Hi all,
I’ve been lurking on here for a little over a year now but have only just got round to posting. Thank you to you all for posting such useful and, in many cases, highly amusing threads! I think my triathlon education would be taking considerably longer if I didn’t spend so much time on here reading.
I’m a very much back of the pack racer. I did my first IM last year (IMUK) and did a 14:38 
I didn’t take in enough energy and the run was a world of pain. Lesson learned. My girlfriend has just moved to San Diego for a couple of years and so I now have WAY more time to train. I’m going to be coming out to visit her two or three times a year and I was hoping someone could give me some advice on where/when/how to best go about it. I’d be more than happy to reciprocate if any of you are ever in the UK.
Firstly, does anyone know if there is anywhere in SD that I could hire/borrow a road bike from? I really don’t need anything at all special, I just want something to grind out the miles on. I have no idea how hilly southern california is but I imagine something with a compact crank and/or a 12-25/27 block would probably help (yes I am that bad!) If it makes any difference, I’ll be based up by the UCSD campus near Nobel Drive. I will of course happily pay in money/beer/gels for the privilege.
Secondly, are there any clubs in the area that I could come along to a couple of training sessions with? Maybe just the odd run or bike session? I’m happy to pay the annual membership fee if applicable. Any recommendations would be gratefully received!
Finally, I’m a little apprehensive about cycling in the US. In comparison to us, you guys seem to have main roads/freeways everywhere! I’ve found a few sites about driving/cycling in the US (turn right on red, why don’t we have that!) but it’s hard for me to know without a great deal of research if anything they say is wrong. If anyone, especially 911B or any of the other law-enforcement officers*, has any links to a really good resource about Californian automotive/cycling laws I would love know.
Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help out with this. As I said above, I’m more than happy to help out/advise anyone who is coming over tho the UK. Apologies if I’m a little slow in responding. I’m quite a few hours in front of you guys.
All the best,
Ed
*Apologiess, not sure what the correct term is. I have heard “Peace Officers” used as a catch-all term but thought I’d be generic. We just have “the Police”. Makes everything much simpler!