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When you are new to Triathlon there can be a lot of different people giving you a lot of different opinions about what gear/equipment you need to get. From my experience, some of these opinions can be a little deceiving. Sometimes the suggestions you hear from others are not necessary for you to get started. I am here to tell you exactly what you must have. A Roadworthy Bike. Make sure your bike is up to the national standards. Remember that those safety standards are there for a reason...to save your life or prevent injury. I have seen many injuries that could have been prevented if they had have had their bike well maintained etc. On that note, if you are intending to buy a second hand bike (which is not a bad idea if you're just starting out) make sure it is well maintained. It is a good idea to see the bike in person, but if you are buying it over the internet this can be a little bit difficult, so make sure you at least email the owner, speak with them and get an understanding of what condition the bike is in. I also advise not to go out there and get the best and most expensive bike although it may be tempting. Unless you do a lot of riding you will not know the difference between the different bikes (i.e. the gearing, different frames etc) Just from personal experience, I used my mum's 20 + year old road bike. I can tell you now it was very heavy (like 12+kg, I'm not sure if I'm exaggerating a little or not, but it was extremely heavy). Anyway my point is, is that I was winning races on this old bike so over people with the latest and greatest, don't be worried about what you start riding on...just get started! By the way, it's the best feeling to win this way. You will need a Helmet. Make sure that the helmet also meets the national standards. This is the only thing between you and the road. The last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you helmet will brace a fall, so take the time to get this checked out. Comfy Bathers. Although it is not necessary to get a wetsuit, it can help. Not only will it keep you more buoyant, but this will give you confidence if you are not a strong swimmer. However, do not go out and buy the latest and greatest wetsuit. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, you will not know the difference or be able to feel the difference between the wetsuits. Secondly, it is better to do your research before lashing out and buying one...they're quite expensive. Having said this, it is not essential to get a wetsuit. It is really personal preference. Goggles: These you will need. If you are having trouble because they are fogging up, rub some saliva on the inside of the lens and this should do the trick. A Swimming Cap. Although you will get one when you enter the race it is good to have another one. The main reason for this is that, if you put a cap on, then goggles and then your racing cap, it will prevent your goggles from coming off. Comfortable Running Shoes: Make sure that you have the correct size and that you have worn them many times before. If not, you can end up with blisters which are not very nice at all. I will cover how to avoid blisters in another article. Also, make sure they have support for your feet. The last thing you want is to have runners that will cause injury. Some people might suggest getting "racing shoes". The same principle applies to runners as it does with bikes...just use your regular runners. Then when you become more serious, it will be a natural progression to get racing shoes. You do not want to have so many new things to race with when it is your first time, or even if you are new to Triathlon and are a beginner. So go out there, get off your duff and get active.
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