T 1
EXIT
13
44 / / June 2019
FEATURE
Steady as you go
Don’t go too fast when running
with your bike out of
transition. You may lose
control of the front wheel and
it could veer off in another
direction. Hold on to either the
saddle or handlebars to guide
it. Also, practise in training
what side you prefer running
on with your bike. This will
help you feel more comfortable
when running and give you
greater control of the bike.14
Practise the optimal
bike mount
Mounting the bike is one of the hardest
skills to acquire in triathlon. It’s not
uncommon for it to go wrong and
you may trip up, lose speed or go in
the wrong direction. The aim is to build
up the pace, jump on as the bike crosses
the mount line and carry the momentum
into your cycling. This will accelerate the
transition into your cycling race pace.15
Start pedalling as soon
as you’re on the bike
You’re safely on the bike, with your speed
maintained and now the aim is to get your
feet in the shoes and begin pedalling. If
you’ve opted to put your bike shoes on
instead, it’s important to clip in as soon
as possible to avoid slowing down. Once
you’re clipped in and your straps are
fastened, take several powerful pedal
strokes, hit race cadence and away you go!16
Choose the right gear ratio
at the start of your bike
Gear selection is often overlooked but
essential in ensuring you get into your
cycling as fast as possible. The wrong gear
ratio can have a negative impact on your
race, slowing you down, making it difficult
to relax and disrupting your rhythm.
Select a ratio that allows you to put the
power down and increase your cadence
without expelling too much energy.