Ironman 2018 - PE

[HDW]

Well when the winner says he's drafting, it doesn't leave much more to the imagination for the rest.

 

https://www.mh.co.za/guy-skills/how-local-lad-kyle-buckingham-won-ironman-african-champs/

 

On the bike I felt incredible but I had to be patient and smart. I knew I was the strongest in the group, as every time I shouted for someone else to have a turn on the front they all shook their heads. I eventually sat up and slowed down to move to the back of the pack so the others could do some of the work. While I was at the back I got stung by a bee in my eye socket under my visor. I could only see through one eye and all I could think was ‘how am I going to run with one eye closed?’ Luckily it didn’t swell up too badly, but boy, did it sting!

 

Probably not a pack as you would imagine a peloton of sorts to be. I think Ironman pro's refer to it as a pack, even if it is 5 guys cycling 12 meters+ ahead of each other, and not drafting. They are still riding "together"and looking out for moves from competition.

[hboli4]

Probably not a pack as you would imagine a peloton of sorts to be. I think Ironman pro's refer to it as a pack, even if it is 5 guys cycling 12 meters+ ahead of each other, and not drafting. They are still riding "together"and looking out for moves from competition.

 

Yip they were talking about it during live coverage. I can't remember the exact figures quoted but they were saying (think it was Raynard Tissink and James Cunnama commentating at the time) that you save a couple of watts riding in a 'pack' - although still within the legal limits - compared to on your own with no-one in sight.

[Andrew Steer]

Yip they were talking about it during live coverage. I can't remember the exact figures quoted but they were saying (think it was Raynard Tissink and James Cunnama commentating at the time) that you save a couple of watts riding in a 'pack' - although still within the legal limits - compared to on your own with no-one in sight.

 

Yip, spot on... they sit 12 meters apart in a long line, watched it all on the telly. Was cool getting commentary from two such knowledgeable athletes. When they overtake it's fast with no slingshots. Mentally apparently it helps, and also it allows a little break from being the focused eyes at the front...

[amr63]

It’s more than just mental relief, there is a real benefit even at 12m according to research by SwissSide:

https://www.swissside.com/blogs/news/the-deal-with-drafting

(I previously referenced this link somewhere else, too tired to look for it right now)

[IceCreamMan]

So, I am safely back in the UK. Mybicycle however is elsewhere and no one is quite sure where. KLM are crap. Never again will I fly with them.

[gurns]

Well done to everyone who took part - You lot are legends !!

Thank you for sharing your race reports with us.

[SwissVan]

Well when the winner says he's drafting, it doesn't leave much more to the imagination for the rest.

 

https://www.mh.co.za/guy-skills/how-local-lad-kyle-buckingham-won-ironman-african-champs/

 

On the bike I felt incredible but I had to be patient and smart. I knew I was the strongest in the group, as every time I shouted for someone else to have a turn on the front they all shook their heads. I eventually sat up and slowed down to move to the back of the pack so the others could do some of the work. While I was at the back I got stung by a bee in my eye socket under my visor. I could only see through one eye and all I could think was ‘how am I going to run with one eye closed?’ Luckily it didn’t swell up too badly, but boy, did it sting!

Nee boeta

It’s drafting but not as we know it....

The pros are monitored by refs almost constantly

 

The type of drafting that happens amongst the amateurs is much worse....

[MarkW]

Well done!! to everyone who participated in IM this weekend.

 

what an awesome day it was!!

[HDW]

Yip, spot on... they sit 12 meters apart in a long line, watched it all on the telly. Was cool getting commentary from two such knowledgeable athletes. When they overtake it's fast with no slingshots. Mentally apparently it helps, and also it allows a little break from being the focused eyes at the front...

 

Agree, I really enjoyed getting that "inside info" from the guys who have been there. Makes all the difference wrt to watching it on the telly.

[clivem]

Also saw many drafters.  I think they are training for Durban 70.3!

I saw a lot more drafting this year than previous years so maybe that’s why.

[EmJayZA]

So, I am safely back in the UK. Mybicycle however is elsewhere and no one is quite sure where. KLM are crap. Never again will I fly with them.

 

Did you pay an additional charge to take your bike? Suck man. Holding thumbs they find it quickly. 

[s14phoenix]

Hat off to all of you. I would love to be able to say I would do it but I am afraid of the water so no swimming for me.

 

you all need a round of applause!!

 

    :clap:

[reteid]

Was standing next to the penalty area, became a huge backlog of cyclists at one stage. I asked one of the ref’s in the penalty tent why so many penalties this year? He said even he was astounded at one of the marshall’s that was going nuts issuing time penalties for the bike segment

I was one of those standing in the penalty tent for 5 min.lap 1 guy passes me and after nearly taking out my front wheel when cutting across he immediately sat up and took out his waterbottle.I decided to sit up to get out of the draft zone,but in a very very very short time ref came by and showed me a card for drafting.When standing in the penalty tent I spoke to some of the others and it was unanimous that most of us offenders standing there were blown by the same ref.So be it.

[IceCreamMan]

Did you pay an additional charge to take your bike? Suck man. Holding thumbs they find it quickly. 

 

Yes, bike was extra, 100 euro each way. I have asked KLM for a full refund of our initial tickets and the bike handling fee. Probably get shown a toffee but its worth a try.

 

Also, when we checked in at ORT the lady was not aware that I had pre paid for the bike, took 10 minutes to sort that out.  

 

At Amsterdam airport a lady came up to me as she saw my 2016 IM bag and asked if I had just been to PE. I said yes and she told me that she had received an SMS on landing at Amsterdam that her bike was not there. I had not received the SMS so did not think much of it. I received the SMS at Heathrow. Stand in long queues to try and sort it out.

 

At this point, no one seems to know where the hell the bike is. We wait n see.

 

My advice to anyone thinking of travelling with a bike, make absolutely sure when you book that you inform the airline and pay for it in advance. Try rather rent a bike at yr destination that take your own. If I had to calculate all  my costs getting my bike there and back it probably comes to around 7k. I could of rented a bike or even bought a bike for 7k. Live an learn.

[reteid]

I had a good race given the hand that was dealt.Training was going well untill about 3 weeks prior to raceday when I got hit by a car on the bike.After being fetched by friends dropped off at Medi clinic it was a race against time to get to the start line.Broken wrist,finger,back muscles badly bruised and in spasm,problems with AC ligaments in shoulder joint,diafram in constant stitch,hip flexor damaged and multiple cuts and bruises later it was no training for the last 3 weeks.tried to swim once after 2 weeks and bailed after 75 meters.tried to run once and managed all of 350m.could not sit on the bike and only got onto the bike first time when going to rack the bike on sat.Not ideal.

 

I knew i was in for a very long day and so it ended up.Managed through the swim(have swum robben island before) the bike was killing me.In the bars the shoulder and back was hell.If I sat up the wrist took a pounding.So I ended up riding for 20 min got off streched the back and started again.That was my plan for the whole of the bike course.I walked from T2 for 2 lamposts and jogged 1 lamppost.I eventualy got to the finish line with about 45 min to spare.

 

It was a long day,but just glad it was not a DNS for me.

[reteid]

At least I got to outwalk Ben Hoffman.I felt his pain.