The 10th edition of the Triathlon show took place between the 2-4th March at Sandown park racecourse and Tri Team Dawson put in an appearance for the second year running!
Last year was about trying to meet as many people as possible as we were on the lookout for much needed sponsorship. Whilst we could still do with some additional help in some areas (especially financially), this year was much more about spending time with some of the great sponsors we have now linked up with over the last year or so and seeing other friends from the triathlon world.
Jill and I were primarily the guests of bike sponsors Matrix Cycles UK. As at the bike show in January, the tandem was on display and proved a popular attraction. British Triathlon’s mascot – the Tristar tiger – even had a quick spin and roared that it was grrrreat!, apparently.
The Tristar Tiger on the Matrix mean machine
My new Pyro TT solo bike was also on display having just been built up by our friends at Madgett’s Cycles in Diss in double-quick time ready for the show. The bike looks fabulous and I am really looking forward to riding it soon (carefully!). The Pyro was used in a ‘guess the weight’ competition with several of my Tri-Anglia club mates unsuccessfully attempting to cheat by getting insider info from me…shocking I know!
The New Pyro TT/Triathlon bike (Photo by Jon Ashford)
The Tri show also gave us a chance to catch up with a few other people too. We bumped into David from Match Fit Sports who has been supplying the Xtenex laces you might have seen me using. If you haven’t heard of these before they are very clever with more information here.
David seems to be making a habit of sourcing high tech, innovative brands and has now added to this with the Hyerkewel range of products. Hyperkewel produce various garments made from a special fabric that when submerged in cold water and rung out will retain it’s cool feel. The idea is stop you overheating before or during competition using evaporative cooling technology in order to improve performance. David has kindly supplied me with a cap and vest to test out this year so I will let you know how it works when I find some warmer weather!
Wetsuit sponsors Blueseventy were also on hand with their extensive range of swim and triathlon clothing…some of which I am looking forward to racing in once more this season! Congratulations to them for winning the 220 triathlon award for best wetsuit with the Helix, again!!
Finally, it was a pleasure to meet one of guide’s Luke Watson’s sponsors in the form of 110% Play Harder. They supply high quality compression clothing, but with the bonus of being able to add ice packs directly into the garment. This means not only can you help prevent muscle damage in the first place when doing hard run sessions or other training, you can also speed up recovery between sessions or when treating an injury…another great innovation! I have never used compression clothing, but will be trying out the 110% calf guards in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for the generous discount too guys!
So, another show done and time for a rest perhaps…no chance!
Iain