Categories: Training
      Date: Jun 17, 2009
     Title: You Gotta Love The Bike

No matter what distance you race in triathlon there is one thing that will not change, you spend more time on the bike than anywhere else. This very statement seems to be one of those “Duh” statements, if not for the fact that a large number of athletes ignore it. You can’t escape your bike training, so might as well learn to love it.

You can be a successful athlete and not love the bike. You can place in races and not love the bike. You can race professionally and not love the bike. All of these statements are true, but your triathlon career will likely be short lived if you don’t love your bike.

Here is a simple quiz to see if you love your bike:

Does your bike have a name?

Do you talk to your bike?

Have you been accused of spending too much time cleaning your bike?

Do you ride any chance that you get ( even if you aren’t scheduled to ride)?

Do you feel like throwing up when you look at your bike?

This quiz seems silly but it drives home my point.

Many athletes name their bike. It is a part of the bonding experience. Naming your bike serves two purposes:

1. It gives your bike a human quality

2. It makes the bike part of you, you named it according to your personality. I have never met a bike named Cuddles but there are plenty of them named things like, DOOM, SICK, ZOOM or Blue Death Machine.

Talking to your bike is a more of an expression. Much like a puppy, your bike depends on you for it’s well being. It will do what it is told, but it is up to you to tell it the right things. Talking to your bike is also a great way to calm yourself when things get tough. You don’t have anyone to talk to on those long training days or on race day. Talking to your bike is a great way to unburden yourself of your fears or pains. Your bike will always agree if the weather couldn’t get worse, the road is horrible or the wind is blowing you sideways. Your bike will never tell you to Suck It Up, it will always agree on those points.

Cleaning your bike frequently is a great way to get to know your bike like the back of your hand. You will notice worn out parts before they become an issue on race day. How many triathletes have had the dreaded DNF because of a mechanical?

Triathletes that love their bike will find any excuse to ride. They want to be on the bike as much as possible. A favorite excuse to get in more miles is the price of gas. The Bike Lover knows that if they have a little extra time, it is always better to ride their bike the 10 miles to the gym. A colleague, who is also a former World Champion, rides his bike to and from work everyday regardless of the weather. He is simply enjoying time riding his bike. He doesn’t log the miles and doesn’t do anything but spin easy.

A sure sign that you don’t love your bike is the nauseous feeling that appears when you look at your bike. If this happens to you, you are probably overtrained and hate your bike as well. Seek help soon!