With a race that can sometimes take up to 17 hours, you have plenty of time to think and get inside your head while out on the course. This is especially true during the IRONMAN bike leg where you'll likely experience the highest of highs and lowest of lows while progressing 112 miles to T2.
From funny and uplifting, to overwhelmed and self-deprecating, these are some of the thoughts we all have while on the bike.
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53 Thoughts All Triathletes Have on the Bike
Written by
Michael Nystrom
When you're finally done with the swim but there's just one problem...
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1. YES, finally done with the swim.
2. Wait, where's my bike?
3. I think I was number 1530—but now I'm not sure.
4. OH there it is! Right where I left it.
2. Wait, where's my bike?
3. I think I was number 1530—but now I'm not sure.
4. OH there it is! Right where I left it.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you feel like a toddler just learning to walk...
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5. Running in cycling shoes is tough.
6. Don't slip. Don't slip. Don't slip.
6. Don't slip. Don't slip. Don't slip.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you still haven't actually gotten going yet...
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7. Where's the mount line?
8. Everyone is cheering for me!
8. Everyone is cheering for me!
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you don't know if you'll ever be warm again...
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9. I don't know if I can lift my leg over the top tube. #ColdCramp
10. There should be heaters and warm blankets after you exit the water.
10. There should be heaters and warm blankets after you exit the water.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you finally, finally get going...
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11. Okay, clipped in. Here we go.
12. GARMIN, COMMENCE!
12. GARMIN, COMMENCE!
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you're still optimistic...
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13. Only 112 miles to go.
14. Hey this is fun!
15. *Waves at the crowd*
16. Wow, I'm feeling faster than usual.
17. This is gonna be cake.
14. Hey this is fun!
15. *Waves at the crowd*
16. Wow, I'm feeling faster than usual.
17. This is gonna be cake.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen getting a little water shouldn't be this difficult...
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18. Why'd I mount my bottles behind my saddle? #StruggleBus
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you wish you were back in the water right about now...
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19. Hmmm first aid station. Skip it.
20. Wow it's getting warm out here.
21. Like really warm.
22. Time for some salt tablets.
20. Wow it's getting warm out here.
21. Like really warm.
22. Time for some salt tablets.
Find:
Your Next Ride When you realize you still have a long ways to go...
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23. Wait, it's only been 45 miles?
24. Okay just keep going. Let's back off the pace a bit.
25. Didn't I pass that guy earlier?
24. Okay just keep going. Let's back off the pace a bit.
25. Didn't I pass that guy earlier?
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you regret your past decisions...
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26. I wish I practiced drinking out of the straw.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen your mind starts to—Squirrel!
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27. Aero bars really aren't as comfy as they look.
28. Swedish fish are SO GOOD.
29. Focus. Focus. Focus.
28. Swedish fish are SO GOOD.
29. Focus. Focus. Focus.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you're convinced the numbers you're reading can't possibly be right...
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30. 112 miles didn't feel this long on training rides.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you know there's at least something you're good at...
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31. Grabbing a bottle from a volunteer is an art form.
32. And I'm pretty good at it.
33. Why do they make the trash zones so short?
32. And I'm pretty good at it.
33. Why do they make the trash zones so short?
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you get that prickly feeling that you're doing something wrong...
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34. Why is the ref watching me? I'm not in the lead.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you have to make the hard decisions...
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35. Flash flood warning.
36. Should I stop at the porta potty, or just go on my bike?
37. Nobody is behind me. The decision is clear.
38. [...]
39. Much better. Let's go!
36. Should I stop at the porta potty, or just go on my bike?
37. Nobody is behind me. The decision is clear.
38. [...]
39. Much better. Let's go!
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you mistakenly look ahead...
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40. Man this is taking forever.
41. I have to run after this?
42. I really hope that caffeine kicks in.
41. I have to run after this?
42. I really hope that caffeine kicks in.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you start to question your sanity...
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43. Oh hey, only 12 miles left!
44. Wait, 12 miles is further than I expected.
45. I can't wait to get off this bike.
46. I don't think I'm ever going to ride again.
44. Wait, 12 miles is further than I expected.
45. I can't wait to get off this bike.
46. I don't think I'm ever going to ride again.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you start to get some last-minute confidence...
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47. These spectators are so nice. I CAN do it.
48. Time to squeeze in some last minute nutrition.
48. Time to squeeze in some last minute nutrition.
Find:
Your Next RideWhen you thought the hard part was over...
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49. Where's T2?
50. I gotta be getting close.
51. THERE IT IS! I MADE IT!
50. I gotta be getting close.
51. THERE IT IS! I MADE IT!
Find:
Your Next Ride When you realize it's far from over...
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52. Getting off the bike was harder than getting on.
53. I have to run a marathon now???
53. I have to run a marathon now???