The 2011 Triathlon season saw the launch of the Triathlon branch of team Transition Cycles. The Team’s first sponsored athlete, Charlie Palmer, was able to take his racing to the next level with the expert advice and back up from the team at Transition Cycles. “Whether it’s for kit or a top class bike service, the guys in the shop always have the time and expertise for the things that make cyclists happy and bikes run smooth and fast. Riding a bike that’s been set up and serviced by those guys is a real pleasure and worth precious seconds out there on the road”.

Transition Cycles provided Palmer with a Specialized Transition Pro, custom fit by the transition cycles mechanics. He raced over a range of distances from pool sprints (400m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run) up to half iron man distance races (1900m swim, 90km cycle, 21km run).

Palmer kick started his 2011 campaign by winning the Senior Men BRCC Evening League Series. Other successes included winner of the Bedfordshire Triathlon Championships, 3rd overall in the Xterra Bedford Sprint Series. But it was towards the end of the season, by which time Palmer was eating lightning and spitting nails, that he found really good form and posted some top-class results. 5th in his age group at the Standard Distance National Championships in Milton Keynes against genuinely elite competition was of particular note. It was, however, his first shot at the longer, middle distance race that revealed where his talent really lies. The Transition Pro came into it’s own on the longer 90km time trial and the 4 hours of racing was long enough for Palmer to find his rhythm. He finished 3rd overall in a satisfying time of 3 hours 8 minutes. 

A Rocky Balboa-style season summary montage would see runs with pushchairs, long rides with kids in trailers, swimming during toddler times at the local pool and a very tolerant and understanding wife.