FLASH-POINT BLOGGER: KARI HOLMES

Actually I'm here husband Brian. I also have a blog called : theadventuresoftaconiteboy.blogspot.com Where I pretend to be the blogosphere's first superhero. If you want to hear more about crazy superhero tri talk, tune into the Tacboy n' Bigun's podcast. Available 24/7 on iTunes!

Moving on from that shameless plug. I have a confession. I love Kari's flash points.

OK..I stole her flash points.

Let's just say that I found an opportunity to use them due to some injuries that she had last year. I am not a serious age group triathlete, but I do like to work hard when I'm on the bike. What a joy these wheels were to ride. The first time I tried them out last year, I instantly noticed was how comfortable my tri-bike rode. The FP's really cushioned and dampened the road vibrations which was a welcome benefit considering I was training for Ironman Wisconsin! This was not my main objective with placing these wheels on my bike, but it sure was a welcome one.

The speed benefit can really be appreciated on these wheels as your speed nears 17-22 miles per hour. I liken it to riding in a 'slot'. When you enter this rigid track, due to the aerodynamic design of the wheels, you were pure power and speed. It's awesome!

The bottom line is that these wheels provide comfort and increased efficiency during your rides. Whether your training for a sprint triathlon or the full Ironman distance, you'll find these well priced carbon wheels a great addition to your triathlon gear!

Have a great season!


Brian (Taconite Boy)

Upgraded my cassette to a 12-27 from a 12-25, that seemed to flatten out some of the hills I use to train for racing. Ironman Wisconsin is only a short five weeks away, where the FP's will get a thorough test. 112 miles of constantly rolling hills, with 3 heart breakers (that you crest twice) counting on a good ride to leave plenty of run in the legs and minimal fatigue in my upper body. The next three weeks should be a good test run, as the FP's will be on from now until race day. I should cover four or five hundred miles all told. So far, injury free and rolling like a machine, bring on Ironman!

The season is half complete- I'm happy with my results. My husband is training his way toward competing at IM Wisconsin and lately we have been discussing our biking techniqes. The best way to describe riding race wheels like the FP's is riding in the slot. You know when you hit it, a sensation that let's you know the bike is what it is;namely awesome. It's as if your wheels have hit a track and are being compelled along a smooth tunnel of black top. The effort is there, the sweat is there, when you are in the slot, the performance is there. What a feeling. I love flying up and over hills.

We just returned from watching friends in the Triple Bypass in Colorado. I don't imagine there was a lot of slot riding over that 120 miles, but for those riding race wheels, the road was smoother, faster and less troubling.

My goal over this season and next is to add power to the engine and ride the slot even more over the next year. I'm targeting the bike to up my speed over the international to iron distance with the goal of hitting a percentage of the winning time in each race. I have no doubt race wheels will help me meet that goal.