Cycling is the discipline where the most time will be spent in your race, and it is undoubtedly the most technical component of your race day and preparations. It's also probably the part of the race where weather conditions will play the biggest part in your overall performance. So being good on the bike in a triathlon is not just about being a good cyclist or having the best equipment.
There are specific considerations related to the cycle leg that are unique to triathlon. This certainly includes equipment choice, but skill, strength, transitions, race tactics, and a sound nutrition strategy are probably more important factors.
Brick Training
In particular, triathletes train to condition their bodies to cycling after swimming, and for running after cycling. Both different, and demanding tasks. Called "Brick" sessions, triathletes will often practise "running off the bike". At first, the unconditioned athlete will find it difficult to run due to the build-up of lactic acid in the legs, however with regular brick sessions, a triathlete will become conditioned to run efficiently on tired legs.
Cycling after a swim session is also a Brick Session technique. Triathletes consciously use different swim techniques as part of their race strategy to ensure the legs are prepared from the swim exit to run up the beach into transition and commence pedalling at high intensities (or distance, depending on the race).
Transitions
And then there is the 4th discipline - the transition. During a race, the triathlete has to change from swimming to cycling, and then from cycling to running. This involves removing clothing and redressing, and also learning how to get on/off the bike in the quickest amount of time, as
well as observing race rules of not mounting the bike within the transition area before crossing the official "mount line", and also dismounting before the "dismount line", all without crashing into other riders or tripping up oneself !
Mount/Dismount
Many spills and thrills in triathlon occur at the mount lines and many valuable minutes either gained or lost in the transition stage so it is one more bike skill that the triathlete must practise to perfection if they wish to be competitive.
We have recently come across the Tri-Clips, a fantastic invention from the USA. We love them so much, we've become the Australian importer and offer the lowest price. If you're a Member you'll also get another 5% discount off.