Give it a TRI

[DJuice]

3 minutes ago, EddieV said:

Brutal ... ending with a 50km run through Prince Albert's Pass ...... hectic. As if an ultra isn't enough suffering already?   I take my hat off to them.  💪

Same here, we are all the same age, children more or less the same, both have physical jobs outside in our heat the last month.

During our winter our sub zero temperature, hours on end on the trainer, I`m in awe of their commitment.

Go Petrie and Pieter!!!

 

[DJuice]

On 11/15/2023 at 10:00 AM, EddieV said:

Brutal ... ending with a 50km run through Prince Albert's Pass ...... hectic. As if an ultra isn't enough suffering already?   I take my hat off to them.  💪

My friends finished in 15:19 and 17:26, long day, very good effort and super proud for them. 

[reteid]

I was part of support crew on the 0.5 Knysna. Beautiful beautifull race , but yes tough as nails. Also went through to Mosselbay the next day for Mosselbay IM 70.3. Two completely different vibes.

 

I take my hat off to all who participated in the Knysna race as it is next level.

[Heina13]

Hello everybody!

Any chance that somebody might have a gpx for the Ironman/70.3 course in PE?

[shaper]

2 hours ago, Heina13 said:

Hello everybody!

Any chance that somebody might have a gpx for the Ironman/70.3 course in PE?

If you are on Garmin, log into Garmin Connect via the website. Then on the left side menu, click on "training and planning", then click on "courses" at the top in the search, type in "Port Elizabeth, South Africa" and if needs be filter by activity "cycling".  Then scroll down and you will see from the heat map who has uploaded the gpx course, some even date by year.  Find the gpx course you want then click to open it just to check that it is correct and what you are looking for.  You then have the option "to send to your device" or click on the 3 dots and download the file.

This way for searching for gpx files has been on Garmin Connect forever, but it seems very few people know how to use what is available on Garmin Connect.  You will be able to do it for any race whether being a 70.3, a full ironman, a cycle race, anywhere in the world.  It is often good if you are traveling and want to find a course/route that locals run or ride near to your destination. It can be very useful.

As for the 70.3, you climb a steady hill out from T1, then have a fast downhill, close to the turnaround there are some big hills to get over on the way out and back, then a grind usually against a headwind until you turn right to get onto Marine drive.  If you saved something in your legs you can push hard on this section and fly back to T2.

[Heina13]

1 hour ago, shaper said:

If you are on Garmin, log into Garmin Connect via the website. Then on the left side menu, click on "training and planning", then click on "courses" at the top in the search, type in "Port Elizabeth, South Africa" and if needs be filter by activity "cycling".  Then scroll down and you will see from the heat map who has uploaded the gpx course, some even date by year.  Find the gpx course you want then click to open it just to check that it is correct and what you are looking for.  You then have the option "to send to your device" or click on the 3 dots and download the file.

This way for searching for gpx files has been on Garmin Connect forever, but it seems very few people know how to use what is available on Garmin Connect.  You will be able to do it for any race whether being a 70.3, a full ironman, a cycle race, anywhere in the world.  It is often good if you are traveling and want to find a course/route that locals run or ride near to your destination. It can be very useful.

As for the 70.3, you climb a steady hill out from T1, then have a fast downhill, close to the turnaround there are some big hills to get over on the way out and back, then a grind usually against a headwind until you turn right to get onto Marine drive.  If you saved something in your legs you can push hard on this section and fly back to T2.

Shaper

Thanks a lot! I thought I knew a bit about garmin connect, but that is a game changer. Thanks for the advice as well. Looks like a nice bike course, should be easier than Mosselbay!

[Andymann]

So after being a pure Cyclist in the 2000's I met my Wife who is a Triathlete (and Coach).  So I started running.  Running became Duathlon and for the next 15 years, we supported each other - I trained Running and Cycling with her for Kona, and she did running and cycling with me for World Duathlon champs.  In Oct 2021 she took over the Swim School at the VA in Parkview so I started a small swim - 200m.  That progressed over the next two years to a few sprint Triathlons, a Standard and in December last year we entered for 70.3 Lapu-Lapu in the Philippines as the first major event where we will both be competing together.  And a little holiday afterwards!

95 days to go!

[Heina13]

Just more than 70 days to IM and 70.3PE.

 

Looking at options to rent some racewheels? Anybody know about a company who does rentals for a week or so? Preferably Cape area.

[Zama7]

Hey all doing the Half Ironman in Mosse bay end of the year and just want some general recommendations. (I did one about 8 years ago but didn't have a watch or correct gear so hopefully this one goes better)

 

1. Road Bike - What are the min specs on looks for in a decent bike ? Rememebr it was Shimano 105 back in the day? Also not sure if I should rent a bike or buy a new one/2nd hand and sell after the half ironman? (Currenly have a mountain bike and doubt my wife will let me have 2 bikes and road biking also not really my game)

2. Tri-Suit - Last time I just changed clothes after each dicipline but might look at a tri-suit this time. Any recommendations for a decent tri-suit ?

 

Thanks 

[shaper]

1 hour ago, Zama7 said:

Hey all doing the Half Ironman in Mosse bay end of the year and just want some general recommendations. (I did one about 8 years ago but didn't have a watch or correct gear so hopefully this one goes better)

 

1. Road Bike - What are the min specs on looks for in a decent bike ? Rememebr it was Shimano 105 back in the day? Also not sure if I should rent a bike or buy a new one/2nd hand and sell after the half ironman? (Currenly have a mountain bike and doubt my wife will let me have 2 bikes and road biking also not really my game)

2. Tri-Suit - Last time I just changed clothes after each dicipline but might look at a tri-suit this time. Any recommendations for a decent tri-suit ?

 

Thanks 

1. Buy a road bike as you will need to train on it, then sell after your race, as you need to do the long distances for a 70.3 and be comfy on a road bike.  It will be quicker than putting slicks on a MTB.

2. Trisuit, yes get one, you wear it for the whole race and save the hassle of changing. You can look in the classifieds, else go to one of the trishops local to you, otherwise at Sportsmans you can usually find 2XU or First Ascent.  Even Decathlon do a trisuit.  As you are not really into triathlons, any trisuit will do the job and at the price point you are likely to be considering, they are all pretty much the same no matter what make.

[Zama7]

23 minutes ago, shaper said:

1. Buy a road bike as you will need to train on it, then sell after your race, as you need to do the long distances for a 70.3 and be comfy on a road bike.  It will be quicker than putting slicks on a MTB.

2. Trisuit, yes get one, you wear it for the whole race and save the hassle of changing. You can look in the classifieds, else go to one of the trishops local to you, otherwise at Sportsmans you can usually find 2XU or First Ascent.  Even Decathlon do a trisuit.  As you are not really into triathlons, any trisuit will do the job and at the price point you are likely to be considering, they are all pretty much the same no matter what make.

 

 

Ahh I see Mountain bikes are now allowed, wan't the case back in the day. Think my mountain bike is probably around 14kg,s so with slicks I am probably gona be carrying an extra 4kg. Also have a 1x12 group set any have experience with how big a difference this will make compared to a road bike ? 

[shaper]

2 hours ago, Zama7 said:

 

 

Ahh I see Mountain bikes are now allowed, wan't the case back in the day. Think my mountain bike is probably around 14kg,s so with slicks I am probably gona be carrying an extra 4kg. Also have a 1x12 group set any have experience with how big a difference this will make compared to a road bike ? 

Why bring the wrong tool to the job? This is a road bike race.  Even a cheap road bike from cash cruisaders will be better than a MTB if the gears are ok and work and you can put a big enough cassette on the back for what is a very hilly course.

I would be more worried about running out of gears with the small chainring on the front and not the number of gears on the back and it sounds like it is a dual-sus MTB, so you going to be wasting a lot of energy pedalling even if you can lock out both.

You are spending a small fortune with entry, flights, bike transport and accommodation.  Did you not think it through that you will need to spend on equipment before entering. 

Why compromise your race and all the money you spent just getting to the start line.....

[Zama7]

35 minutes ago, shaper said:

Why bring the wrong tool to the job? This is a road bike race.  Even a cheap road bike from cash cruisaders will be better than a MTB if the gears are ok and work and you can put a big enough cassette on the back for what is a very hilly course.

I would be more worried about running out of gears with the small chainring on the front and not the number of gears on the back and it sounds like it is a dual-sus MTB, so you going to be wasting a lot of energy pedalling even if you can lock out both.

You are spending a small fortune with entry, flights, bike transport and accommodation.  Did you not think it through that you will need to spend on equipment before entering. 

Why compromise your race and all the money you spent just getting to the start line.....

 

Yeah fair enough points, I have free accomodation and doing it with a group of mates mainly social and not to worried about my time. I do have a duel suspension but agreed will probably waste a lot of energy even with locked suspenion. Will have a look online as I guess buying a 2nd hand road bike is probably safer than a mountain bike anyway. 

[JayLow]

5 hours ago, Zama7 said:

Hey all doing the Half Ironman in Mosse bay end of the year and just want some general recommendations. (I did one about 8 years ago but didn't have a watch or correct gear so hopefully this one goes better)

 

1. Road Bike - What are the min specs on looks for in a decent bike ? Rememebr it was Shimano 105 back in the day? Also not sure if I should rent a bike or buy a new one/2nd hand and sell after the half ironman? (Currenly have a mountain bike and doubt my wife will let me have 2 bikes and road biking also not really my game)

2. Tri-Suit - Last time I just changed clothes after each dicipline but might look at a tri-suit this time. Any recommendations for a decent tri-suit ?

 

Thanks 

I did my 70.3s on a well-used 10 speed alu road bike and the cheapest (Lizzard) trisuit I could find - no issues. I also borrowed a wetsuit until a suitably priced used option came along on FB marketplace.

Until you start getting in the 2h45 bike leg time (sub 5:30 overall time) you don't need to spend crazy amounts on tri-specific gear, fitness will be the limit.

The used bike market is a buyer's paradise right now, grab a 10yo road bike for cheap and bob's your uncle. The Mossel Bay bike course will be a lot more bearable on a road bike (big difference between 15kg MTB and 10kg alu roadbike), the climb up the pass after the turnaround is a killer.

Decathlon has some nice quality trisuits at a good price.

Find a friend to borrow a wetsuit (it helps a lot!).

Good luck with the prep - IM70.3 training changed my life.

[Zama7]

For the Tri-Suits any recommend places or brands ? I was at Sportsmas warehouse saw a first acent (R 2200) and 2xy for R 2999. Gona use it for training now so not to concerened over the price just want to buy quality that will last a while. 

[Andymann]

I know Troisport in Jhb had some nice redundant stock Trisuits if you are not too worried about colours and Fluidlines might also have some redundant stock ORCA trisuits, again if you are not too worried about colours.  I bought a old stock Brown, Red and White ORCA trisuit from Fluidlines which looks really dodge, but it's brilliant quality and fits really well.