Tim Barry in recent triathlon action; having been a top bike rider he believes both sports should try to become closer for the benefit of all.
Triathlon may be cycling’s closest cousin but like many family relationships, it can sometimes be a mixed one. One recent convert from the bike to tri is former international rider Tim Barry. In what will hopefully be just the first of many columns here on stickybottle, he argues for the cycling-triathlon relationship to be given a chance, saying it could significantly boost both codes.
Having recently retired from bike race (again) I’ve once more been drawn into the world of triathlon. I’ve managed to convince myself that I should give it a go for the craic. But with my first few events now under my belt in recent months, I’ve really been questioning my own definition of the “craic” concept. The sport’s three disciplines can best be summed up as follows:
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Swim or “water boxing”
The start of the swim is like the worst bunch sprint you can imagine, only it unfolds under water. As cyclists generally aren’t the best swimmers, once the water boxing opening leg of triathlon unfolds, chances are you’ll be left floundering at the back all alone, just like those first few club spins you did all those years ago.
Transition or T1
This stage is the change over from the swim leg to the bike. It requires you to locate your bike. For cyclists converting to the new code, this is perhaps the easiest part of triathlon because chances are yours will be the only bike left in the transition area once you’ve emerged beaten and bruised from the water.
Once you’ve located your machine, it’s time to extract yourself from your rubber wetsuit without self-strangulation, put your shoes and helmet on and start to cycle. All this sounds simple until you try it punch drunk and wet from the water boxing.
Cycle or “Bike Leg”
If you’re a bike rider, this is your time to shine and show those triathletes how it’s done. The cycle will turn into a slalom race as you weave in and out of race traffic passing all the “Freds”. You think you’re flying until after the race when the results are released and you realise you actually weren’t. Oh the shame; realising you were actually not the fastest
T2 (learn the lingo people)
Time to ungracefully dismount your bike and slide down the road on your arse; running in cycling shoes can be a tad tricky. Experienced triathletes do a very complicated barefooted dismount despite their renowned bad bike handling! Now pick yourself up and remember where you left your runners two hours previously. Once you’ve managed this and hopefully not taken somebody else’s (everyone’s runners look the same) it’s time to try to run.
The run
For the first mile your legs will not go in the direction you want them to. This leaves you looking like a one legged blind pigeon trying to waltz. Thankfully your coordination returns as you pick up the pace only to be passed by all of the so called “Freds” that you picked off on the bike. The rest of the run can be summed up in one word; “torture”.
Despite all the aforementioned pain and humiliation, triathlon is actually great fun. And no matter what dizzy heights you reached during your cycling career, the sense of satisfaction on completing your first triathlon makes it all worthwhile. Added to that, you’ll never look down your nose at another triathlete again.
Many retired cyclists or those just taking a break from the sport have ventured into triathlon; from stickybottle contributor Brian Ahern to Rás winners Stephen Delaney and Tommy Evans. Recently, double Rás winner Ciaran Power popped his tri cherry in Dunmore East.
Of the active racing brigade, the star of this year’s Rás Roger Aiken did his first tri during the summer, obviously influenced during that Rás by teammate Bryan Mc Crystal.
Bryan decided to concentrate on cycle racing this year after many years at the top of the triathlon scene. He can be easily identified in the bunch due to possessing the biggest calf muscles since German sprinter Olaf Ludwig.
Pretty boy Mark Dowling made the move from triathlon to cycle racing a few years ago in an unorganised exchange for Bryan Keane who went over to the dark side; although Bryan still does the odd bike race to as part of his tri prep.
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Cycling Ireland
This is where I feel there might be an opportunity for Cycling Ireland. A lot of triathletes of varying abilities will partake in running and swimming races to prepare for triathlon but very few will take part in cycle races on a regular basis.
Some exceptions this year have been Olympian Gavin Noble and multiple national triathlon champion Trevor Woods.
Obviously the nature of bunched bike races might be off-putting for many triathletes; whose method of racing is more akin to time trialling than bike racing.
But the cost of another licence definitely isn’t an encouragement. Surely triathletes could be encouraged into the more informal mid-week club league events as a taster for more serious racing without having to shell out on a second licence?
Cycling Ireland and Triathlon Ireland should consider putting in place a combined licence.
Triathlon Ireland has close to 15,000 members, so the potential benefit to Cycling Ireland would be greater numbers competing on a regular basis.
And although the numbers are already strong in some regions, many bike races, especially in more rural areas, don’t have a massive turnout.
Dotted around the country are a number of clubs with a dual approach; incorporating cycling and triathlon. But this is not the norm.
With a more structured approach the next Dan Martin or Nicolas Roche might be uncovered and plucked from water boxing for a massive future on the bike alone.
Triathlon’s professional event management
In terms of event promotion, the sport of cycling could learn a lot from triathlon. Triathlon events in Ireland are generally town centre based - water permitting.
Triathlons also tend to be put together in a very organised fashion; from pre-event information to the execution on the day. It culminates in speedy results being delivered.
The best events are often like a mini festival with music, food and entertainment keeping spectators involved.
While some cycling events - examples being the Visit Nenagh Classic and some recent National Championships - are heading in the same direction, more need to follow suit. We need to get cycling off the bypasses and boreens of the country and back into town centres.
This piece is not meant to be an advertisement for triathlon over cycling. Rather, it’s a reminder of how close the sports are and it’s meant to demonstrate that we already have a cross over in athletes from time to time.
I also want to highlight the fact that as our roads get more dangerous, a combined approach from both Cycling Ireland and Triathlon Ireland culminating in a joint membership scheme could benefit both cyclist and triathlete alike.
The next time you’re out training and see somebody coming in the opposite direction on a TT bike with compression socks, handlebar-mounted bottle and toe covers; release your inner triathlete and give them a wave because it could a future team mate!
Thanks for reading
Tim
Tim Barry is a former international bike rider who represented Ireland in many events at home and abroad including the Rás. He’s won the majority of major races in Ireland including the likes of the Shay Elliott, Kerry Group Rás Mumhan and Tour of Ulster to name but a few. This year he raced the first portion of the cycling season with the Aquablue team; a squad he helped put together and mentor. He also coaches may top riders and those who are emerging.
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