Triathlon things you loved this year

Triathlon Forum
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I didn’t see a post for 2024-year end regarding ‘triathlon things you loved this year’, so figure I’ll kick it off.

(Mods, if someone already did this, feel free to end this post and redirect to the prior one!)

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Things I loved in triathlon this year

  • Zwift cog/virtual shifting and Zwift erg mode with the zwift controllers. The zwift cog instantly solved every complaint I had about constant small mis-shifts with multiple bikes on my Kickr core, and the Zwift controllers I got this year finally made it possible to do erg-mode training the ‘right’ way (at least in my opinion) since you can easily +/- intensity to keep it appropriate, on the fly.

  • Coros arm HRM strap. At least in the several months I’ve been using this, it seems like it could be the final HRM I can use long-term. Chest straps always die after some point, and prior arm optical HRMs including the Scosche+ were just slightly too ‘fat’ so your long-sleeve clothing would be annoying to put on, and the strap would loosen over time. The Coros strap is perfect - doesn’t loosen, set to optimal tightness, and it seems to lock on to my HR instantly.

  • Late to the party here, but hydraulic brakes on my road bike are great. Slightly better than excellent rim-brake alloy braking, but like 2x better than crappy carbon-rim braking.

  • New work from home job with flexible hours. HUGE life upgrade, although it’s still surprisingly tough to fit in the workouts while working full-time - I get it done by being super disciplined about doing both the work and the workouts without wasting any time. A lot more bricked workouts this year as a result, no complaints from me!

3 Likes
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Ditto on the Coros HRM - I’ve had mine for most of '24, but agree completely with all your points - plus! lasts forever. almost too good a battery life as I have been caught out a few times by the 3%-distress.

To add:

  1. Hutchinson Blackbird tires - really enjoyed the 700x30’s a training tire. Rolls fast and durable with a good pricetag
  2. Nike Zegama 2’s - great high stack/cushion trail shoe
  3. Backsmith Andesite poles - good trail run partner, despite not being collapsible.
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T100 series. Controversies and sustainability aside, it was great racing with top fields.

Topeak reverse tri cages (TriRig also makes one). No more BTS bottle launches.

Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses. Dorky '80s look aside they fit amazingly and have great peripheral visibility to see traffic coming from behind. About as perfect as cycling glasses can get.

Culprit extended arm cups. Great comfort, and they make it easy to try the newer extended positions. All for $130.

Elite Fly bottles. Easy to squeeze. Don’t leak. Good flow. About the cheapest way to cut grams on a bike.

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  • I did IMCHOO after a 5 year break from triathlon, and just really had a good time. Have signed up for IMWI next year and can’t wait.
  • Scored a brand new Felt IA10 (2017 or 2018?) frame on Facebook marketplace, to replace my trusty 2012 Felt B16. The IA 1.0 is my favorite frame, and I’ve been having a lot of building it up for next year.
  • Made some breakthroughs on my run training and marathon strategies to be able to run a high percentage of the marathon. This was a huge problem for me, and why I took a break from the sport.

I guess to summarize, the things I love about triathlon is that it’s fun again.

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The huge amount of high end races to watch…
Super Tri
WTS
Olympics
T100
Roth
Ironman Series
Nice
Kona
Taupo
It has never been a better time to be a fan of the sport.

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Hayden Wilde going balls out when he toes the line!

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@talbotcox’s Kona Vlog

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Ironman letting me transfer from Chat 70.3 to MOO 70.3 due to running injury early in the year, at NO cost. I don’t even remember signing up with FLEX90.

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Thanks for the positive feedback

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David McNamee’s retirement interview - inspirational.

Lange running unscathed through a minefield whilst dramatic explosions erupted all around.

First new bike in years, silent threshold repeats on Box Hill in rain and in sun

Swimming 1:30s at the LAQ

Missing the last minutes of British Olympic triathlon gold due to a pointless work meeting and stupid BBC channel switching streams…