WTWB1: What Is When Triathlon Was Better?

Image: Tri-Athlete (UK) July 1988

Here’s Episode 1 of a new project. When Triathlon Was Better. 

At WTWB we’re going to be talking about triathlon history. Not THE history. Like. Chronologically. Just stories that inspired me as a teenage triathlete growing up in Slough in the late-1980s. And some that I’ve discovered more recently. I’ll be focusing mainly on the 1980s and 1990s but will eventually be looking at other periods too.

So expect future episodes about the big races, the different race series that existed, the famous athletes, the bikes, the clothing and kit, the various triathlon magazines and books, and occasionally some triathlon politics and controversy. 

I’ll also be building my own experiences into the narrative to help explain the triathlon scene at the time. And all episodes will be thoroughly researched using magazine articles from the time and the few triathlon history books that exist. Whenever possible I’ll be talking to people who were there as well as exploiting the triathlon history resources available on YouTube.

But don’t be fooled by the podcast's name. I’m not a old grumpy guy sitting at home in tattered race t-shirts. Shouting at live-streams. Because the athletes are not on steel bikes or wearing mini-Speedos. 

In fact, I’m still fully involved in modern triathlon. By coaching junior athletes at TSV Karlsfeld, volunteering at local events and racing lots. In fact, 2026 will be my 38th triathlon season. 

So maybe I’ll do some behind the scenes reports on how I enjoy the sport these days. That’s by racing short, hard, often and mainly local. And by keeping my training and equipment as simple as possible.

I’m planning to write near-daily blog posts. Release a podcast episode on Tuesdays and Fridays. And be on YouTube and Instagram as well.

So like, subscribe, leave a comment or send me an email if you have any questions. And pass on this link to anybody who might be interested.

The magazine cover above is from the first triathlon magazine I ever bought. In July 1988 from WH Smith’s on Slough High Street. Reading the race reports inside about Swindon, Lanzarote and The Gold Coast got me intrigued and then hooked. I eventually did my first triathlon in May 1989. But that’s a story for another day.

Finally, When Triathlon Was Better is mainly a fun experiment for me; but if other people like it then that’s cool too!

Ross.

Links:
WTWB on Instagram
WTWB on YouTube
The Streak Podcast
TSV Eintracht Karlsfeld Triathlon