34 replies to this topic

[Sunset]

I've heard Byron Bay is a great OD triathlon... very relaxed - no road closures and a 1 pm start on a Saturday.

I've decided to make it my first OD triathlon. I have been putting it off for a long time and I am just building it up and building it up and putting pressure on myself to make my first OD a really good one. I figured I should do Byron and then I might feel a bit more comfortable about Noosa triathlon later this year.

I'm not exactly in peak training form at the moment but I thought I would give it a shot anyway.


Anyone else doing it?

[miners]

great minds hey Sunset? I noticed a comment of yours over in the Brissy marathon thread & was just about to start a Byron thread as well

Having missed the HIM series and IM this year, I'm keen as to have a crack at Byron. I entered a month ago and will be there with Bells on. Sits perfectly 1 week after the NSW Club Champs down at Port Stephens too

[Puaka]

I'll be there as well. I always enjoy going to Byron Bay (haven't done the tri there before) and I'm looking forward to the Saturday afternoon format - should be able to enjoy the rest of the weekend a bit more!

I'm not expecting too much because I've stopped triathlon training since Mooloolaba and am concentrating primarily on the Gold Coast Marathon - which will be my first marathon!

I haven't swum since Mooloolaba but will try to get in one swim a week for the next 3 weeks or so. I generally cycle 120km a week to and from work so that part should be okay.

Good luck Sunset for your first OD tri.

[Sunset]

What is the ..erm... shark situation at Byron these days...?

[miners]

swim fast - don't let em catch you

[downunder runner]

just wanted to say 'have fun' guys !! My hubby, son and I are moving up that way end of the year and this will one of the first triathlons on our calender for 2009!

Looking forward to the reports - and lack of shark sightings as well please !! This actually scares the HELL out of me. Plus, I have never done a triathlon with a 'real ocean' swim.

For those who have done it......What is the cycle course like? Hilly?

Saturday afternoon start? sounds perfect.

have fun guys!

[Kandingo]

sharks..no they all know there is a race on so they swim on by...
bike course...undulating with a few bumps..not closed to traffic.
race is great !!
3rd time coming up.

[Plazbot]

It is entirely possible I may have just entered this event.

[Sunset]

There is just no slowing down for you, is there Plazbot..

[miners]

Plazbot, on Apr 15 2008, 02:42 PM, said:

It is entirely possible I may have just entered this event.

is the Karbona going to be built up by then?

[Plazbot]

It is built up already but in testing mode getting some position things right. Will for certain be riding it. I plan to deal myself a large dose of punishment for my Port efforts during this event. It could be Woah or blow. Time will tell

[Plazbot]

If you were umming and aaahing, it appears you may have missed the boat. Field limit was reached today at 800. WOW. Popular little country race. I go in thankfully yesterday. Missed out last year due to dragging the chain.

[Kandingo]

Mr Bot
that 800 will be probably include teams...

maybe 400 + 400

you should tear it up !!

[Plazbot]

Pot kettle sir.

Looking forward to grabbing a beer at the Northern after with yourself. Program for Almere starts the Monday.

[Sunset]

Missed out on accommodation?

I have an entire unit that I'm looking for someone to take over the booking of.

It is a 2 bedroom unit at Breakfree Eco-resort and will sleep up to 4 - 5 people. It is 300m from the heart of Byron.
It is booked for Friday and Saturday 9 and 10 of May.
Cost is $584.

You'll need to act fast though - payment is due by this Friday.

[miners]

bump

Heading up tomorrow morning, arriving around 3pm. Hope the weather's warmer than here, and less windy

I'll look out for CR & Tranny caps if there's likely to be any around

[TynoMite]

I'll be there as a spectator - cheering on my GF's In Training comrades.
Might take the bike "just in case"
Then back to Brissy for the MDC.

[Sunset]

Good luck to Miners and all those racing

[Muzman]

Good luck Miners, go get 'em.

I may give this one a whirl next year, if no marathons looming.

M

[TynoMite]

This was a good race to watch.
All the guys I knew who were doing it as their first OD Tri finished.
Total legends.
Saw plenty of BTS people, but no CR gear.
I felt great watching the last 2 ladies going around for their last run lap as everything was being packed up around them.
That's true honesty with yourself to keep going.
I felt truly sad that the last lady out of the swim just couldn't keep going and get on the bike. Massive effort just getting around the swim. I was really hoping she was in a team and her cyclist could go, but it wasn't to be.
The more Tris I watch, the more inspiring it is.

[Plazbot]

Was cool. Bumped into miners. First OD in years and could very quickly get used to racing this distance. Gotta learn to run fast to do it though. 2:09 for me. Haven't seen the overall results yet but my goal was to have the fastest bike split in my AG. See how that went. Should go close I think.

[miners]

Great to finally meet you mate, albeit briefly. We had a few other club members coming in just when we started to chat - so sorry, but had to fly.

You should go close with your bike goal - you smoked past me on the way up that hill. Tried to stay with you and the Yo for the next 10km, but lost sight of you both out near the Lennox turnaround. It was a good bike time for me (usually my weakest leg) and enjoyed the novelty of being blinged up for a one-off. Had a borrowed disc and aero-lid on. Had trouble trying to shake a big bunch on the way home. Given my penchant for heavy IM-food intake without the IM-training to balance it this season, I was getting away from them on the downhills, but then they'd catch me on the ups. I'd try and get away on the flats but get caught again .. and so on. Eventually didn't have the legs in the last 5km and came into T2 about a minute down on them.

I had a high 2.09 too, so very keen to see results of run splits and the like. Pretty damn happy with that as it's been a season of no training, and all Club racing. Good race up there, if a little crowded

btw - thanks for the comments Sunset and Muz. Mate, you would have been proud of your Club-mate, Keith again. 2.47 for him I think? I don't know how many times I've raced with him, yet his times still leave me astounded each and every event I go to. Had a great chat with him beforehand. For those who don't know Keith Pearce, he's 76-years young!!!

[Hamburglar]

Bloody hell - 2:09 is flying, well done boys!

[Muzman]

miners, on May 11 2008, 05:46 PM, said:

Mate, you would have been proud of your Club-mate, Keith again. 2.47 for him I think? I don't know how many times I've raced with him, yet his times still leave me astounded each and every event I go to. Had a great chat with him beforehand. For those who don't know Keith Pearce, he's 76-years young!!!

Ah yes, the Old Kahuna.

Keith is a real-life Living Legend around triathon circles, and once again he is in the running for our Club's Championship points. He may just win, too!

BTW, yours truly caps off a huuuge year by being nominated for the Club's Most Improved Male - just what has improved, whether it's my racing, my appearance, or my personal style, is open to conjecture. Probably won't win, but it's a nice little boost anyway.

Well done you guys on some smokin times at Byron.

M

[miners]

hey, nice work Muz. Must be most improved taste in mates since we've finally caught up this year

Btw - might have sold Keith short. Think he actually did a 2:31, with a 47 min run (not 2:47 total). Amazing athlete

Oh and Burglar, I will never admit to the conjecture that Byron's swim was perhaps 200m-250m short ...

[Puaka]

While not in the same class as Plazbot and Miners, I was very happy with my 2:29:50. I had never expected I could break 2:30, but I realised I had a chance when I started the run and was determined to run under 48 mins.

I put my fast (for me) swim down to my first ever swim in a wetsuit, but maybe it was short as well!

I really enjoyed the more laid-back feel compared to Noosa and Mooloolaba, as well as the Saturday afternoon format which meant I could actually enjoy the rest of the weekend. A couple of beers on Saturday night and a bit of cross-training on Sunday with a sea kayaking trip. I will definitely be back next year.

[Kandingo]

swim short !! no way ha ha. water was so clear.
2.19 was a pb for me but it was a very fast day ...nice work from Miners and the Plazinator
get in early next year folks.

[Scott]

Hey everyone,

I was looking to do my first Olympic Distance triathlon up in Byron Bay for 2009, I'm looking for a flat relatively easy first race.

Any feedback from last years race?

Thanks guys.

[miners]

great M-course swim in the (usually) flat bay - undulating to flat, out and back bike course - no difficult climbs - good flat, 4-lap (or was it 3?) run course with one long-ish, but not too steep climb

great place for a weekend away obviously. Lots of SE Qld competitors. Good presentation at night in the pub. Highly recommend it all

[melodee]

Scott, on Dec 16 2008, 04:45 PM, said:

Hey everyone,

I was looking to do my first Olympic Distance triathlon up in Byron Bay for 2009, I'm looking for a flat relatively easy first race.

Any feedback from last years race?

Thanks guys.

i'm thinking the same.....after i try out a few sprint distances in jan/feb

do most of the field wear wetsuits?

[miners]

melodee, on Dec 22 2008, 08:11 AM, said:

i'm thinking the same.....after i try out a few sprint distances in jan/feb

do most of the field wear wetsuits?

in '08 it was warm enough not to (although not warm enough for them to be banned), and most of the field did. At least 80% in suits from casual observation.

[Kandingo]

1 of the best races around.
If you are thinking about racing then commit and enter earlier the better...it will sell out as they keep to a set limit.

[melodee]

miners, on Dec 22 2008, 09:20 AM, said:

in '08 it was warm enough not to (although not warm enough for them to be banned), and most of the field did. At least 80% in suits from casual observation.

thanks miners.

any wetty suggestions for a newbie? a casual web search shows 50 trillion different ones to choose from. i'm guessing a 10 year old wakeboarding one isn't going to quite cut the mustard, or be legal! how does one decide if it should be like a steamer or a spring suit look? is it worth buying second hand off ebay etc?

[miners]

melodee, on Dec 22 2008, 11:30 AM, said:

thanks miners.

any wetty suggestions for a newbie? a casual web search shows 50 trillion different ones to choose from. i'm guessing a 10 year old wakeboarding one isn't going to quite cut the mustard, or be legal! how does one decide if it should be like a steamer or a spring suit look? is it worth buying second hand off ebay etc?

probably worth borrowing one if you can to begin with. I'd imagine a 2nd hand one will cost you at least $150+ and you'll either not get into triathlon, or want to upgrade if you do.

If you're from up north, then a sleeveless may be all you're likely to use (if at all) - although conversely, if you then race down in NSW or Vic, you'll likely feel the cold much more and perhaps want a full-sleeve. Here on the mid-north-coast for example, you generally only *need* a wetsuit in winter, and for 3/4 of the year you can get by without one. However, it's rare for it to be so warm that wetsuits would be banned from the race (i.e. >24 degrees).

The differences between the 2 are often debated. Some like the freedom of the sleeveless. But a good quality full-sleeve wetsuit (not an ex-surfing, skiing or diving suit) offers just as much flexibility. Amongst the strong swimmers, the evidence certainly indicates that good-fitting full-sleeve wetsuits are faster.

(edit: sorry melodee, just noticed your Sydney address - so if you're fully entrenched in the tri-scene, a good-quality full length wetsuit would likely be your best bet - and remember that a 2nd-hand or borrowed suit will never feel as good as a properly fitted suit in your exact size - it's much more critical to get the right fit than it is for other styles of wetsuits - surfing, diving etc..)

Edited by miners, 22 December 2008 - 01:26 PM.

[melodee]

miners, on Dec 22 2008, 02:19 PM, said:

probably worth borrowing one if you can to begin with. I'd imagine a 2nd hand one will cost you at least $150+ and you'll either not get into triathlon, or want to upgrade if you do.

If you're from up north, then a sleeveless may be all you're likely to use (if at all) - although conversely, if you then race down in NSW or Vic, you'll likely feel the cold much more and perhaps want a full-sleeve. Here on the mid-north-coast for example, you generally only *need* a wetsuit in winter, and for 3/4 of the year you can get by without one. However, it's rare for it to be so warm that wetsuits would be banned from the race (i.e. >24 degrees).

The differences between the 2 are often debated. Some like the freedom of the sleeveless. But a good quality full-sleeve wetsuit (not an ex-surfing, skiing or diving suit) offers just as much flexibility. Amongst the strong swimmers, the evidence certainly indicates that good-fitting full-sleeve wetsuits are faster.

(edit: sorry melodee, just noticed your Sydney address - so if you're fully entrenched in the tri-scene, a good-quality full length wetsuit would likely be your best bet - and remember that a 2nd-hand or borrowed suit will never feel as good as a properly fitted suit in your exact size - it's much more critical to get the right fit than it is for other styles of wetsuits - surfing, diving etc..)

thanks again, miners.

although i only picked up the triathlon bug a couple of months ago when i drunkenly decided one night to sign up for the pink tri with another mate, i've thought of nothing much else since i can't see me kicking it soon. i've so far only done enticer distances, but i've loved every moment, and from chatting to others feel that giving myself an achievable, but challenging goal, i'll enjoy it even more and have something to train towards. i'll never be at the top of the position ladder, but want to use whatever help i can get to make sure i'm not at the bottom either if a half decent wetsuit is gonna help with this, then it will be money well spent. (and as lame as it sounds, feeling like the odd one out at these little shindigs doesn't really help the confidence!)

the trouble with being new to the sport (well, all three sports!) is that i have nothing to compare good to bad with...if that makes sense? it's hard to make an informed decision on research alone...and so much of that is contradictory anyways...so it's good to hear peoples personal opinions. guess i need to go window shopping for a bit