What is your best "I told you so" story. Meaning advice you gave that was ignored.
I have been racing since 1992, and as friends get into the sport, they frequently come to me for advice. Then they usually ignore it. When I worked weekends in a bike shop for 5 years, I would get tons of questions. My favorites:
* A very good friend I cycled with for years made the switch to triathlons. We did IMF 2001 together, and had a great time. He planned to run the Atlanta Marathon 3 weeks after that. I told him that he was going to blow like a cheap Taliban landmine. He thought he would be okay. It turned out to be a very miserable experience for him. "You know, I blew up after 6 miles...."
* A longtime friend, fairly young and athletic, signed up for IMF '99 or '00. He had never done a triathlon before. He asked whether I thought he would have a good race if he trained for and raced a Marathon two months before IMF, and then started training for the swim and the bike. I told him no, that if he wanted to have a fun, comfortable race, he need to focus on all three sports during the entire summer. After a 16 1/2 hour IM, he says, "You know, that was terrible....."
* And almost every guy who had ever bought a bike from me who knows bigger is better, "My friend is the same height as I am, and he rides a 58, so I know I need a 58."
"No, you need a 54. A 54 is a great fit for you. Ley me explain it again...."
"No you are wrong, I need a 58."
"Look you need a 54, but I will sell you a 58 if you really want it."
Two months later, "This bike seems to big for me. My back hurts when...."
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"Remember: a bicycle is an elegant and efficient tool designed for seeking out and defeating people who aren't as good as you."
--BikeSnobNYC
I have been racing since 1992, and as friends get into the sport, they frequently come to me for advice. Then they usually ignore it. When I worked weekends in a bike shop for 5 years, I would get tons of questions. My favorites:
* A very good friend I cycled with for years made the switch to triathlons. We did IMF 2001 together, and had a great time. He planned to run the Atlanta Marathon 3 weeks after that. I told him that he was going to blow like a cheap Taliban landmine. He thought he would be okay. It turned out to be a very miserable experience for him. "You know, I blew up after 6 miles...."
* A longtime friend, fairly young and athletic, signed up for IMF '99 or '00. He had never done a triathlon before. He asked whether I thought he would have a good race if he trained for and raced a Marathon two months before IMF, and then started training for the swim and the bike. I told him no, that if he wanted to have a fun, comfortable race, he need to focus on all three sports during the entire summer. After a 16 1/2 hour IM, he says, "You know, that was terrible....."
* And almost every guy who had ever bought a bike from me who knows bigger is better, "My friend is the same height as I am, and he rides a 58, so I know I need a 58."
"No, you need a 54. A 54 is a great fit for you. Ley me explain it again...."
"No you are wrong, I need a 58."
"Look you need a 54, but I will sell you a 58 if you really want it."
Two months later, "This bike seems to big for me. My back hurts when...."
---------------
"Remember: a bicycle is an elegant and efficient tool designed for seeking out and defeating people who aren't as good as you."
--BikeSnobNYC