Triathlon season is here and we're dedicating this edition of Chain Links to all the budding triathletes out there. But even if you're not a Rookie, you won't want to miss this month's entertaining Training 101 from J&A owner Jack Murray. We also have a refresher on how to change a flat tire, a calendar full of events (including the new Splash & Dash Series), and much more. If that's still not enough to quench your tri thirst, then sign up for a Beginner Newsletter from Tri Zones Training.

Got a dusty, grimy bike caked with last year's gels? Then let the Webb Middle School Band get it clean for you! These kids are the same ones who perform at The Rookie Triathlon each year. The wash is free, but donations to the band are gladly accepted. Live music and snacks will be provided, as will free clinics from members of the J&A tri team. Here's the full lineup for the day:

What: Bike Wash & Clinics
Place: Jack & Adam's
When: Saturday, April 5th
Time:
11:00 AM - Bike Washing Begins
11:30 AM - Flat tire repair clinic
1:00 PM - Transition clinic
2:00 PM - Flat tire repair clinic
3:00 PM - Bike Wash Ends

Can't make it on April 5? Then check out these other free clinics at J&A's:

March 29: TriZones Training - Clinic on Training for a Women's Tri
April 5: HeartZones Training - Danskin training, flat clinic
April 20: Austin T3 - Clinic on equipment, training, nutrition

The Rookie Triathlon is at participant capacity, but the lucky ladies have a similarly fun tri in which to participate. The Skeese Greets Women's Tri (from the makers of The Rookie Tri, Jack's Generic Tri and The Austin Tri) consists of a 300 meter swim, 11.1 mile bike and 2 mile run. All the fun happens on Sunday, May 18 at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, TX.

Unsure of what to expect at your first triathlon? Then ladies, be sure to join Source Endurance at Women's Tri Night on April 2. Or head over to Rogue Equipment on March 29th to learn about IronChicks.

You may be a Rookie, but you don't have to look like one. Jack and Adam's Bicycles has put together three package deals with all the gear you need for your first (or 20th) tri.

Jack's First Tri

Almost every day customers visit our shop seeking advice on participating in their first triathlon. When I have the opportunity to help someone in this situation, I share with them the story of my first tri in hopes of helping them feel more comfortable about their endeavor.

It was the summer of 1994. The event was the Victoria Splash & Dash in Victoria, Texas. I had trained for a few weeks and was sure I was in peak condition for an easy victory. I was, after all, fresh off a 1600 meter run victory and bronze in the 3200 at the Texas State Championship Relays. How hard could a little tri be? I thought I knew all there was to know about swimming, biking, and running. Turns out - I knew nothing!

The morning started with me loading my bike into the trunk of my mom's car and driving with her and my sister to the event one hour away. I arrived around 6 AM for an 8 AM start. This was before on-line registration, so I registered for the event that morning and picked up my packet. As people started to arrive, I noticed the differences between my rusty old mountain bike and some of their $2000 race machines. My confidence, however, was not crushed; I was still sure I could win. After racking my bike, I headed over to the pool area where everyone was warming up. As I got closer, I noticed everyone was wearing tight swimsuits and goggles. I was sure, however, that my baggy Umbro "soccer shorts" and lack of goggles was the best way to go. My plan was simple - go as fast as I could for as long as I could.

They were letting swimmers go every 5 seconds and we had to snake up and down the pool for a total of 300 meters. I patiently waited in line until 5,4,3,2,1 go, I was off. I swam as fast as I could to the other side and then back again. 50 meters down 250 to go. By 150 my arms started to hurt and my eyes were stinging from the chlorine. By 200 I was kicking off the bottom every few strokes and swimming with my eyes closed, by 250 I was just trying to get out of the water alive, and without my shorts falling off. After the swim, I was sure I was still in good position to hold my own on the bike.

I grab my bike out of transition and head out on to the 12 mile course. As I start to ride I realize I am not catching anyone. The rusty, old mountain bike that I borrowed from my high school track coach was not the stallion I thought it was. Riding around the block a few times for training was probably not the riding that all these people were doing. The fact that my bike could not shift was more trouble than I thought it would be. And looking back, my saddle was also about 5 to 7 inches to low. Towards the end of the ride I was being passed by a 10 year old girl and her mom; it was then that I started to feel my big victory slipping away. Still I was determined to blaze through transition and light up the run.

Transition to the run was probably my most memorable moment. As I speed to the transition area, volunteers are yelling at me to dismount my bike. As I go to lift my feet off the pedals, I forget that they are hooked in by cages. The combination of speed and my feet getting caught was enough to send me crashing like a bowling ball into a bike rack with about 6 bikes on it. The volunteers quickly help me up and as I throw my bike in the grass next to a picnic table (the rack was down), I remember thinking how much fun I was having. The whole day was something I had never experienced before.

It took about a mile into the run before I got my legs out of bike riding mode. I had no idea how riding a bike would effect legs on the run. As I rounded the final stretch I saw all these happy people cheering for me, eating, drinking, and just having a good time. I talked to people for about an hour. I met a guy my age that had been doing triathlons for years. I met some members of the Corpus Christi tri club and was invited to their next meeting. I signed up for their monthly newsletter. In short - I was hooked. It was nothing I thought it would be. It was fun and I discovered a whole different type of people that did not exist in my 5000 person hometown.

Through the years of collegiate running, duathlons, sprint tri's, half Ironman events, Ironman events, and working in the shop, my first tri memory will forever help me keep our sport in perspective. It is not about where you finish, what type of bike you have, what you do for a living, where you are from or where you are going. It is about having fun and that is it. You can have many goals in our sport without forgetting this key element. I am constantly reminded of this by some of the greatest in the sport like Michael Lovato and James Bonney. If you ask either of them why they have dedicated and built their lives around this sport, they will tell you the same.

Did you miss The Rookie Triathlon boat? Well, you still have a chance to win a spot! J&A's is giving away two entries and this is how to enter:

Option 1.) In fewer than 400 words, tell us about your first tri experience.
Option 2.) In fewer than 400 words tell us why The Rookie should be your first triathlon experience.

Send the stories to newsletter@jackandadams.com by April 20th. Winners will be announced on the J&A website.

10 step process to changing out a tube

What you need:
Tire Levers
Spare Tube
Pump

Steps:
1.) Open quick release on break calipers
2.) Open quick release skewer on wheel & remove wheel from bicycle
3.) Take one side of tire off the rim with your tire levers
4.) Pull out the punctured tube
5.) Check the inside of tire for road debris and cuts in tire
6.) Make sure the rim strip is in it's proper place
7.) Insert new inner tube
8.) Put side wall of tire back onto the rim
9.) Inflate the tube to recommended pressure
10.) Put the wheel back on the bicycle

Need to see and hear an explanation? Then be sure to visit J&A's on April 5th for one of the tire repair clinics listed in the Shop Talk section above.