The snow is starting to melt and it's time to test out new gadgets on the bike. In effort to shave some time off the bike portion of the triathlons, I started by purchasing a Trek 1.1 road bike last fall. I got in a few rides before the weather went south, but March 6 was my first ride of 2010. Road about 13 miles, dodging water-filled potholes and mud puddles, but overall a good ride through the park. The next day I installed some Profile Design Jammer aero bars (step 2 in my time-shaving strategy). Did a few laps around the block and wondered why I never bought these sooner! Instant neck relief and less wind resistance. And last but not least was the trial of the Sip-Away hydration bottle. This is an invention I wish I would have come up with myself. It's a Camelback-meets-water bottle contraption that allows you to sip water via tube/bite valve that's attached to the bottle that rests in the bike cage without you having to take your hands off the bars or break your cadence. I will now be well hydrated for the run before even getting off my bike. Highly recommended!


This year's race line-up:
April 25th: J-Hawk's EarlyBird Tri in Whitewater, WI (sprint distance).
July 11th: Pewaukee Lake Tri in Pewaukee, WI (sprint distance).
July 25th: Tri-ing for Children's in Southern Kettle Moraine, WI (olympic distance).

Official training plan begins April 4. Swim like the fish, bike like the French, run like the wind!