I was getting started in triathlons back in 2007 and needed a bike. The guys at BGI were incredibly helpful in guiding my decision. They warned me against spending too much, and not getting a sport specific time trial bike. This was invaluable advice and one that I have heard echoed many times since in various publications. BGI also made sure that the bike I selected fit me properly and worked for exactly what I needed it to. Since that day in 2007 I have finished a number of triathlons including some half-Ironman distance races, all on that bike. Without the expert advice of BGI, I wouldn't have come as far as I have. Thanks BGI!
Name: Blake Matheny
Bicycle: Cannondale Six13
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
This is the first of what will be a winter-long series about what trainer workouts I'm doing. When I first bought a trainer, I always felt a little unsure about what exactly I should be doing with it, and over the years I've come up with some strategies I feel pretty confident about. So I hope they help!
A few keys for success:
1) VARIETY. In every workout, you should be doing lots of different things. This is partly for skills development, but mostly because it helps deal with the #1 trainer obstacle: boredom. Do lots of different things, and boredom will take much longer to set in. Get some high-cadence, low-cadence, single-leg, sitting, standing, etc.
2) INTENSITY. The classic philosophy is that you should use winter for steady, low-intensity aerobic base training. However, this really only works if you have a high training volume, 15 hours or more. If you only have 6-8 hours a week, like me, you need a higher-intensity stimulus to get the desired result.
3) PLANNING. Never get on the trainer without knowing exactly what you're going to do. If you try to improvise your workout, or "ride how you feel," I can tell you now what you're going to do--you're going to go 20 or 30 minutes, decide that this is boring, and that your butt hurts, and you're going to decide that you really should get around to doing the laundry.
4) ADAPTATION. The trainer is the most controlled cycling environment you'll ever have, so as the weeks go by, pay attention to what's happening to you, and make changes as necessary. Then see how your respond to the changes, and tweak as necessary.
5) GOALS. What exactly do you want out of this winter? For most people, that's pretty simple: ride faster. But the details matter. Do you want to win a bunch sprint? Improve your 40k time? Complete your first triathlon? All those goals call for somewhat different approaches.
Next time: my goals, and the workout I'm doing this month to start getting ready for next year.
Triathlons are increasing in popularity. I am seeing more and more of them riding and running around. Strong riders too. I had some motor pas me on an Indianapolis Greenway the other day. heads down, gears high, they pulled away and left me in their dust.
I have also found that most Triathletes are serious about their bike accessories. They have all the newest bike gear in Indianapolis too. everything from hydration to bike racks.
Their bikes are cool too. Trek Bicycles makes a very notable tri-bike, the Equinox TTX9.0
That bike just screams fast. I am sure you will see several of these out on the roads at the Muncie Endurathon.
Why a triathlon specific bike? Well it is just the best bicycle tool for the job. Road bikes will work, but if you are trying to keep up with the Jones and they are on one of these..well you get the picture!
Rabobank riders will be tackling the rough pave of Flanders on their stock
Giant TCR Advance bikes. These incredibly efficient frames would be a challenge for most average Indiana Bike Racers. In fact they are so efficient I have seen many of these frames at triathlons in Indianapolis. My suggestion if you want to master a Giant TCR Advance, make sure you get a good
bicycle fitting.
Just keeping it real, the trash can is for spit! 
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