UKC

I would like to do an off-road duathlon or triathlon, I'll swim if I have to. I have not owned a mtb since the late '90s but went biking recently and got the bug again. I'm moderately fit in running terms. As for swimming, I hear the Jaws music in my head when I have a bath but I'm sure I'll get over that.
I would like advice on a UK competition suited to a beginner and an entry level mountain bike, around £500 price range, so I can start training. Tfr. I just invented that acronym.

In reply to Roobag:

this should help
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-mountain-bikes-under-500-29451/

however at £500 looking 2nd hand might be your best bet, and remmeber when look at new bikes, 500 can easily become 650 (but its worth it!)

In reply to Roobag:

The Craggy Island Triathlon from Oban is really fun and great for beginners (it's the only triathlon I've ever done). It's a relaxed atmosphere, it's a mountain rescue fundraiser and you get to explore a really cool little Island. I think it might be sold out this year though, but it's definitely one to look out for in the future.

Good luck with the training, enjoy getting back on the bike

In reply to Roobag:

"an entry level mountain bike, around £500 price range"

Would be horrid. I agree with the comment to look for 2nd hand at that level.

In reply to Roobag:

You need to look at off-road sprint triathlons - like this one:

https://www.britishtriathlon.org/take-part/events/detail/Huntsman-Triathlon...

I've done it a couple of times, when it was the Xceler8, or something. The only person that passed me on the bike section was on a cyclocross bike

Open water swims can be quite intimidating, especially as a mass start is usual. You'll need to buy/hire a wetsuit, which will give you lots of buoyancy, but the bit I struggle with is getting used to having my face in cold water - I'm otherwise not a bad swimmer at that distance. I also HATE wearing a swim cap, but you have to for safety.

In reply to Dogwatch:


Not true. Bikes from decathlon and even halfords get some not bad reviews and are value for money. Full sus tend to be ropey in that price bracket but you can pick up not bad hardtails.
I would also look at discounted bikes from last year as well although not the right time of year for the best bargains.

Bad reviews? For products from major advertisers? You jest.

I've bought a budget bike and so did my wife. Both were junk. Never again. We could have done far better for the money buying 2nd hand.

In reply to Roobag:

Something like a Cube Aim SL would be a good start. £475 gets you a good frame with (low end) Shimano components, hydraulic disc brakes and a coil fork. Comes in either 29" or 27.5" wheels.
http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/mtb-hardtail/aim/cube-aim-sl-blacknwhite-201...

I've got a Cube Analog 29 with a similar spec and the fat thing between handlebars and saddle is the limiting factor. It's happy on Red routes at Gisburn trail centre, bashing along bridleways and steeper stuff if you take it steadily.

Once you've ridden it for a while you can either upgrade the bits as and when or just buy a more expensive one knowing a bit more about what you like and don't like.

Keep an eye out for any adventure races in your area. There's usually some navigation involved but as far as a good combination of running and MTB you can't go wrong. They've just finished but the Open 5 series that runs over winter are ace - http://www.openadventure.com/open5/

However if you are down south maybe check out http://www.questars.co.uk/

In reply to Roobag:

If you are willing to travel up to the Scottish borders, then
http://www.durtyevents.com/bowhill-duathlon-series.html
is a nice series of winter duathlons and the same people run
http://www.durtyevents.com/durty-triathlon.html
(they are also the people behind the Craggy Island tri).

I know less about High Terrain Events, but my O/H did one of these:
http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/#!off-road-duathlon-series/c1o3f
and enjoyed it; they seem to have a triathlon series too, including an off road one:
http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/#!kielder-off-road-triathlon/rtl4f

In reply to Roobag:

The Voodoo hard tail bikes sold by Halfords and the Calibre ones from Go Outdoors are very decent for the money. I've ridden a Voodoo Hoodoo up and down Scottish glens, over Pennine moors and around trail centres for a few years and can't tell much difference between it and some of the much more expensive bikes I've borrowed from friends. My son has a Calibre bike and it also rides well. Just make sure the staff who set it up know what they're doing, because some at Halfords and Go couldn't put a three-piece jigsaw puzzle together.

In reply to Roobag:
Your profile says you're in Essex and some of the suggestions are a long way North in Scotland - makes me wonder if Ireland might be a viable alternative..

I did Gaelforce West last year (link: http://gaelforceevents.com/en/gaelforce-west-info ) and it was fantastic - very friendly event in a beautiful location (and Westport is a delightful little town). No swim required, the 'aquatic' bit is a short paddle across the fjord on a sit-on-top kayak. The cycle section is largely on-road though, with a few miles of forest fire road a tiny bit of proper off-road and just the one rough rocky descent.

I'm not at all sure if it's the kind of thing that might interest you, but if it does I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. There seem to be a fair few other events like it dotted about Ireland. Seems a bit odd that there seems to be nothing similar in England, I'd have thought there'd be a fair bit of interest in a Peak or a Lakes equivalent.

There was a drone buzzing about at odd times last year, got some really nice footage. I'm in it for about a nanosecond - youtube.com/watch?v=wV9-O0TTgD0&
(Don't be fooled though, I think you only get a 50/50 chance of seeing the extraordinary view from the top of the mountain at any given time. The rest of the time it has a cloud sat on the summit like an over affectionate wet dog.)

In reply to Dogwatch:

>

There is a bracket where cheap is really rubbish, but at around £500 there are possibilities that are decent frames but lower standard components. Components wear out anyway so can be upgraded over time. There's no doubt that spending more has advantages, particularly for forks and wheels. However, those are nice to have ratherthan essential. My first bike was an older model kona and cost me £220 about 4 years ago. I still ride it now and love it. Some of the best money I ever spent as it allowed me to get into mtb. Plus it's not all about the bike. ..i regularly overtake people who have spent more than 10 times what I did on their bikes.