The Desire to Cycle the Triathlon Circuit

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I would like swimming if I could go to a quiet pool on a day with a comfortable temperature. I like being in the water but I don’t like being in cold water, despite diving in Swiss lakes every weekend for around two years. I used a dry suit so once out of the water I was comfortable within minutes.

Not a Runner

I am okay with running a 5k, and even a 10k, although not regularly. I find running tiring. It’s easy to overheat if you run at the wrong time of day and it can impact on joints if you push too hard too fast.

Cycling

I was toying with the idea of cycling the triathlon route, out of curiousity and I find that the climbing that it requires does not fill me with euphoria. Neither does the road from Crans towards Eysins, because people often drive too fast and too close. In the reverse direction I think the route would be more pleasant because you’re exposed to traffic on downhill bits, rather than uphill.

I am tempted to ride it once, just to see what the experience is like. I’m also tempted to do the circuit for 42km out of curiousity.

I watched people ride it today and I didn’t see anyone drafting or taking advantage of the group effect like I would see with the Tour de France and other events.

When I cycled this morning I could feel that I am tired from yesterday’s climb. Although this was a No Pressure Club ride (not sure about affiliation) the climbing was still at a relatively fast pace.

Race Condition Energy

I suspect that if I tried the cycling portion in race conditions, with closed roads, and fast people surrounding me I would be encouraged to go faster. Solo I’d relax.

And Finally

Whilst the idea of swimming and running a triathlon do not appeal to me the cycling part does. More than that, the circuit appeals to me, because it’s a short, convenient loop that I can easily do on any day of the week. The climbs are challenging, and the straight road from Crans to Eysins worries me because of traffic, but the rest is reasonable.

I think I have an Autumn, Winter and Spring loop.