slow you down. True studs that can break the hour mark for 40k with a hangover and a road bike might consider standard cranks with an 11-28 cassette. Everyone else just go ahead and get some compact cranks with a 34 inner ring, and the 11-28 cassette. I'm glad I did. My bike setup is detailed below and I am 100% happy with the choices I made.

Frame - 2011 P3C 58cm
Wheels - HED Jet90 clinchers with a wheelbuilder disc cover
Tires - Zipp Tangente 23mm, latex tubes
Skewers - Zipp aero skewers
Crankset - Shimano 105 compact, 50x34
Cassette - Shimano Ultegra 11x28
Cockpit - Vision aluminum aerobars with vision brake levers
Hydration - Single cage between the aero bars
Helmet - LG Aero Helmet, vents taped
Bike Weight - 18.9lbs
Power - 206 watts for over 3 hours (WKO file)

Thanks to ATC for building up the bike, it worked beautifully climbing, descending, cornering, and braking!

Links and Info

Full Results
More Videos of The Westernport Wall!
Overall 2011 70.0 winners: John Kenny and Susan Williams
Overall 2011 30.0 winners: Kelly Williamson and Kendra Goffredo
Meet Savageman founder Kyle Yost

2011 World Championship 70.3 Race Report Vegas Baby!

2011-09-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

by Marla Briley

Sept 11, 2011 was the inaugural year for the 70.3 World Championships to be held right outside of Las Vegas, in Henderson, NV. In past years, this event took place in Clearwater, Florida, where the course was known for being flat and fast. According to race organizers, 70.3 Worlds was moved to Henderson, "for it's beautiful weather (if you enjoy desert heat) and for its long-standing reputation as the best place to host a triathlon, as well as the top location for triathletes to compete on the most challenging race course in North America." This new venue offered multiple climbs that added up to over 9,700 feet, throughout Lake Mead National Recreation Area and a 13.1-mile run, which added an additional 2,000-foot elevation gain, through the streets of Henderson. Being my first time on this course and my first time to participate in 70.3 Worlds, I was planning for the worst (wind, hills, heat) but hoping for the best (finishing).

There are a few things you should know if you get the chance to participate in this event. I highly suggest you attend the Friday night "mandatory" pre-race meeting, to learn all the details of bag and bike drop-off. I didn't go and ended up feeling like the kid who neglected to study for the big test. I'm calling my friends asking "what do I do with my run bag and bike bag"? What I found out is that, there are two separate transition areas, post swim/pre-bike and post bike/pre-run. You are given a "bike bag" and a "run gear bag" just like you would at a full Ironman. You drop both bags off, along with your bike, the Saturday before the race at T1, which is located at Lake Las Vegas. They take your Run gear bag to T2, located in Henderson, where on race day it will be handed to you (God willing that it makes it) by a volunteer. Another important fact to know about this race is that the bike setup area is at the bottom of a hill. You will literally be running up a 200-meter switchback to reach the mount line. This may help you decide whether you put your shoes on the bike, climb barefooted and put shoes on at the top of the hill, or run up in your shoes. I don't recommend the last option. I saw a couple of people attempting it and it didn't look to be going well for them.

On race day, transition opens before the sun has even considered rising. We are pretty sure we saw some drunk drivers on our way to the Lake Las Vegas start (or maybe just sleepy triathletes who can't drive). We ended up being one of the first there and got a good parking spot. It helps that coming from Texas, their 4:30 am is our 6:30 am. On race day you are allowed into T1 so you can check your tires, mess with your nutrition, put your shoes on your bike...all the normal prep activities. I actually decided to rubber band my shoes to my bike and it ended up being a good decision.Because the event took place on Sept 11th this year, we all paused for 60 secs at the exact moment when 10 years ago the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Everyone, including those from around the world, quietly shared in that moment of remembrance. It was very moving.

At 6:15 am the pros lined up while the rest of us stood on the bridge and hung out windows, trying to get a glimpse of the best in the world as they prepared to begin their day and our day of racing. After the cannon sounded and the pros were off, we all began to make our way to the swim start. We lined up by cap color in the order of our waves. The first of the pros were coming out as we waited. We got to watch as Andy Potts, first out of the water, raced the 300 meters around the end of the lake to the bike transition. He missed his row on the first try and we all went "ehhhhhh" and vowed not to make the same mistake. I noticed the pros were running with their helmets and putting them on as they ran. I figured I'd learn by example and give that a try.

We got into the water with 5 minutes to go. The water wasn't as warm as I feared, being around 82 degrees, but it was very cloudy. For those who live and train in Austin, think the Quarry Lake. We all lined up under the bridge, many moving to the ledge on the right so they could stand up while waiting. We heard "one minute" to go and we all moved out to find our position. Without a "10 seconds to go" warning, the horn sounded and we were off, trying to fight for our tiny bit of water real estate and hoping to catch some feet. The course is about 900 meters out, into the sun, then you turn to your left, another 40 meters and another turn to your left, then back under the bridge and across the lake from where you got in, to the exit.From there you run the 300 meters to T1, grab your gear bag, into the changing tent, out to your bike, and up the 200-meter switchback to the mount line. After successfully managing the rubber-banded shoes and getting my feet strapped in, I am off!

We all were told that the bike course was going to be pretty tough. To prepare for this one, I'd suggest you ride up and down 360 for 56 miles. It seemed to be either a constant climb or descent. The last 10 miles into town are on a false flat and when you get back into town, you have some twists and turns through neighborhoods to get you to T2. One thing I found funny was the elevation map in our book was upside down and backwards, so the course's long slow climb at the end might have caught some by surprise.

The roads are really smooth, which is a nice change from the Texas chip seal we are accustomed to, but black as night. If it had been the week before, when the temps had soared to 107, we would have been frying like bacon in a nonstick pan. Luckily, a cold front had come through and we enjoyed a balmy 92 degrees, which felt almost cool after the Texas summer and our multiple days of 100+ temps.

Coming into T2, the volunteers were lined up, ready to grab our bikes. I handed off my bike and was directed towards the run gear bags. I was moving slowly enough that the volunteers had time to find my bag and hand it to me. Then, into the run tent where I eased on the running shoes and prepared myself for the last and most dreaded of the day's legs, the run.

On to the run (or for me the hobble). The run starts out going downhill (think Expedition heading towards Lake Austin Blvd). The street is shaded and the crowds are thicker here. You run along for about 1.5 miles, then you take a right, head about 200 meters uphill, turn around, and head back down. Then you are back on the street you started on. However, this time you are going uphill (think Expedition heading towards 35th). All my friends asked me why mile 2 looked like I decided to sit down and enjoy a beer. There is your answer.

So, you climb for a mile on this still nicely shaded street, you take a left and pass the finish chute and the majority of the family and friends out cheering for their athletes, take another left, and you are on the "highway to hell." It's not actually a highway, but you really do feel you are in hell. It's a blacktop road that goes uphill for close to 1.5 miles (think Expedition to 35th,again), and there is no shade so few people want to stand along it to cheer. After the climb I should have been grateful when I turned around to head back down the hill but all I could think of was that I had to do it two more times. The volunteers were great, though, and the aid stations well stocked. At every aid station you had sponges, Powerade, water, ice and cola (Unfortunately they didn't have any Tums, which I needed about halfway through the race). The three loop out-and-back course allowed me to see my friends and fellow athletes and to cheer them on (and get cheered on by them) and to see my friends and family who came out to share in my 70.3 World experience.

The last 2 miles of the run are wonderful. They are downhill and deliver you straight into the finisher's chute, where you are welcomed by smiling volunteers, a cold towel, a cold bottle of water, and the inevitable but always welcome, "Marla Briley, You Are A Finisher." All in all, though I didn't have my best day, because of a well-organized race, a challenging course, and my friends and family, I had a great experience. I would recommend, if you get the chance, to head out to Henderson/Vegas and take on the course yourself.

Race Report: Tour de Austin 2011, Sept 3-5

2011-09-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Photo by DCMPhotography.com

Not quite the Tour de France, but with local flare all its own, the 2011 Tour of Austin attracted some of the best riders in Texas for three days of crit racing. And truly, what better plans can be made for a Labor Day weekend than getting out on the course and mixing it up with top teams for prize money – and more importantly, bragging rights?

Unlike the previous year, the 2011 Tour of Austin wasn’t scored as an omnium, but rather three separate criteriums. Saturday’s KGS Bikes Driveway Grand Prix was held at the Driveway, Sunday’s ROL Wheels Pickle Crit at the JJ Pickle Research Center, and Monday’s 4th Annual Kenny Hills Autowerks eRacing Stigma Criterium at the Austin State Hospital.

Velonews reported on the event, highlighting the superstars of the men’s race, as well as the battle between Jen McRae of 787 Racing and Jen Purcell of Danbury Audi, who they praised as “two of the nation’s top sprinters.” In the men’s P12 race, riders from the elite Dallas-area team Elbowz Racing took the win all three days.

Leah Soro, member of ATC Women’s Racing, competed two days, taking fourth on Saturday and first on Sunday in the women’s cat 4 race. The youngest member of the ATC team at 25 and with less than a year of bike training, she’s been delivering top results, also coming in second at last weekend’s Chappell Hill Road Race. (It probably doesn’t hurt that she trains with her fiancé, Gray Skinner, cat 1 cyclist.) Here’s her race report:

Tour of Austin marked my first bike race (not counting the Driveway) and so it was filled with excitement and angst. I was not quite sure what to expect, but Day 1 was the Driveway full loop so I was not completely in the dark. My race was Cat 4 women only, but we started just 45 seconds after the women’s 123 race. There were roughly 20 girls in the cat 4 race and maybe a little over 30 in the cat 123 race. The Driveway usually has around 10-12 ladies, so this was a welcome surprise. With only two months’ experience I knew that I needed to be near the front if I was going to make it out of the races without losing skin, or worse, breaking something.

The Cat 4 race started out and remained fairly relaxed. No one was excited about being on the front. Colavita put some girls on the front throughout the race as they looked like the only group other than Team Brain and Spine to have a whole team. There were a few attacks here and there, but none stayed away for very long. I even attacked to win the 4th prime and was way out front with a Nick Lopez rider, but she sat up and I thought about going for a breakaway myself, but re-evaluated, thinking it would cost me too much in the end.

As we entered the last 2 laps, mass confusion ensued. The cat 123 race caught us, and I thought it was a breakaway so I swerved wide to catch it, only to find out that I could not get on their wheel. It would be a mistake that I could not recover from, because I ended up taking the whole pack through the last lap only to get pushed onto the rumble strips and sprint for 4th place. All in all, it was a sprinters’ race with the whole pack nearly intact until the end. Being overtaken by the 123 break and then the pack effectively neutralized our race for nearly a lap and prevented the last 2 laps from being hard enough to put the sprinters into difficultly.

Saturday’s course proved to be very different dynamics than the Driveway. The course was more “technical” (as people who know about this stuff would say). On top of that, the wind out of the north was wicked. Riding to the race I thought, “If I don’t wreck in this race it will be a miracle.” Although I approached the race with some trepidation, the conditions played in my favor. The race started with the same field of women as the day before, which put me at ease knowing who I was racing against.

After only a few laps into the race when the group hit the head wind after passing the start/finish line, no one wanted to be on front so the whole field slowed to a crawl. Sadly, it resulted in one girl getting tangled up and going down. The front of the pack rode away from the rest of the group and turned on the gas, gapping the remainder of the field. Luckily I made it through and after making sure everything was okay behind me started working with the lead pack.

A few laps later, the course had taken its toll and the lead pack consisted of only four girls. For the most part we worked together. With roughly 6 laps to go, the Nick Lopez rider and I pulled away from the other two girls on the windy section. I knew it was a little early to be pulling away, but I thought we might be able to make it work. After 2 more laps, the two other girls were back on and the entire field was all over the place. We continued to work together until the last lap.

Sunday's Winners Jen Purcell and Leah Soro

I decided that if I wanted to win this race, I couldn’t leave anyone close to my wheel in the finish. I decided I would put in 4 or 5 hard efforts to see who was fresh and who was just hanging on. With roughly 600 meters to go I put in a small attack and realized no one was on my wheel. I looked back to see the Nick Lopez girl about a bike length back, so I put in another hard effort, which she countered. Then when we hit the last 200 meters, I stood up and started stomping on my pedals and praying to the bike gods that I could hold her off. To my surprise I did.

Thankfully, everyone in the race came out without any severe injuries. The wind and tight curves that played in my favor also caused the entire field to get busted up along the way. It was a tough/fun day, and I was honored to add a win to the palmarès of the highly accomplished ATC Women’s Racing team!

2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

2011-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

by Kat Hunter

Summer in Colorado is a cyclist’s dream: bike lanes everywhere, a wide selection of multi-sport and cycling events, incredible climbs and trails and routes to any place you want to go. “Share the Road” signs were in spots that Texas would be more likely to announce “Will Shoot on Sight,” not to mention “hot” is at least 15 degrees cooler.

But more than that, it’s the bike-minded people that set the area apart. And there was no better time to see that culture in action than the week of the first USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Aug 22-28.

Classic Race Reborn

Many consider the Pro Cycling Challenge a revival of the Coors Classic of the 1980s, a hugely popular stage race that hosted greats like Bernard Hinault, Greg LeMond, and Davis Phinney, just to name a few. The Coors Classic got its fair share of media attention in its heyday, inspiring a fanatic following and even a full-length movie with a mustached Kevin Costner (American Flyers).

For the 7-day 2011 Pro Cycling Challenge, roughly 130 of the world’s best riders showed up, including Cadel Evans, Frank and Andy Schleck, Levi Leipheimer, Christian VandeVelde, and Tom Danielson. And along with them came more than 1 million fans. Shawn Hunter, co-chairman and CEO of the Pro Cycling Challenge, called it a “518-mile rolling festival.” The sixth and final stage – a 73.79-mile course that began in Golden, wound up Lookout Mountain, and ended with five loops in downtown Denver – attracted an estimated 250,000 people, the largest crowd of any cycling event held in the United States.

There were literally thousands of cycling fans lining Lookout Mountain’s slopes, the best part being that nearly all had arrived by bike since the road had been closed to traffic for the race. There were road bikes, mountain bikes, tandems, roadies, triathletes, commuters, women, men, kids, babies, pasty guys in speedos, a handful of Sponge Bobs, a runner who managed almost perfect form despite the huge pair of antlers strapped to his head. I’d honestly never seen anything like it, and it went on for hours before the team buses even arrived at the start.

Our group had stopped just below the giant “M” to stake out our spot around 7:30 that morning. Typically, I hate watching sports of any kind. But on Lookout Mountain, even though there was no guacamole, pizza, or interesting commercials and we were drinking warm Coors from a can, I was enjoying every minute. We had the city of Golden stretched out below us and an endless parade of personalities riding by. (The guy on the unicycle won my respect. I had a hard enough time on that route with two wheels.) Our friend JT had bought a bulk supply of chalk and was handing it out to anyone hauling a kid up the mountain, often running alongside like a relay runner with a baton. We chalked our own curve in the road with everything from the ATC Dillo to “Bacon!” and “Tibbs.”

When the time finally came for the race to start, we took our places in the crowd peering down at the swarm of riders and spectators massing in the city center. Around 10:45, we watched the riders wind through Golden and disappear around the back of Table Mesa, then reappear again on the other side. They were preceded by dozens of cars and motorcycles, and the flashing lights and hubbub only seemed to heighten the suspense. “Here they come, here they come!” was interspersed with more insightful commentary from spectators who’d had the foresight to bring binoculars. The atmosphere was charged with the type of boundless excitement you’d get if you told a room full of first-graders that Santa, Justin Bieber, and Pocahontas were going to make a personal visit during recess.

Before the riders reached the first section of switchbacks, the spectators lining our section of road sprinted to the turn that overlooked them, cheering and holding their iPhones and cameras overhead. A break had formed at the start of the ascent and was still holding strong, with a group of 8 or 10 riders moving at an impossible speed up the slope.

I soon realized that our detailed chalk-work was for naught. Who has time to appreciate an artful armadillo or a perfectly rendered Cervélo “é” when sprinting up a category 2 climb? I had only an instant to see the riders up close as they passed through the screaming crowd, their faces twisted into expressions that made it clear how much effort they were putting out (and perhaps expressing a little concern about the proximity of the crowd, as well). I didn’t envy them this part of the journey.

And then, the stars of the show were gone as quickly as they’d arrived. I imagine that watching a pro cycling race in person is something like watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve – you wait and wait for it to happen, and no matter how much you prepare yourself or try to savor the moment you’ve been anticipating, you blink once and it’s all over. Most people had to consult their cameras to see what had just happened. And yet, the consensus of the crowd seemed to be that it was a fully satisfying experience – Hincapie might have been a blur, but it was still Hincapie, in the flesh!

Many of the fans around us were running to their bikes the second the last rider had passed, hoping to catch the peloton again on another part of the course. Our entourage took its time, gathering empty cans and water bottles and comparing observations. We rode back into town and sat on the grass in Parfet Park to watch the finish on the jumbotron. There, the crowd was a little more tame (no gorilla suits or speedos) but every time a favorite came on screen a shout went up. The race ended in a bunch sprint, with Daniel Oss of Liquigas-Cannondale taking the stage win. Oss was supposed to be the leadout man for teammate Elia Viviani, who had won two previous stages, but Viviani let his teammate have the (well-deserved) prize when it was clear that no one could come around him.

In the overall standings, American riders swept the top 5 places. Levi Leipheimer of Team Radioshack won, closely followed by Christian VandeVelde of Garmin-Cervelo, Tejay Van Garderen of HTC-Highroad, Tom Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo, and George Hincapie of BMC Racing.

While some theorized that many of the other riders, including Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers, were recovering from July’s three-week Tour de France, no doubt the altitude also took a heavy toll. The highest climbs in Europe are around 9,000 feet, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge featured three mountaintops at 12,000 feet. Stage 3’s 10-mile time trial started at 9,000 feet and finished at 11,000 feet. Many of the top Americans in the race trained at altitude – team Garmin-Cervelo, for example, is based in Boulder. Colombian riders from the teams Gobernacion De Antioquia-Indeportes Antioquia and EPM – UNE, many of whom regularly train at 6,600 feet, also had a particularly strong showing in the climbs.

Leipheimer was quoted in the Denver Post as saying: “It took some of the best form of my life to beat Christian and Garmin-Cervelo and Tejay. I took the jersey and lost the jersey, and I had to produce one of the best time trials of my life to take it back. Then the team rose to the occasion to defend that jersey against a super-motivated home squad of Garmin-Cervelo. It took every ounce of energy and motivation to pull it off.”

Many of the riders remarked on the challenge of the terrain and altitude, but overwhelmingly, their quotes to the media expressed appreciation for the warm reception they had received from the fans and community. Levi said he hadn’t expected so many people to come out for the race. Cadel Evans said, “I don’t know if I’ve raced anywhere in my career where people were so appreciative of my being here. That’s not something that a race organizer can control, it’s just the ambiance of the race.”

Some might have doubted the success of the Colorado-based tour before this year’s inaugural run, but given the response from the public, those fears have officially and definitively been swept under the rug. Bidding between cities has already begun for 2012 – it’s expected that all of the 11 towns that participated this year, plus 8-10 new locations, will vie to host stages. Many are rallying to bring the race to Boulder, and the final stage in downtown Denver will likely remain the same. I’m, of course, rooting for Lookout Mountain again...

Special thanks to James Taylor & family for their incredible hospitality.

For another very interesting and funny read from our corner of the course, check out our friend Dave's report.

Litespeed Aero Road Bike Review: The Archon C Series

2011-08-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

Many will remember Litespeed as the name in titanium bikes. Twenty-year-old titanium Litespeeds can still be seen out on the roads, their fanatic owners swearing by their durability and feel. It's a surprising and gutsy move then, for this brand to introduce a carbon fiber, aero road bike. This is a new material for Litespeed, as well as a new philosophy for the brand.

Litespeed is offering three versions of the Archon C series: the C3, C1, and C1R. The C3 will be the most affordable and easiest to maintain, with an adjustable seat post and external cable routing. The C1 series uses more expensive, lighter carbon fiber, and offers internal cable routing. The C1R is available only as a frame set, and features an integrated seat mast, even lighter carbon fiber, and a stiffer front end. Interestingly, the C1R goes back to external cable routing, as Litespeed believes bike racers will prefer the ease of maintenance and lighter weight.

Overview

All of the bikes in the Archon C lineup share the same shape and aero features. Every tube is airfoil-shaped to cheat the wind, including the all-important head tube, which is nicely scalloped. This is an area often overlooked by other bike makers. Another feature, first introduced by Litespeed and only seen elsewhere on the Cervelo S5, is the downtube water bottle shroud. This reduces the penalty of carrying water bottles, an important benefit since bike races are rarely short enough to go without. There are a number of other details that set the bike apart, such as a slightly asymmetric seat stay design to optimize stiffness, comfort, and aerodynamics. All models also use the BB30 bottom bracket standard to improve weight and stiffness.

Features

Aerologic Tubes - All Models - Aerodynamic Tube Shapes +More
- Every frame element is aerodynamically shaped, including the scalloped head tube and airfoil seat stays.
Seat Tube Cutout - All Models - Hide The Rear Wheel From The Wind +More
- A feature not available even on top aero road bikes like the Cervelo S3, the Archon seat tube cutout is placed very close to the rear wheel to reduce drag. Other bikes pay lip service to this feature but place the rear wheel too far behind the cutout to be effective.
Invisible Water Bottle - All Models - Hide The Water Bottle From The Wind +More
- The shape of the downtube is widened at the water bottle location to direct the wind around the bottle. Litespeed was the first brand to market this design, and currently, the new Cervelo S5 is the only other road bike that offers this feature.
BB30 - All Models - Lighter and Stiffer +More
- BB30 is a bottom bracket standard started by Cannondale in 2000. The standard allows for larger bottom bracket spindles, which can be lighter and stiffer than the older standard designs.
Internal Cable Routing/Di2 Routing - C1 - Less Drag For Cables and Wires +More
- While the C3 and C1R opt for the lighter, easier to maintain solution, aero weenies may prefer the C1 models, which feature internal cable routing to get the cables out of the wind. The cable routing system can accommodate Shimano Di2 wiring as well. Cables enter the frame at the top tube behind the stem, and cable housing is run throughout the entire frame.

2011 Litespeed C Model Breakdown ATC has all models in stock, come take one for a test ride!

Model	Build	Price	Improvements OverPrevious Model	More Info
Litespeed C3	Ultegra	$3,299.95	Baseline	more info
Litespeed C1	SRAM Force	$4,299.95	Lighter Carbon, Internal Cable Routing	more info
Litespeed C1	Dura Ace	$5,299.95	Lighter/Upgraded Components	more info
Litespeed C1R	Frameset	$3,399.95	Lighter Carbon, Stiffer, External Routing, Integrated Seat Mast	more info

Litespeed Supports Local Racers

Litespeed has been stepping up to the plate and supporting local bike racers. Check out the ATC Litespeed builds of Tristan Uhl's Archon C1R and the ATC Women's Racing Archon C3

Tristan Uhl - Pro Mountain Biker and Cat 1 Road Racer - Litespeed Archon C1R

Tristan Uhl is a Mountain Biker first, but he competes regularly in cat 1 road bike races in the off-season, so look for him in his ATC kit at local races. Tristan reports that he is enjoying the bike more than the Cannondale Supersix that he rode previously. The new Litespeed build is lighter and feels stiffer overall, he says, and the rigid rear end has been great at the local Driveway crits.

Litespeed C1R Build Specs

Frame	Litespeed Archon C1R
Size	S
Wheels	Easton SLX
Stem	FSA OS-99
Gruppo	Shimano Ultegra
Crankset	FSA Carbon BB30
Weight	15.6lbs (w/ lightweight tubulars)

ATC Women's Racing - Litespeed Archon C3

Litespeed is one of the sponsors of the new ATC Women's Racing team. Cat 3 racer Kat Hunter, currently racing the C3 for ATC Women's Racing, reports that the new frame feels smoother and faster downhill, and is just as comfortable as the steel round tube bike she rode before.

Litespeed C3 Build Specs

Frame	Litespeed Archon C3
Size	ML
Wheels	HED Jet 90 Powertap
Cockpit	3T LTD Stem and 3T Pro Handlebars
Gruppo	Shimano 105/Ultegra Mix
Crankset	FSA Gossamer BB30 52/38
Weight	16.9lbs (w/ lightweight tubulars)

RACE REPORT: Tri From the Heart 2011

2011-08-16T07:19:00.000-07:00

Back in June we previewed the new Tri From The Heart, a small sprint triathlon donating 100% of proceeds to a local charity in Brady, Texas, to help cancer patients. Here are Team ATC's race highlights.

It was perfect race weather, with the 7am start keeping the high temps (mostly) at bay. ATC mechanic and tri stud George Schmitz led out of the water, and extended his lead on the bike with a race-best bike split. George was eventually chased down by Troy Clifton on the run, who passed him around mile 2 of the 4.8-mile course. George held on for 2nd overall.

The famous Tim Dove was 7th out of the water and 4th off the bike, finishing fifth overall and winning his age group.

ATC manager Adam Stroobandt, a talented runner, good cyclist, and less-than-stellar swimmer, was 24th out of the water. After miles of "ON YOUR LEFT" he clawed up to 6th on the bike and finished 4th overall, passing Tim Dove at mile 4 to preserve his dignity. Adam also won his age group.

The weekend was a solid showing by the ATC crew, but more importantly, a great first race for Tri from the Heart. Join us next year for a great time and a good cause.

Race website: www.hearttri.com
Results: RPTTiming

Race Report: Ring of Fire, Aug 6, 2011

2011-08-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

by Marla Briley

Photos by Jake North Photography

There aren't many places where you find a mixture of beer-guzzling, cigarette-smoking bikers; spandex-wearing, Gatorade-drinking cyclists; and crowing, tree-climbing roosters. But, this weekend at the start of the second annual Ring of Fire ride, many of the best area cyclists were present, mixed in with Harleys, their leather-clad riders, and a few crowing, clucking chickens.

The ride had a bit of a twist from last year's ride/race. Red Licorice, the event's organizer, partnered with Austin Cycle Camp to offer $1,500 each to the first-place man and woman to cross the line on the 84-mile Big Loop course. Last year, the distance was 110 miles and Mike Minardi and I took first-place man and woman. We were awarded a pretty cool chain ring, but that is not quite the same as $1,500 dollars. With the money came a higher caliber of rider, and first-place anything was no longer on Mike and I's radar, but having a good overall day and strong ride was.

This is the tale of two rides taking place in one event. First was the race, which started at 7:30am, went for 84 miles, and included, as I said before, some of the best cyclists in the area. The second was the 84-mile ride, which started at 7:45 and included anyone who didn't care to "race," rides only a TT bike (which was not allowed in the Open "racing" group), or, like me, those who are training for something bigger to come.

Last year, the 110-mile Ring of Fire was part of my buildup to Kona. This year, the 84-mile Ring of Fire ride was part of my buildup to the 70.3 Las Vegas Championships. I needed to test my nutrition and my ability to withstand the heat and hills of the "Hill" Country. For those racing the Open, they were thinking more about strategy and whose wheel to follow, unlike me, who was thinking more about my salt intake and making sure my wattage stayed steady and consistent through the entire ride.

According to Gray Skinner, who races for Austin Bikes, the Open Division started out just like any other pro 1/2 road race. Super Squadra, the largest and only team in the race with four riders, immediately went on the attack, sending Steven Wheeler up the road. The pack is reluctant to respond with a hard 84 miles still to come. The pace picks up a bit and riders start making moves off the front. Most are unsuccessful and short-lived, as no one really wants to join the one-man sacrificial lamb (Wheeler). About 30 miles into the ride, the Cat 1 men split from the rest of the men and the women racers.

Thirty miles into my ride, I'm feeling good. I think, "The hills aren't so bad, the heat isn't so bad." I've broken the ride down into two 42-mile loops. So, by my calculations, I'm almost done with the first loop so I'm almost done! Right?

Back to the Open Division, things are getting intense – 787's Brant Speed rolls slightly off the front of the group, which is now about 15 riders. Gray moves in behind him. They begin to open up a small gap just before the difficult 1-mile climb. Alarm bells go off in the field as their gap grows to maybe 10 seconds. The New Zealand Champion and heavy favorite, Logan Hutchings, who rides for Hotel San Jose, Super Squadra's Dave Wenger, and Tulsa Tough's Stefan Rothe, ride up from the field as the five of them begin to climb. Trying to establish a gap on a climb is a good tactic, Gray explains, but also one of the more painful experiences on a bike.

"We flew up the climb and made a sizable gap on the rest of the field as I bled out of my eyeballs to stay fifth wheel," he says. "The eight of us pursued the leaders for the next 40 miles. The leaders came into view just up the road around mile 60, but the field was content to let them sit for a while, knowing that the fireworks would begin once they were caught."

Back to us regular "Joes," who are just out to test our nutrition and our legs in the hills. By the second loop, it is 10am and the temps have soared from 82 to the high 90s. I rode the first loop in just around 2 hours, never stopping for water. On the second loop, I stop for water at mile 52 and then mile 62 and again at mile 72! The heat takes its toll on me and my water bottles. I'm pouring half of my water on me, and the other half I'm drinking as if I were a dying man in the desert. While we have to stop and refill our own bottles, the Open field, for whom every second counts, have hand-up stations for their refills. So, while I'm messing around at the aid stations, the Open field is racing for the finish and the $1,500 prize money.

Overall Winners Logan Hutchings and Jen McRae

Gray tells the tale: Around mile 73, with the sun starting to rise, the heat in the field turns up as well. Logan Hutchings attacks the field just before the last big climb. Only the two riders who have teammates up the road are able to respond. This is David Wenger and Stefan Rothe. They take off in pursuit of a flying Hutchings. With the break having been caught, the race for the win is on. With 3 miles to go Logan Hutchings breaks away. He ends up taking the win, coming across the line solo with a sizeable gap. In the women's field, Jen McRae took the win with a convincing lead.

At about an hour and some change, I'm still making my way to the finish line. With no more than the thought of an ice-cold soda and the chance to take off my shoes, which are killing me, I pedal on. I don't remember the hills being quite so steep and I swear there was more shade the first time around. However, the volunteers are great (especially the girl with purple hair that is cheering "Go Team ATC"!) and the course is well marked and I do get there in the end.

At the finish, there was cold beer, shade under the trees, and a country western band playing for everyone, regardless of whether they raced the 84-mile Big Loop or rode the 23-mile Little Loop.

Results: MyChipTime.com
Photos: Jake North Photography

Marla Briley is an Austin triathlete and member of the ATC Women's Racing cycling team.

Cat 1 Couple Sheri & Stefan Rothe

2011-08-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

by Kat Hunter

The cycling scene in Austin is both large and small. On the one hand, while there are hundreds of people competing at different skill levels and venues, when the "six-degrees-of-Kevin-Bacon" game is applied to any individual cyclist in town, the game is over faster than a 25-meter sprint.

Sheri and Stefan Rothe, both category 1 cyclists and Austin residents since 2008, are somewhere near the center of this interconnected web. Sheri, wearing the pink and blue of the Austin Flyers, is easy to spot in the pack with her long braid, and Stefan is rarely far from the spotlight, both in his racing and coaching.

But there's a lot more to a person than what can be gathered from race results or the community grapevine. After all, a cat 1 cyclist doesn't happen overnight. Rather than emerging fully formed, most competitive athletes develop in a way that is painstakingly slow and surprisingly human.

Starting Out

When Stefan was 11 years old, following a doctor's recommendation that he pick up low-weight-bearing sports to prevent potential leg problems, his parents gave him the option of cycling or swimming. He joined a cycling club in his hometown of Dresden, Germany, and cycling, of course, quickly became the preferred activity. After a year of keeping up with a Junior/U23 training group of road cyclists on his "way too heavy" mountain bike, he got his first real road bike, which sported a steel frame and pedal cages for his tennis shoes.

His talent for cycling was something that developed over years of training, Stefan says, although he did come in second at his first race. (It was a lesson that immediately educated him in the dangers of leading out a sprint too early.)

In the spring of 2003, after one year of college in Germany, Stefan came to the US on a cycling scholarship to attend Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. MSU is where he and Sheri met. They had a computer class together, where Sheri says she first knew him as "the cute German guy."

Not a cyclist at the time, Sheri played defense on the university's soccer team. After a foot injury that put her on the sidelines, Sheri signed up for Hotter'n Hell on a road bike that she'd ridden once before. She had intended to do the 25-mile ride, but missed a turn, so did a sweltering 70 miles as her official introduction to cycling instead. Although she says this wasn't a good first experience, ultimately she decided she liked cycling better than soccer and joined the MSU women's cycling team.

Sheri and Stefan were married in 2007 in Dresden, with family and friends from both Texas and Germany in attendance. And no, there were no bikes with tin cans tied to the handlebars, or a honeymoon ascending the French Alps. Stefan says he didn't ride his bike for 10 days, and then returned to Texas three days before the Hotter'n Hell 100. "It was very painful, and me and a buddy called it a day after 80 miles," he says.

Coaching & Competing

When I asked Sheri, who works full-time and is currently pursuing a teaching certification, if she considered cycling a hobby, she laughed. "It's too all-consuming to be a hobby," she says. "It's more of a lifestyle."

And Austin suits that lifestyle well. "It's a cycling-friendly town, a very fit and athletic city in general, and a lot of professional athletes call it home," Stefan says. "It's a good vibe. Same goes for the cycling community, which has a lot of creative individuals and business owners who support the sport, from kiddie races to Pro/1 races."

Stefan w/ the "Most Aggressive Rider" Mohawk

Stefan has owned his own cycling coaching and consulting business, ROTHE Training, since 2008. "I'm proud to say that I really work with everyone," he says. "From true beginner or 14-year-old junior to experienced cat 1 racer – that's the core of my business idea: to cater towards the general recreational riders and amateur or master racers rather than elite-level athletes only." He currently coaches 25 athletes, men and women ranging from 14 to 65 years old.

In addition to coaching, Stefan is a member of the Tulsa Tough Elite Cycling Team and competes in many regional races, as well as a number of National Calendar Races. Although he strives to keep his coaching and own competition separate in order to focus on the task at hand, he says that his racing helps him relate with what coached athletes are experiencing.

"The best reward is when a client achieves his or her goals, be it a certain workout they were able to finish or a race they always wanted to win," he says. "Watching an athlete win a race, it feels almost the same as winning myself."

"And it actually takes pressure off of me, too. I try to be a good bike racer, but ultimately people judge your ability as a coach by the accomplishments of your athletes and not your own results. Fact is, the best bike racers will never be the best coaches. Some of the best cycling coaches out there were just mediocre athletes themselves."

Stefan brings to the table 18 years of racing experience. The races he considers his biggest career accomplishments include a third-place stage finish at the UCI-ranked Tour of Malaysia, the "Most Aggressive Rider" award at the week-long Vuelta a El Salvador, and a fifth place at the University World Championships Road Race in Belgium a few years ago.

His philosophy on cycling is based mostly on what he calls "mental strength." "You can be the most gifted and talented rider in the world but if you have no drive or desire and mental strength to do well then you'll never succeed," he says. "I've seen really great cyclists or athletes get beaten by less talented and physically disadvantaged riders because they didn't focus enough or just didn't believe in themselves. If you have a plan, you've got to follow it even if it hurts."

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Stefan's coaching business is the attitude he takes toward its expansion. These days, it seems common for large and small businesses alike to take a sky's-the-limit approach, always striving to double or triple or quadruple sales, often before they're fully prepared or have the resources to do so. But Stefan seems content to keep ROTHE Training on a small scale, at least for now, and organizes his schedule in a way that allows him to also get in enough training time to stay competitive himself.

At Austin Tri-Cyclist, Stefan conducts lactate-threshold testing and bike fits. And apart from monthly coaching services, he also offers skills sessions, one-on-one training consultations, and power meter installation. In short, between managing ROTHE Training and racing, he often has his hands full.

At the end of the day...

Given the challenge of combining work, racing, and the day-to-day, being a cat 1 couple isn't always as glamorous as it seems, but both Sheri and Stefan say that it's helpful to be with someone who understands and appreciates the demands of the sport. They don't often go on training rides together, but they attend many of the same races and are both very active in the cycling community. Sheri is race team coordinator for the Austin Flyers, and ROTHE Training helps sponsor local events and organizations like the Driveway Race Series, the Tour of Austin, and the 787 Racing Team.

So now that the 2011 season is winding down, what's next for the Rothes? A return to their old stomping grounds for Hotter'n Hell, of course, and maybe a few more local and NRC races for Stefan. "And in the off-season, there's always a chance for a cycling trip to an exotic country," Stefan says. "We'll see."

Right, so sometimes the life of an elite cyclist is as glamorous as it seems.

E load Helps Beat the Heat

2011-07-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Austin Tri-Cyclist carries e load heat endurance and until August 6th you can get a special 15% Off any e load product when you mention our ATC blog post. Below is an except from eload about their product.

e load ™ Snapshot

The most important physiological job of your sport drink is to maintain your fluid and electrolyte balance.

In hot conditions this can be especially challenging. A great sport drink helps in the prevention and control of heat stress, primarily by replacing sweat electrolytes and fluid as they are lost. If electrolyte balance is maintained within, and you supply enough fluid to replace losses (see our Nutrition Calculators) you are well on your way to success in the heat!

You Should Know
1..... that syptoms of heat stress include muscle cramps, stomach upset, stomach cramps, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, headaches, dizzyness, unusual fatigue and delirium. Sometimes, a coma, and even death, can be blamed on extreme heat stress, as can a very important condition known as hyponatremia.

2..... that the most important ingredients in a sports drink responsible for the prevention of heat illness are adequate amounts of electrolytes. Virtually all sports drinks have a maximum of 1/6 - 1/2 of the concentration of electrolytes that you lose in your sweat. (8) Depletion of these valuable electrolytes are a big reason why heat stress leads to heat illness, including the ever common muscle cramps. The Anti-Cramp formula in e load™ has been helping cramping athletes everywhere.

3..... that Dextrose, the principal carbohydrate in e load™, is a high glycemic carbohydrate that is rapidly absorbed and yields instant energy. Additionally, dextrose is the carbohydrate of choice for a sports drink made to combat heat stress. The biggest reason for this is that dextrose actually facilitates sodium absorption from the small intestine, unlike other carbohydrates (1,2,3,4). This is why many oral medical rehydration solutions contain dextrose as the principal carbohydrate (5). Also, the presence of dextrose and sucrose together may enhance each other's absorption (enhanced 'solute flux'), and maybe more important than the osmolality of the carbohydrates themselves (37).

4..... that for optimal performance in the heat, replacing sodium and potassium (the two most abundant electrolytes in sweat) in the ratio in which they are lost from sweat means less chance of succumbing to heat stress. This ratio averages between 3:1 and 5:1 i.e. your drink should contain 3-5 times more sodium than potassium. Most sports drinks completely ignore this important physiological truth.

5..... that Lactic acid buildup from prolonged high level physical exertion acts like "muscle glue", and that its' accumulation may be more pronounced in the heat. Lactic acid causes muscle burning and heaviness, inhibiting normal muscle contraction, resulting in reduced performance. It makes sense to have an ingredient in your sports drink to counter these problems. Check out our lactic acid killing MultiCitrateTM (9).

6..... that everyone of you is different, with different sweat tendencies, and different levels of electrolyte in your sweat. In fact, there is a 50-100% variation in the levels of sweat electrolyte from person to person. We at Medion are well aware of the differences that exist in the physiology of individuals, and for those needing it, we enable you to ingest even more electrolyte with our innovative ZONE CAPS  (see Customizing Your e load™).

7..... that excess stomach acid is a problem for many people in stressful situations, causing stomach pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting. Exercise can be stressful, especially high intensity exercise in the heat, and the extra stomach acid secreted in these situations can contribute to gastrointestinal distress. e load™ addresses this issue with its' low acidity formula. In fact, compared to a drink like Gatorade, e loadtrade; has 35 times LESS acidity.

8..... that Calcium loss through sweat may actually predispose athletes to bone loss and stress fractures when inadequately replaced. An average loss of calcium per litre of sweat is 50 milligrams (which happens to be the amount found in e load ™) (38).
In the heat, e load™ is like no other! For a more detailed breakdown of e load™ and the science behind it, please see "The Science of e load™".

2011 Marble Falls Triathlon Race Report Why You Should Show Relays a Little More Love

2011-07-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

By Kat Hunter

Relays get a bad rap – that is, when they're not being completely ignored, which is more often the case. The general tri-population will tell you that relays aren't "serious." But honestly, that's probably their best trait.

There's no pressure in a relay. No one's going to critique your overall time, and at most, you're competing against a handful of other teams. You also tend to choose your strongest discipline, which in my case, eliminates worrisome questions before the swim start like, "Will I sink?" and "Will anyone stop me if I swim the wrong direction, or will I end up in the Gulf of Mexico first?"

Relays are also a great way to focus on improving a particular area of competition, compete in spite of or after an injury, or ease new people into multi-sport. And sometimes it's just a fun way to participate when you're not in top shape for a tri and still want to punish yourself in a race environment.

The Marble Falls Triathlon is probably my favorite local tri. The bike course is long (35k) and rolling, complete with a nasty climb at the beginning and a twisty, Mario Kart-style exit ramp before the final few miles back into town. Unfortunately, it also starts with a 1,000-meter swim. As much as I enjoyed myself at the 2010 race, after more than a year off from swimming and nearly four months off from running, there was no way I was going to sign up. When it comes to race entry, the aero-gear-or-no- aero-gear quandary, and other important life decisions, one should always consider the wise advice of Corey May: "Are the results on the internet? Well, there you go."

The relay offered the perfect solution for our ATC trio. Cassidy Santaguida, a swimmer in high school and later on club teams, was interested in tri training and checking out the scene, and Rita Stroobandt, a collegiate runner, and I had both fallen off the wagon in one way or another. Rita had been recovering from a knee injury, as well as mentally recovering from Ironman Arizona, and I had more or less fully transitioned into time trialing and bike racing.

We were put in the wrong swim wave, so Cassidy started her leg with the Women's 39 and under group. She was fourth or fifth out of the water, a position I would never in a million years have found myself in (oh, is that Kat just coming around the second buoy? Think we should send a rescue?). Nor would I ever have left the water feeling anything less than half-drowned, so taking off on the bike at full speed just behind the top women and Men's 34 and under group was a new experience.

I was having so much fun that I started out going far too hard. Four weeks ago, after my husband's aluminum-P3-vs.-steel-sedan incident (the P3 lost, but the Toyota took a heavy beating) our communal Powertap had to be sent in for repairs. It was returned a few days before the tri, but it was my first opportunity in a long time to use it for a race, and I forgot to pay attention to the numbers or to give them the proper respect. After about 20 minutes, I slowed up considerably.

My goal had been to catch and pass Maggi Finley, top amateur triathlete and my new teammate on the ATC Women's Racing cycling team (official announcement about the team coming soon). She had left the water ahead of our relay team and was moving fast, but I figured it would be a reasonable goal to try and catch her, since she wasn't strictly doing a TT. The joke was on me. I caught up to her at the halfway point, just as she was coming around the cones and I was braking to start the turn. I had underestimated her strength – as soon as she saw me, she sped up and a sizeable gap opened up again.

I was chasing her until about the final four miles, when the course turns back from Hwy 71 onto 281. I started to give it all I had left since I knew I was close. When I finally passed her, I croaked "Good job, Maggi," and thought that would be the end of it. Not a single guy had passed me on the course, or as far as I knew, had even tried to. So when a few minutes later Maggi came back around on my left, I was floored. "You know," she said, "that this is going to really mess up my run." I laughed, or tried to.

After that, I got close enough to be too close, so I passed again…then she passed again… At one point I took off as hard as I could go on a steep hill, knowing that I was blowing up my legs and figuring she wouldn't try to keep up with the pace, but just after the hill she was coming around me once more. We both hit the brakes hard at the first stoplight in town, unsure of whether to turn left or go straight, with another cyclist just to our right. After the police officer had waved us through the intersection, the other cyclist was ahead, followed by me and then Maggi. He slowed down (I would have been nervous about me, too, at that point) through the last coned-in section, which meant that I came in just ahead of him and Maggi into transition, by accident more than by legitimate effort since the last section was simply too hectic and tight to re-pass.

In transition, our relay team only needed to exchange the chip, so Rita started the run before Maggi. Through my post-TT haze I remember Rita saying something like, "Ha, no way." She was Maggi's "rabbit" for the first mile or so of the 4.4-mile run, and then Maggi won a firm victory against Team ATC, averaging 6:45 miles. But we don't feel too bad about having our three parts beat by one, since in the end Maggi not only came in first woman, but tenth overall.

Our relay team came in first in the all-female relay division, seeing as we were the only all-female team, but we also had the best time among the mixed teams. So we got our medals and post-race barbecue feeling like we had accomplished what we had come there for, or maybe even a little more (that's what my muscles were saying, at any rate). And other ATCers took home top honors, as well - John Trowbridge was 7th overall and Master's Overall Winner, George Schmitz came in 9th overall, and Tim Dove took 2nd in the Clydesdale division.

So why run a relay? And why feel good about being passed by girls with an "R" on their calves? Because first and foremost, triathlon is about having fun, and the more people involved, the better the present and future of the sport. Besides, when the girls are on a relay team, you have an excuse – you can say you weren't fully "chicked."

Full 2001 Marble Falls Triathlon Results

The Cervelo S5 The Fastest Road Bike – In The World

2011-07-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

Since 2001, when Cervelo introduced their first aerodynamic road bike, the aluminum "Solo," their aero road bike designs have been considered the industry standard. The fastest frame in the world in its day, the Solo was the first road bike with airfoil shapes specifically tuned for the speeds and wind angles cyclists experience. In 2005, Cervelo released the Soloist Carbon, which was showered with awards and rave reviews for its aerodynamic prowess, as well as its handling, stiffness, and ride quality. That design has remained relatively unchanged, with only minor tweaks and improvements through the S3, which was introduced in 2008. Despite the arrival of competitors in the aero road bike market, Cervelo held that the S3 remained top dog in the wind tunnel...until now.

This is not merely another iteration of the S3, but a completely new frame, with new features never seen before on a road bike. The S3 has been dethroned.

Overview

The S5 combines many of the best features of the P4 TT bike and the R-series lightweight bikes, giving rise to a road frame with all new geometry. The result, according to Cervelo, is a bike that has 12% better stiffness, better aerodynamics, and the comfort of the S3, and also weighs 80 grams less. At 25mph the S5 will save a rider 9 watts compared to the S3. And compared to many round-tube, non-aero frames, the S5 can save up to a whopping 32 watts at 25mph. Even in a pack, where aerodynamic drag is reduced by 25 to 30 percent, a rider would still be saving between 6 and 20 watts. Anyone who owns a power meter should be familiar with how much of an advantage that can be. But the S5 isn't just slippery, it is also stiff and light and displaying amazing handling acumen under the guidance of Thor Hushovd in the 2011 Tour de France. Stiff and light enough for 180lbs of Thor to climb the Pyrenees, nimble enough to chase climbers down on rainy descents.

New Features

Shielding Seat Stays - Aerodynamics and comfort +Click To Toggle Details
- The S5 features deep, airfoil seat stays which are very similar to those found on Cervelo's top TT bike, the P4. The shape is especially complex where it attaches to the seat tube, which serves to improve aerodynamics, shield the rear brake caliper, and provide extra vertical compliance for comfort on bumpy roads.
Seat Tube - Shielding the rear wheel +Click To Toggle Details
- The S5 features a seat tube that is currently unique among road bikes. No other road bike has such a large extent of rear wheel coverage, and keeps the rear wheel in such close proximity to the seat tube cutout. This shields the rear wheel from the air, reducing aerodynamic drag. As the dropouts remain vertical for easy wheel swaps, this will limit tire size options somewhat. Cervelo reports that 23mm tires will fit, as will some models of 25mm wide tires.
BBright - Stiffness and weight +Click To Toggle Details
- There is more to a road bike than aerodynamics. Road races often involve steep mountains where weight matters too. Cyclists sprint, attack, and corner at the limit, and stiffness is important for solid handling and power transfer. While the S3 has proven stiff and light enough for powerful riders like world champion Thor Hushovd, the S5 improves on the S3 by 12% in stiffness and 80 grams in weight. Part of this is achieved with the BBright system, first featured on the R-series frames. The asymmetric bottom bracket and chain stay design allow for a bottom bracket/crankset system that can be lighter and/or stiffer than a standard setup.
Dropped Down Tube - Integrates with the fork and front wheel +Click To Toggle Details
- Another feature reminiscent of the P4 is the dropped down tube. Cervelo combines an integrated fork that fits neatly into the frame and a dropped down tube that hugs closely to the front wheel. The design maintains an airfoil leading edge along this curve around the front wheel, rather than a cutout, which would add drag whenever the wheel is not pointed exactly straight ahead.
Made for Water Bottles - Less penalty for carrying water +Click To Toggle Details
- A common point of skepticism about aero frames for bike racers is whether it is worth paying for sculpted aero down tubes and seat tubes if you are going to load them up with water bottles anyway. While Cervelo has maintained that aero tubes are faster than round ones even with bottles in front of and behind them, the S5 offers two features to improve on water bottle equipped performance. The first is a feature also found on the latest Lightspeed aero road bikes – a widened trailing edge on the down tube to shield the bottles from the air. Cervelo takes this water bottle philosophy a step further by offering two mounting positions for the down tube bottles. There is a low position to be used when carrying a single bottle, which reduces the gap between the bottle and the seat tube, smoothing airflow. When using two bottles, a higher mounting point is used that positions the two bottles close to each other to optimize airflow. This is another feature unique on the market right now.

Specs, Pricing, Availability - Update: ATC has a 54 in stock and ready to ride!

The S5 model is a bit of a departure from previous Cervelo frames in that it will be offered in 3 levels of carbon fiber. The shape and stiffness of each offering are identical, with the only change being a reduction in weight as you move up the scale. The great news is that the S5 is not just going to be an expensive superbike like the R5ca. In fact, the entry level S5 comes in cheaper than the S3. For the weight weenies and people who simply want the best, you can pay more to have your cake and eat it too. The standard and team frames will be available at Austin Tri-Cyclist starting this August with the super light VWD frames available starting in January 2012. The S5 trim levels are as follows:

Trim Level	Weight (54cm)	Frameset	Complete Bike 1	Complete Bike 2
Standard S5	1,260g	$3,000 USD	SRAM Rival - $3,800
Team	1,200g	$3,800 USD	Ultegra - $4,800	Ultegra Di2 - $6,000
VWD	990g	$5,900 USD	SRAM Red - $7,500	Dura Ace Di2 - $9000

More Info

The Mopac TT Is Back! AllSports Timing brings new tech to an old favorite

2011-06-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

by Kat Hunter

You could say that the Mopac TT is an "underground" cycling event, since it's never been a high-profile or formal race. News of it has always traveled mostly by word of mouth, with many of the same participants attending religiously year after year. But it's not exclusive, or no more exclusive, say, than a mental institution. You're welcome to the club so long as you think doing an all-out 8-mile time trial at 6pm in the dead of a Texas summer sounds like a good idea.

View Larger Map

Started by RunFAR Racing Services in 2004 and long known as the "RunFAR time trial," the Mopac TT was still going strong in 2010, held the second Tuesday of every month from the spring through the beginning of autumn. The course was the same out-and-back, starting near the Veloway at Mopac and La Crosse, heading south and then west until the turnaround at 45 and 1826, and returning to the finish at the same intersection on the northbound side of Mopac. Last fall, however, the rumor mill had it that RunFAR was moving their headquarters to Dallas. Many refused to believe it until they saw the notice on RunFAR's website in large red text: after 7 years, the Mopac TT was no more.

Amid the wailing and gnashing of teeth, other rumors began circulating at the beginning of the 2011 season. The Mopac TT had always been popular in the cycling and triathlon community, and different groups talked of a revival. Training on Mopac, it wasn't unusual to see a smattering of aero helmets and skinsuits out on the old course. The addiction was strong.

Newcomers should note that even a brief flirtation with the Mopac TT is enough to cause a dangerous preoccupation. In 2010, if you were following pro triathlete Phillip Graves' tweets, you would have seen the telltale signs: First, a brief mention. Then, talk of records, weather conditions, times, and finally, training fatigue from the event that he said had "become an ever increasing part of his life." No matter how fast you go, you'll think you can go faster. Graves broke the course record, and then beat his own time twice after. He still holds the record with a time of 15:24.8 (31.2mph).

Some of Austin's fastest professional and amateur cyclists attend the Mopac TT. Before last year, 2011 Elite National Criterium champion David Wenger held the course record with 15:44.4 (30.5mph), set in July 2007. In April 2010, Graves beat that time by one second on a windy day. Then, in October, Wenger set a new personal best of 15:33, but on the same day, Graves came in at 15:25. At the following TT, Graves set the current course record of 15:24. It's difficult to compare records from year to year, however, since the course changes so much over time. The new fast times were, in part, the result of the new turnaround added at 45 and 1826 last year. Unfortunately, since road conditions have since worsened, it's thought that this advantage has effectively been cancelled out. Graves' record may stand for a long time.

And yet…on June 14, the most recent TT, amateur triathlete Maggi Finley broke the female course record with a blistering time of 17:57 (26.9mph), beating out the 18:01 I'd had the month before. Maggi's run was a firm victory, the record set in a strong crosswind on a day that most riders were significantly slower. In 2010, the course record was held by pro triathlete Desiree Ficker, at 18:13 (26.3 mph). Before the turnaround was added, cyclist Christina Wolfe had the fastest time of 18:22.9 (26.1mph), set in August 2008. For the women, the excitement is likely to continue, even if the record-breaking runs are Maggi, a la Phillip Graves, simply setting new smoking PRs.

The Mopac TT's appeal is hard to define. Maybe it's the frequency of it, or the fact that it's such a short, fast course. Or, then again, maybe it's the low-key atmosphere. Although results are posted online, which demands a certain accountability, there's no prize money or medals to be won and no official start time. You just get there, pick up your chip, and roll out across the mats any time after 6pm and before 7:30. And though you've got plenty of company if you show up in an aero helmet and booties, you can race on a pink cruiser with a basket in front and still not hear anything for it.

The Mopac TT has a special place in many hearts. And since most, if not all, of the Mopac regulars have the idea that they've got a faster time in them, the event's disappearance was cause for despair.

Fortunately, just as hope was about to breathe its last, word got out that AllSports Timing was hosting a free Mopac TT in April. The response was good, so TTs were also held in May and June. All were free, since a permit cannot be obtained for the course. But Chris Oroshiba, owner and founder of AllSports Timing, doesn't see that as a problem and says he plans to continue as long as there's interest from the cycling community.

A runner and triathlete, Oroshiba had participated in the Mopac TT many times himself in the past, and says the spirit behind it is the same as when the event first began. "The purpose of the time trial is to provide cyclists a reason to get out and see what they can do," he says. "Even though I'm not riding, it's still equally satisfying to go out there and hear people come back and say ‘wow, I hit my target.'"

He's also used it as an opportunity to optimize timing equipment. The first two AllSports Timing Mopac TTs used a chip that was attached to the head tube, and mats that were fairly bumpy. In response to feedback and testing, AllSports Timing decided to purchase the current system, which uses thin, adhesive tags that attach to the front of a participant's helmet (just like slapping on a bar code), as well as much smoother start and finish mats.

This is year one for AllSports Timing, but business is good, and Oroshiba says he's already had to turn some races down. Fortunately, since the Mopac TT takes place on Tuesday, he expects to be able to continue to have the capacity to host the free event.

In addition to looking like something straight out of Tron, AllSports Timing's new UHF (ultra high frequency) timing system has a number of advantages compared to older LF (low frequency) systems. UHF technology, also currently used in some types of credit cards and clothing security tags, is essentially weightless, easy to wear, reusable, much less expensive (20 cents per tag rather than $3- 4 per chip), and readable up to 35 feet in the air (vs. the former capability of 2.5 feet, which meant that cyclists were often missed if they crossed the mats on an upstroke). But the best part? Results are available immediately. When you come off the Mopac TT course, you've got your standings before you can even catch your breath.

A few drawbacks remain, however. Any timing system, LF or UHF, will have more trouble tracking an object the faster it moves through the electromagnetic field – for example, a cyclist moving over a mat at 30mph, as compared to a runner moving at a max of about 12mph, becomes more difficult to read. Also, metal and water cannot be in direct contact with the UHF system. Thus, the tags cannot be placed directly on a bike, even if it's made of carbon fiber, and cannot be placed on the body, since the body is composed of approximately 50-80% water. Putting it on the helmet gets a nearly perfect read rate, Oroshiba says, but he's hoping to produce a permanent seatpost mounting for the bike, similar to professional cycling events. These systems could be reused at any race timed by AllSports Timing, including the monthly Mopac TT.

Oroshiba, with 14 years of previous experience in the semiconductor industry, considers his business a technology company and is full of ideas for what comes next. But he says that though they plan on continuing the Mopac TT and even extending the season all the way through November, they can't and won't charge for the event. "If we sell bike numbers for use with any of the races, that will be a different thing," he says, "but it will always be something reasonable."

To attend the event, you must "like" and sign up for each Mopac TT on AllSports Timing's Facebook page. Mopac TTs aren't scheduled in advance, but are announced roughly a week before the event (and usually take place in the middle of the month). Results are also posted on the Facebook page.

AllSports Timing is not actively promoting the event or seeking to increase attendance. In fact, they'd rather keep it small, since too many participants could create parking problems. The intent behind it is not to get a lot of people out there, Oroshiba says, but rather to attract the people who really want to be out there. His reasoning is two-fold: one, AllSports Timing gets to serve the cycling community, and two, the company gets connected with individuals interested in future events. Next year, Oroshiba hopes to host a 40k time trial.

As a competitor, the most important thing to remember is that although the Mopac TT is a great opportunity to test yourself and go as hard as you can, you're not on a closed course and your safety is your responsibility. Don't take any unnecessary risks, and be sure to watch the intersections carefully. Remember, as well, that your behavior is likely to influence the future of the event, and some of us are dependent on Mopac TTs for our mental health. Traffic has increased in recent years from new development in the area, but there are still no stoplights, and the Mopac TT remains, without a doubt, the most constructive thing you can do on a Tuesday evening.

We hope the obsession continues for many years to come. Viva la Mopac TT!

Upcoming Race: Tri from the Heart August 7, 2011

2011-06-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

Deep in the heart of Texas, or rather, right in the state’s geographic center, sits the small town of Brady, population around 5,000. Home to traditions like the July Jubilee and 38th Annual Goat Cook-Off, Brady is adding a new type of event to its calendar this year, the first Tri from the Heart Triathlon.

A 1k swim, 35k bike, and 7k run, the race will take place at Brady Lake and surrounding park grounds on Sunday, August 7, with individual and relay categories. Race director Heath McBride says he designed the course with both the competitor and spectator in mind: From the transition area, the entire swim course is viewable, as well as most of the run course, which goes out over Brady Lake Dam, follows a lollypop on the other side of the lake, and takes in two short climbs before returning. The bike course is a rolling out and back, crossing through scenic ranch land.

Tri from the Heart will benefit local charity Hope from the Heart, an organization that raises money to help people fighting cancer in McCulloch County, with funds distributed by the Brady Clergy Association. In addition to medical costs, Hope from the Heart assists cancer patients in meeting many day-to-day and essential expenses not covered by other charities, including costs like fuel and wigs. Last year they raised more than $70,000 from local contributions, which McBride says directly helped to extend the lives of 16 people in the community.

When McBride’s brother died of cancer in 2001, the disease took on a personal meaning for him. So in 2010, asked to participate in one of Hope from the Heart’s largest fundraisers, “Mr. Heart of Texas,” he raised money by swimming, running, and biking 500 miles in 20 days, recording his experience in a daily blog. “I know this isn’t a huge block by tri standards,” McBride says, “but it was a goal and one that most people could comprehend and appreciate.” Triathlon has been his hobby for 13 years, though he modestly describes himself as a middle-of-the-pack age grouper who simply loves the sport.

McBride says that the most encouraging aspect of organizing the race has been the energy and enthusiasm of the townspeople. A large number of volunteers have signed up (currently, they outnumber registered competitors), which promises first-class race support. And there has been a new surge of interest in fitness and triathlon in the community as well, he says, with many locals training in anticipation of their first multi-sport event.

Brady is only 130 miles from Austin, 140 miles from San Antonio, and 75 miles from San Angelo, so pack up your goggles and quick laces this August and make a trip to Texas’ warm and welcoming center. The Brady Rotary Club will host a pre-race spaghetti dinner also benefiting Hope from the Heart (plates $10, details will be included in packet pickup and on the website), and race entry will include a T-shirt and other fun extras. Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete or just getting started, we encourage you to sign up and show this small, caring town a big turnout.

Register online: $75 individual, $115 relay (chip timed & USAT sanctioned)

CapTex Tri Race Reports May 30, 2011

2011-06-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Every Memorial Day, the cars and free-spirited fixies that patrol downtown are replaced by
alien invaders in spandex and aero helmets. The streets are closed and the area teems with
spectators and triathletes walking, swimming, biking, and running in every possible direction.
No doubt the 1.5 million bats living under the Congress Street Bridge think every year, "This is
it. This is the end of the world." But no, it’s just one of the biggest races in town.

This year, the CapTex Tri had over 3,000 competitors spread across four different races, including a pro category, Olympic-distance race, sprint-distance race, and a super sprint "first timer" triathlon, further divided into sprint and Olympic relays and age group divisions. The number of participating athletes and the downtown venue make this race very complex and difficult to organize, and this year’s event had a number of hiccups, including timing problems and delays, as well as some course confusion during the pro men’s swim.

Logistical problems aside, we love the CapTex Tri and all the great people and excitement it brings to town. Whether you simply watch or compete in this race, it’s always a memorable occasion. So check out the pro-race summary and the reports below from ATC's own George Schmitz and renowned newcomer Maggi Finley of the Snapple Tri Team, who was also overall female amateur at the Memphis in May triathlon on May 22.

The Men’s Pro Race & the Legend of Andy Potts

Part of the Toyota Cup Series of triathlons this year, CapTex attracted some big-name pros,
including Andy Potts, Big Matty Reed, Hunter Kemper, Cameron Dye, and Filip Osplay. The
complications of the men’s pro race began during the swim when the lead kayak started to head the wrong direction at the first turnaround. The pros knew it was going the wrong way and were making the turn properly, when an unknown person on a jet ski, claimed to be an Austin police officer (but there may be 'Mo' to the story), approached and told them they had to follow the kayak. Ben Collins reported that when he attempted to push past the jet ski, the driver actually turned it toward him and gave it a burst of gas. At this point, Collins and most of the other pros decided they would obey the instructions rather than risk a collision. But Andy Potts, who had apparently run into the jet ski with his head, simply said "You are wrong," dove under it, and proceeded along the correct swim course, unsure of whether he would be disqualified for not following the verbal instructions.

In the meantime, the rest of the pros were led on a two-minute, meandering trip of the lake before the officials in the water sorted things out. Andy Potts left the swim with a three-minute lead, but when exiting T1, was directed the wrong way and lost about a minute before getting back on track.

The other pros, actually caught by the pro women's swim wave, which had been allowed to follow the correct course, began to chase Potts, with Cameron Dye managing to catch him at the end of the bike. Potts held on for the win, however, with Hunter Kemper a close second. We'll never know whether, if the race had gone smoothly, Hunter would have won. What we do know is Andy Potts said "you are wrong" and dove under a man with a large machine and a temper. Legend.

Race report from Maggi Finley
Olympic Elite Wave, Overall Amateur Female winner

Dustin and I started our Memorial Day celebration at 4:55am, racing already to get dressed, all the kids’ things in the car for the day, race gear packed, dragging sleepy girls from bed to the car, and shoving down breakfast (pb&j, coffee, and Accelerade – yummy!) on the way to the race site. We arrived at Austin Tri-Cyclist to drop the girls for the duration of the race with their cool new babysitter (daughter of ATC's owners Don and Missy) and we were off to the transition area.

Lucky for me, we had a wetsuit-legal swim. I was in the open wave so I got to start early in the race, as opposed to last weekend’s start at the very end! We had a delay for another unknown reason after the pros went off, so we got plenty of warm-up time. The gun finally went off and the pre-race jitters ended. Whew! The swim went smoothly for me – I was in a pack of red caps (my color!) the whole time, didn’t see swimmers constantly passing me – always a relief, and even caught a consistent pair of feet for the last 1/3 and felt like I was using almost no energy to move forward!

The bike was a different story. The wind was so strong, I was nearly blown over more times than I could count.So much for the aero position – but life is good and I’d like to hold on to it as long as I have any control. The 40k bike was four loops of wind, some hills, and lots of turns. Oh, and three separate races all on the same bike course: Olympic doing four laps, the sprint doing two laps, and the First Tri doing one loop – lots of people out there! My first lap proved to be good practice with a learning curve of how to handle the 180 degree turnarounds, the wooden timing platforms in these turns, and did I mention the wind? I tried to pay attention to the women’s positions, I really did. But considering I couldn’t even tell where I was on the course and spent three laps trying to figure out how I was going to get back to the transition area on the fourth, my position among the open female division was completely lost on me!

I finally got off the bike, and though unimpressed with my bike split, I figured I must have done okay because I didn’t get passed more than three times during the entire bike course, and almost the entire field started behind me. I headed out on the run with mediocre confidence of maintaining the lead that I thought I had. My run training has been significantly hindered for the past few months with some injuries and I was just hoping that I wasn’t going to spend the next 10k getting passed. Have I mentioned the wind? Wow – I don’t think I’ve been blown around so much on a RUN course in my entire life! It was heating up, but we were lucky with some cloud cover and "breezes" of 20+ mph. My cool new bedazzled Snapple visor that I just received last week blew off at the mile 1 aid station. I turned around to pick it up only to see it flying about 200 feet back and moving in the opposite direction. Sadness. Surprisingly, I passed a few people in the run and don’t think I got passed by anyone other than two young guys also in the Open division. I finished thinking I may have gotten the OA amateur female win, but really couldn’t be sure. Two hours later I discovered that I did indeed win, by a close 30 seconds or so thanks to my 42-minute run (glad the run course wasn’t too long!).

I have four races in and am looking forward to a little downtime to address some ailments and hopefully come back for a stronger last half of the tri season. Is it too early to say that?!! (Oh, and my visor magically appeared back at my transition area before I left - thank you, volunteers!!)

Race report from George Schmitz
Male 20-24 Olympic, 6th in division and 17th overall

This year was my sixth or seventh time participating in CapTex, Austin's premier downtown triathlon. (Consecutively, if it hadn’t been rained out in 2007 .) This year the race itself went well. The water was clearer and cleaner than usual, the course was well marked, aid stations were sufficiently manned and stocked, and the distances were seemingly accurate. The only problems I was affected by during the race were responsibilities of my own, minor details like training and remembering to unload all items out of my transition bag before the race started.

My wave start, scheduled for ~7:50 ended up closer to 8:15, which is normal for this race. No problems in the swim besides traffic when we caught the feet of the 50+ age groups that were seeded in front of us. Out of the water, out of the wetsuit, courtesy of wetsuit strippers newly implanted for the 2011 race, and out on the bike.

The bike was windier than I've ever experienced it and especially bad when going back and forth between being shielded by buildings and being sailed around in open intersections. The bike course was mostly unchanged except going up the highway ramp rather than under it. This made no difference besides the carpet covering the curb we rode over. Four times. No PR bike split but not PR weather conditions.

Back into transition, threw my bike in the pile, and headed out for the run (jog). Same course as always (for the most part) but made especially hard running uphill with the wind and downhill against it. Still muscled out a semi-acceptable pace marginally ahead of what I thought I was capable of that day. Post-race support was good like always and I even got out a little early since the award ceremony was cancelled because of the timing issues...

To read more about the event, check out these links:

The Austin Tri-Cyclist Memorial Day Expo

2011-05-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Some people barbecue on Memorial Day. Others go for a little swim, bike, and run to celebrate the three-day weekend, barbecuing themselves in the hot Austin sun. Whether you're watching or participating in this year's CapTex Tri, stop by ATC to check out our Memorial Day sales, including 20% off wetsuits. You can also sign up for the Cervelo E-Ride and test out your new dream bike.

Join us for the Cervelo E-ride on May 28th and 29th at Austin Tri-Cyclist. Test ride the best bikes on the road. Register at Cervelo.com
	The Austin Tri-Cyclist Memorial Expo May 28th - May 30th Stop by Austin Tri-Cyclist and enjoy some savings. CERVELO E-RIDE May 28th and 29th (register quick before it fills up) 2010 Wetsuits 20% OFF Wetsuit Rentals $25 Zoot Shoes 15% OFF Easton Carbon Race Wheels 15% OFF 2010 Cervelo an Cannondale Bikes on Sale

	Cannondale Carbon Package Deal - $1895 Get the smoothness of carbon and all the accessories at a price that saves.
	Cannondale Starter Road Package - $995 A great entry level road bike with a lot of extras.
	The Carbon Tri Package - $2295 A Full Carbon Tri Bike and that's with shoes, pedals, helmet, and more!
	The Starter Triathlon Package - $1395 Your first tri bike and the gear needed to get you on the road at a low price. Comes with shoes, pedals, helmet, and more. Upgrade to the 2009 Jamis Comet for only $100.

Racing the Flames: Hammerfest, April 9, 2011

2011-05-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

by Kathryn Hunter

Photo Credit: Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory

The Fort Davis Hammerfest Stage Race, put on by the Permian Basin Bicycle Association and Peyton's Bikes, has been around in one form or another since the early 1970s. It's been held in its current format – hill climb, time trial, and road race – since 2003. This year, however, was very different. The first day of the race coincided with the largest recorded grass fire in Texas history.

The Race

A challenging and popular race, Hammerfest draws cyclists from every corner of Texas, as well as parts of Mexico and other Southwest states, in spite of the remoteness of its location. Fort Davis, pop. around 1,050, is 7 hours from Austin and 9 hours from Dallas. The closest large city is El Paso, and that's still 3.5 hours away. In sum, Fort Davis is a long hike from anyplace with traffic problems that don't somehow involve a cattle stampede, and on the way there, it's a good idea to keep a careful eye on your gas gauge.

But this remoteness makes for absolutely beautiful riding. After seeing hundreds of miles of dry, barren flatness flash by from the interstate, you almost forget that hills can exist, but as you head south toward Fort Davis, the land begins to buckle and rise. At 5,050 feet above sea level, Fort Davis is the highest town in Texas, and while it's still within the Chihuahuan Desert, the elevation gives it a unique mix of alpine and desert qualities, including much cooler temperatures than surrounding areas.

And not only are there spectacular climbs and scenery, but the roads are empty and the locals are incredibly friendly. In addition to cyclists, Fort Davis is a popular stop for bikers (no, the other kind), campers, RVers, history buffs, and retirees, and tourism is the town's main industry. The weekend of Hammerfest, Fort Davis is teeming with roadies and triathletes – they're in the cabins, inns, dude ranches, restaurants, and streets, and if they're not riding or carrying a bike, you can still spot them by their Oakleys and compression socks.

The turnout is good, the purse is substantial ($7,000 awarded in cash), and the setting is a vacation in itself, but Hammerfest is also subject to the elements. Don't let the high-speed internet and posh accommodations fool you: in many ways, West Texas is still very much a frontier.

The Rock House Fire

The first stage, the morning's 16-mile hill climb, went without a hitch. The weather was perfect, the competition was fierce, and the 17% grade climb to the McDonald Observatory made for a good test of courage. Some riders were able to complete the afternoon's time trial stage, as well, but most weren't able to start it, and some were stopped mid-ride. (Click here for unofficial results.)

My husband and I, scheduled to start late in the day, heard about the fire on the radio when we were driving to Davis Mountains State Park. The fire had just started west of Marfa, the station announcer said, and was spreading quickly with the 28mph wind. Initially, Fort Davis wasn't mentioned beyond a cryptic warning to "stay alert," but when we drove along the park's Skyline Drive, a giant plume of smoke was visible at the horizon.

When there's a disaster, you expect it to look and feel like a disaster – you expect sirens, maybe, and people running. But on the way back through town, everything seemed normal, with just a faint smell of burning. We drove out to the time trial start, and there the sky seemed darker and ash was floating in the air, but wheels were still rolling so we shrugged it off and went back to our cabin to get ready.

Wildfires are par for the course in West Texas, but last year's rain and growth in vegetation, combined with this year's dryness and the strong winds, made for an extremely destructive and uncontrollable blaze. In fact, up until the first week in May, the fire that started on April 9 was still burning, consuming a total of 314,444 acres (approximately 500 square miles).

Lisa Anderson, long-time member of PBBA and race official, was working the halfway point of the TT course that afternoon. "There was a crazy tailwind," she says. "It was so slow going out there, but then the riders would make up a ton of time on the back half. It was taking some of the Pro 1/2 guys 30 minutes to get out there and 10 minutes on the way back."

Lisa says the volunteers there, accompanied by a sheriff's deputy, watched the fire pretty much from the start. "We could see a thin plume of smoke behind us, and we watched it as it spread," she says. When the deputy gave the official word to clear the course around 3:30pm, the volunteers drove along the route and waved riders back. Shortly after the course was cleared, fire jumped the highway at the TT finish line, turning the portable toilet located there into something resembling a modern art sculpture.

The officials and townspeople had held out as long as they could. Needless to say, the rest of the race was canceled, and the town was evacuated, piece by piece. When my husband and I were told to leave, the sky was filled with billowing, reddish-brown smoke, and the lighting was decidedly apocalyptic. As we drove past the hill that had been blocking our view from the cabin, we saw that the fires had advanced to no more than a quarter mile from the highway. People were parked along the side of the road, watching and taking pictures, and I realized that some of them must have been from the subdivision across from us, and that they were about to see their houses, and everything in them, burn to the ground.

For us and for the other cyclists at Hammerfest, the fire presented a disappointment and an inconvenience. For the people from Fort Davis, it was a tragedy, destroying 50 homes and killing herds of livestock, though fortunately, no human lives were lost and most of the town's historic buildings were saved.

Perhaps the only redeeming feature of such an event is the generosity it can inspire in people. We heard later that Hammerfest officials gave out all the water bottles and food intended for the event to workers. Also, donation jars were set up at cycling events across the state, and as of April 15, a little over $18,000 was donated to Fort Davis, including a $5,000 contribution from TXBRA.

One of the ways you can continue to help the Fort Davis area is to visit. Local businesses would be happy to see you out there on two wheels, whether you're on a training ride or participating in Cyclefest or next year's Hammerfest. During your visit, be sure to also check out sights like the McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis National Historic Site, Prude Ranch, Hotel Limpia, and the Fort Davis Drug Store, an authentic old time soda fountain. Keep in mind, however, that with the continuing drought conditions the risk of wildfire is still high. Though the Rock House Fire is now 100% contained, having consumed approximately 1/4 of the county, another 3/4 of prime tinder remains.

This problem continues across the state. Since fire season started in November, 10,123 fires have burned through 2,589,303 acres. Currently 200 of Texas' 254 counties are under a burn ban. This June, the Mineral Wells Summer Time Trial, hosted in an area about 100 miles west of Dallas, will cross through a "lunar" landscape destroyed by another recent wildfire.

On a personal note: To regroup after the escape, my husband and I stopped at La Trattoria, a restaurant in Alpine, which had become something of a refugee camp. Everyone there seemed to have come from Fort Davis – many were tourists, like us, and some were waiting it out until the roads opened again. I'm ashamed to say that I can't remember their names, but to the cyclists who gave us a free hotel room in Alpine, we'd like to offer our sincere thanks, and to Jack Willis, a local who shared his stories from races past, we hope you and yours made it through safely.

More Info:

The 40k Time Trial An Hour of Power, an Hour of Pain

2011-05-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tom Anhalt of California, Amateur TT Enthusiast. Photo by Steve Weixel

The History

Time trialing began in the late 1800s in England as a response to a national ban on road racing. At the time, instead of conflicts being between cyclists and cars as they are today, it was often cyclists and people on horseback. After some accidents and subsequent complaints, cyclists in England were in danger of being banned from the roads completely, and racers were seen as a threat that could inspire legal action against all cyclists. To prevent that eventuality, the National Cyclists' Union prohibited racing on the road, hoping to keep the races to the velodrome, just as car enthusiasts today encourage kids to keep the racing on the track. Few velodromes existed, however, so underground organizations formed and began a new racing format that they hoped would not attract so much attention.

Triathlete Uber-Biker Philip Graves frequents
the modern day UK TT Events

The first time trial on public roads may have been in 1895, when Frederick Thomas Bidlake organized a 50-mile race against the clock. Drafting was not yet against the rules in these races, but riders were set out at 2- or 3-minute intervals, with the fastest going first, so drafting was unlikely to occur.

Over time these events evolved into races of 10, 25, 50, and 100 miles, with records being tracked for each one. That 25-mile distance, when converted to the metric 40 kilometers (24.85 miles), would become the 40k TT we know today.

The Significance

Perhaps by accident, or perhaps inevitably, the 40k TT comes up again and again as a relevant and important distance not just in cycling, but in triathlon as well.

State and National Championships - The 40k TT is often the standard distance used in regional and national time trial championships. Any cyclist interested in winning the yearly TT championships in his or her category will have to focus on this distance. In some regions the women do a shorter distance, but in Texas, women do the same course (because Texas is awesome).
The Gold Standard - The Hour - In days gone by, when the 40K was actually 25 miles, and when time trial bikes had round steel tubes and bullhorn bars and wheels had spokes, going under an hour for 40k was seen as a gold standard for cyclists. If you could do that, you were serious business. Since then, equipment has come a long way, and a sub-hour 40k won't even always win a cat 5 TT. However, for triathletes, who spend a large portion of their training time running and have to carry around an upper body that is actually useful so they can swim, breaking an hour is still a gold standard. Going sub-hour is proof of studly-ness (on the bike, at least), especially if done in the course of an Olympic distance triathlon (but only if you don't blow up on the run).
Functional Threshold Power (FTP) - FTP is defined as the amount of power a cyclist can average for one hour. This happens to be an interesting physiological power level, as it represents the crossover point between an almost entirely aerobic power output, and a power output that starts eating into anaerobic reserves that will eventually fatigue you. Cruise around at slightly less than your FTP and you can go for a long, long time. Cruise around slightly above it and you will soon blow up. Many coaches and athletes use this metric to set up training zones. There are many ways to estimate your FTP but the one way to get it exactly right? Go as hard as you can for an hour. For most people, a 40k TT and a power meter will be the best way to do that. To geek out further - Go Here.
Olympic-Distance Triathlon - One of the most popular distances in triathlon is the Olympic distance, when it first starts to get serious. The bike leg here is 40k, with a 1,500m swim before and a 10k run after. Age group athletes who can break an hour mid race have a good chance of starting the run in the lead. Also, while they rarely time trial it solo, ITU athletes making their bid for the Olympic games also bike this distance in their draft legal format.

Where to Race in Texas

Iron Haus Time Trial Series - First Saturday of each month - Great out and back course with a wide shoulder the whole way. Located just west of San Antonio in Castroville Texas. You only need to touch the brakes once at the turnaround. It's an informal event, so you can sign up online or the morning of.
Horse Country TT Series - May 14 and July 17 - Located in Aubrey, TX, this TT course features smooth roads, wide shoulders, and a bit of climbing.
CapTex Triathlon - May 30 - One of the biggest triathlons in Texas. The CapTex bike course is in downtown Austin. It is a twisty, crowded, multiple-loop course that will test your handling skills as well as your threshold power. Somehow this course remains fast despite the turns and crowds, perhaps due to the constant draft affect of passing slower waves.
Mineral Wells Summer TT - June 25 and 26 - Event still tentative, check the link for updates
Marble Falls Triathlon - July 17 - A wee bit short of 40k at 23 miles, but another beautiful bike course with no loops and no crowds. A big uphill to start things off and a fast downhill to finish it.
The Small Texan Triathlon - July 24 - Is 40k not quite enough? Runner studs got you down? This smaller event in Boerne, Texas, just outside of San Antonio, adds an extra 5k to the bike course for this otherwise Olympic-distance event. It will be hot, there will be no shade, but there will be a great course with beautiful water to swim in before you bike.

Corey May at the TX State TT

Texas State Time Trial Championships - July 30-31 - Details TBD but this event usually takes place somewhere in Central Texas near San Antonio. Anyone can sign up and they even include a multisport category for triathletes and duathletes. There is also a team competition the following day.
The Austin Triathlon - Sept 5th - Another huge event with tons of quality competition, The Austin Triathlon takes place in the same location as CapTex with slightly different courses. The 40k bike has the same challenges of twists and traffic, with multiple loops.
The Houston Triathlon - Sept 25 - A standard distance event near Houston.

Tips

A 40k Time Trial is an exercise in pain and patience. Athletes who go out too enthusiastically will explode enormously. The best way to pace it is an even effort with perhaps a little kick in the closing minutes. It takes great pain tolerance to keep that effort up all the way through. A bike computer can help you pace if the course is flat and winds are low. A power meter is even better; if you know your FTP you can just hold your average power right at it (easier said than done!). Click here for a sample power file of a perfectly paced, sub hour 40k. Stop by ATC and ask about power meter or bike computer options. Even better, stop by ATC any time and head upstairs to the trainer cave and make use of the ATC Computrainers for free! Just ask Don or Adam to help set you up.

Training for a 40k TT will be pretty familiar to triathletes who are used to constant, evenly paced efforts. Cyclists may want to take a break from short intervals and sprinting in the weeks leading up to a big event. One popular workout is to do 2x20minute intervals at threshold power.

Get aerodynamic! We covered most of the key tips here in our Victory by a Thousand Cuts in February. Be sure to clean that bike of clutter and remember you will need little, if any, water for a 40k TT.

Copyright (C) 2011 Jack Mott

Retro Bikes Part 1: Hotta and Zipp 2001

2011-05-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

by Adam Stroobandt, ATC sales manager

For 2011, I decided to race a bike of races past, a bike even more antique than its predecessor, the infamous Stroobandt Flyer (a Cervelo P3 aluminum, circa 2003). For the Blue Norther duathlon, I raced on a HOTTA. If you're not familiar with this late 90s bike, in its time it was one of the best and most advanced frames out there. The Cervelo P4 of 1998, so to speak. The HOTTA was in part designed by Chris Boardman, a three-time hour record holder. And it turns out, I wasn't the only one thinking retro this year – triathlon super star Bjorn Andersson also dusted off a HOTTA and raced it at the renowned Abu Dhabi triathlon this year.

I wanted to do the bike justice, so decided to add on a SRAM red drivetrain, a 3T Brezza front end, and Zipp wheels. Altogether, race weight came in at 18 pounds. Not bad for a frame that’s over a decade old! I was able to get my position dialed in using a profile design fast forward seatpost, and with the short head tube, I had no issues getting into a fast fit.

So what you're probably really wanting to know is, how did it ride. It rode fast… I would gladly race this bike anytime. It was stiff, smooth, and I never felt like it was slowing me down. My legs, on the other hand, could have done better. In the end it was good enough to go home with first in my age group.

So next on my list of bikes….the Zipp 2001. This one I am thinking of keeping fairly retro for components. The shifters are grip shift, similar to a mountain bike. Too cool, right? The Zipp 2001 was first made in 1992 and was kept on production until 1998. The Zipp 2001 is considered one o f the fastest frames ever made, along with the HOTTA and the Cervelo P4. Zipp stopped making the bike when the International Cycling Union (UCI, the pro cycling governing body) deemed the design illegal. Of course, you can still race them in triathlon.

So all of you in the 25-29 age group, be afraid, because I'm rolling up with the not-so-latest, but still-the-greatest in bike technology!

Stay tuned for the next retro bike. Also, you can swing by and see these bikes from the past at Austin Tri-Cyclist.

Why You Should Take a Fast Chick Out for a Ride Women's Competitive Cycling

2011-04-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Kathryn Hunter

You don't know she's fast. It's just a guess. Cyclists come in all shapes and sizes – stocky, narrow, short, tall, skinny legs, big legs. The best indicator is not a single physical characteristic, but a mental one. She's the type of woman who'ddive for a ball, jog through the rain, sacrifice a happy hour to fit in a workout, wake up for practice at five in themorning... In other words, she's the type of woman who likes to, or can't help but, test her physical limits.

Photography by Jim Hicks – Sheri Rothe Crushing the Men's Dreams

And she doesn't know cycling is out there. It's like not knowing there's an underground wine cellar in your backyard,or never having heard of marshmallow fluff and peanut butter sandwiches. Do the fast chicks you know and thecycling community as a whole a favor, and introduce them to each other.

The challenges, and a few words of encouragement

While there are more Cat 5 men than ants in an anthill, their movements similarly erratic, women are in short supplyat local road races. Often men's Cat 5 will start out at 40 or 50 riders, or sometimes 100 split into two groups, but thewomen – all the women, from Cat 1 to Cat 4 – can be lumped into a single field of 10 to 20 riders.

It's a strange phenomenon. Today athletic women are the social norm rather than the taboo, and there's no shortageof female marathoners, triathletes, and runners. Cycling's an endurance sport, too – so where are they?

One reason is that, regardless of gender, cycling is something you tend to stumble upon by accident. Most peoplestart in their 20s or 30s. Many female triathletes make the switch when they discover their strength on the bike.Other women find the sport through a boyfriend, husband, or friend. To be honest, this tends to make getting startedmuch easier, especially since (not to stereotype, but it's true) women seem far less likely to delve into the world ofgear and strategy on their own. They just don't, as a rule, have the Cat 5 bravado and instant obsession with partsreviews. That comes with time.

Some say women aren't aggressive and competitive enough for the sport. One male cyclist I know went so far as toblame the scarcity of female cyclists on an innate lack of bike handling skills . I don't mean to villainize him or theother naysayers – it's true that women are generally less aggressive. But in some ways that's more of a pro than acon. You could say that women are simply more familiar with and honest about their limitations.

For example, men are four times more likely to die an accidental death. Even in the 75+ age group (I'm quoting a rather gray area of statistics here, no pun intended) when they're considerably outnumbered by the sweeter sex, men are still twice aslikely to die as a result of an accident. When surrounded by a group of his peers, a man can be convinced to zaphimself with a cattle prod, or do a triple somersault off a roof. (Evidence A: the movie Jackass; Evidence B: the factthat there's a sequel.) A woman, in a similar situation, would simply say, "No thanks."

So, while it's true that women may take more time to become comfortable with pack riding, it doesn't mean they'reincapable of it. And if, as a woman, your fine-tuned safety meter is what's preventing you from signing up for yourfirst race, there are a few pros to the Men-are-from-Mars-women-are-from-Venus conundrum that you should knowabout. A women's race is just plain different. Beginning men are overzealous, often bordering on dangerous. Thisbalances out as they get more experience, or in other words, when they actually know what they're doing versuspretending to know what they're doing. But for women, especially since the field is usually much smaller, races arefar less hair-raising. And you don't have to be extremely aggressive to do well. Once you get a feel for how it allworks – and don't worry, it's intuitive, to a large degree – you'll know how to maneuver around in the pack withoutever having had to elbow anyone in the gut, Cat 5 style.

That's not to say it doesn't take hard work, or that, coming from another sports background, you'll have instantsuccess. You will get dropped. (Don't worry, it's good medicine.) You will suffer humiliation. (Learn to change aflat now, so you don't have to play damsel in distress.) And you'll have good days and bad days. But that's just thesport training montage leading up to total domination. Right? Right.

Tips for riding & racing

When I asked her what tips she would give a female cyclist just starting out, pro cyclist and coach Jen McRaesaid, "Be patient in learning your strengths, and have a friend or expert show you some secrets about bike handlingand pack riding. If you do this right away, you'll enjoy the bike much more."

Jen got her start as an undergraduate at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She was a swimmer in high schooland did some triathlons in college. The university bike club encouraged her to try bike racing because they thoughtshe might do well, and they were right. She did her first race in 1989, and was hooked. In 2007, she came in secondat the US National Crit Championships, and in 2008, won the USA Crit Finals in Las Vegas, placed third in the USCrit National Championships, and placed fourth in the US Road National Championships . "And now, 20 years laterI find myself loving the sport just the same," she says.

Jen McRae of the clan McRae

Jen has made a life out of cycling. She and her husband, Chann McRae, own their own coaching business, and stillactively compete. She regularly comes in at the front of the Cat 3 men's race. "Competitive cycling for me is oneof those things that just gives me the opportunity to feel completely alive," she says. "Whatever sport it may be, it'swhen you can feel your adrenaline kicking in, your eyes wide open with a bit of fear, and your heart beating out ofyour chest to outperform the competition."

As a newbie, what you should know going into the sport is that no one feels completely at ease, and if they seemlike they do, well, most of the time they're bluffing. There's an element of excitement and suspense to every race forevery rider, because in road racing you're not out to set a best time. In fact, time doesn't matter much at all - rather,it's how you stack up to the rest of the field.

Jennifer Mix, recently upgraded to Cat 2 and member of 787 Racing, has the reputation of being a tough competitor.And yet, she says, "I still learn something at every race, whether it be tactical or something about my physiology.And I'm still very anxious at the start of the race, often in awe of the talent I'm among. I still feel like that five-year-old little kid trying to play with the big girls."

Jennifer Mix at The Driveway

Jennifer, originally from Boulder, Colorado, was a competitive gymnast from the age of 7 to 16. Later, she dabbledin weight-lifting and running, then when she was 28, started taking spin classes. Just before her 30th birthday, afriend suggested she go for a ride, borrowed a bike for her, and took her out on the dam loop. Two weeks later, shebought her first bike, and has been putting it to good use ever since. She began racing competitively in 2009.

She admits it can be an intimidating sport. "For most women I know, they use cycling as a way to 'stay fit,' notcompete," Jennifer says. "Women's racing is generally not promoted and there's a lack of awareness of a competitiveside for women in cycling. Thankfully, Austin promotes cycling and racing for women."

"As for someone entering the sport," Jennifer says, "it takes time, patience, and enjoyment of the process. Asuccessful cyclist does not happen overnight. Going to The Driveway and meeting some of the racers, finding alocal cycling club, or going to a bike shop and asking for help are all ways to get started." The Austin Flyers, an all-women cycling team, regularly puts on a women's racing clinic at the Driveway.

While it's true that most female cyclists are competitive to the core, when you're new and you have a question, ninetimes out of ten they'll answer it, even during a race. In fact, they seem to like giving advice. Note: it's best not toexpect that level of friendliness the last 500 meters if you're sitting at the front. And get a bike computer if you wantto stay abreast of the distance remaining – sometimes your neighbor will tell you, and sometimes she won't. It's allpart of the game.

Free bike fit

So if all you're lacking is a little experience and general instruction, let us help. Austin Tri-Cyclist is offering freebike fits for beginning women until May 31. You can bring in your own bike, or get set up on a new or used bikeat ATC. We won't give you a hard sell on anything unless we truly think you need it (most employees activelycompete themselves, so a dirty drive train or rusty chain ring will pain their souls), and you don't have to come inwith the intent of racing the next weekend. You do, however, have to have two X chromosomes (no exceptions onthis one). Just walk in any time during normal business hours and ask for Adam.

And now, straight from a newbie's perspective, a completely unsanctioned and inexpert step-by-step guide togetting started:

GET A ROAD BIKE – You don't have to have an expensive bike to start with. Steel, carbon fiber, aluminum– it doesn't matter. A fancy bike won't make a difference until you're fast already. If you want to go all out on theequipment (this is what a man would do) you can, but starting out the most sensible purchase is a good set of tires,along with a proper tuning. That said, pay attention to components (we'd recommend at least Shimano 105 or SRAMrival components), or your bike won't shift right for long, and the parts won't be compatible with common upgradesand replacements. Spending at least $600 on a bike will save you money in the long run (this pricing is meant fornew bikes, not used). Great bargains are available on the used market and previous year's models.
GO ON SOME GROUP RIDES – For beginners, the most important skill in road racing is simply beingcomfortable and safe riding in a group. Join a "no drop" ride, and you won't have to worry about getting lost or leftbehind, and you can get a feel for pack dynamics. Jack and Adam's bike shop has a ride that leaves at 8:30am everySunday, and the Austin Flyers cycling club has women-only rides. There are many other options around town, sponsored by local bike shops and/or bike teams. TheATC ride is on Saturday mornings at 8:30am, but the best cyclists and triathletes in town show up for it on a regularbasis, and the pace is brutal. Punish yourself with that one later. Making the ATC ride your first group ride is likecooking your first-ever omelet on Iron Chef.

Triathletes, this tip is for you: Don't bring your tri bike on a group ride. And if you must bring it, stay out of theaero bars. A tri bike is fine for riding on your own, but in a group, you'll be the squirrely one making everyone elsenervous, especially in the aero bars, where it's harder for you to reach the brakes and to see what's going on aheadof you. Besides, you can't use a tri bike for a road race, so you might as well practice on the right equipment. Again,you can get a decent road bike for around $600, and it's great for tri training, too – a good road bike will make longrides safer and more comfortable, not to mention easier on your back and neck.

When you're riding in a group, here are a couple of things to pay attention to and experiment with:
- Follow close, and notice how much easier it is to ride behind someone than out in the wind. When you'regoing into a headwind, stay just behind the person ahead of you, but slightly to the left or right – this issafer if the person suddenly slows or stops.
- If there's a strong crosswind, it may make more sense to ride to the left or the right of the person,parallel but a foot or two behind. (See this video for an exaggerated and entertaining example) When you're riding with a pack, most of the time you can justfollow other people's lead on this. The pack will fan out in a staggered row, or echelon (like birds).
- When you're going around a turn, always put the outside pedal down. If you put the inside pedal down andtake the curve, you're more likely to clip your pedal on the pavement.
- Most importantly, try to stay relaxed – if you're holding your arms stiff on the bars, that interferes withyour bike's ability to "roll with the punches," so to speak. Jenn McRae explained it this way: "Keepingyour upper body relaxed and remembering to exhale helps keep you rolling smoothly. Also, it's more ourreaction to things that causes us to crash – so trust your bike, let the tension go, and enjoy the ride. Onething that helps you have this relaxed mindset is to know the riders around you and trust in their skills."
SIGN UP FOR A RACE – You'll start out in category 4, a group of newbies like yourself. Some races will havea "Women's open" category, as well, which anyone can sign up for. A rider "cats up" by scoring points at races – thenumber of points depends on how you finish and how many people were participating in the race. (Visit USA Cycling for moreinformation on scoring and categories.) Since women's races are often small, sometimes all the categories will startout together even though they're not scored together.

Types of races:

Criteriums (aka crits) – The course consists of loops, and is defined by time rather than distance. "Prime" prizesare often awarded for the first person who crosses the line on a given lap - sometimes you won't know which lap isa prime lap until the officials ring a bell, which tells you it's the next one. Crit racing involves a lot of high speedturning and the course is often crowded, which can make it challenging for newcomers. (Try a road race, too, forcomparison.) The Driveway offers a great crit series every Thursday night from March 17 to October 20.
Time Trials – Triathletes and duathletes, this is familiar territory, and you finally get to use that tri bike. If you don'thave a tri bike, don't worry – it's still fun, even if it is much slower. Your position is very important on a tri bike, soget properly fit at a shop. Do get in the drops if you're on your road bike. In a time trial, you'll get a specific starttime, and you'll need to line up just before it. Each rider starts out individually, and there's no drafting out on thecourse. Often you roll out from a small ramp (that's not as bad as it sounds, and you can opt to start out flat if youwant), which means you can get going without having to shift up. Someone holds your seat while an official countsdown to your start time, then the person lets go (no pushing involved), and you pedal down the ramp. From there,you just follow the course and go as hard as you can. Unfortunately, while a TT can help you win overall at a stagerace, a TT alone won't get you points to cat up. Road races and crits do.
Road Races – Distances vary for road races. A standard distance might be 30-60 miles, with the higher end of therange at 100 miles or more. Road races are usually calmer than the crits – more open, often slower, and with lessturns. At the start, you tend to roll out "neutral," meaning no one gets to take off from the pack until you've passeda certain landmark. From there the contest is often who can do the least work for the longest amount of time, whichyou can play along with, or forego completely. If you choose the latter, be prepared for the pack to let you go, thenslowly reel you in and spit you out the back. It's an educational experience, either way. Keep in mind that 5th or 6thposition in the pack is ideal – you get more of a draft, but you can still chase down a break if you need to, or staywith the lead pack if there's a sudden acceleration. Often the best place to attack is on a hill. Keep this in mind bothfor attacking and for staying with the attack. Your No. 1 goal in road racing is to never, ever let the lead pack getaway from you. Once that happens, you're toast without the draft, and if you're not toast, you will be by the time youcatch them again. So go ahead and kill yourself to keep up – the fast parts are usually brief, and you can depend onhaving a rest soon. Stay on that wheel.
Stage races – These involve multiple races. Sometimes you'll have a road race and time trial in the same day, onein the morning and the other in the afternoon, and then another road race the following day. GC means "generalclassification." You're scored by total time with a stage race, so the more time you can get on your competition in any of the events,the better you rank in the GC. Keep in mind that if you finish with the main pack at the line, you'll get the same packfinish time. Stage races require extra stamina because of their duration and the strategy involved, but they're a lot offun, and you get to pretend like you're in the Tour de France.

Some terminology:

Center-line rule – No one's supposed to cross the center line of the highway, and if they do and they're seen doingit, they're disqualified. Sometimes riders will sit right on this line so that the rest of the pack can't draft, and if thecrosswind is coming from the opposite direction, ditto with the right side of the road.
Neutral – If an official in a car tells you that you've been neutralized, it means another race/category is coming upbehind you, and you have to let them come around without interfering (i.e., getting in front of them, jumping intotheir draft, etc.) Once they get out of the way, then the race is back on.

For more info, visit these websites:

The Driveway - Austin, Texas crit series
Texas Bike Racing Association - All things Texas bike racing
Dallas Tuesday Night Crits
USA Cycling

You don't have to compete to enjoy cycling, but it does keep you from getting complacent (i.e., lazy). You're always learning, always challenging yourself, and always pushing your training a little bit harder because you know it'll be put to the test. Plus, it's fun.

Email us at atcblogs@gmail.com with questions or comments. And don't forget the free fit for women!! (See above.)This is open to beginning cyclists of all stripes – triathletes, cyclists, and weekend riders. Read up on how it workshere.

Copyright 2011 Kathryn Hunter

Local Austin Pro Matt Russell By Brandi Grissom

2011-04-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

A year ago, Matt Russell didn’t know how to swim. Now, the 28-year-old New York native is starting his second season as a professional triathlete.

“It keeps the mind really fresh,” said Russell, who moved to Austin in October, after three years as a professional duathlete, to perfect the swim stroke he taught himself. “It gives me a new challenge.”

Russell is among the newest professional triathletes to make Austin home. He’s quickly becoming a fixture in the triathlon community, training, racing and coaching – and all with his contagiously positive attitude and ever-present grin. You might have seen both in action at the Blue Norther Duathlon in Seguin last month. He was the male overall winner, finishing in 34:10.

Russell grew up in rural New York on a small farm. There were just 40 students in his school, which included grades K through 12. That’s where Russell said he discovered his passion for running. His tiny school only offered three team sports, so he commuted 20 minutes each way to another campus, where they agreed to let him run with the cross-country team. “I never had my true colors shine until I found individual sport,” he said.

But Russell’s youth wasn’t all shiny. When he was 8 years old, his mother, a kindergarten teacher, was diagnosed with Lou Gherig’s disease. She died when he was 13.

“It was tough, but God has a plan for everything,” Russell said. “I’ve learned a lot in the growing process.”

His mother’s motto – never give up and always try your best – has stuck with Russell and guided him.

At the University of New Hampshire, he walked onto the track team and wound up with a scholarship to run the steeplechase and 5K. He was on the cycling team, too. After graduating with a master’s degree in occupational therapy, he moved to Colorado in 2007 and started working and racing duathlons.

Turned out duathlon and Russell got along very well. He quickly earned his pro license and in 2008 won pro nationals. Until last year he was on the world duathlon team. He traveled the globe: Scotland, Colombia, Switzerland and Italy – racing and gracing the podium.

But last year, Russell said he decided he wanted to learn to swim. He moved back home to New York and taught himself. In July, he visited Austin for the Couples Tri. Apparently, “Quadzilla” didn’t ruin his impression of the place. “I was thinking if I’m going to pursue this, I need to go somewhere to work on my swimming,” he said. “So I ended up moving to Austin.”

Shortly after moving to Austin, Russell met T3 Head Coach Maurice Culley through fellow tri pro Natasha Van Der Merwe. Russell started swimming with Culley just about the time some coaching positions were opening up. “I was looking for job,” Russell said. “He offered me a position, and I started working in January.”

Now, he’s coaching spin and run workouts and leading long weekend bike rides and runs with T3 while he works on that swimming technique. And he said his swim is improving. His time in the 1.2-mile swim, he said, has fallen from about 36 minutes at the Longhorn 70.3 in October to about 29 minutes now. “I shaved off some time, but I still have some more time to shave off,” he said.

For the season ahead, Russell said his plans include five half-ironman races, including the Lonestar 70.3 in Galveston this Sunday, and three full ironman races.

“My goal this year is to consistently place in the top 10 or top five in races,” Russell said. “Hopefully I can get on the podium next year a little bit.”

Though he hasn’t yet been through Austin’s sweaty summer, Russell said he’s enjoying training here so far. A lover of the outdoors, who spent a summer living in a tent – technically called a “yurt” – in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Russell said his favorite training venue in Austin is the Greenbelt. He runs there about three times a week. “It kind of feels like I’m in the middle of nowhere,” he said. “It probably keeps my sanity.”

Russell said he enjoys most the diversity of training that triathlon offers and the balance it requires for success. He may not be the most talented at each of the sports, but he said what sets him apart is his determination to work for improvement.

“I pretty much try to live every day as my last,” he said. “I learned a lot of life lessons from my mother and I don’t take one day for granted.”

(C) 2011 Brandi Grissom

The (Real) Life of the Pros, Part 3:Tristan Uhl & Mountain Biking

2011-04-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

Photo by Lester Rosebrock

Life's trajectory is simple - you grow up, you go to college, you get a BA, and then maybe an MA or MBA or MD, you meet someone, you get married, you get matching dishtowels, you have kids...and then you die. Right? Isn't that the way the game is played?

Not for some. Tristan Uhl, 22 years old, has been a pro mountain biker since he was 18. In 2009, he started working at ATC as a mechanic. You may have seen him behind the counter, though he's easy to miss - not the blustery type, he's usually got his head down over a bike or a wheel, more often than not painstakingly gluing a tubular. At first glance, you'd think he was just some college kid earning beer money. But then that's you seeing him in street clothes, not on his bike beating the field by 10 minutes (Miles of Discomfort Marathon, Comfort, TX, Jan 2010).

At 17, Tristan won the national series in Texas, qualifying for and competing in the world championships in Italy. And at 18, after a repeat performance at nationals, he went to the world championships in New Zealand, as well as the continental championships in Brazil. In recent years, he has continued to perform well in regional races, and already has a string of top finishes in 2011

A native of the small town of Smithville, Tristan says his interest in cycling peaked at 16, when his success meant that he had the opportunity to take off on cross-country trips with his parents' approval. "Town was boring," he says, which makes him sound like he'd been a normal-enough teen. But Tristan's training had begun well before then.

Paul Uhl, Tristan's father, says that Tristan took his first spill at one year old. Paul and Tristan's mother, Diane, had rented mountain bikes in Colorado. It was their first ride ever, and Diane had wiped out in a creek bed with Tristan on the back. No damage was done, Paul says, but he and Diane were hooked on the sport. They began competing, and not long after, started organizing races themselves.

"My parents actually built a lot of the bike trails in the town I grew up in," Tristan says. "They wanted me to be able to race, so they started a kids' series at nearly all the TMBRA races they went to. My Mom started promoting races, and made the whole kid's cup thing a reality."

Tristan competed in his first event when he was five, a kid's cup race in Warda. "I think it was three laps around a pond, maybe a mile and a half total," he says. (He doesn't remember if he won.)

He kept competing, of course. Paul says, "Around 12 or 13, he showed some really great signs, some really great races. Then John Kemp of the DEVO squad picked him up, and at 15 he did a national race in Vermont." The DEVO squad has brought up most of the nation's top pros, Paul explains, with no small amount of pride. "It was as close to a professional team as a junior could get."

Plenty of kids get the same level of instruction and encouragement. After all, what parent doesn't want his or her kid to be the next Michael Phelps or Tiger Woods (minus the controversy)? But not everyone who's given such opportunities makes it this far. One might argue that many, in spite of their promising roots, don't want to make it this far. Tristan may have gotten an early push, but there's more to it than that.

I asked him why he liked mountain biking, and why this sport rather than road biking. While road racing in Texas as a pro isn't a particularly profitable career, either, it does have the benefit of team sponsorship, and greater notoriety. Competing as a pro mountain biker is often, in more ways than just the one, a much tougher road to travel.

But at 5'6" and 130 pounds, Tristan excels with technical riding, or with very hilly courses, which are in short supply in Texas road racing. Crit racing is more popular here, he explains, and says he'd prefer not to race in circles every weekend.

Tristan describes himself as an outdoor person. Riding his mountain bike clears his mind, he says. "I'm a lot more sane when I ride my bike in the morning. And it's more challenging than road riding is – as opposed to just pedaling fast, you have to pedal fast and avoid obstacles. It's good to be out in nature, too, out in the trees. To play in the mud and stuff like that is fun."

He trains an average of 15-18 hours a week on the bike, sometimes spending several hours a day on the trainer, depending on the season. Nearly every weekday morning he rides his mountain bike, a Cannondale Scalpel, at the Barton Creek Greenbelt – Austin's mountain biking mecca. All hard efforts are done on his mountain bike, and his road bike he saves for longer rides, which allow him to spend more time in the saddle with less abuse. Depending on whether he has a mountain bike race or road race coming up the following weekend, he uses one or the other for his commute into work. And when he doesn't have a race scheduled, he often takes part in what might as well be considered a competition – the Saturday morning ATC ride.

The toughest thing, Tristan says, is time-management. "You have to train on the road enough to be fast, but ride your mountain bike enough to be technically good, so there's a really tight balance there. You can lack the training on the road that you'd need for speed at some crucial point, or you can ride your road bike too much and run into trees, and the speed wouldn't matter."

Another challenge that pros, in any sport, face is the daily wear and tear on their bodies. The pros who "make it" aren't just the fastest or most talented or most stout of heart – they're the ones who, whether by benefit of luck or good genes, have bodies that can withstand hours and hours of practice and racing without falling apart. Of course, being stout of heart doesn't hurt anything, either – even the most chromosomally fortunate have their share of injuries, many of which, for the normal soul, would be more than enough reason to change career tracks.

Photo By Mark Thome

Tristan's biggest setback occurred a little over a year ago, a result, not of over-training or a bike crash, but of a bad car accident. He fractured his back, collapsing several vertebrae. He was in a back brace for two months, and completely out of commission for most of the race season.

Following the accident, after a few days in the emergency room and two weeks in bed, Tristan could walk, but walking was painful. At the time, he had a job at a restaurant, so was no longer able to work. "I didn't have much I could do," he says, "so I just sat on the trainer and watched movies." A lesser or perhaps more reasonable individual might have stayed in bed, but Tristan biked on the trainer for hours, still in his back brace, like a stationary Robocop.

When the doctor told Tristan he could take off the brace, he also said it was "probably okay" to ride his bike (the good doctor had no doubt mistaken Tristan's intent for a streamers-on-the-handlebars pleasure cruise around the block). A week after the brace was off, Tristan did his first road race.

From the soft-spoken, but easy way that Tristan talks, you can tell he's not the high-strung, obsessive type. He looks and sounds like a skateboarder (he was, when he was younger), not like a guy biting his nails over his training calendar and evaluating the flatness of his abs in the mirror. Training, for people like Tristan, is simply like breathing. The draw is not the end so much as the process.

Tristan's younger sister Kara is going to college on a mountain biking scholarship at Lindsey Wilson. Tristan had received similar offers himself in Kentucky and Tennessee, but he'd turned them down. "I'd rather work full-time and spend it on me than spend it on school," he says.

You might cringe at that statement. I did. But then I started really thinking about it, beyond the "supposed to's" and "should do's," and I wondered if I was wrong. College is the right path for many, if not most. It's like a holding pen - you have the luxury of drinking beer and deciding what you want to do with your life in the relative safety of your peers, most as naive as you are. But if you know what you want, and what you want doesn't require a diploma?

What we're weighing with such a judgment is not simply the value of an education, but the viability of a career as a professional endurance athlete.

Paul admits it's not a very secure future, but as an artist, he himself chose a path less traveled. "I would love to see my kids have the security of a real job, but at the same time, you only have one chance to live your dream, and if you're good at something...and Tristan is good at this...you can always go back and change your career at 30 or 35. He needs to go for it now while he's got the ability. I support him trying to do this."

Of his own career, Paul admits that there will be challenges ahead. The friends who've complained over the years about their office jobs will be coming up on their retirement soon, a luxury that Paul will not have. "But I've spent a lifetime doing what I love doing," he says. "I'll just continue making pots until one day I don't."

Tristan doesn't really have a plan for the future. He just wants to ride his bike. It's as simple as that, though the decision is not always an easy one to live with. He doesn't have company health insurance, and meeting travel expenses is often difficult. But he's got big dreams – qualifying for the Olympic long team this year, perhaps, and in the distant, rather rosy-hued future, living a life where he can race his mountain bike every weekend and get paid to do it.

When you start talking about payouts and odds, sacrifices and sprains, the "why" of it starts coming up more and more. But "why" is a silly question. Why does a man like Svein Tuft cart his 80-pound dog across the country, when there's no money in it, no sponsor, no charity or cause? Why do countless domestiques, without any hope of recognition, put in their most heroic efforts carrying water bottles to their star teammates? Why do you participate in the sport, when unlike even those overworked, lycra-clad pack mules, you don't get paid a dime for it – and in fact, have to shell out thousands of dollars yourself?

When you do it because you love it, because it's somehow a part of who you are, well then maybe that's reason enough.

Paul says he enjoys riding with his son, though his version of fast doesn't quite measure up even to Tristan's slow pace. And watching Tristan's races makes him proud. Paul says he's observed a new sense of determination in Tristan since the accident. "It let him know his own mortality," Paul says. "It let him know that if he wants to achieve things then he's got to do it."

At the end of last season, in his comeback after the accident, Tristan had finished second in a string of races. In Comfort, at one of the earliest races this season, Tristan leaned over to his father before the start and said, "I'm done with seconds. I'm going Ricky Bobby style – I'm either going to blow up and finish last or I'm going to win."

That day, his all-or-nothing approach worked. Sometimes life is a similar gamble – a person either succeeds or fails completely. But bravo to those who'll take the risk, who make a foolish decision, or a million foolish decisions, and experience the bittersweet taste of life beyond the safety net.

If anything represents the real life of the pros, it's that – a grueling walk on the wire that can only end, because of age or circumstance, in a free fall. But don't we all come to that same precipice in our lives, whether we're 200 or 20 feet off the floor? One thing can be said... People with the courage to take the high wire will at least have one hell of a trip down.

(C) 2011 Kathryn Hunter

RACE REPORT: Enchanted Rock Extreme Duathlon March 27, 2011

2011-03-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Photos by Earl Nottingham / Texas Parks & Wildlife

This Sunday was the third annual Enchanted Rock Extreme Duathlon at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 30 minutes north of the historic, German town of Fredericksburg. This race features a five mile hilly trail run, a 16 mile out and back bike on hilly roads (with cows!), and a 1.2 mile run – straight up Enchanted Rock. Actually, "run" is a bit of exaggeration, since very few competitors have actually managed to run up the whole way, perhaps as few as three people in the three-year history!

My wife, Kat Hunter, and I have gone to this race every year, and this year was not just for fun – this was serious. In our three previous duathlons, I had yet to go faster than her. Obviously this could not stand, so this year I would have my revenge. Finally I had some solid run training before the event, so all I had to do was stay close on the run and pass her on the bike. No problem!

The run starts nears the pavilion area, and we all gather for a mass start. Kat and I position ourselves near the front, where I notice a young woman ( Apryl Mortenson of team Tri-Sition) who looked very fit. "Look out for her," I whisper to Kat, who replied "I know." She already had her game face on, had already identified her main rival. This was going to be fun!

This is not blurry, the start is just that fast

The race starts and we all take off down the narrow trail. The first bit is relatively flat with a few rocks and stairs to navigate up and down. Then a quick run through the parking lot and back onto the trail, where it starts to get pretty steep uphill for about a mile. I pace myself on these uphills and Kat pulls away from me and her rival Apryl in the early going. I'm thinking Kat has the race won for a minute, but then when I look up again, Apryl has taken the lead! I'm not too worried yet. Last year the same thing happened when Monica Longlorai of the Texas A&M Tri Team threw down an amazing run time. Kat had managed to take the lead back on the bike, and I was sure she could do it again this year.

Darrel Williams takes the lead on the run

I pull up alongside the guy just ahead of me. "We're getting chicked," I joke. He says, "Yeah, by TWO of them," but he says that he's used to it, that it's his wife up there. "Me too, my wife is the other one!" I say. I try to get some intel out of him by super cleverly asking, "So does she beat you on the bike, too?" He answers, "Oh, we're about neck and neck." Uh oh! Ronald Mortenson looked like a pretty fit guy, and was running a decent pace. If his wife could bike with him, Kat might be in trouble. "This could be a good battle then!" I say.

We proceed to go back and forth on the run, trying to keep our wives in sight, but eventually they pull away as we get close to transition. I heard later from a spectator that Apryl came into transition with a good lead on Kat, but was sabotaged by her husband's bike when it fell over as she tried to get her own bike out of the crowded transition spot. She was far too kind and actually stopped to put his bike back up, losing a few seconds in the process. To be fair, the racks really were far too close together, one minor quibble in an otherwise perfect race. Kat took advantage of a smoother transition to take the lead at the start of the bike. (Though apparently she was not aware of that, as she hadn't seen Apryl in transition, and was quite worried!)

Ryon Talbot posting the 2nd fastest bike split

My transition was uneventful and I was ready to get on the bike and crush it to catch Kat, then drop her with authoritah! However, my lack of run fitness seemed to be getting the better of me. While I could maintain a fast, steady pace, when I tried to shift into ludicrous speed, every muscle in my legs would start to scream. There were 16 miles of hills to go, then a run straight up a huge rock, so I didn't want to blow up yet. Ludicrous speed was not an option.

I still managed to pass quite a few of those who outran me. Thankfully, I got ahead of all three Aggies (minor collegiate rivalry there, though I'm not a Longhorn, but an Owl). I was only passed by one competitor. As he pulled up next to me on a hill, I noticed his power meter and asked how many watts. "Three-fifty," he said. I kind of doubted that, but then he pulled away – far, far away, and I became a believer.

Aggies sweep their age group

Approaching transition, I became aware that I would not be catching Kat, again, this year. Her and her Cervelo P2C must have gone as fast as I had (wrong, she had gone minutes faster). Goals had to be adjusted – now I just wanted to podium in my age group and go as fast as I could. Off the bike, and onto the trail to the climb.

Once again I decided I would try to jog the whole way up. Three steps later, plans had to be adjusted. The steep grade just makes one's heart rate instantly max out, and legs burn. I switch to hands-on-knees power walking, which serves me well. Regular park visitors along the trail look at us, wondering who these people are in funny outfits, sweating and moaning, barely going any faster up than they are. As you approach the summit, the grade finally levels off and you can manage to run again. This is convenient because the spectators at the top can't really see you below that point. So as far as they know you ran the whole way!

Linda Lazo at the finish

The finish line is marked by two flagpoles with the E-Rock Duathlon logo. I sprint for the finish and look for Kat and our families, who are up there waiting for us. She is smiling and okay, and now three-time women's champion! (and fourth overall!) I come in three minutes later and 2nd in my age group. We both had our fastest overall times, each improving by six minutes over the last year. I have a moving target, but maybe next year I will be victorious...

Apryl Mortenson came in 2nd overall woman with a solid finish, and her husband Ronald had a strong showing as well at 2nd in his age group. Jamie Cleveland of Texas Iron, overall winner of the 2009 race, repeated in 2011 with another strong showing and was one of the few who actually ran up the rock. Kat and Jamie also won the King and Queen of the hill awards, for fastest male and female times up the rock.

The Enchanted Rock Du is truly one of the greatest multisport events in Texas. The views at the finish line are amazing and there's an amazing atmosphere, great trails, and tons of good German food and beer to be had in nearby Fredericksburg. Also, our Texas state parks are one of our best and most under-appreciated resources, so what better way to help support them than by training, racing, and spectating at the great venues they provide? We highlighted three state park rides in a previous blog post. Add Enchanted Rock to your list. Cycling is huge in and around Fredericksburg, and the park itself offers superb running trails, rock climbing, hiking, and camping. Go there often enough, practice that run up the rock, and maybe you can be King of the Hill one day.

Full results are up Here

Special thanks to Earl Nottingham of TPWD for the race photos, and for his dedicated coverage of the event. (We have to note that, of course, the blurry photo of the race start was not the work of this professional, but rather, our own meager contribution.) Look for more of Earl's photos and Kat's article about the race in Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine in 2012.

RACE REPORT: Fayetteville Stage Race March 19 & 20

2011-03-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Race Photography by Lee McDaniel Photography

The thirteenth annual Fayetteville Stage Race – two long, lung-busting road races with the all-important, utterly lung-shattering 6.6-mile time trial sandwiched between. Put on by Houston's Southwest Cycling Club, the event is centered at "The Hall," and although there's no polka or square dancing (The Hall's general ambiance makes it seem like there should be), there's plenty of entertainment throughout the day if you like fancy bikes, fast riders, and know the names and lingo to follow the remote play-by-play from the announcers.

Keep reading for links, highlights, and for starters, the highly intellectual perspectives of our four fearsome embedded reporters.

Cat 1
Reporter: Gray Skinner of Austinbikes/Revenant

Gray Skinner, recently upgraded to Cat 1, finished 6th in the Pro/1 GC. There were 45 riders in the category, with Saturday's road race course set at three loops and 68 miles, and Sunday's at six loops and 95 miles.

Gray's teammate Sol Frost at the front

"The first stage started out fast, with attacks going from the start," Gray says. "This continued throughout the first lap with no group ever gaining more than a minute." But after the second lap, a group of three (Russ Walker, Steven Wheeler of Super Squadra, and eventual GC winner Scott Simmons of Velossimo) got away before the hot spot time bonus line. Then two more riders managed to escape near the feed zone – seven-time Tour de France rider and white-jersey winner Raul Alcala and local legend Brant Speed. The break was then five and would not be caught. Simmons, Alcala, and Speed stayed together until the end, with Alcala taking the stage and the trio gaining three minutes on the field. Gray tried to gain a few seconds at the end by taking a flyer at the 1k mark, but the fast sprinters caught him and he finished at 11th for the first stage.

In the time trial, David Wenger had a dominating performance, taking the fastest TT time of the day with 13:53, the only rider to make it under 14 minutes. Simmons came in at 7th, and Stefan Rothe at 8th. Stage 1 winner Alcala, who rode a road bike, took 20th, conceding a full minute to Simmons. Speed, unfortunately, fell victim to a slow clock and missed his start by two minutes, finishing at 25th. Gray managed a respectable 6th after a warm-up that included 30 minutes of motor-pacing from his teammate.

So the final stage was set on Sunday, with no one saving themselves for the long day ahead. The attacks came early. Sol Frost and Warney Crosby of Elbowz Racing broke away in the first few miles, and would stay away for the next 60, with a gap of 4.5 minutes at one point. "The break was caught around mile 70 and it was back to status quo," Gray says. "I put my fresh legs, courtesy of my teammate Sol, to the test with several attacks, trying to force another break. The leaders were quick to preserve their spots on GC, however, and no group was able to get very far." In the last ten miles, Gray attacked again, getting a gap for a short period with Alcala, but was brought back into the fold by hard riding from Speed. "I attacked again in a last ditch effort to gain some places on GC and maybe a stage win," Gray says. But Carlos Vargas was sitting on his wheel. As Gray drove on, with an effort comparable to the previous day's time trial, with 100 meters to go Vargas came off his wheel and sprinted ahead for the stage win. The gap to what was left of the field was 30 seconds, so Gray moved up to 6th on GC, and the top five came in together unchanged: Simmons, Alcala, Speed, Wheeler, and Wenger.

Cat 2

A quick Cat 2 highlight!: Chris Trickey, of ATC-sponsored Team Wooly Mammoth, won second in the Cat 2 GC, and was part of a six-man breakaway on day two that put three minutes on the rest of the field.

Cat 4
Reporter: Yancey Arrington

"The Saturday road race rolled out to nice weather but due to a weak pace ended in a 60 plus group sprint," Yancey Arrington says. At the end of the first day's 46-mile road race, he managed to navigate the minefield of dying riders for a 14th place pack finish. "Not a bad start."

Since the time trial was scheduled later the same day, it played a big part in how the first road race went down for Cat 4, as well as most other categories – riders seemed to be saving up right from the beginning, unwilling to push the pace unless they were coming up on the time bonuses at the hot spot or the finish line. But perhaps that was for the best. On the time trial course, riders were faced with an unrelenting wind, rolling hills, and hot temps. For some, it took as much mental staying power as physical to keep the pace strong until the finish.

In the TT, Steve Quick of Shama Cycles came in at 15:19, which put him nearly 45 seconds ahead of the field in GC contention. Our embedded reporter extraordinaire snagged 7th with a 16:03. "Only five seconds separated 2nd through 6th places in the time trial and the GC standings were shaping up to be a game of seconds," Yancey says.

The Sunday, 49-mile road race was a three-loop course, and Yancey says this race was nearly as uneventful as the first for the Cat 4s. "Hard accelerations up the hills and out of the corners split the field in half by the 3rd lap, but the peleton hive mind never let any breaks dangle more than 20-30 seconds down the road before pulling them back." And then about four miles from the finish, at a point when the pace was about to start weeding out the pack further, the Cat 4 lead group had to allow another category's break and pack to pass, which provided a few precious minutes of coasting for everyone's legs to refresh. The finish was a 30-40 person sprint, with Yancey coming in at 12th with a pack finish time. The weekend's efforts were enough to get him 5th in GC, along with a sweet $50.

Cat 5
Reporter: Jack Mott of team ATC

Jack and Stuart Page chat at the start

This was our Cat 5 reporter's first stage race, but his strategy was simple – stay with the front groups for both road races and dominate in the TT. "Mission accomplished so far as I finished with the front group and the same time," Jack Mott says of the first road race. "The only tactical error was riding 2nd wheel for quite a long while on the approach to the finish. This was a bad setup for the sprint and I had to really dig deep just to say with the pack." His right leg cramped, and he was worried that would come back to haunt him in the TT.

But tires were changed, the disc wheels came out, and the Cervelo P3 Aluminum "tri bike of doom" was ready for the TT, and so was our intrepid Cat 5 Hero. "I had in recent weeks been advised by my wife, who has a bit more TT talent than me, to simply go harder, and go harder sooner in my TT efforts," Jack says. "I decided to put this HTFU ethos to the test and from the very start it was an all out, leg burning effort. The plan was brilliant, I was able to sustain the pace the whole way." (His wife was so excited to hear "you were right," for once, that she refrained from saying, "I told you so.")

The winds gave his front wheel a few wiggles, but like any good triathlete, Jack stayed in the aero bars and hammered on until the finish. He came in with a solid third place, putting enough time on the first road race's winner, Edward Dominguez of Team Nick Lopez, to overtake his time bonus, as well as to get far enough ahead from fourth place to be safe from any time bonuses on day two. First place in the TT was James Perrin of Team Bike Barn, who "put on a clinic," beating the rest of the field by a minute, and second place was Stuart Page of Shama Cycles, who'd been riding hard at the front for a good portion of the first road race.

So alliances began to form, boasts were made, and Jack's new strategy was to hold onto his third place spot for dear life, and just stay with the front group on the 2nd day. No problem.

"Big problem," he says. "From the very start of the race Edward was on the attack, with teammate Carlos Barrios, who was then 4th in GC, working well with him. Edward and Carlos took turns attacking, and a few short-lived breakaways got away." Jack had agreed to work with Perrin and the Bike Barn team to hold off the attacks, and they did a reasonable job of it...in the beginning. After Jack's rather ill-advised aero water bottle setup ejected his bottle to the ground, he offered to pull back the current breakaway for Perrin in exchange for a few drinks of water.

But then Dominguez and Barrios attacked together, and since they were 4th and 5th in GC, Jack felt he had to chase. And because Jack chased, Stuart Page was also compelled to attack to protect his 2nd place position. So a four-man breakaway with real staying power was born, gaining a lead on the main pack by 45 seconds. Jack assumed Dominguez would tire from the endless attacks and ease up, but as Page put it so aptly later, "No, Edward doesn't get tired." Jack went from cooperating to just sitting in, but the pace was so furious that he finally just dropped off to see if he could work with Perrin to bring the escape group back. But by then only about eight remained in the chase group, Perrin had lost the rest of the Bike Barn team, and even Perrin's cries of "Come on, work! Remember the water!" couldn't inspire Jack to keep the pace. Perrin eventually tried to bridge the gap solo, but didn't get far, and Jack drifted back into no man's land, his podium dreams disappearing. "I felt terrible for James and it was awful to lose 3rd place, but I felt like I experienced an entire Tour de France of action in one weekend, a great time, and plenty of suffering," Jack says.

Dominguez and Page's breakaway survived, with Page giving Dominguez the stage win in exchange for the help in getting Page the overall GC win, and a deserving one. Page had been at the front for the first day, put down a killer TT time, and worked like crazy in the break on day two. So sometimes the hare does get the prize, after all.

Women's Open
Reporter: Kat Hunter of team ATC

This one's me – the time-trialing triathlete, sometimes referred to as the "f---ing triathlete" (overheard at a TT results board a few years ago). People still come up to me at cycling events and say, "Hey, so you're the triathlete." I love triathlons, but I perform better at duathlons and time trials, and have done probably three times as many. Still, I suppose there are worse things to be called than "f---ing triathlete." My middle school basketball coach called me "Big Girl."

This weekend was my first real taste of road racing, and it was humbling. I discovered crosswinds; the talent level of the top echelon of women's racing in Texas; pack dynamics; the "hive mind"; why you'd ride the center line; why someone will occasionally give you a friendly, jock-style pat on the rear; the need for the appropriate brakes for carbon wheels (otherwise, every stop sounds like an out-of-tune orchestra performance...fellow riders, I sincerely apologize); and that you should pay attention to the sinus problems of the person ahead of you or you'll wish you had. I learned that there are different kinds of "fast," and in some ways road racing is harder than time trialing, because someone else gets to decide for you how hard you're going to pedal, and when. I discovered that I don't like, no, hate, sprinting. So there you have it, straight from the "triathlete's" mouth – roadies, you now have my full respect

Courtney Lowe, a newcomer from New Zealand and member of the FCS/Metro Volkswagen team, was undoubtedly the star of this weekend's stage race. In the first road race, she took off on a solo breakaway only a few miles from the start ("Ah ha," I say to myself, "that is what you're not supposed to do," and I overhear a scornful comment from another rider, "Wow, someone's already going?"). But then Lowe kept it all 46 miles, coming in a full ten minutes before the rest of the pack. For the rest of us, the first road race was slow – sometimes painfully so, with a lot of soft- pedaling at the front – but the "hive mind" was saving up for the time trial. It was a miscalculation. The TT might decide the rest of the GC, but a ten-minute lead? I don't think there were any illusions about first place after that. The rest of the field finished mostly intact, with a dead-out sprint at the end for the line and a pack finish.

Kat Hunter in the TT

One might assume (I did) that Lowe would be tired after her 46-mile solo effort, but she also took first place in the TT with a blistering fast time of 16:09. Louise Smyth of Team LaS'port was 2nd, Lauren Robertson of FCS/Metro Volkswagen was 3rd, and Amy Gray-Smith of Pro Design Porsche Bike Source was 4th.

I came in 5th, knowing when I crossed the line that I hadn't pushed it enough. I berated myself for the slow cornering and general lack of moxie, but in my heart of hearts I knew that even on a better day I couldn't have shaved 31 seconds off my time for first, not in six miles.

Sunday's road race was another schooling. Fellow newbies, please note that on a steep hill, it doesn't matter where you are, so long as you're in a position where you can escape if you need to. Otherwise, you're throwing on your brakes to avoid smashing into the rider slowing up ahead of you, watching 10 of the lead riders (suddenly and ferociously accelerating) split the pack in half and leave you in the dust, and then chasing them for miles in a solo TT that you know you can't really afford.

When I caught the lead pack, I was done, but they weren't. It was attack after attack, a night and day experience from Saturday's race. I doggedly hung on to the back, wishing, in fact, that I had given up, because then the pain would have been over. My goals at the beginning of the race – making up time by getting a time bonus, maybe trying to break away at the end – were very much readjusted by mid-race. I just wanted to finish with the lead pack. And that was shaping up to be a real accomplishment. I was out of water about halfway through the race, and hadn't brought any food. I was, in short, feeling completely miserable, so unlike the first day ("when-are-we-gonna-catch-her-dang-it, when-are-we-gonna-go..."), I didn't care when the first solo break came from Kate Chilcott of Metro Volkswagen, nor when just as we were about to pull her back, Lowe joined her teammate and they rode out of sight.

By the end, I had suffered enough to pat myself on the back for simply catching up with the lead pack (even if falling off was my own mistake) and then staying with them to the finish. Lowe and Chilcott ended up taking the stage win by 3.5 minutes, and the FCS/Metro Volkswagen team took all first three spots in the GC (with Lauren Robertson in 3rd). Their team effort was nothing short of amazing.

Many thanks to SWCC for putting on a great race!

Have something to add? Email us at atcblogs@gmail.com.

RACE REPORTS: The Blue Norther & The Cronometro

2011-03-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

If you didn't race this past weekend, you missed out. Good weather, great courses, friendly people, expert organizers, and the local superstars, aero-helmeted and out to crush your dreams – you have to love a city where you can race twice in a weekend, and some months twice every weekend, within an hour's drive.

The Blue Norther Duathlon, Sunday, March 13

The night before the race, you set your alarm for five, then realize you'll be "springing forward" for what's really a 4 a.m. wake-up call. Ah, the things we do for fun...

Yesterday the 21st annual Seguin Sunrise Lions Club Blue Norther' Duathlon, a long-standing ATC favorite and one of the first races of the season, was held at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. The 3.1-mile run/14-mile bike/3.1-mile run event is small (at about 150 participants), but attracts many of the fastest age groupers in the area. The run course is two loops, on quiet campus and neighborhood streets, and the bike course is gently rolling, with very little traffic. It's the perfect setting for an early season test run for your equipment (and person), and an all-around good time. Post-race, they served up snacks like baked potatoes and homemade chocolate-chip cookies, along with a healthy dose of small-town hospitality (volunteers don't get any friendlier than this) and live bluegrass music.

The top three in each age group took home a medal. (Click here for results.) Matthew Russell was first overall male at 1:08:40, with Weslie Anderson coming in second overall about a minute later, and Tony de Silva at third a minute after that. The top three women finishers were Kat Hunter, Marla Briley, and Erin Anderson.

Adam and Don battling for bragging rights

But perhaps more importantly, the ATC smack talk finally came to proving time. Corey May bested the rest with 1:17:41, taking first in the 40-44 age group. Adam Stroobandt came in second of the ATCers, and first in 25-29. Flu-stricken (we'll be kind) Don Ruthven was third in the rivalry and his age group. Tim Dove was fourth, and first of the Clydesdales with a 1:21:43. Not quite a party to the rivalry and heated debate, but in the ATC jersey were Missy Ruthven and Rita Stroobandt, competing as a relay team, with Missy on the bike and Rita taking the overall female lead for both runs. And Tony de Silva, third overall, and John Trowbridge, first in the 45-49, were racing for ATC, as well.

All proceeds from the Blue Norther' and other Lions Club projects go to charities, including the Seguin Women's Shelter, EATS food bank, Teatro de Artes, scholarships for Seguin high school seniors, and other local programs.

Big thanks to the volunteers and organizers who are out, year after year, making this event run smoothly! And thanks to Chris Garlington, Thomas Bressie, and Sara Askey for the photos!

Race website

The 2011 Cronometro Time Trial, Saturday, March 12

That "good weather" we mentioned doesn't exactly apply to the Cronometro. The day was warm, but the wind was strong enough that even Mary Poppins would have balked at a deep wheel. Still, many riders had them, with the first overall male finisher and female finisher on HED Stinger 9 fronts and disc rears.

Gray Skinner on the start ramp

The Cronometro attracts many of Austin's cycling celebrities. David Wenger took first (again),with a time of 30:47.4 and an average speed of 27.9mph on the 14.3-mile course. Stefan Rothe came in second with 31:31.2, Brant Speed third with 31:43.3, John Korioth fourth with 32:19.7, and Gray Skinner fifth with 33:10.0. Some of Austin's top female cyclists were present, as well, including Maggi Finley (triathlete and newcomer to the Austin scene), Nadia Barrera, ATC's Missy Ruthven, Jenn Mix, and Annick Beaudet. Kat Hunter came in first overall female with a time of 36:53.8 and an average speed of 23.3mph, Maggi was a close second at 36:56.9, and Nadia third at 37:20.1. In the road bike category, the top five finishers were Brant Speed, David Wenger, Gray Skinner, Patrick Darragh, and Frank Kurzawa. (Click here for all results.)

The course was a little different this year, two loops vs. one, due to road construction. But there was still one massive hill to contend with (twice), which also happened to be on the section of road heading straight into the wind...

Like the Blue Norther, the Cronometro is a race with character. And you don't have to be the fastest of the fast to enjoy the atmosphere and the company. The time trial's start is at J. Lorraine Ghost Town in Manor, a collection of Old West replica buildings, complete with a saloon and a jail with squeezable bars. This year, the first 100 to register got a free "Ghost Burger," and a live band played on the outdoor stage. And the post-race isn't a lengthy award ceremony, but a never-ending raffle of prizes (stick around and you're almost certain to get something, if not multiple somethings), like Tifosi sunglasses, Polar bottles, Pure Austin gym memberships, and Driveway passes, just to name a few. The best part about the Cronometro? A trail ride leaves from the same location earlier in the morning, so while you're unstrapping your P2 from the roof, cowboys in full chaps are saddling up their horses and readying the wagons. Two beautiful, slightly antique modes of transportation and a ghost town - can you get much better than that?

Race website

Check back for race reports from upcoming events:

Fayetteville Stage Race, March 19 & 20

Enchanted Rock duathlon, March 27

3 State Park Rides

2011-03-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the best rides are the ones that go somewhere. Austin is a great hub for state park visits, so check out the routes below to get in your workout and see more than just the pavement.

All routes are from MapMyRide users, so starting points differ. For distance, we use an approximation from downtown Austin to the park.

Pedernales Falls State Park - ~80 miles

A route to Johnson City, out and back

The Park

This route takes Fitzhugh Road – pretty scenery in itself – for roughly 20 miles. You can also tack on some extra mileage on the park roads. To see the falls area you'll need to walk a short trail, so bring a lock and a pair of shoes with you, or plan to carry your bike half a mile or so. There's also a swimming area in a separate part of the park – again, you'll need to walk a little to get there. The river is often very shallow, so don't expect to get your swim practice in.

The falls area is worth spending some time exploring – there are lots of fossils, interesting rocks and eddies, and climbing around. The swimming area is typical Hill Country river, with cold, clear water and old cypress trees lining the banks.

Fitzhugh doesn't have a shoulder, so it's best to start early or on a weekday.

Bastrop State Park - ~80 miles, or ~24 miles if you drive to the park

The route to Bastrop, out and back

For the route within the park, just grab a map at the park and follow Park Road 1C to Buescher

The Park

This park is a great place to take the family or a beginning rider. The paved, rolling road from Bastrop State Park to Buescher State Park is about 12 miles and has very little traffic – it's just you and the "lost" pines. Within the park there are many good running trails and a few CCC-built cabins that make a nice overnight stop.

Or if you're looking to spend more time in the saddle, the 80-mile route takes the back back roads to Bastrop. Leave the race wheels at home, though – you may encounter some unpaved portions. And plan to meet some unfriendly dogs, as well.

McKinney Falls State Park, ~24 miles

The Route

The Park

This ride is fairly short and not scenic at all, but McKinney Falls is the closest state park to town, and offers great running trails and a good swimming hole. The swimming area is, again, too small and shallow for open water training, but it's perfect for cooling down mid-ride in the summer.

Other info:

More than 90 percent of Texas is privately owned, so every green spot on the map is something special. With the current budget crisis, the axe is coming down hard on all state agencies, the Texas Parks & Wildlife department included. If you like your state parks and other green spaces, the best way to keep them around is to use them.

For other ideas of where to go and what to see in Texas (cycling and otherwise), check out Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. (This month's feature is "The Best of Texas, Naturally: 25 Outdoor Favorites for 2011.")

The (Real) Life of the Pros, Part 2: Team Marsh & the Five Year Mark

2011-02-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

In 2005, after Amy crossed the line as first amateur and third overall at the Buffalo Springs 70.3, she had two important decisions to make. Decision 1, she'd just unexpectedly qualified for Kona – was she going to take the slot? She had to give an answer no later than that evening, in literally a matter of hours. At the time, she hadn't planned to do an Ironman-distance race, and in fact had no desire to even attempt one, but friends urged her to accept, saying she would never get another chance at Hawaii. So after agonizing back and forth until the very last minute of the cutoff, with her heart in her throat, she called to say she was in.

Decision 2 was much easier. Brandon Marsh had something that had been burning a hole in his pocket for more than 48 hours, but it had just never felt like the right time. So when they got back home to Austin after the race, and Amy came over to his apartment, he asked her to help him unpack. Amy was reluctant at first, making it clear that she just wanted to lie on the couch and watch TV, but Brandon was adamant. So after Amy dumped his duffel bag out – "There, it's unpacked" – and Brandon had a minor heart attack – "Something else is in there...right?" – Amy found the ring, and Brandon presented the next big question. This time, the answer required no deliberation.

Married in January of 2006, the Marshes have just crossed the big five-year mark. They still live in Austin, but spend four to six months of the year racing and training out of the country. Brandon, 36 years old, has been a pro since 2004, and Amy, 33, since 2006. Brandon currently coaches with Team TBB, and they are working towards eventually being on deck coaches with a group of athletes. In terms of overall finishes, 2009 and 2010 were very successful years for them both. In 2009, Brandon placed fourth in the Buffalo Springs 70.3, ninth in Ironman Florida, and ninth in Ironman Wisconsin, and in 2010, he came in fifth at Ironman UK, and took ninth place at 70.3 New Orleans and Ironman China. Amy was first overall female at the 2009 Ironman Wisconsin and the Buffalo Springs 70.3, and followed up in 2010 with a first at Ironman China, Ironman Lake Placid, Triathlon Du Jura, and the Rev 3 Iron-distance in Cedar Point. Last October, she also returned to Kona for the first time since 2005, coming in at 11th overall.

The Marshes joined Team Bike Boutique, coached by Brett Sutton, about a year ago. Before then, Brandon and Amy had a unique relationship – they were not only husband and wife, but coach and trainee.

Brandon and Amy had met at masters swimming at the University of Texas in 2001, often exchanging a "hey how are ya" across the lane lines. Brandon was the first to tell Amy she should give triathlon a shot – Amy, a lifelong swimmer, was of course fairly opposed to the idea of running and cycling. But in 2002, she did her first triathlon, the Danksin, on a borrowed mountain bike. "I don't remember how I placed," she says, "but I remember going home and looking for the next race to do because I absolutely loved it."

After she signed up for the Gulf Coast Triathlon, she asked Brandon, who'd been competing since he was 13 and had gone to Kona as an age grouper the year before, if he coached anybody. He said, "Well, no. But would you like to be a guinea pig?" Amy and another friend from masters swimming became Brandon's first students. Alongside his full-time job in environmental consulting, Brandon started writing workouts for the two of them every few weeks.

Brandon Marsh getting some 'side-five' support from Amy on the run

Amy was the one to ask Brandon out the first time. After a successful finish at Gulf Coast, she called him to say she'd like to take him to dinner as a thank you. When Brandon's coworkers got wind of it, they said, "Sounds like a date." Brandon told them, "It's not a date. She gives me money. I give her workouts." That night he and Amy met and talked for two hours at the restaurant. When he got to work the next day, his coworkers asked him how it went. "You know," Brandon said. "I think it was a date."

So after a few more dinners and Shrek 2 and traveling to races together, the coaching got a little more complicated. Amy's biggest block of training came before her first Kona race, while they were engaged. Brandon says he can remember the "breakdown" very clearly. "She was saying, 'I'm so tired, but I feel like I'm not doing enough training.' So I asked her if she wanted to do more, and she said 'No, I can't do any more. I'm so tired... But I'm not doing enough training.'" Fortunately, he says, it was only about three weeks out from the race.

In coaching, there's always a delicate balance between the coddling Dr. Jekyll and the tough guy Mr. Hyde. Take it too easy on an athlete, and she turns into a cream puff. Take it too hard, and you'll either get a raging case of Black Swan, or you'll push her out of the sport entirely. For the Marshes, add to this already complex and finely nuanced relationship the domestic day-to-day. You'd have to assume it would be impossible. Most married people would rather stab themselves in the foot with a cheese fork than take direct orders day in and day out from their spouse.

Amy and Brandon learned the hard way, early on, how to weather the storms. About four weeks into their marriage, they took a trip out to Fort Davis. The landscape in this part of West Texas is legendary, for its desolate beauty as well as the heat and rolling hills. The Marshes were doing a 75-mile loop, which started out with a grueling six-mile climb. Amy, not quite the cycling phenom we know now, had only been biking seriously for a few years. "You didn't tell me it was all uphill," Amy said, to which Brandon returned, "Well, I told you it was pretty hilly." And from there it was Brandon at the front, Amy falling off, Brandon slowing down to wait, Amy back on his wheel, Brandon speeding up, Amy falling off, and so on, with both parties beginning to imagine how nice it would be to toss the other in a patch of prickly pear.

"I'm pretty blunt sometimes," Brandon says, in way of prefacing his remembered comment. "I said something like, 'Look, this isn't a neighborhood ride. We can't be out for six hours – we're going to run out of water. There's nothing out here.'" Amy, of course, was less than pleased by his direct approach, and told him she'd rather he just rode on without her. So he did.

"We call this our divorce story," Amy adds to the telling.

But what better to save a freshly minted marriage than a sudden, redemptive calamity? Brandon was waiting for Amy at the outskirts of town. When she met up with him and as they were having it out once more, Brandon noticed that her seat was crooked. So he took out his multi-tool and straightened it...and the seat post clamp broke. With six miles to go – again, nothing but steady, steep climbing – and a 100-to-1 chance of finding a tarantula before a mechanic, Brandon swapped his bike out for hers and rode the rest of the route standing out of the saddle. Ah, chivalry. Amy, of course, felt a little more friendly toward him after that.

And now, after five years, they still train together nearly every day. Brandon continues to push the pace, and Amy has to work hard to keep up, but maybe that's the secret to some of their success. On the bike, Brandon says if Amy's barely hanging on he knows he's riding well, but if she's "chatty cathy," then he needs to pick it up. And Amy's competitiveness keeps her chasing Brandon through run and swim workouts, too, (especially the swim workouts – Amy's the born and bred swimmer in the family) even when she's dead tired. Now that they know each other better, they're a little more careful about pushing each other's buttons, though it does still happen now and again. Sometimes it's just too tempting… In spite of the challenges, Amy says, "It's just nice waking up knowing you have a training partner for the day, every day."

It sounds a little like a fairy tale – big names, big travels, big wins, and spending every day doing what you love alongside the person you love. But despite their success, even the Marshes have the same relentless demon as most pro triathletes: finances.

"Some pros think that if you raise up the bottom end of the prize money, then you elevate the field across the board and make it less of a fringe sport," Brandon says, mentioning that the Slowtwitch interviews with Mark Allen and Chris McCormack particularly resonated with him. In his interview, Mark Allen had compared the French Open and the Masters golf tournament's credibility to that of triathlon. "Until race directors and sponsors raise the bar and compensate the pros financially for something close to what the athlete is worth, triathlon will never be perceived on par with those types of events," Allen said. ["Mark Allen on prize money – and a Chilean surprise," by Timothy Carlson; Jan 31, 2011]

Kona's first place purse is $110k, compared to $1.35 million to the winner of the US Open. Not to mention that the top 100 golfers in 2010 made at least $1 million in prize money alone, and the top 10, around $5 million. Also, of the WTC races, Kona is the biggest payout by far. All others range from between $3k and $18.5k. And although it's clear that the winners are underpaid, since they're often able to take advantage of sponsorships and appearance fees, the athletes who suffer the most from the skimpy payouts are the ones just starting out. Often a fourth or fifth place finish is barely enough to pay for your travel.

There could be some positive aspects to scraping by. Maybe poverty keeps you pure, but then again, maybe not. Maybe it just keeps you thin.

Amy Marsh hammers her Cervelo P4

There's no trust fund or mystery donor keeping the Marshes in the caviar and fine champagnes – they make it work with a combination of accumulated savings, coaching income, and winnings. And they don't stock their pantry with fish eggs and swanky booze. Their favorite dinner the night before an Ironman? A pint of ice cream. "We're fortunate to be on the end of things where we are able to make it, where we're able to save a little bit," Brandon says. But they're also realistic. "We like to say that we're retired now, and we'll work later," Amy says.

There are other luxuries that pros don't have, too, little freedoms that any ordinary soul would take for granted. Going through a different, arbitrary athletic "phase" or "focus" ("I'll try parasailing this year!"), deciding to have a baby, skipping a few weeks of working out, resting an injury completely, or whatever it might be... You can't alternate triathlon training with another all-consuming obsession or responsibility and still hope to be the best. Your life is always pointed toward the next big race on the horizon, or you're falling behind.

You're also forced to take the risks with the rewards. Last year when they were training with TBB in Switzerland, Brandon was riding with James Cunnama, and Amy with some of the other women on the team. It was cold and wet, and Brandon and James came up on a group of cyclists stopped on the other side of some rail road tracks. At first they thought nothing of it, but when they realized the cyclists were members of their team, Brandon started counting heads...and realized that Amy was missing. "It's something that everyone worries about if your significant other trains, or if you don't train together," he says. He rode up on the scene to see Amy lying on the ground, surrounded by blood. She was badly cut up and bruised on her right side, and had a concussion. "She literally looked like she'd been in a boxing match. Black eye, stitches," Brandon says.

Then, a week later, still in Switzerland, when Amy was out riding again she was hit by a car. This time, she fell on her left side. The man stopped, and was clearly shocked to see the extent of her injuries – she quickly explained that no, he was not responsible for all of that. Amy did some water running in the following weeks. "But four or five weeks later, she won Lake Placid," Brandon says.

And always for Brandon there were minor injuries – shin splints, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and on and on. For Amy, there'd been a string of long-term set-backs – two years of relentless plantar fasciitis (one year in the right foot, the next in the left), a stress fracture and six weeks in a boot, tendonitis in her ankle, the crashes. "This is the first winter probably since I started triathlon that I've actually been running consistently," she says.

And the running is going well. That's why the Marshes are hoping for big things this year – for Amy, no less than a podium finish at Kona.

Plenty of people would say that building a life around triathlon is impossible – that Ironman training is, in fact, the fast-track to divorce. But you never know quite where life will take you – sometimes the woman swimming in the lane next to you becomes your lifetime training partner; sometimes the race starts off badly and you end up first cross the line; sometimes all the most important decisions of your life come up within 24 hours; and sometimes, rarest of all, you get to do what you love, and it works out.

I asked the Marshes what they plan to do in the long-term, when they're done with competition. Brandon hopes to continue coaching – he says he wants to always stay involved in triathlon in some capacity. He and Amy exchange a smile. They're in no hurry, they say, but they've got other plans, too.

Brandon says, "I'm waiting for her to cross the finish line in Kona one year and say, 'Ok, let's have kids now. Start tomorrow!'"

Amy's next race is Abu Dhabi on March 12, and Brandon's is Singapore 70.3 on March 20. Cheer them on!

Cervelo P4 Di2 with internal routing

2011-02-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a Cervelo P4 that we installed Di2 on. We routed the cables internal and as one can see there are very little exposed. The front bottle was drilled out to hide the batterie. Gromets were used to give it a cleaner look. So with some bravery, a drill, a little soldering, you can make the fastest frame have the fastest cable routing.

Aerodynamics: Victory by a Thousand Cuts

2011-02-21T06:57:00.000-08:00

Jordan Rapp, a 2x 3x Ironman Champion meticulous about aero details | Photo By Eric Wynn

Some say that aerodynamic tricks are silly, and they're right (at least partly). There's no single aerodynamic gimmick on the market, no single tweak you can do with your cable routing or spare kit configuration that will move you up from the back of the pack to the front, or even from the middle of the pack to the front. Given this fact, some conclude that rather than spending time thinking about bike setup, one should spend that time training instead. Not bad advice, since training more is a sure way to get faster for most of us, but it does overlook an important fact – when you cut a few seconds here and a few more there, and add up that time savings over dozens of little improvements, you can end up with a huge improvement. And don't let anyone tell you that you have to be going a certain speed for aerodynamic improvements to help – since slower riders spend more time on the course, they actually save more time at a given distance (even though they save less drag).

So details matter, but there are significant challenges in wading through various marketing claims and deciding on the best options for bike gear and position. Marketing claims are often complete fabrications, fast positions are often uncomfortable ones, and the best gear is sometimes prohibitively expensive. ATC would like to help by giving you our top ten aero tips, many of which will not cost you a penny. So here they are, listed in approximate order of "Bang For The Buck."

1. Position: Get yourself in a comfortable, powerful, aerodynamic position. The best place to start is to read up on F.I.S.T. positions. This philosophy of fitting is an industry standard used by pro cyclists and triathletes alike. (ATC offers F.I.S.T Certified Fits.) It may be that your current bike doesn't have the head tube or seat tube angle necessary to achieve your best position, which is where having a tri-specific frame is a big help (see tip #2). While you want to try and get as aerodynamic as possible, your position must also remain comfortable enough to not distract you from the real goal – any serious pain should be suffered in your legs (that is, in pedaling faster). It's worth taking the time to figure out how to get yourself aerodynamic and comfortable, because potentially minutes of time are on the table. Unless you need a new frame, this will cost you very little money, but it may take a lot of experimenting with small adjustments to make a fast position work for you.

2. Frame: A good tri frame will provide two things: minimal aerodynamic drag and support for a good aerodynamic position. Once you know what your ideal position is, you'll want to find a frame that can support that position. A professional fit can help recommend frames and sizes that will work for you, or you can read up on stack and reach and figure it out for yourself. Ideally you want a frame that will fit your position with as few spacers as possible, and a normal length stem (70 to 120mm). It's better to have a nice aerodynamic shaped head tube than round spacers sticking into the wind! (And safer, too.) Good tri frames will also hide cables inside the frame, feature aerodynamic tube shapes wherever possible, shield the rear wheel from the wind, and provide a steep seat tube angle that allows you to get the front of your body low while keeping your hip angle open for power.

Beware of frames that only look aerodynamic. Stick with brands with a proven track record of wind tunnel development like Cervelo and Cannondale. Generic frames are often solid bikes that look great, but they rarely are truly aerodynamic.

3.Remove Clutter: This is a freebie! It's common to see people with multiple water bottles and large contraptions to hold spares and food at sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. The truth will set you free – in a sprint you probably don't need any water bottles, and you usually need only one bottle for Olympic distances. Since longer races have hand-ups, you can often get by with just one or two bottles even for half and full Ironman races. So in short, don't haul around gallons of water that you're not going to use, but be sure to try these strategies out in training so you can be confident and comfortable with them. Also, keep your spare kit as compact and simple as possible. Don't think that just because you have spares and bottles behind your seat that the wind isn't hitting them. It probably is! Inexpensive aerodynamic water bottle placement options abound. One of the best, and simplest, is to mount a cage between your aero bars with zip ties. This setup was used by Macca while winning the 2010 Ironman Championship with an aggressive attack on the bike leg. Others prefer the larger Profile AeroDrink style setups with a straw. Be sure to cut that straw short, though – round shapes are among the least aerodynamic possible. ATC stocks a wide selection of bottles and cages you can try.

Race numbers are sometimes provided as large pieces of paper. You can attach these in an airfoil shape around the seat tube with a bit of tape. (This way if you don't already have an aero seat post, now you do!) Also you do not have to wear your race number during the bike leg of a triathlon. Get yourself a race number belt and leave it in transition until the run so it isn't flapping around in the wind while you bike.

4. Tires and Tubes: There's a great tragedy in the world of triathlon and bike racing, and it occurs all too often. A cyclist will spend $2000+ on a set of fancy race wheels, and then put a slow tire on them. The result is sometimes a race wheel setup that is slower than the person's training wheels! Two things make a tire fast: rolling resistance and width. It doesn't matter much if you go with clincher or tubular, since they perform similarly when you use the same level of tire. Use the free rolling resistance chart provided by biketechreview.com to get an idea of what tires are fast. ATC stocks some great ones like the Vittoria EVO CX 320tpi and Continental GP4000s. If you use clinchers, pick up some latex tubes for a little extra rolling resistance improvement (and don't worry, the fast tubular tires have latex in them already). Latex tubes can be hard to find at most bike shops, but ATC always has some in stock. The good news is as you upgrade to these faster tires and tubes, you are also getting more comfortable tires and tubes! The downside is often shorter life and less puncture resistance, so save your premium tires for race day (and maybe the ATC Saturday Ride).

Tire width also plays a role in speed – the narrower a tire is, the less aerodynamic drag you will get. This is especially important up front, where the tire is not shielded by the frame at all. A good compromise for time trials is to use a narrow (19-21mm) tire up front and a normal (23mm) tire in the rear. You'll get the benefit of increased comfort and flat resistance on the rear tire, and optimum aerodynamics up front where it matters most. For road races and crits, stick with 23mm all around for better cornering stability. The author, being an aero weenie, tried a 19mm front tire in a crit once....once.

5. Aero Helmet: These are relatively cheap for the drag savings they offer. You'll want to pick the smallest size that fits comfortably, and the tail of the helmet should lay flat against your back when in your aero bars. Helmets with vents offer extra cooling on hot days, but those vents also slow the helmet down a bit. You can always tape the vents over on cold days, though. Don't worry if you tend to ride with your head down a lot. Aero helmets are faster than road helmets even when the tail is sticking up in the air.

6. Clothing: Another cheap way to go quicker – make sure your clothes don't flap around. A fancy skin suit would be ideal, but any tight-fitting clothing will work. (Some have even been known to just borrow their wife's shirts for a snug fit!) Consider avoiding gloves – it seems crazy but since they're up at the front of the bike there's a measurable drag increase from wearing them. Those looking to split aerodynamic hairs should look for suits without pockets if they don't need them. If you plan to do bike races or time trials, be sure the suit has sleeves, as sleeves are required at most cycling events.

If you do bike racing events, numbers are often provided that must be attached to your jersey. While it is required that you use at least four safety pins to secure it, you can also use 3M spray glue to keep it tightly attached to your jersey instead of flapping in the wind.

7. Aero Wheels Aero wheels look super cool, and they do work, but they are expensive. A disc wheel in the rear is almost always the fastest option, even on hilly courses. If you can’t face the price tag you can always get a wheel cover from wheelbuilder.com. Despite being a bit heavier, they are just as fast aerodynamically. For front wheels the best choices are deep rims from HED and Zipp, as they have patented rim shapes that outperform most generic wheels. Other brands, such as SRAM, license Zipp rims and can be a better value at the expense of a bit of extra weight (which, trust us, does not matter as much as people claim). The deeper the better as long as you can handle them in crosswinds. If you aren't sure how deep of a rim is right for you, feel free to drop by ATC and ask about a demo set to try. And don't be afraid to run a disc in the rear. Since the rear wheel doesn't turn and steer you, most find that they are no problem to handle at all.

8. Front End: The front of the bike hits undisturbed air and is the most important part to improve aerodynamically. Be sure that your aero bars, fork, and brake levers have nice aero shapes and minimal size. A good rule of thumb is to go with the narrowest aero bar option available, since any extra width would just be extra frontal area. (And you shouldn't be touching that basebar much anyway.) Vision makes a great line of very affordable aero bars that are also among the most aerodynamic. Those looking for the ultimate might step up to the 3T Ventus, or 3T’s uci legal options if you plan to go to some big-time bike races. For brake levers the Vision aero brake levers are incredibly aero and light, and not too expensive, so are a good choice as long as you can handle grabbing the sharp edges.

Forks are probably the single most important bike component aerodynamically. 3T makes a great line of aerodynamic forks with their Funda series, and most good TT frames like Cervelo P1/2/3/4 and Cannondale Slice come with great aero forks from the factory.

9. Cable/Wire Routing: Another freebie! Make sure your cables are not any longer than they need to be, and keep them nice and tidy. Sometimes a zip tie to make things orderly can be a help. If you have an aerodynamic shaped frame, run wires for computers and power meters along the trailing edges of tubes, not the leading edges.

10. Chainrings: A minor detail but easy to install and pretty cheap. Aerodynamic chainrings can save as much as six seconds per 40k. Once your current chainring wears out, you might as well try an aero one.

We hope these tips help to improve your races this season, but don't forget to train! Also, feel free to comment with your own aero tips.

Austin Marathon SALE Feb 18th-20th

2011-02-14T05:20:00.000-08:00

20% Off Zoot Compression

20% Off All Nutrition

Cervelo P2C - $2395

The Livestrong Austin Marathon is next weekend, February 20, and we're celebrating the best way we know how - BEER. No, that was a joke. (Really.) We're having a sale. Get warm and cold weather gear (you never know), nutrition products, 26.2 tees, and more. And for those of you lookin to get off your feet for a while, try life on two wheels with a Cannondale starter package or a heartbreakingly aero Cervelo P2 Carbon. Today is the day of love, people! And personally, we think an aerodynamic head tube is a little better than a stuffed bear.

Best of luck next weekend, and alright, alright, we weren't kidding about the beer. But only after we set our PR. We're always looking for fresh material, so send us your local race reports, please - running, cycling, triathlon, adventure racing, and any other athletic endeavors PG-rated and interesting. Email us at atcblogs@gmail.com

In the next few weeks, check back for articles about pro triathletes Brandon and Amy Marsh, pro mountain biker Tristan Uhl, and why you should ask a fast chick out for a ride. In the meantime, drop by the shop and check out the goods:

20% off all Zoot Compression - socks, tights, shorts, calf guards
20% off all nutrition products - Powerbar, Gu, Hammer, Carb-boom, E-Gel, Pure Sport, and more
We have 26.2 marathon tees for men and women (and 70.3 and 140.6 tees, too)
2010 Bikes on sale - check out our clearance page
20-40% off 2010 wetsuits and clothing

Also in stock - the 2011 Cervelo P2, Cervelo's most popular tri bike, at $2395

Cannondale Carbon Package Deal - $1795
The smoothness of carbon and all the accessories.

	Cannondale Starter Road Package - $995 A great entry-level road bike with plenty of extras.
	The Carbon Tri Package - $2295 A full carbon tri bike, plus shoes, pedals, helmet, and more!
	The Starter Triathlon Package - $1395 Your first tri bike and all the gear you need to get out on the road. Comes with shoes, pedals, helmet, and more. Upgrade to the 2009 Jamis Comet for $100.

Kathy Rakel, the Davison D1 family, & Why Swimming Is Like Pool

2011-02-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

Do you remember your first swim? For some, having been knee high to a starter block, it's difficult to remember. For others, who began full-sized or even with a few gray hairs, the memory is more vivid. There you are, choking on a cocktail of lake water and motor oil with your goggles kicked halfway off your face, thrashing around in what looks and behaves just like a slow pack of blind, panicked salamanders. And when you do manage to finally make it through the course and stumble onto shore, the only thing stopping you from kissing terra firma is the guy taking race photos.

The sad thing is, that scenario doesn't just describe the first, or even second, third, or tenth, race for many triathletes. Some age groupers who take themselves fairly seriously at the sport will run 60 miles a week and bike ten hours every weekend, but they won't swim more than five times a year. And technique? Forget about it. They'd sooner spend 50 bucks on an aerodynamic water bottle than an hour of coaching.

But why?

Misconception #1: If you don't learn to swim when you're young, you never will.

Kathy Rakel

When someone comes right out and tells you she's going to win gold at the Olympics in 2016 (in a tone without an ounce of bravado), you start to listen a little closer. Pro triathlete Kathy Rakel, 26, grew up in San Antonio, but currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and works full-time as an F-16 Intelligence Officer for the Air Force. (That's right, she's pretty much the chick from Top Gun, except not a lesser civilian.) She's also a member of the Air Force's Triathlon Team, which means she can train full-time roughly a quarter of the year. Since turning pro in January 2010, she's been driving out to California to train with Siri Lindley, who coaches other top triathletes like Mirinda Carfrae, Hayley Peirsol, and Leanda Cave. That's where Kathy was headed on Friday, kindly consenting to what I'd promised would be a "brief" phone interview. Interviews and word counts have one very important thing in common, however – it's hard to stick to a number when the story is good.

Last June Kathy became the first woman in the Air Force to ever win the Armed Forces Triathlon Championship. The best part? She won the race by seven minutes. She would have gone on to the international competition a few months later, but the host country cancelled at the last minute, so her current goal is to become the first American to win a gold medal at this year's World Military Championships, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in July. Rio de Janeiro also happens to be where the Olympics will be held in 2016. With her military background, Kathy says one simple thing fuels her passion for winning gold: a deep desire to hear the American National Anthem.

But why 2016 and not the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London? Kathy has decided she's not (quite) ready. With a full-time job, training is difficult, and she wants to focus more on her swim technique in the meantime. Kathy falls in the "non-swimmer" category - that is, unless you consider fourth-grade summer camp a solid background.

Kathy played basketball and golf in high school. She discovered triathlon in 2005 at 20 when she was at the Air Force Academy. During the spring semester, a friend encouraged her to do the sprint-distance time trials that qualified top finishers for the team that would represent the AFA at the National Collegiate Championships. Kathy took second place overall, though she'd had zero tri-specific training beforehand. "I knew enough about swimming not to drown," she says, "but actual swim workouts were completely foreign to me." Cycling was something new, as well. When she heard the Collegiate Championships would be an Olympic distance race, she politely turned down the spot on the team.

But the damage had been done - triathlon had caught her interest. She was a decent runner and a quick study at cycling, and in the fall of 2005 during an exchange program to West Point, went from complete newbie to holding the fastest bike split of the tri team by the end of a single semester. In 2006, she signed up for 2007 Ironman Arizona on a whim...finishing at 11 hours, 46 minutes, and 42 seconds, and unexpectedly set the fastest female Ironman-distance time for the Air Force Academy – a record that still stands today. That's when she started hearing "you really should try to make a go of this," and a few months later, she did.

Kathy finished that first Ironman swim at 1 hour and 8 minutes, which may sound fast to us flailers and really is quite good for a non-swimmer, but is a slow split for a would-be pro. In 2008 while getting her Masters at the University of Arizona, Kathy got really serious about her swim training, putting in five to six days a week at the pool. I asked her if in the process she had learned to love swimming, and Kathy laughed. "I love the combination of the three sports, and would absolutely not enjoy doing any of them as a single sport," she says. "I love it, but in the context of also cycling and running."

The hardest part about her swim training, she says, was the mental aspect. "I was very hard on myself, and I always expected my times to get faster, and to see personal bests at any workout." Fourteen months ago, she was feeling discouraged with her swims, often getting out of the water early, and sometimes in tears. "Having a positive approach might actually be more important than the technique work," Kathy says. "You have to be in the right frame of mind for everything else to even matter." Lindley helped her adjust her mental game as well as her training plan; now Kathy focuses on shorter distances than she used to, doing more 25-meter and 50-meter repeats.

Kathy says she's also seen an incredible improvement in her stroke from a half-day swim clinic with Sheila Taormina, an Olympic gold medalist who competed for the US as a swimmer, triathlete, and pentathlete in three different Olympiads. "Her approach completely clicked with me, and my results show that," Kathy says, admitting that she also studied and highlighted a great deal of Taormina's recent book, Call the Suit.

The swim matters more for Kathy than it does for most. Not only does she compete as a pro, but her military competitions (and, of course, the Olympics) are ITU, draft-legal races. The swim leg may not necessarily win a race in that context, but it can certainly lose it. Kathy admits she has a long way to go before she's first out of the water, but progress has been good, which keeps her motivated.

Sometimes it's easy to put the cart before the horse, or the medal before the five years of training, and so on, so I liked Kathy's final piece of advice most of all. "It's not just about being passionate about the sport," she says, "but about being passionate about particular goals you can work toward." So fellow flailers, take it one stroke at a time.

Fortunately for the non-swimming population, Kathy's not the only pro to start from scratch and work her way up. Another classic example (thank you Slowtwitch!) is pro cyclist John Howard, who at the Hawaii Ironman in 1980 swam a 1:51 and came in third overall, then with a year of practice and coaching, swam a 1:11 in '81 and won it. (Click here to add to the thread.)

Kathy races as an ambassador of Team Red White and Blue, which seeks an active role in assisting wounded veterans as they reintegrate into society upon returning from combat and leaving their position in the Active Duty force or National Guard. She is also sponsored by RTS bikes, Champion System, Ultimate Cycles, Clean Bottle, Doctor Hoy's Natural Pain Relief Gel, GU, Profile Design, PowerCranks, and Team FCA Endurance. For more information, visit her blog.

Misconception #2: You can teach yourself how to swim well.

(Ok, that's a lie. You can, but it takes a lot longer... Do you really want to learn from scratch what previous generations have already perfected? It's kind of like re-engineering the banana instead of buying it at the grocery store.)

The Davison D1 family

Put three life-long swimmers under one roof and what do you get? A lot of heated, hours-long arguments about two-second differences...and an empty pantry.

James Davison, his wife Bree, and his two younger brothers, Scott and Cole, live in a big, noisy house in South Austin, a house where if you knock you're given a reprimand - the door's always open, they'll say. Each of the three brothers, originally from Mission Viejo, California, has swam about as long as he's walked. James was a scholarship athlete at University of California, Berkeley, and Scott at the University of Cincinnati. Cole currently works as a swim coach at Life Time Fitness in South Austin.

James, a world-ranked swimmer, competed in everything from the 200-meter to the mile through high school and college, winning one high school national championship race and making top 5 in several others. He did his first sprint triathlon in 2004, at the age of 25, and it went down about as you'd expect. He was first out of the water, then got passed...and passed...and passed on the bike and run. He soon learned that he could never set foot in the pool for six months and still come in with the lead pack on the swim, but he had to train hard in everything else.

While getting his MBA at the University of Arizona, James was the swim coach for the university's club triathlon team, the Tricats. Bree helped, as well, both of them teaching - as is the Davison way - always from the water and never from the deck. Here in Austin, James works full-time for IBM, but he still dabbles in a little swim instruction. Probably for the sheer entertainment value. (Everyone needs a laugh now and again, right?)

According to James, there's nothing special about triathletes. Or in other words, it's not that they're inherently bad swimmers. The way he sees it, there are "swimmers" and "non-swimmers," and triathletes fall in the latter category, mostly because they haven't spent enough time in the water to feel at ease with the idea of putting their face (far enough) under the drink. "It's not necessarily something you need to start at four, or at any specific age," he says. "It's more that if you spend a certain amount of time doing something, you get comfortable with it." It's not a revolutionary concept, just a hard-to-follow one: practice makes perfect.

That said, practicing the wrong thing won't help you as much as practicing the right thing. "Most non-swimmers try too hard," James says. "They try to do things that the water would do for them for free." The first thing he works to make beginning swimmers understand is that their speed, or lack of, is not a fitness problem. And he asks them to take what they know and throw it out the window. Learning to swim - the right way - is learning a completely new skill. The good thing is, getting a handle on a brand new skill is much faster than fine-tuning an old one, or so says James.

James often breaks it down to the simplest element, and then goes from there. "Swimming is floating faster," is his mantra. "Where your arms are and what they're doing is really one of the less important things in swimming," he says. "There's 20 different ways to move your arms that are just as good as any other way. If you're doing the fundamental things wrong, then how your arms move isn't going to help you." Often he'll start you on floating and rotation drills.

"Hardcore runners are always the hardest to teach, because they try to run in the water," James says. "The hip motions of swimming and the hip motions of running are fundamentally opposite of each other - in running your hips don't move, your shoulders and arms move. In swimming, your hips move and your shoulders and arms move in the same direction at the same time, instead of opposite of each other."

The first thing, he says, is to break the person's concept of timing. "Some people aren't willing to put in the time it would take to get good at it or to learn, but the important thing is to show them the right timing and then make them practice that timing enough that they can walk away and come back two days later and do it right again."

It worked for my husband, who with three lessons went from 40th in his age group to fourth. (We won't talk about my swim times.) When I forced an estimate out of him, James said four to eight hours of real technique coaching (often hard to find, he says), spread out over six weeks, is what it might take for most beginners to see a significant improvement. Now, while the swim may not be the longest portion of a race or the most important (particularly in sprint or Ironman distances), it does seem like even an hour or two of learning and practice would benefit a triathlete more than an aerodynamic water bottle or skinnier brake levers.

Philosophies differ widely, so take 'em or leave 'em, but here's some Davison swim tips:

"Swimming is floating faster."
Swim the straightest line possible. In a pack start, pick the shortest line between you and the buoy - don't follow the herd and just line up in the middle, as one side or the other is likely to be closer.
Never sight the buoy in rough water. Always sight the tallest object in the distance behind it. Also, sight as part of your breathing motion.
On race day, don't warm up in the water if it's cold. It lowers your core body temperature and forces your body to work hard to stay warm.
If you can, wear a wetsuit for competition. The worse a swimmer you are, the more worthwhile it will be. A wetsuit helps you float.
The best place to draft is directly behind another swimmer. The second best place to draft is alongside the person, with your shoulders roughly at his or her hips.
In training, flip turns are always worth it. It just means you're getting more actual swim-time in.
If you're a new swimmer, breathe every other stroke and switch sides during training. That said, if you're talented enough to swim in a straight line without breathing on both sides, have at it.
Do kick, but mainly to rotate. Your feet are powerful tools for rotation, and rotation is where most of your power should come from.
Get your head farther down in the water. If the water hits somewhere around your hairline, you're not low enough. Most of your head should be under the water.
Don't worry about your hands and arms until you're swimming 1:20s. Arm movements, technique, and kicking, are all secondary to floating. The right head and body position will get you to 1:20s per 100. Once you're there, then you can start worrying about what to do with your hands and arms.
If your shoulders are hurting, nine times out of ten it's a technique problem, not just muscle soreness from working hard.

As Kathy said, the biggest hurdle to becoming a faster swimmer is probably the one in your head. The best thing to do when you're feeling down about your swimming - like when your coach offers to "race" you to the other end of the pool with his hands behind his back while wiggling his left big toe and whistling Howdy Doody (and still wins) - is to challenge him to a little time trial (oh, how we shall miss thee RunFAR TTs) and then put those air foils and mad bike training to good use.

For coaching inquiries, email jdavisoncoaching@hotmail.com.

Misconception #3: All training, swim or otherwise, is work.

Patricia Murphy, and why swimming is like pool

Age grouper Tricia Murphy, 40, is another lifelong swimmer, but you can always depend on her to take a slightly different approach. "I like swimming, but nowhere near as much as running and biking," she says. "I love to talk and it's hard to carry on a conversation during a swim work out."

Tricia has more energy than anyone I know. And I'm talking sheer force of personality, not just her lung-busting swim power. I met her last summer after she'd raced and finished as first overall female three weekends in a row. She had also, after 15 years of competing (and often winning her age group) in triathlons, just quit smoking. I'm truly glad that I met her when I did, and not before. Legend tells of Tricia lighting up right after the finish line - something that might have broken my spirit, had I just seen her come in ahead of me.

Tricia is often first out of the water on the swim. Her current goal (and she has come close) is to break an hour in an Ironman-distance swim. She's lived in Austin 18 years. Originally from Rhode Island, she started swimming young, at a local YMCA. As soon as she'd completed the classes - tadpoles, starfish, sharks, and all other aquatic stepping stones - she joined the YMCA swim team. One of nine children, she says she guesses it was something to keep her busy, or in other words, a variety of free child care.

"I'm really glad that my parents made me learn to swim as a child," Tricia says. "Even if you're not going to do triathlon as an adult, it's a good thing to know how to do." She smiles and adds, "I think everyone should know how to play pool, too." As good as she is, Tricia has always maintained that for her, triathlon is, first and foremost, what she does for fun.

Not to contradict myself here, but I think Tricia's philosophy is solid, and often under-represented on this space. For some, the danger of triathlon training is taking it too seriously. You can look at swimming as a life skill, a challenge, or an occasional venture into the unknown, but unless it is your job, you shouldn't look at it as work. After all, you're not getting paid for it, and "work" that you're not getting paid for is simply not going to get done.

So for heaven's sake, don't foster a new nicotine addiction, but give swimming a real chance, and keep your love for all three pieces of triathlon alive...even if that love is not entirely equal.

Copyright 2011 Kathryn Hunter
Contact Kat at atcblogs@gmail.com with questions, concerns, corrections, or ideas.

A Farewell to Austin Howell and a Word about Austin Tri-Cyclist

2011-01-31T09:49:00.000-08:00

Austin is a sports-minded town, and not in the traditional, rabid-fan way of chest paint and chugging contests. (Disclaimer: There's a fair amount of foaming at the mouth during UT football season.) You'll find more runners, cyclists, swimmers, and triathletes than you can shake a stick at – in fact, you couldn't make a dent with a wrecking ball. If the apocalypse were to come tomorrow, Austin would be one of the worst places to live, because all the zombies would run, bike, and swim faster than you.

Despite the numbers, there are more than enough businesses to cater to these obsessive tendencies. In parts of South Austin, within a one-mile radius you might find ten different bike shops. So what sets ATC apart from the masses?

For starters, the people who work here.

George Schmitz Builds up a Cervelo P3

Though turnover at most bike shops is high, at ATC the employees tend to stick around. And when one of the chosen few decides to break ranks? ATC sends him off in style. Last Sunday, amid many tears, beers, and grilled sausages, fellow employees and shop-goers said goodbye to Austin Howell, bike mechanic and musician, who will be moving to Dallas to pursue other music opportunities. Austin began working at the shop in 2008, and has been commander-in-chief of ATC's playlist ever since. One can only imagine what will happen in his absence. Band of Horses replaced by the Backstreet Boys? Modest Mouse by Lady Gaga? ATC needs you, Austin.

Austin, said to be a "hummer" ("Which is fine...for a couple of hours," Adam says) and someone you could always depend on to show up on time no matter how late his show went the night before, will be sorely missed. Since he's not the kind of guy you can drink under the table, other ATCers drank themselves under the table on Saturday night in way of consolation.

The staff is small at ATC, but extremely knowledgeable, and most work as mechanics as well as sales people. Brad Wimberly has been on staff since 2003, George Schmitz since 2005, Adam Stroobandt since 2006, and pro mountain biker Tristan Uhl, a recent addition, joined in 2010. Missy and Don Ruthven have owned and run the shop since 2001, when they purchased it from founder Jon Hill. Hill had started ATC in a business park in North Austin, then moved it to its current location in 1997.

Don, originally from Washington State, was a competitive swimmer in high school and college (Penn). Missy, from Houston, ran track at UTSA and went on to get an MEd in exercise physiology at UT and to compete as a pro duathlete. They met when Don volunteered as a lab rat for one of Missy's triathlon research studies. Experiments confirmed that Don was, indeed, an acceptable specimen, so they began training together. Don, using the "Why-don't-we-get-something-to-eat-after" angle, eased his way into bona fide dating status. (Note: It is extremely easy to begin dating a triathlete...as long as you can keep up in at least one of the three sports.)

Before purchasing ATC, Missy and Don had shopped there and had been regular attendees of the Saturday ride, which was legendary even then. Missy had also been sponsored on the shop tri team. But at the time, Don had been working in real estate, and Missy as a nurse. They bought the shop without much (okay, any) retail experience, roughly two months after the 9/11 attacks and in the midst of the .com crash. So there were stiff headwinds in the beginning, and sometimes the shop was more work than they had bargained for. In the first two years, Don was at ATC literally every hour it was open. Luckily, the store continued to flourish along with the growing sport of triathlon.

From the beginning, it was completely hands on – in addition to day-to-day sales and upkeep, Missy did most of the ordering for apparel and the swim shop, and Don ordered bikes and did all bike fits. Don has only recently relinquished the reins of matching bike to rider to prodigy Adam Stroobandt, who (no joke) remembers the seat height of most of the customers he fits. And the shop is still minimally staffed, with Don and Missy frequently manning the counter, though they often pick up additional help in the summer. That minimal staff, however, is as knowledgeable a group as you could hope for, most with years of experience and most actively competing in multi-sport events themselves. In other words, if your bike is your baby, these are the kind of babysitters you want.

ATCers often enter races as a team. (Don, along with Corey May and Tim "Lovin’ Dovin’" Dove [both ATC fixtures], ran the 3M half-marathon on Sunday. Corey was the fastest of the three, setting a PR, but word is he won't even make it on the ATC podium at the Blue Norther Duathlon next month...or so says the competition.) Free race entry, coffee, pizza, unlimited heckling, and heavily discounted equipment are just some of the many employee perks. Carl Burnham, an Aussie who worked at ATC last summer, perhaps says it best: "ATC made me realise that if you do something you enjoy with a good bunch of people you won't work a day in your life." (Granted, maybe if you spend years tuning up Cervelos and talking triathlon, you'll get tired of it, but it's still a lot better than TPS reports.)

When they took over the shop, Don and Missy had the intent to change ATC's reputation as triathlon-only to a store that also serves the needs of pure runners, cyclists, and swimmers year-round. In that vein, they expanded the inventory. The shop is, today, literally packed to the gills with equipment, including everything from run-of-the-mill commuters to aero weenie specials like 3T aero bars and top-of-the-line ZIPP Firecrest wheels. (A big space-saver was getting rid of the endless pool, although that was pretty cool in its own right. Unfortunately, the city did not agree.) ATC is the one of the largest Cervelo dealers in the country, and has a wide variety of always-popular Cannondale and Kestrel bikes, as well. ATC also keeps many parts in stock that other shops have to special order.

People come into the shop from all over the state and U.S. for the selection of bikes, wetsuits, and clothing, particularly during large events like the Capital of Texas Triathlon, AVIA Austin Triathlon, Longhorn 70.3, and Austin Marathon. The most common comment from long-distance visitors is "I wish we had a shop like this in my hometown." ATC has earned a large fan following from athletes south of the border, as well, and printed Mexican-themed swim/bike/run shirts to hand out free last May at CapTex.

That said, ATC has not completely escaped the past and very persistent perception of being "elitist." Many of the people who darken its doorways are, in fact, quite fast. However, ATC sells far more road bikes and commuters than it does time trial bikes. And Don can be easily misread, as some people mistake his dry humor for sarcasm... Alright, sometimes it is sarcasm, but at any rate he'll always tell it like it is. The same is true of all ATCers. They really are friendly, but are often first and foremost athletes or bike aficionados, not mattress salesmen. They won't give you a hard sell on anything, but they are more than happy to help. And they'd really rather help you get what you need than the highest sell. No, really. As mentioned above, they're not always very good at being salesmen.

Now, it's true that ATC's Saturday shop ride is not, as has been asserted by critics, a beginner-friendly ride. It's more the ball-busting-train-of-pain type, but that also makes it unique in Austin, since many other shops around town offer no-drop rides. Beginners are, of course, always welcome on ATC rides. It's a good way for the ambitious to take themselves down a peg (ATCBlogger speaks from experience), although it's best to make sure you've got a buddy who knows the route, or a decent map. On this ride, a tradition since 1999, local and visiting tri and cycling superstars are sincerely and openly, without pretense, out to tear your legs off. BUT, you do get free breakfast tacos after, whether you trail in alone or with the lead pack.

ATC is the kind of place that's appropriately and "weirdly" Austin. The evidence is all in the details. The security bars on the windows are shaped like armadillos and other classically admired figures, and two parakeets, Sunshine and Bluebonnet, live by the back window, happily coexisting with rows of Continental and Vittoria tires. And you'll always find the shop personalities in full tilt, the counter that looks like a bar (and serves that dual purpose on BYOB Wednesday and Saturday nights), the bits and pieces that hardcore tri nerds like, and the air that reeks of grease and sweat (thankfully, figuratively speaking). Whatever else ATC is or is not, it's real, and one-of-kind, and definitely worth a visit.

(All opinions expressed here are ATCBlogger's. I am not, for the record, a shop employee, though I do now have an ATC koozie with my name on it.)

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The Cervelo P5 Unveiled: Simply Faster!

2012 Ultra Provocatorio Invitationale Race Report

Take Your Triathlon Training up a Notch: Camp Multisport

Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas from ATC

Happy holidays from Austin Tri-Cyclist!

Meet the Team

Upcoming Winter Events

Austin Bike Lawyer Brad Houston

Aero Helmet Reviews LG Vorttice, LG Superleggera Giro Advantage 2, Giro Selector

Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Race Report October 2, 2011

2011 Texas State Road Race Championship The Fort Hood Challenge

The 2011 Savageman Triathlon America's Hardest Half

2011 World Championship 70.3 Race Report Vegas Baby!

Race Report: Tour de Austin 2011, Sept 3-5

2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Litespeed Aero Road Bike Review: The Archon C Series

RACE REPORT: Tri From the Heart 2011

Race Report: Ring of Fire, Aug 6, 2011

Cat 1 Couple Sheri & Stefan Rothe

E load Helps Beat the Heat

2011 Marble Falls Triathlon Race Report Why You Should Show Relays a Little More Love

The Cervelo S5 The Fastest Road Bike – In The World

The Mopac TT Is Back! AllSports Timing brings new tech to an old favorite

Upcoming Race: Tri from the Heart August 7, 2011

CapTex Tri Race Reports May 30, 2011

The Austin Tri-Cyclist Memorial Day Expo

The Austin Tri-Cyclist Memorial Expo

Racing the Flames: Hammerfest, April 9, 2011

The 40k Time Trial An Hour of Power, an Hour of Pain

Retro Bikes Part 1: Hotta and Zipp 2001

Why You Should Take a Fast Chick Out for a Ride Women's Competitive Cycling

Local Austin Pro Matt Russell By Brandi Grissom

The (Real) Life of the Pros, Part 3:Tristan Uhl & Mountain Biking

RACE REPORT: Enchanted Rock Extreme Duathlon March 27, 2011

RACE REPORT: Fayetteville Stage Race March 19 & 20

RACE REPORTS: The Blue Norther & The Cronometro

3 State Park Rides

The (Real) Life of the Pros, Part 2: Team Marsh & the Five Year Mark

Cervelo P4 Di2 with internal routing

Aerodynamics: Victory by a Thousand Cuts

Austin Marathon SALE Feb 18th-20th

Kathy Rakel, the Davison D1 family, & Why Swimming Is Like Pool

Misconception #1: If you don't learn to swim when you're young, you never will.

Kathy Rakel

Misconception #2: You can teach yourself how to swim well.

The Davison D1 family

Misconception #3: All training, swim or otherwise, is work.

Patricia Murphy, and why swimming is like pool

A Farewell to Austin Howell and a Word about Austin Tri-Cyclist