So I was looking at the results for Duathlon Worlds and I saw some FREAKISHLY low transition times. Many of the elites clocked transitions in 16, 18 seconds. Now maybe it’s just me (I probably couldn’t run the length of a typical transition area in 16 seconds) but those seem awfully low.
1)Are these guys wearing cycling shoes or are they riding in racing flats and toe-clips / platforms?
2)They’re not racking & unracking their own bikes, are they?
Lee
Guys like Eric Fernando and Joe Deigan (sp?) around here are doing them in 25 seconds including cvoering the distance between the timing matts in the transition area. I think some of it has to do with how close together the timing matts are in the TA. If the TA is super small as it often is just for the pros maybe that is a factor.
That is super fast though.
you also need 2 pair of running shoes. After the first run kick those somewhere. get in off the bike and your shoes are right there, 2nd pair of course, ready to put your feet in.
The only thing I would add to TOM’s excellent points is the “pole position” racking of these fast guys bikes! That + their well practiced transition routine reduces their T1/T2 to effectively running the TA from entrance to exit.
1)Are these guys wearing cycling shoes or are they riding in racing flats and toe-clips / platforms?
THEY RIDE IN CYCLING SHOES AND RUN IN RACING FLATS W/ QUICK LACING SYSTEMS
2)They’re not racking & unracking their own bikes, are they?
NOT SURE, BUT I THINK IT’S JUST THE GOOD PARKING SPOT THEY GOT
As a example of the transition-routine importance is the fact that I’ve done a few duathlons on running shoes all the way (platforms on my bike) and posted slowy 30sec-ish transitions vs. 25 sec COMPLETE transitions by the guys Tom mentioned.
One should spend a fair amount of time practising their transitions. I know it sounds silly, but it is a place where you can get free speed.
Desert dude brought up some good points about two pair of shoes.
Practising going to the line in quick order is just as important as anything. Some people slow down too far before getting to the line. Some people don’t know how to get out of their shoes while the bike is rolling.
Doing the entire Du in running shoes would make a very freakish transition time, especially when it is practised.
2)They’re not racking & unracking their own bikes, are they?
NOT SURE, BUT I THINK IT’S JUST THE GOOD PARKING SPOT THEY GOT
yep they rack their own, they are no more special than you or I.
just checked the pics, most of the pro’s used platform pedals.
I was wrong… just looked at these:
Now these are some interesting (WINNER) cages:
After a couple slow transitions at Willow and Nankin, I worked with Cheryl on her transitions, leaving her bike shoes on the bike, etc. She practiced it a few times before Grosse Ile, and cut her transition times almost in half, down to about 30 seconds.
HI,
I was wondering how exactly the swim to bike transition works with the bike shoes already clipped into the pedals. I realise that you somehow put your foot into the shoe once you’re on the bike, but how do you go about doing this exactly?
thanks
the easiest way is to get a couple of rubber bands, thin ones work best, thick ones may not work at all, and wrap them around the frame on the non drive side and the crank arm drive side. Loop it around your cycling shoes and the rubber band will hold them roughly parallel to the ground. grab your bike run like hell out of T1 and while running leap onto your bike. When your feet hit the shoes the rubber bands break and off you go.
Your best bet is to get someone to show you, and explain it in person. That is what I did with Cheryl and she picked it up really quickly.
The basics are:
Clip your shoes on to your pedals
You can use rubber bands, or yarn to keep the heels from dragging. I put the rubberband through the ‘pull tab’ on the back of my Sidi T1’s, and hook the other end around the skewer.
Put on your helmet.
Run with your bike.
Put your hand on the bars.
Jump onto your bike cyclocross style. You want to try to have your ass land, not quite dead center on the saddle (ouch).
Put your feet ON TOP of your shoes and start pedalling.
AFTER YOU GET UP TO SPEED, start putting your feet into your shoes. Tri specific shoes work best.
Once you have one foot in, pedal some more, then put the other one in, then pedal some more, then do up the straps. The key is to be coasting as fast as possible.
DISMOUNTING
When you approach transition (well before), undo your shoe straps.
Pull your feet out, and put them back on top of shoes and keep pedalling.
When your are real close to transition, stand on one foot, swing the other foot around over/behind the saddle and in between the standing leg and the bike frame.
Extend that foot out in front of you.
Slow down to 10 or so mph and start running when you hit the dismount line.