The Monday list: ten twits to follow

Each Monday from now on (well, whenever possible, at least) I’ll be doing a top five or top ten list to start the week. This week, I’m starting nice and easy with my ten fave people, companies or websites to follow on Twitter, with a brief explanation as to why. This list is aimed at those with an interest in triathlon and related subjects, but does not include pro triathletes (ten triathletes who tweet well will be a future list). If you have any comments, recommendations or additions, I’d love to hear them:

1. @ThirdBrownlee – An irreverent look at the world of triathlon from Alistair and Jonathan’s “little brother”
2. @TrainingPeaks – lots of great information and technical training articles, even if you don’t use the TP programme for training
3. @BeginnerTriathlete – loads of advice and features for intermediate as well as beginner multisporters
4. @dcrainmakerblog – plenty of triathlon information but also the best and most complete reviews of all tri-related technology
5. @TriathleteEurope – good source of news and interviews
6. @purplepatch – Purple Patch head coach, Matt Dixon, is a top tri mind with lots of ideas that could be of benefit to age groupers
7. @trifuel – links to interesting studies, sessions, slideshows, news and reviews
8. @Doctor_Hutch – as well as being a brilliant writer (if you’ve not already, read his book The Hour), Michael Hutchinson is a great source of cycling-related news and opinions
9. @BenGreenfield – top triathlete who is also a huge nutrition mind, with loads of links, opinions, videos and podcasts relating to health, wellbeing and sports performance
10. @slowtwitch – a place where all tri junkies can really geek out  

This list is, of course, in no way exhaustive and tries to include a little of everything but, if you’re a triathlete just getting into Twitter or a member of the Twitterati just getting into triathlon, you won’t go far wrong if you follow these ten handles to start.

Bike porn...GRRRRRR!

As every triathlete or cyclist knows, there is one feeling that eclipses all of life’s other emotions and experiences. Sure, reaching the top of a gruelling climb feels pretty cool; watching the bike computer nudge past 80kmph as you smash through a long downhill is awesome; that little internal sensation you get when you’re in a race and know – just know – that you’re in great form and killing it is sweet too…

But none of these come close to the sheer primal exhilarating rush of buying a new bike!

The next best thing to buying a new bike, of course, isn’t setting a new PB or winning a race… it’s showing off pictures of your latest steed. And so, in true Slowtwitch style… ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my latest set of wheels.

BOOM! This little beauty is a brand-new (erm, well, about seven years old) Altra Bravo. You can try looking that up online but you won't find a website coz it's just so darn, like, custom and niche and specialist and stuff...

DING! Oh yeah... it's got a nice shiny bell from Halfords. Does your Shiv have that? Does it??? Didn't think so...

BANG! Look at that bottom bracket! And the kick stand! And the chain protector cover thing that keeps your chain a bit clean and stops your jeans from getting dirty. Cutting-edge.

BOSH! Told you it was cutting-edge. The T3 is, I believe, SRAM's response to Shimano's Di2 gearing. After all, who needs 20-odd gears when you can just have three? (has an added feature that means you have to actually hold the lever in 1st gear for it to stay, and have to stop pedalling for a couple of seconds to allow it to change).

WALLOP! That's a lock that goes through the back wheel. And a pannier rack. And some elastic thing. All fitted tightly around the back wheel mud guards for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Apparently, the geniuses at Altra (or Bravo - not sure which is the brand and which is the model!) spent months in the wind tunnel perfecting this design.

PING! A rear-mounted extra scooter lock on the back tucked into the elastic thingymajobbies.

SQUEAK! Ohhhhh yeah. Now this is a bike riding saddle. How do I know? Coz it's got pictures of people riding bikes on it. Didn't think of that, did you ISM? Missed a trick there, hey Fizik?

Anyway, that's my latest bike. I realise that you're probably feeling pretty jealous now, so where can you pick one of these bad boys up? Well, RRP is €60 from some dude in southern Holland who has a house and harden full of second hand bikes (that may or may not be stolen...). You can find him on marktplaats.nl (Dutch ebay). Happy shopping.