Here's where I get to show my sponsors a little love.

Colorado Multisport 

Colorado Multisport is designed to cater to multisport athletes of every level. Our roots are in the community of athletes in Boulder, regardless of level. The achievements of this community continue to amaze us, and we can think of no better way to serve them than through Colorado Multisport.

Triathlon is not a passing fad, nor is it simply an opportunity for a local bike shop to make a quick buck. Multisport athletes in Boulder deserve a place to go where their tremendous athleticism and commitment are respected and indulged. We have created that place.

Colorado Multisport has an exclusive relationship with Sports Garage, which has become the premier cycling resource in Boulder. Their unparalleled level of mechanical expertise and world-leading fitting rapport is part of every experience at Colorado Multisport. Sports Garage opened in 1994 with the approach that service, both personal and mechanical, always comes first. Chris Jacobson and Nick Howe, owners of Sports Garage since 2003, are legends in the Front Range cycling community and have elevated Sports Garage into the one of the best shops in the country as recognized by national magazines and the industry.

Newly opened Colorado Multisport is Boulder’s very first and only triathlon/multisport store.  MainMan Tim Troha specializes in triathlon/Time-Trial bike fitting.  With a great selection of triathlon bikes including the Orbea Ordu, triathlon apparel, race wheels, cycling shoes, nutrition products, and Aquaman Triathlon wetsuits, Colorado Multisport has nearly everything you need to get ready for the upcoming season or your next race.  They even rent out race wheels for the weekend and allow you to apply your rental fee toward the purchase of a set of race wheels. 

Look for Tim and the Colorado Multisport crew at this year's 5430 Triathlon Series Race Expos www.5430sports.com

Colorado Multisport is located at 2705A Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302.  (303) 865-4604

SRAM

Thanks to SRAM, I get to ride the world's fastest, lightest, and most innovative road component group, SRAM Red, this season!!  The only downside to riding the best and most reliable equipment available????  No more excuses.......  

Will YOU make the Leap this season?

ZIPP Speed Weaponry

ZIPP is the premier carbon wheel manufacturer in the world.  ZIPP is constantly raising the bar in wheel aerodynamics and technology.  ZIPP wheels are not only aerodynamic, they are extremely light and stiff and are built up in ZIPP’s factory using only the best hubs, spokes, and composite materials.   ZIPP is the only wheel manufacturer to offer the patented dimple technology. 

The ZIPP 606 wheelset offers great versatility if you are looking for great all-around use.  The 999 set is perfect for calm, flatter, non-technical courses and is the fastest wheelset known to man. 

Bull & Crowley MediaWorks

How do I maintain a fabulous website AND manage to train 30 hours and coach 20 hours per week? Simple -- Aaron and Adam of Bull and Crowley Media Works.  Bull and Crowley Media Works have built and maintain my websites, trikirk.com, and trikirkcoaching.com.  Like what you see here?  Check them out for all your web designing needs, whether it's personal, business, or other.

Tri-Massage

Tri-Massage Therapists, Josh Shadle and Katie Sandmeyer keep me training hard rather than hardly training because of over-fatigued, tight muscles.  Tri-Massage specializes in deep tissue work which is exactly what I need following a tough week of training.

Rotor Cranks

I began riding Q-rings in December, 2006.  I first put them on my Triathlon bike and have since put them on both my road and mountain bikes.  Rotor Q-Rings help to minimize the time spent in the dead spot while pedaling. While oval chainrings have historically been controversial, we believe that allowing a rider to fine tune the chainring position offers opportunities to minimize the dead spot never before realized with conventional chainrings.  In my first test on the Q-rings, I increased my Lactate Threshold watts from 286 to 312 and lowered my average Heartrate from 163 to 161.  I could have gone harder but was intimidated by seeing the 300+ watt numbers!  In addition to the Q-rings, I have put the Rotor Cranks Agilis cranksets on both my road and mountain bikes.  I was skeptical of Q-rings for 2 years before finally deciding to try them this year.  No regrets and this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Q-rings are going to do for me!

ISM Seats

Prior to trying an ISM Adamo Race saddle in March 2008, I had tried at least a dozen other saddles, many of which were triathlon specific saddles.  The difference was night and day.  After the first ride on the Adamo, I noticed that my sit bones were actually sore for the first time in 5 years of riding!  After about a week of consistent riding, the soreness disappeared and I finally realized how sit bones received their name -- they are designed for just that, sitting.  That's what makes other 'sad'dles so sad.  Numbness is a sign that's something is wrong, not a sign that I should have to somehow "toughen up."  I now have ISM seats on all my bikes -- Adamo Peloton for the road bike, Adamo Racing for my tri bike, and Adamo Peak for mountain.  When I go to CA to visit my friend Jeremy, who has two bikes in my frame size, It's kinda nice that I don't have to bring my own bike, BUT, I do have to bring my ISM saddle:-)

Cycle Ops

Zeal Optics

Zeals are just plain amazing sunglasses.  What makes them so incredible?  Zeal ZB-13 Polarized lens for starters.  It was the first thing I noticed and is almost always the first thing noticed by others when trying a pair of Zeals on for the first time.  Everything pops so clearly, and the lens is nothing less than perfect in nearly all light conditions.  Secondly, Zeal styling is second to none.  I have a smaller face that can sometimes be difficult to fit for sunglasses.  With Zeal's selection, there is no shortage of options for me to wear and be comfortable.  

Long Drives and Casual = Flyer in Wasabi Green

Casual and Motorcycle = Sustain in Black

Running, outdoor activities, triathlon run = Tensai in White

Riding, triathlon bike = Lift in Black

Look Bikes

You will be hard pressed to find a bike that "LOOKs" faster and sexier than my LOOK 596 in race trim.  The real question is then, "is the bike as fast as it LOOKs?"  hmmmmm.........YES.  I have ridden my share of top-end TT bikes and can honestly say the 596 is indeed a step (and oftentimes more) above the others.  Amazingly stiff LOOK oversized Zed BB and Crankset for maximal power transfer, wind-tunnel designed tube shapes and front monoblade fork, integrated seat post, crank, and stem, and LOOKs that could kill for good measure.  One of the best features of the 596 is quite honestly the ease of fitting this bike.  The front integrated monoblade fork/headset/stem design allows fitters to entertain a nearly 180 degree range for stem and handlebar placement, rather than a more traditional span of ~40 degrees.  This allows the rider to get in the most aerodynamically comfortable position possible without requiring a hard-to-look-at stem, headset spacers stacked to the moon, or stilted elbow pads to get dialed in.  As for the ride, I'm amazed at just how well the 596 1. rides in a straight line and 2. handles technical descents and corners.  Riding in a straight line easily seems trivial, but I was amazed at how twitchy and unstable other top-end bikes ride compared to the 596.  As for cornering and descending, I have no reservations about taking the very long, windy (as in curvy, but can also be turbulent), and popular, Mt. Lemmon (Tucson, AZ) descent almost entirely in my aerobars.  The utter smoothness of the bike in corners gives me the confidence needed to stay put in the most aerodynamic position possible.  Click here to read a very detailed, unbiased review on the LOOK 596. All the geek talk aside, one thing is for sure, it helps to LOOK fast in order to BE fast.

Gu Energy

Adage It

Adage IT owner and long time friend, Jeremy Stepan, has been a very supportive friend to me personally as well as professionally.  Adage IT offers unique IT solutions to large and small companies, organizations, and residents nationwide, and is based in the LA area.  Jeremy is a triathlete himself, and he serves the Santa Clarita, CA community by volunteering as head coach of the local "Storm" youth running club, that offers cross-country and Track & Field programs for youngsters aged 8-14.  I have been out on several occasions to visit Jeremy and his family, and have joined the Storm as a guest speaker/coach for various training sessions.  If you are a business, organization, or resident needing the services of a very qualified, dependable, and honest IT company, contact Adage IT!!

Infinit

Salazar Photography

Vitality Specific