Anyone else see the NY Times article about the NYC Triathlon and really expensive bikes?
**http://nyti.ms/2aBRoKL **
Once you read this article, you will know why people call triathletes elitist snobs. Sad but true.
My only question is why the one guy doesn’t know how to reach down and grab a water bottle and take a drink without breaking his aero position.
BrokenSpoke
That’s a pretty narrow lens with which they are viewing the sport.
Anyone else see the NY Times article about the NYC Triathlon and really expensive bikes?
**http://nyti.ms/2aBRoKL **
Once you read this article, you will know why people call triathletes elitist snobs. Sad but true.
My only question is why the one guy doesn’t know how to reach down and grab a water bottle and take a drink without breaking his aero position.
BrokenSpoke
I didn’t need to read the article to know triathletes are elitist snobs, your comment about the guy not knowing how to drink in aero did that for me…
The troll meter is high when I read “run in sneakers” line.
The troll meter is high when I read “run in sneakers” line.
Where I’m from their tennis shoes (which sounds like tenny shoes).
“Huffys with banana seats and baskets on the front are not welcome.”
Um, no, such a bike is perfectly welcome, it’s just not very fast. There’s was a guy several years ago who did Nations Tri on a capital bikeshare bike. Heavy doesn’t begin to describe those beasts. It was kind of awesome.
The impression I got from the article is the author doesn’t know much about the sport and seems to be impressed by the shinny bikes. IDK where you got triathletes are elitists snobs from that? I’m not saying some are not but I didn’t think the article portrayed it that way.
I’ve not heard running shoes ever described as tennis shoes or sneakers with any triathlete I’ve ever encountered.
“Huffys with banana seats and baskets on the front are not welcome.”
Um, no, such a bike is perfectly welcome, it’s just not very fast. There’s was a guy several years ago who did Nations Tri on a capital bikeshare bike. Heavy doesn’t begin to describe those beasts. It was kind of awesome.
Didn’t some guy do an Ironman on a fatbike last year? And even crank out a fairly decent time?
The middle event, though, is the real showstopper: aerodynamic slivers of carbon fiber on wheels…
Someone needs to let him know the wheels are often carbon as well.
The impression I got from the article is the author doesn’t know much about the sport and seems to be impressed by the shinny bikes. IDK where you got triathletes are elitists snobs from that? I’m not saying some are not but I didn’t think the article portrayed it that way.
Agreed. From reading the article, i think the author is actually jealous. He’s probably a loser who can’t even afford upgrading to shimano 105’s, let alone owning a tri-bike. total hipster doofus.
The troll meter is high when I read “run in sneakers” line.
Where I’m from their tennis shoes (which sounds like tenny shoes).
Same here. I have lived there for over 20 years, but I still find myself saying tenny shoes occasionally. At least I broke the “crick” for “creek” habit.
“Huffys with banana seats and baskets on the front are not welcome.”
Um, no, such a bike is perfectly welcome, it’s just not very fast. There’s was a guy several years ago who did Nations Tri on a capital bikeshare bike. Heavy doesn’t begin to describe those beasts. It was kind of awesome.
Didn’t some guy do an Ironman on a fatbike last year? And even crank out a fairly decent time?
2 people rode fat bikes at last years IMWI. The one you are probably thinking of is John Withrow.
Going back further, there’s an interesting story behind the Kona bike restrictions that were essentially a direct response to Cory Foulk finishing on a beach cruiser.
The impression I got from the article is the author doesn’t know much about the sport and seems to be impressed by the shinny bikes. IDK where you got triathletes are elitists snobs from that? I’m not saying some are not but I didn’t think the article portrayed it that way.
I feel the same way. He doesn’t seem to understand there is a huge difference between the average triathlete and the pro. Is he also going to write and article about the pro baseball player with $400 and $500 bats? or the Pro basketball player with many pairs of $150 shoes?
I am very new to the sport of triathlon and for the most part have found everyone very welcoming and helpful. Not sure where the elitist thought process comes in. Not ever sure he sounds jealous, mostly just uniformed.
“Huffys with banana seats and baskets on the front are not welcome.”
Um, no, such a bike is perfectly welcome, it’s just not very fast. There’s was a guy several years ago who did Nations Tri on a capital bikeshare bike. Heavy doesn’t begin to describe those beasts. It was kind of awesome.
Didn’t some guy do an Ironman on a fatbike last year? And even crank out a fairly decent time?
IMMOO. If I recall correctly he had around a 6 hour bike but it took a toll on the run. He was a fast IM’er to start with anyway. Pretty awesome to see on the course.
Agreed. From reading the article, i think the author is actually jealous. He’s probably a loser who can’t even afford upgrading to shimano 105’s, let alone owning a tri-bike. total hipster doofus.
I think the author does an exceptional job of a) exposing the farce that is theelite triathlete equipment race of the wealthy (i.e. a gauche consumerist spectacle among the world’s most obnoxious narcissists) and b) making Blyler look and sound like a complete dolt.
Three dimensional motion capture machine! Integrated bladder! NARPs must be rolling on the floor laughing…
The impression I got from the article is the author doesn’t know much about the sport and seems to be impressed by the shinny bikes. IDK where you got triathletes are elitists snobs from that? I’m not saying some are not but I didn’t think the article portrayed it that way.
Agreed. From reading the article, i think the author is actually jealous. He’s probably a loser who can’t even afford upgrading to shimano 105’s, let alone owning a tri-bike. total hipster doofus.
Really good troll. My respects.
The impression I got from the article is the author doesn’t know much about the sport and seems to be impressed by the shinny bikes. IDK where you got triathletes are elitists snobs from that? I’m not saying some are not but I didn’t think the article portrayed it that way.
This is the impression I get, too. I imagine someone like my Dad writing the article - thinks it’s pretty neat, doesn’t know all the lingo or understand the details, and is most amazed by the bikes. This is how the rest of the population looks at us.
This would be like me being asked to write an article on curling - I’d probably just focus on the giant puck thingy or the broomy thingies.
I do not see anything in the article to lead me to a negative connotation and “elitist snob” conclusion. To the contrary, it seems like the author is amazed at the technology and cost and is sharing that with the New Yorkers watching the race. The story is told through the eyes of the uninitiated to the other uninitiated.
That said, bikes are insanely expensive. I had planned to buy a <$1K used bike to get into this in December. I abandoned that plan and am riding a ~$6K bike (fully equipped with wheels, pedals, and other accessories), not including helmet, trisuit, etc. And mine is on the dirt cheap end of the spectrum. A typical transition area will have well north of $10M in bicycle value.