TriTalk Newsletter Issue 1
Welcome to the first newsletter from TriTalk.co.uk, the award winning website & complete UK Triathlon resource. TriTalk is growing fast – you are one of over 3300 registered members, and this newsletter is yet another way of ensuring you are up to speed on everything that is Triathlon. Don't worry about being bombarded with emails, this is just one of 4-6 issues a year, combining high-quality articles together with exclusive offers from sponsors. In this issue:
• TriTalk News - announcing the launch of our very own Race Kit at the TCR show
• Tri Trade - Exclusive & sensational offers from some of our sponsors
• Tri Tips - Training advice from experienced sports experts, exclusive to TriTalk
• Inside TriTalk - Discover more about what TriTalk.co.uk can offer
TriTalk News What are you doing on March 24/25th? Well yes we know you are out training, but you really must find time to come down to Sandown Racecourse for the Triathlon Cycling & Running Show (www.tcrshow.com). TriTalk.co.uk will be located on stand K9 (downstairs) and where we will be showing off and selling the new TriTalk.co.uk race kit. Read more about the show below.
Triathlon Cycling & Running Show
The TCR show 2006 is the UK 's premier multisport and endurance show.
This year's event promises to be the biggest and best yet with over 130 exhibitors and 230 brands represented. At TCR06 you can not only see, but try and buy products and services from the top names in triathlon, cycling and running. The event will feature Seminars and Workshops and the opportunity to participate in the EAS Indoor Time Trial, Taut Netfit Challenge and try the latest women's specific bikes in the Trek WSD, Fit for Women trialling area.
Beat the queues and order your weekend show ticket in advance, £10 adults, £5.00 child, £25 family (2 adults, 2 children). Click here to book online or download a PDF order form. Alternatively call the hotline on 0845 408 4633. Read the full article here
TriTalk Kit
TriTalk now has its own race kit. It has been designed and manufactured by Planet-X using their factory in Italy to the highest standards – and quite frankly looks brilliant. The cut & styling was tested by Spencer Smith so basically it doesn’t get any better. We hope (fingers crossed) to have the kit available for the TCR show at Sandown Park on 24/25th March. The kit is amazing value, especially considering the quality, and you can wear it at all UK Triathlons and register as Team TriTalk.co.uk. See pictures of the kit and find out prices and how to buy by following the link: Read the full article here
Tri Trade One of the benefits of being a TriTalker is that we can ask our sponsors to give you sensational & exclusive offers. You will not find these offers anywhere else. Follow the links for full details about each offer or read below for more details: LewisKit Offer Planet-X Offer Wildside Offer
LewisKit Offers
- LewisKIT have just launched their exciting new 2006 range and are offering TriTalk members an exclusive 20% preview discount until 12th April. To get your 20% discount simply enter the discount code ‘TTNews20’ (case sensitive) in the coupon box at checkout at www.lewiskit.com . Coupon is only valid until 12th April.
- The T4 Jacket has just got rave reviews in 220 Magazine (getting 8/10 for both Performance & Value). LewisKIT are offering this jacket to TriTalk members for an amazing £50 (RSP=£70) until 12th April. To take advantage of this offer simply quote ‘TriTalk newsletter’ in the order comments box at checkout at www.lewiskit.com and we will deduct your £20 discount when we process your order (cannot be combined with any other offer) More details about both offers
Planet-X Offer
Planet X are having a major clearout of their remaining 2005 stocks including their top quality pro-team kit. All the offers below are exclusive to TriTalk – to take advantage of these amazing offers simply email andy@planet-x-bikes.com (aka Redbiker) who will take your order. You’ll have to be quick as this stock is strictly limited and when it’s gone, it’s gone! More details about this offer
Wildside Offer
Wildside Cycles Online sell pretty much everything you need for triathlon. Their excellent online service is fast, friendly, reliable, and above all – great value. They are offering an exclusive 15% off all swim goggles & swim aids for online purchases until 12th April. To take advantage of this offer simply add the code ‘tritalk15’ in the other info field when placing your order. More details about this offer
Tri Tips The season is virtually upon us, so now is the time to sharpen up the training programme to ensure optimum performance in 2006. In this edition we have. Swimming Stroke Rate – a considered article by Paul, chief instructor from SwimSmooth who is a regular contributor to TriTalk.
Motivational tips from the Spencer Smith column
SwimSmooth
It often appears that there is much literature in the swimming world about how to go about increasing your stroke length in the pool (i.e. reducing number of strokes per length), though very little attention is seemingly placed upon how a swimmer or triathlete could stand to improve their times by increasing arm turn-over / stroke rate. Admittedly, most swimmers will stand to make the biggest improvements by working to eliminate drag and lengthen their stroke, but does there come a point when one reaches a “plateau” or optimal stroke count, whereby we must then consider lifting stroke rate, but making an effort to maintain that refined stroke length? Read the full article here
Spencer Smith
3 times world champion & 2 time IronMan winner, Spencer Smith, contributes a regular column to TriTalk through his sponsor Planet X. Spencer gives us a unique insight into his training regime, explores the highs & lows of returning from serious injury, and more recently offers tips on blagging your bike onto a plane for free!! Spencer is currently offline for a week or 2 as he is in San Diego making final preparations for his first race of the season in the Oceanside IronMan 70.3. Check out his articles to date here and bookmark it for future updates. All Spencer Smith articles
Inside TriTalk.co.uk As you have probably found out, TriTalk is a great place to chat, ask questions, and get answers from a panel of over 3000 like minded triathletes. However, TriTalk.co.uk offers so much more with a rapidly increasing range of online features. In this newsletter we explore 2 features you may not have discovered yet.
Tri Events
At the end of the day, our obsession with Triathlon is all about the race itself. TriTalk.co.uk has a fully comprehensive Events database to ensure you can find the right race for you – see www.tritalk.co.uk/events. This invaluable database enables you search by month, region, or race distance. If you are a fan, or organiser, of a particular race which is not listed then you can add it yourself very simply. Every race is listed with all important details including an interactive mapping service showing exactly where the race is located.
TriWiki
Well now Triathlon has a wiki too – check out www.tritalk.co.uk/wiki. It's use on TriTalk is to create articles about frequently asked questions in the forum i.e. tubs v clinchers, flying with bikes, IronMan Pacing or anything that you like! The TriTalk wiki is based on the software used to run Wikipedia and works in exactly the same way. To edit pages you need to log in using your forum username and password. In doing so it credits any changes made to you. This resource will be as useful and comprehensive as the members make it. Within our TriTalk community we have expertise at all levels in all disciplines and subject matters (including world politics & social issues!!). So please contribute, give the benefit of your knowledge or experiences and help build the ultimate Triathlon encyclopaedia. Read the entry on Ironman Pacing
