Rent to ride?

Thursday, June 23, 2011


Traveling cross-country to race this year? A company in New Jersey, Tri-Cycle Rental, is offering rentals of Orbea bikes, delivered to the race venue. The idea is that the triathlete would save on transportation costs, but the math just doesn’t make much sense to me.

They base the financial benefit on an airline fee of $300-$450 for round-trip transportation of your bike, plus the reduced hassle of dis-assembly/re-assembly. I’m not sure how comfortable I would feel, after training for hundreds of hours on my bike, to get to an Iron-distance race and saddle up on a rental. If you’ve already invested big $ to enter the race, train, and travel, what’s a little more to transport your bike?

Here’s the story that made the PR rounds:

Rent to ride enters the triathlon race-day market

By TOM HELD

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A start-up company in New Jersey has an idea to eliminate the bike transportation hassles for triathletes.

Tri-Cycle Rentals offers a race-day ready fleet of Orbea bikes for rent that athletes pick up at the race venue. Riders reserve the bike online, show up at the event to check out the bike, get fitted on it, then return the bike afterward at the race expo or transition area.

The story in the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News puts the price at $399, or $475 with Zipp 404 wheels.

According to Tri-Cycle Rentals, traveling via commercial airlines will cost you between $300 and $450 round-trip, depending on the carrier. Shipping your bike via a triathlon-specific service or FedEx/UPS will cost between $300-$400.

With all of the above options, racers have to take their bike apart and put it back together (or pay a bike shop to do it). They also have to own or rent a bike travel case ($50 to rent and $300-$400 to buy). They will also be without their bikes for 7-10 days prior to the race - critical training days leading up to the race.

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Warner Robbins couple to compete in National Senior Games

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

From the Sun News

By ANGELA WOOLEN

WARNER ROBINS -- Even on a 100-degree day, with track temperatures rising above that, a couple, both senior citizens, are out training at Houston County High School.

Warner Robins residents Mary Ealer, 69, and George Ealer, 71, will compete in the National Senior Games in Houston, Texas, Thursday through June 30. They join about a half dozen other people from Houston and Peach counties who have qualified for the games.

The husband and wife were chosen to be flag bearers for Georgia in the Parade of Champions.

They qualified for the games during the Georgia Golden Olympics, held in September, by finishing in the top three in their age groups.

“To represent the state of Georgia and the city of Warner Robins means so much,” Mary Ealer said.

Mary Ealer will compete in the triathlon, while George Ealer will race in the 100-meter dash.

Of the two, Mary Ealer is the competitive one.


Full story

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Men preparing for first triathlons in Columbus area

Thursday, June 9, 2011

From the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

By ALLISON KENNEDY

Charlie Lindsey, owner of the local Gold’s Gyms, just completed his first Ironman in The Woodlands, near Houston, with roughly 2,200 of his closest friends.“It took a lot of help and a lot of swimming lessons,” said Lindsey, now an enthusiast for the upcoming Chattahoochee Challenge Sprint and Olympic Triathlon.

The sprint triathlon is scheduled for 7 a.m. July 30, and the Olympic triathlon is 7 a.m. Aug. 20. Both will utilize the Chattahoochee River, the Columbus RiverWalk and parts of Fort Benning.

Organizers are planning to make this an annual event.

“This first year we’re hoping for 500 and to grow to more than 2,000,” Lindsey said.

The Olympic distance is a 1000-1500 meter swim, a 25-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run. The mini or sprint triathlon is a 400 meter swim, a 12-mile bike ride and a 3.1-mile run.

The swim portion will be downstream.


Full article

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Escape to Blue Ridge named title sponsor for 2011 Tri The Mountains Triathlon at Blue Ridge

Monday, June 6, 2011

From PRWeb


Escape to Blue Ridge, one of the leading providers of North Georgia cabin rentals, announced it will be the title sponsor of the Tri The Mountains Triathlon taking place July 24, 2011 in the North Georgia Mountains.

Now in its second year, this year's event will be called the “Escape to Blue Ridge Tri The Mountains Triathlon.” It's estimated that 500-600 athletes will participate, with scores of additional family and friends there to cheer them on.

The race promises to be an incredibly scenic journey through the mountains. The 600-yard swim will take place in the crystal clear waters of Lake Blue Ridge. The bike is an 18 mile out and back crossing over the lake with mountains towering in the background. The 5K run will leave the Lake Blue Ridge Marina and head towards town on Old Hwy 76, where participants will be cheered on as they enter the historic town of Blue Ridge. The awards ceremony and after party will take place in the park in the center of town, promising a day to remember for everyone involved.

“We at Escape to Blue Ridge are passionate about the North Georgia Mountains and believe it's simply one of the most beautiful and special places on Earth,” said Escape to Blue Ridge co-founder Pamela Miracle. “Sponsoring the Escape to Blue Ridge Tri the Mountains Triathlon is our way of sharing that passion with others and welcoming new people to the area who may not have experienced its power and beauty yet.”

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Races this weekend

Friday, June 3, 2011

It's a busy weekend for triathletes across Georgia, with a semi-super-sprint, three sprints and a half-iron. If you're not racing, get out there and cheer them on!

Saturday, June 4


Sunday, June 5


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