Are Triathletes Cyclists?

This is one of those deeply profound questions, like “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” or “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” Yes, triathletes ride bikes, but they also swim and run and are generally weird. Well, in light of my definition of “cyclist” I think I have an answer. A triathlete is a cyclist provided he or she would still ride even if the cycling portion of triathlons was officially replaced with some other activity, such as rollerblading or curling while on mescaline. If in such a situation the triathlete says, “Hey, that sucks! Well forget triathlons, I’m going to keep riding,” then he or she is a cyclist. But if the triathlete immediately puts all his or her bike stuff on Craigslist and buys a big heavy rock, a broom, and some peyote, then he or she is just some freak in a half-shirt.

Posted on bike snobnyc blog today,

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/...ering-nature-of.html

I'd say yes they are. Certainly fit . I'd never cycle in a pair of 'speedos' either

Ask Lance Armstrong his opinion

The same could be asked of BMXer's They don't cycle any were far. Just round purpose built parks pulling tricks for 20 mins Certainly a skill BUT is that cycling

or Ned Overend

Or Laurent Jalabert.

Depends, some triathletes are runners some are swimmers and some are cyclists, I would say its background. I'm a cyclist, triathlete then runner in that order even though its inversely proportionate to them amount of events have competed/taken part in. I would also not cycle in speedos...unless the money was right.

BITD - I have cycled in Speedos, what better way to get a tan a little higher up your legs than the normal cycalists tan, best when combined with a crop top to show of the belly button piercing.

Crikey, this is a bit deep! What does one have to do to be a cyclist? Under these rules I am definitely not. Have bikes, use them for practical purposes, play not as often as I would like and do other stuff more. Can't be a cyclist then unless I am doing it full time to the exclusion of everything else?

They look like cyclists to me, far more than I ever will!

Don't tell Jamie staff or Shanaze reade that...

Interesting question, had a bit of experience recently with a local Tri club. In my opinion they are runners foremost and then cyclist and then swimmers last.

Humm. Friend of mine started out racing on a road bike, then went on to track stuff and finally Triathlon. He was deffo a cyclist and a swimmer (an possibly a runner too).

Oh, and he was built like a brick toilet, so in my opinion, he's what he says he is and that's OK with me!

I have a few friends who are Triathletes - my barber is No3 in the World in his age group and my business partner was South African Junior Champion!

In my expereince the very best Triathletes are swimmers first and then either cyclists or runners. Anyone fit/strong can ride a bike reasonably fast and run for an hour. Swimming fast enough to be competitive is a fine art that is not easily learnt.

Started off mountain biking mid eighties..slowly got into multisport, and then full blown triathlons from the mid nineties to early 2001...then montain biking again..then got back into kayaking, and quadrathlons..now back to mountain biking and started training now for an attempt next year..2009..at all the 24hr races in the UK...so yes..at the heart of it all..I AM A CYCLIST..!!!
A small potted history...many XC and downhill races in the beginning..then many sprint tri's..then longer and longer tri's..4 Ironman races...one Double Ironman (4th)..two Triple Ironman (8th world champs)..then some longer MTB races..and into quadrathlon..2nd at the UK champ's, and silver at the World Quadrathlon Champs's Czech republic...BUT..i cannot leave my mountain bikes alone..so back to the mud it is..but it has to be 24hr racing.
But..i do reckon that a majority of triathletes, if they gave up the sport , would cease to be cyclists also...........

I would have to disagree Kev, the swimmings such a small part compared to the other disciplines, then that extra upperbody weight will slows down your bike and run legs. I would say good bikers for IM and good runners for the draft legal stuff.