John Walker

I'll try to keep things short and to the point. Most things on this page are related to triathlons (or the swimming, cycling, and running that comprise them).

I don't believe in putting things here just to see my name in lights, so I won't put something here unless I think it might be either useful or interesting to someone else.

Triathlon Related Stuff

• The Triathlete's Web - Marty Miller maintains this site which contains all sorts of triathlon info and links (including the RST Directory - which I helped set up). Rather than wasting my time trying to duplicate it, I'll just direct you to it.
• Race Reports - If you are interested in doing a particular race, or just like to read about them, then check out the collection of triathlon race reports that I have saved from postings to rec.sport.triathlon, reports that have been mailed to me, and ones I have found on the Web.
• USA Triathlon Competitive Rules - There are constant questions on rec.sport.triathlon about triathlon rules (especially drafting). Even before r.s.t. existed, those questions made it to the net on the rec.running and rec.bicycles newsgroups. Over the years, I have entered the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules into the computer and updated them on a yearly basis. But even having access to the rules, an alarmingly large percentage of people still misinterpret them (especially the drafting rules), including USA Triathlons on their Most Common Rule Violations sheet that was distributed at lots of 1995 races. Test your knowlege with this drafting rules quiz that I posted to the newsgroup in 1993 (Nobody is being graded).

Swimming Related Stuff

• Open Water Swimming Tips - I have never seen anything more than a cursory article about swimming in open water in magazines. So I gathered my knowlege and experience on the subject and wrote some tips for open water swimming. It is intended mainly for triathletes who are getting ready to make the leap from pool training to open water racing and training. But it should be useful for all swimmers getting ready to leap into the murky depths.
• The Great Chesapeake Bay Swim - The "Bay Swim" is one of the biggest open water swims in Maryland and the nearby areas. Every year, there are questions on rec.sport.swimming about the swim. I've tried to collect information about the swim from the newsgroups, from race literature, and from other places on the Web. I am in no way affiliated with the race.
• Wetsuit Review - Wetsuits are often a hot topic on rec.sport.triathlon. I have saved a couple rec.sport.triathlon posts regarding wetsuits (including Joanne Lehrman's comparison of four popular brands of swimming wetsuits).

Bike Related Stuff

• FAQ from the rec.bicycles Newsgroups - I'm not going to duplicate that info here. There is also an alternative site that has both the FAQ and lots of other rec.bicycles archives.
• Avocet Computer Info - A collection of stuff about the Avocet bike computers, including calibration numbers and replacement battery information.

For Your Reading Enjoyment...

• Pumpkin Fetching - Since 1989, I have been making an annual bicycle excursion in October in order to get a pumpkin for Halloween. During that time, I have gathered some history and some tidbits about fetching pumpkins by bike. I also have a ride report from my 1995 pumpkin fetch.
• About me - If you are really bored, you can even find out a little bit more about me.

-- John

Updated: January, 1996