Should Triathletes Race Bikes?
As triathletes, don’t we already race bikes? Yes, but I’m talking about events that are simply for the bike. Meaning: Road, MTB, Cyclocross, Gravel, Enduro, and all the subsections in each type of bike race. I believe that triathletes should race bikes for many reasons, which I will explore today. However, I won’t overlook all the reasons why triathletes shouldn’t race bikes because there are some very good, valid reasons. It’s essential to note that I don’t think anyone should feel a need to race bikes because I think they should. It ultimately comes down to whether it’s something you want to do. And if you want to, I am here to inspire and encourage. My goal here is to explore this open-ended question and spark conversation. I have experience in road racing and cyclocross. I have participated in single-day road races, one stage race, and numerous cyclocross races. I will expand on my reasonings using personal stories.
Reasons why triathletes should race bikes:
1. It’s fun!
a. At CX races, the fun comes from the community and the actual race. At my last CX race this year I had the most fun out of any CX race I’ve ever done. I was chatting with people around me, asking their names and if they were in my category. When it was time to start, we lined up side by side and ran to our bikes 50 yards away from us. We hop on as quickly as we can and pedal to try to get ahead before the trail narrows. I soon took the lead, feeling unsure if I intended to get there so fast. But I pressed on and flew past volunteers on the dirt corners as they hollered. On tight switchbacks, I cheer on my competitors, and they call back with a breathy “nice job”. I come into the finish line where I pass the after party, with everyone from the early morning races, heckling and giving handouts of gummy worms, shots, and doughnuts to brave riders. That was only the first lap… I get to do it 5 more times! I love working hard and being around people who get the same type of joy from type 2 fun.
At my last CX race of this year in January - Cornwall Cross put on by Cascade Cross. Photo by Andy Dewey.
2. Improve your bike handling skills
a. If you do any bike racing, you will become a better bike handler. With CX especially. You learn so many new skills like sharp turns, bunny hops, mounting and dismounting, ascending steep stuff, riding in wet, dry, icy dirt/mud, etc. On the road, you ride so closely with others, which forces you to stay stable in your core and not hit or swerve toward anyone else while drinking, eating, or going over bumps. At the first road race I did in 2022, I vividly remember being in a big group, getting a little distracted and leaning over to touch someone else’s shoulder while going at 20 mph. She was irritated for obvious reasons. I wasn’t a horrible bike handler back then, but I had a lot of learning to do. At the most recent race I did last week, I felt solid as a rock. I believe that came from 3 years of triathlons, training, and winters spent on the CX bike. All this experience and different stimuli give you a better feel for the bike. A better feel means you’ll ride more confidently on a TT bike.
At my first road race ever, Tour de Dung 2022, with my Western WA University cycling team. Photo by I don’t remember.
3. Race in the off-season
a. CX racing is usually in the Fall and can run into Winter. Road racing is usually in the springtime to summer. Racing in the off-season helps keep my goals in the forefront of my mind. They also give you an excuse to get out in the community when everyone is usually on the trainer. I’ve noticed that my training and mental state do well with some low-stakes racing in the triathlon off-season.
4. Good cross training
a. This one goes a bit back to improving your bike handling skills but for your fitness. I believe that doing some triathlon adjacent sports helps your mind and body get some different stimuli. I am a big believer in doing things that make you uncomfortable; that’s how we grow! Sometimes, it’s hard to go hard in the off-season, and yes, you need time to rest and recover from the season, but when it's time to start training again, bike racing will help you get some max efforts. At my most recent bike race, there was one nasty hill. We’d come around the corner and the leaders took off and I tried to stay with them on the hill but couldn’t. I kept pushing over the crest and caught another rider, then we caught some a group of three, and pace lined all the way to the finish. The finish line was on a hill. Sprinting on a hill is not easy. I ended up getting a new heart rate threshold. When you’re racing, you’ll do almost anything to keep up or get one better place, no matter what the pain. That is hard to achieve in training sometimes. You can get some really good training sessions when you race bikes.
Reasons why triathletes should not race bikes:
1. It can be dangerous
a. In the stage race I did in 2022, which was two road races, a crit, and a TT, someone crashed in every stage except the TT. Go figure. I was one of the people who crashed. It was a cold, wet 50-mile course with a wide hairpin turn. I came into that turn with the group, about mid-pack on the outside, and I stopped turning halfway through. Well, I kept turning but not with full commitment. My eyes looked at the patchy gravel on the side, and that’s where I went. I ended up being ok, but it did highlight my lack of bike skills. Additionally, this winter at a CX practice I *tried* to go over a barrier and failed. I flipped over my handlebars and landed right on my shoulder. I ended up being out for two weeks over that. I healed fine but it was scary and frustrating at the time. I continued to do CX but committed to not doing anything stupid and that CX wasn’t the goal. It’s very possible to get hurt or seriously injured when racing bikes.
Warming up for the TT at my first stage race, Tour de Bloom 2022. Photo by me.
2. Can feel isolating
a. If you aren’t on a team in road racing or just getting into it, it can feel lonely. A lot of cycling dynamics rely on team members. I remember feeling so isolated before the crit at the stage race in 2022. I was crying before the race started, but I called my aunt, and she reminded me that showing up is the hardest part. I had shown up. All I had to do was do my best in that race, on that day. Even still, I felt out of place. Now, I know there are lots of teams to join and ones who welcome beginner racers with open arms.
3. Doesn’t align with your goals/ You don’t want to
a. I didn’t race road races for three years because I had a bad taste in my mouth from the stage race and from crashing on that last day. I felt that road racing wasn’t worth my time, energy, and money when my goal was to do well in triathlons. I tried road racing again because I realized the value in doing things that make you uncomfortable. I believe it makes you a more confident athlete and person.
At my race last week, I needed help knowing where to put my bib. I asked this guy who had an ironman backpack, and he said, “I don’t know, this is my first time.” Then, at the start line, this woman said, “I didn’t sign up for a triathlon!” because it was SO rainy, implying we were swimming before the bike. I was there, and I am a triathlete. It made me question the role that racing bikes play in a triathlete’s life. I chose the question, ‘Should Triathletes Race Bikes?’ because I wondered if it would help or hinder triathlon racing and training. For me, it helps and sometimes hinders. I get injured sometimes from it, but I also get really good boosts of fitness and it sparks joy in my life. This question is very individual. I encourage you to build your own stories and reasonings as you ask yourself the question: ‘Should I race bikes?’