I searched the site and could not find a thread that answered this question. My first triathlon was fast and flat and had one small hill (some people still had to walk their bike up it). My next tri has what is described as "several short technical climbs and descents." What does that mean? How do I need to prepare? I also saw another tri describe their course as having several "technical turns." Can someone explain? Thanks!
technical climbs and
technical climbs and descents usually involve sharp turns or blind course changes and proper gear selection. technical climbs could involve being in the proper gear before a sharp turn that is steep. technical descents could involve a sharp turn at the bottom of a hill and proper management of your speed. they are usually marked or have volunteers around them (descents). if they are severe enough they are probably talked about in the pre-race meeting.
triNick sounds about
triNick sounds about right.
If in doubt e-mail the Race Director for more details.
Good luck!!
How do I learn more about
How do I learn more about proper gear selection? I bought a new road bike last summer, but I don't really know how to take advantage of it. I just mess around with whatever feels like the right gear in the moment. Is there an article I can read or should I ask someone at my LBS? I know joining a local cycling group would probably help the most but that does not currently work with my schedule. How do I learn this stuff?
Proper gear selection is
Proper gear selection is basically just making sure you are in the cadence range you need to be in for a given course element, whether its a turn, climb, obstacle or descent. There is no chart out there that will help with this. A bike computer with a cadence sensor and time on the bike will go a long way.
Try: Article about cadence I
Try:
Article about cadence
I used to be brutal, I had no clue, I would push the biggest gear I could without my legs stopping... thought that was the right thing to do. That was years back now, but when I see someone with a 50rpm cadence, it takes me back... :)
jono
Thanks Jono, that article
Thanks Jono, that article was perfect. I am such a newbie on the bike and I do not quite know where to begin. That article answered a whole bunch of questions and I did a ride yesterday using that info. It was a totally different experience. I guess I was doing what you used to do...using the highest gear I could stand. I still have a lot to learn but that was a good start.
And thanks to everyone else who commented. I appreciate all the help!
In addition to practicing
In addition to practicing with climbing and gear selection ahead of time, if possible go and ride the course a couple of weeks out from the race. If that's not possible, drive it the day before. It's invaluable to know what's coming up ahead on the course, especially with regard to unexpected or tight turns, or turns that come before or after climbs and descents.
When I look at a course ahead of time, if there's a sharp corner, I try to pick out some kind of marker I can see ahead of time, like the fact that there's a big brown barn 200 yards before the corner, or something like that. Then on race day, I'm not surprised by the turns on the course.